Linklaters

Linklaters has been named the leading legal adviser by deal value and volume for European, European - counsel to principals, Hong Kong & China and UK announced deals, according to Bloomberg, in its Q1 M&A league tables. The firm also tops the Bloomberg tables by value for announced Cross-border deals and M&A in the Global basic materials sector.

Thomson Reuters ranks Linklaters first for European, Eastern European, UK, Benelux and Nordic announced deals by value.

Mergermarket positions Linklaters first by value for Global mid-market, European mid-market, Asia Pacific (excl-Japan), Asia (excl-Japan & Australasia), Chinese, UK, Benelux, Nordic and Swedish announced deals. In addition, Linklaters also leads the Mergermarket tables by volume for Global, Global mid-market, European, European mid-market, UK, France and Benelux announced deals.

David Barnes, global head of corporate, said:

“The global financial crisis has had a major impact on M&A levels with the value and volume of deals significantly lower than this time last year. Nevertheless we have had a positive start to 2009 and we continue to act on high-profile and complex transactions. The majority of our work this quarter has been focused on recapitalisations and restructurings.”

Globally the firm acted on 55 deals in the first quarter for 2009 totalling US$115.2bn, according to Thomson Reuters. Key deals that Linklaters acted on this quarter include advising:

• Rio Tinto on its strategic partnership with Chinalco
• Lloyds Banking Group plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc on their capital restructuring
• Vattenfall AB on its acquisition of n.v. Nuon
• KBC Group NV on the capital injection by the Belgian State

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Peters on (44-20) 7456 2153 or sarah.peters@linklaters.com 
Rupert Winlaw on (44-20) 7456 3219 or rupert.winlaw@linklaters.com