Capital Markets Lawyers

Our equity capital markets practice covers IPOs, Main Market admissions, AIM and Aquis listings as well as secondary fundraisings, public company M&A and ongoing advisory work. We act for issuers, investors, sponsors, NOMADs, brokers and underwriters supporting businesses from founder-led enterprises to established listed companies. We work with colleagues across our international offices on cross-border transactions and listings.

Our team advises on a range of debt capital markets transactions, including bonds, notes, convertible instruments and structured debt. We act for issuers and institutional investors on cross-border issuances, helping to structure transactions that align with commercial objectives and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

We support companies through the process of going public, from initial planning, pre-IPO structuring and governance alignment through to admission to trading. In the UK, this includes Main Market London Stock Exchange IPOs, AIM admissions and Aquis listings, including under the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category, transfers between AIM and the Main Market, and transitions between listing categories. We advise on all aspects of the admission process under the POATRs and the FCA’s PRM sourcebook, including prospectus preparation and FCA approval. Internationally, our team has experience supporting listings on key global exchanges, including New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai. We have dedicated capital markets capability in our Hong Kong office enabling us to support cross-border transactions involving UK and Asian markets.

We advise listed companies on follow-on capital raising transactions, including secondary placings, rights issues, open offers, vendor placings and cash box structures, as well as private placements, private investments in public equity (PIPEs), block trades and accelerated bookbuilds.

Our team works closely with our M&A specialists to advise listed companies, or those engaging with listed companies, on public company M&A transactions, including takeovers, schemes of arrangement, and contested and recommended bids. We advise both bidders and targets  including on transactions involving concentrated ownership structures and the application of the Takeover Code. We also support clients on restructurings, demergers, reorganisations and take-private transactions.

We provide ongoing advice to listed companies on their continuing obligations, including disclosure, corporate governance, MAR compliance, the UK Listing Rules and the POATRs. We advise on matters including AGMs, annual reports, board composition, employment and employee incentives, shareholder issues and PDMR dealings. We also work with sponsors and regulators as part of day-to-day and transaction-driven requirements.

We advise clients operating at the intersection of private wealth and public markets, where a coordinated approach is key. Our Tier 1 rated private client, trusts and family office practice works alongside our capital markets team as an integrated team. We advise the company and the capital, including issuers, founders, family offices and trustees, through a co-ordinated approach. Whether you are a family office, a founder-led business or a trustee holding shares in a public company, our integrated team can advise across the full capital journey.

We advise listed companies on ESG disclosure and reporting requirements. Boards and executive teams must be equipped to manage evolving ESG frameworks across different jurisdictions, make informed decisions on sustainability reporting, and ensure compliance with the UK’s and international mandatory disclosure regimes.