Dublin: The Irish and Cayman Islands offices of leading international law firm, Maples and Calder (“Maples”), are pleased to announce that the firm has advised Avolon, the international aircraft leasing group, on a US$636 million asset backed securitisation issued by Emerald Aviation Finance Limited. The notes issued in the transaction were rated by S&P and Kroll.

Nollaig Murphy, Partner and Head of the Finance group in Maples’ Dublin office commented: “We are delighted to have advised Avolon since formation. It has been a number of years since a rated public aircraft securitisation successfully went to market, so this complex transaction represents a significant achievement for Avolon.”

This was Avolon’s inaugural aircraft securitisation and was a complex multi-jurisdictional transaction involving the transfer of a portfolio of leased aircraft into a bespoke cost effective structure. Given this asset class, the need to maintain transactional flexibility throughout the closing process was paramount, with three types of aircraft interests being transferred across three continents. This was a challenging but rewarding transaction for Maples’ aviation finance, leasing, capital markets and tax teams in Cayman and Ireland.

Global Head of Maples and Calder’s Finance group, Alasdair Robertson, added, “Aircraft finance and securitisation are two of Maples and Calder’s core practice areas and this transaction has been a great opportunity to showcase our unique ability to provide Cayman and Irish legal services in one firm, and to do so seamlessly.”

The Maples Ireland team was led by Nollaig Murphy, with Laurence Hanley, David Burke, William Fogarty, Matt Hedigan, Jane Bennett and Keelin Gavagan. The Maples Cayman team was led by Alasdair Robertson, along with Anthony Philp, James Reeve and Elaine Phung.

ENDS

About Maples and Calder

Maples and Calder is a leading international law firm advising financial, institutional and business clients around the world on the laws of the Cayman Islands, Ireland and the British Virgin Islands. Maples and Calder has offices in the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, London and Singapore.

With a reputation as an innovative, entrepreneurial firm, Maples and Calder is known worldwide as a market leader with highly qualified lawyers who are specialists in their respective practice areas.

The Maples group comprises more than 900 staff in 11 offices worldwide.  To find out more about the firm, visit: www.maplesandcalder.com / www.maplesfs.com

About MaplesFS

MaplesFS is a leading specialised fiduciary and fund services provider. MaplesFS has offices in the Cayman Islands, Delaware, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Montreal and New York.

MaplesFS is led by a team of experienced professionals and is committed to providing a high level of service tailored to specific client requiremen