Maples Group Celebrates Significant Success with 15 China Business Law Journal Deals of the Year 2024

Maples and Calder, the Maples Group’s law firm, is delighted to announce that our law firm has received an outstanding 15 Deals of the Year awards from China Business Law Journal (“CBLJ”). This recognition not only reinforces their standing as a market leader but also highlights their commitment to excellence and innovation in the increasingly competitive and complex business environment.

The annual CBLJ report celebrates the most significant and innovative transactional and case-based legal work across various sectors and practice areas within the Chinese legal market. This accolade underscores the exceptional quality and impact of their legal services.

A multi-disciplinary team of lawyers across the firm’s Corporate, Finance, Dispute Resolution & Insolvency practices advised on the following award-winning transactions:

Equity Capital Markets:

• Chenqi Technology’s HKD1.3 billion IPO on HKEX. Led by Corporate Partner, Juno Huang with assistance from Corporate Legal Manager, Clare Tsang.
• Cirrus Aircraft’s HKD1.5 billion IPO on HKEX. Led by Finance Partner, Lorraine Pao with assistance from Finance Of Counsel, Irena Wu.
• Horizon Robotics’s HKD5.4 billion Hong Kong IPO. Led by Partner and head of the Asia Corporate practice, Matt Roberts with assistance from Corporate Of Counsel, Jessica Zhan.
• RoboSense’s HKD985 million Hong Kong IPO. Led by Corporate Partner, Karen Zhang Pallaras with assistance from Corporate Associate Janelle Ho.
• XtalPi(QuantumPharm)’s HKD989 million Hong Kong IPO. Led by Partner and head of the Asia Corporate practice, Matt Roberts with assistance from Corporate Of Counsel, Jessica Zhan

Loans & Financings:

• Alibaba’s USD5 billion dual currency bond. Led by Corporate Partner, Karen Zhang Pallaras.
• CK Hutchison’s USD1 billion notes issuance on SGX. Led by Corporate Partner, Derrick Kan.
• GDS International’s USD1 billion series B financing. Led by Partner and head of the Asia Corporate practice, Matt Roberts with assistance from Corporate Of Counsel, Jessica Zhan.
• JD.com’s USD2 billon senior notes offering. Led by Corporate Of Counsel, Vivian Lee.
• Meituan issues USD2.5billion offshore bonds. Led by Corporate Partner, Derrick Kan with assistance from Corporate Associates, Sarena Gong, and Janelle Ho.

Mergers & Acquisitions:

• AstraZeneca acquisition of Gracell. Led by Corporate Partner, Daniel Lee with assistance from Corporate Associates, Olivia Sutherland and Akshay Naidoo.
• Ting Hsin and FamilyMart reorganise JV in China. Led by Corporate Partner, Juno Huang with assistance from Corporate Legal Manager, Charmaine Chow.

Liquidation, Bankruptcy and Restructuring:

• Evergrande debt restructuring. Led by Dispute Resolution and Insolvency Hong Kong partner, Nick Stern together with Cayman Islands Partners, Nick Herrod, and Christian La Roda Thomas, and BVI Partner, Matthew Freeman with assistance from Hong Kong Of Counsel Jean Bao.
• Kaisa offshore debt restructuring. Led by Dispute Resolution & Insolvency Partner, Nick Stern with assistance from Of Counsel, Jean Bao and Hong Kong Associate Emma Smith.
• Sunac’s USD10.2 billion offshore restructuring. Led by Dispute Resolution and Insolvency Hong Kong Partner, Nick Stern, Cayman Islands Partners, Nick Herrod, and Christian La Roda Thomas, and BVI Partner Matthew Freeman.

Commenting on the achievements, Asia Managing Partner, Michael Gagie said, “Our team’s success in receiving these awards is a reflection of our deep commitment to our clients and our ability to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape in Asia. We are honoured by this recognition from the China Business Law Journal and remain dedicated to delivering exceptional legal services that drive value and innovation to our clients.”

Find out more about the results of China Deals of the Year 2024.