Debt capital markets


Issuing debt securities can be daunting, particularly for first time issuers or unusual structures. We work with you to make the process easy and painless – and bespoke to you.

Issuing a bond is not just about the pure mechanics of issuance. We bring an ability to innovate and streamline the process, to fit the particular needs and context of your business and sector.

We work with your financial advisors to structure the best solution for you, whether that is a public bond or private placement, retail or wholesale, structured finance or regulatory capital.

We know that you need to bring your stakeholders with you on such a key strategic decision. We work with your board or governing body to relate the complex documentation to real world risks and opportunities. 

Our experience

We're at the forefront of developing innovative long-term funding solutions for our non-profit, public sector and private sectors clients and we have particular expertise in helping first-time issuers navigate their way through the process of issuing bonds and private placements. Recent experience includes:

  • Helping a number of Russell Group universities to issue publicly listed bonds, including advice on the listing process, drafting the prospectus, assisting with verification and ensuring that internal governance and external regulatory processes are followed.

  • Assisting over 45 universities, Oxbridge colleges and independent schools on the private placement of debt securities, issued to a variety of UK, US and overseas investors, including the drafting of note purchase agreements and the creation of investor materials.

  • Creating a structure for a building society to issue a private placement of regulatory capital to a local authority pension fund – a unique transaction which received a nomination for both Finance Team of the Year and an Innovative Lawyer award.

  • Advising a real estate investment business on more than £200 million of structured note issues backed by a ground rent portfolio.

  • Advising an AIM-listed insurance business on regulatory capital issues in insurance subsidiaries and a group-level private placement of senior notes.

Did you know?

£4.5 billion

We've helped our clients raise over £4.5 billion in the debt capital markets over the past 3 years.

The Lawyer Awards

Nominated for Finance Team of the Year by The Lawyer for our debt capital market transactions in 2018 and 2014.

Innovation

Recognised for our innovative approach to structuring debt capital markets transactions by the Financial Times' Innovative Lawyer Awards 2018.

Our clients

We have experience working with clients across a range of non-profit and public sectors. Our clients include:

  • Higher education institutions
  • Independent schools
  • Oxbridge colleges
  • NHS charity trusts
  • City livery companies 
  • Charities
  • Building societies
  • Real estate investment companies
  • Insurance businesses

What our clients say about us

“Very thorough, very detailed, doesn't miss anything and is also very commercial and pragmatic about the legal versus commercial issues for the client.”

Chambers 2018

“I have always felt the benefit of your experience and cool and thorough counsel through the process, which has been reassuring and positive throughout.”

Allan Spencer

University of Sussex

“What stood out for me was the combination of expertise on debt fundraising and in-depth understanding of the issues affecting my sector.”

Finance Director

Russell Group university

Our lawyers

Our specialist lawyers combine their market-leading knowledge of sectors, such as universities, schools, charities, building societies, real estate and the public sector, with a deep expertise in DCM structures.

Get in touch

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