Simon Lawrenson

Overview

As Head of Mourant Ozannes' Banking & Finance practice in Hong Kong, I have significant experience in banking and finance transactions, with an emphasis on acquisition finance.

My practice focuses on advising leading international lenders, sponsors and borrowers on a wide range of cross-border transactions, including event-driven acquisition and leveraged finance, asset finance (with a particular focus on shipping and aircraft finance), real estate financing, pre-IPO financing, trade financing, integrated debt and equity financing, debt restructuring, OTC derivatives and structured products, security enforcement, and project and energy finance.

I also advise on mainstream corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, general corporate advisory and voluntary liquidations.

Prior to joining Mourant in 2012, I worked for Linklaters in London and Hong Kong, and Maples and Calder in the British Virgin Islands.

Professional qualifications

• Solicitor, England and Wales (currently non-practising)
• Solicitor, the British Virgin Islands

Work highlights

• Providing BVI and Cayman Islands law advice in connection with China Vanke's participation in a consortium to take Global Logistic Properties Ltd private – a transaction valued at approximately US$11.6bn. This deal was Singapore's largest M&A deal on record and Asia's largest private equity buyout.
• Providing Cayman Islands law advice to China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited and The Export-Import Bank of China on facilities with a total commitment of around US$2.63bn for a consortium of buyers with respect to the acquisition and take private of Lexmark International Inc from the New York Stock Exchange.
• Advising Export-Import Bank of China, China Development Bank, Silk Road Fund and International Finance Corporation in connection with a US$1.392bn facility for the financing of the Karot hydropower plant in Pakistan – the first infrastructure project to be announced under China's One Belt One Road infrastructure development fund.
• Providing BVI and Cayman Islands law advice to CTBC Bank Co Ltd on certain senior loan facilities in connection with the US$800 million acquisition of Tricor Holdings Limited, a leading provider of integrated corporate services, by Trivium Investment Limited, a subsidiary of global private equity firm, Permira.

What the directories say

‘Simon Lawrenson is strong in the financing practice and is front and centre on all matters leading and responding from the outset.’, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2021. 

Simon Lawrenson is praised in Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2020 for, "delivering high-quality documents and services." The publication also states, "He is an extremely good and technical lawyer. He is one of the strongest in offshore that I've ever come across." 

Simon is recognised in the Finance chapter of Who’s Who Legal: Aviation, 2017 - 2020.

'Simon Lawrenson is praised by sources for the "responsive, commercial and intelligent advice" he provides. He is further described as a "smart operator."', Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2019.

'Simon Lawrenson is an established practitioner in the market, practising across high-value corporate and acquisition finance mandates. He is best known for his work assisting private equity houses and financial institutions with LBOs and take-private transactions. One source insists: "Simon is one of the most technically able lawyers in the offshore community.", Chambers Global, 2019.

Simon is listed as a Ranked Lawyer, Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2017.

Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2016, describes Simon as a 'great technician'.

'Simon Lawrenson is regarded as a talented lawyer on corporate and leveraged finance deals, heading the regional banking and finance team. One interviewee notes his 'friendly and practical manner' in transactions and his 'very easy style with clients',' Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2016.

'The "commercial and personable" Simon Lawrenson is recommended for aircraft finance and is "a pleasure to work with."', Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, 2016.

Simon Lawrenson has been singled out for his 'good-quality, common-sense advice', particularly in the field of aircraft finance, Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, 2015.