BG Group
We are advising BG Group Plc, one of the world’s largest providers of natural gas, on its $13.8 billion bid for Origin Energy Ltd.
Asciano
We are advising Asciano on its response to a takeover proposed by TPG and Global Infrastructure Partners.
Chinalco
We are acting for Chinalco in relation to Chinalco’s and Alcoa’s acquisition of a 12% interest in Rio Tinto.
Xstrata
We advised Xstrata plc on its $3.5 billion acquisition of Jubilee- one of the most significant successful takeovers completed in mining in Australia for 2007/08. The transaction has established Xstrata plc’s presence in nickel in Australia.
Incitec Pivot acquisition of Dyno Nobel
We acted for Incitec Pivot in its A$3.3 billion acquisition by scheme of arrangement of global explosive manufacturer Dyno Nobel. The acquisition sees Incitec Pivot transformed into a leading global chemicals company favourably positioned to benefit from the hard and soft commodity super cycle, and moves it into the top 30 ASX-listed companies by market cap.
Macquarie Bank NOHC restructure
We acted for Macquarie Group Limited in connection with the restructure of its consolidated group of companies and related refinancing. The restructure was Macquarie's most significant corporate transaction since its listing on the ASX in 1996. It is the first NOHC restructure by a major Australian bank and involved the drafting of new legislation and novel regulatory relief.
CVC Asia Pacific’s acquisition of 65% of the Stella Group
We acted for CVC Asia Pacific in its successful acquisition of a 65% stake in the Stella Group, the travel and hospitality business of MFS Limited and the formation of a joint venture with MFS to operate the business. was that the deal was concluded whilst MFS Limited’s shares were suspended.
Primary’s takeover of Symbion
We acted for Primary Health Limited (Primary) on its recent takeover of Symbion Health Limited (Symbion) which succeeded after a lengthy and hard-fought tussle between competing bidders Primary and Healthscope Limited (Healthscope).
Palmary Enterprises acquisition of Consolidated Minerals
We advised Palmary Enterprises on all aspects of this takeover and compulsory acquisition. This was one of the livelier metals and resources takeovers completed in 2007/08, and was the first major investment in Australia by Ukrainian-backed Palmary Enterprises.
Blackstone acquisition of Hilton Hotels
We acted as Australian counsel to the Blackstone Group in connection with its acquisition of Hilton Hotels Corporation. The deal is one of Blackstone’s biggest acquisitions and is the biggest acquisition of a hotel company in history. With nearly 2,800 hotels in 80 countries, Hilton is one of the world's largest hotel chains.
Orica Limited - defence of proposal from Private Equity Consortium
We acted for Orica Limited in connection with a proposal that it received, from a consortium of private equity investors, to acquire all of the issued capital of Orica. The proposal valued Orica at approximately $11 billion.
nib Holdings Ltd demutualisation and listing
This was the first demutualisation and listing of a private health insurer in Australia. We acted for nib on all aspects of the demutualisation and listing. The transaction was the first demutualisation and listing of a health insurer in Australia and involved a number of novel legal issues.
Acquisition by CVC Capital Partners and CVC Asia Pacific of PBL Media
We acted for CVC in its successful bid for a 50% stake in PBL's key media assets. This was the first major media deal with private equity in anticipation of the reforms of foreign and cross-border media rules. It was also the first example of the “joint venture” private equity deal structure that has since gained traction in other deals. We also acted for CVC in its follow up acquisition from PBL of a further 25% of PBL Media (value A$515 million) in June 2007.
First Reserve Corporation
We are acting as Australian counsel for First Reserve Corporation in relation to the financing aspects of its acquisition of CHC Helicopter Corporation (incorporated in Canada), the world's largest provider of helicopter services to the global offshore oil and gas industry.
Nestlé Australia Ltd
We acted for Nestlé Australia Ltd on the sale of its Chilled Dairy business to Fonterra and future grant of SKI chilled dairy products licence by Nestlé to Fonterra.