IFLR1000

IFLR 1000 is published annually by Euromoney Institutional Investor and is the international legal market's leading guide to the top law firms advising on international corporate finance.

Insolvency and restructuring

The 2010 edition of IFLR1000 comments:

Regarded by the market as high-quality insolvency litigation specialists, Tanner De Witt finds itself riding the current wave of new and expected restructurings and insolvencies that have accompanied the market downturn. Peers and clients routinely praise the team, with special mentions for Robin Darton and Ian De Witt. "They are both very good and experienced with insolvency work and hence I have confidence in dealing with them," says a client of the two.

Long-time stalwarts and participants of this space, the team can boast an expertise that many other firms cannot claim to really possess. "The partners are very down-to-earth and always available to help us whenever we need," says a happy client. "They come up with creative, yet sensible solutions to obstacles we encounter."

On one of the big-ticket mandates that has helped Tanner De Witt gain its reputation, the firm remains active as counsel for the liquidators of Oasis Airlines. A new instruction has Robin Darton leading the insolvency team representing the administrators of the UK Lehman entities in relation with intra-group claims concerning Hong Kong entities. When Krispy Kreme Doughnuts went bankrupt in Hong Kong, Ian De Witt also assembled a team to advise the liquidators of the Hong Kong franchisee.

Highlighting the firm's deep bench of knowledge, its partners are active participants in the Hong Kong restructuring community. This includes membership of professional bodies such as the Insolvency Interest Group, the Insolvency Lawyers' Association, the Law Society of Hong Kong Insolvency Committee and the HKICPA Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty.

Robin Darton and Ian De Witt are listed as leading lawyers.