The Legal 500 - Asia Pacific (2016)
Aviation - Tier 1
Banking and Finance - Tier 1
Capital Markets - Tier 1
Corporate and M&A - Tier 1
Dispute Resolution - Tier 1
Employment - Tier 2
IT and Telecoms - Tier 1
Intellectual Property - Tier 4
Projects & Energy - Tier 3
Real Estate - Tier 2
Restructuring and Insolvency - Tier 2
Shipping - Tier 2
Tax - Tier 3
Leading Lawyers:
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf - Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Corporate and M&A
Bono Daru Adji - Capital Markets
Aviation
Assegaf Hamzah & Partners has ‘strong industry knowledge’ and is well versed in air accident law, handling various aviation-related disputes. Garmin, Garuda Indonesia and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore are notable clients; highlights included acting for the latter in bankruptcy proceedings against Mandala. Eri Hertiawan and Yogi Marsono are the key practitioners.
Banking & Finance
Assegaf Hamzah & Partners’ ‘five-star’ team advised a syndicate of banks, including BBNI, BMRI and ANZ, on a $381 revolving credit facility, and also acted for DBS Bank in a Rp1.6bn issuance of negotiable certificates of deposit (NCDs). The ‘gifted’ Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf ‘understands commercial matters’ and ‘provides workable advice on the best possible legal arrangement’. Managing partner Ahmad Fikri Assegaf and Yanu Wiriasmoko are also leading figures.
Capital Markets
Assegaf Hamzah & Partners has considerable expertise in domestic and cross-border debt offerings, both public and private, and also handles equity matters, including rights issues. Highlights included acting for Tower Bersama Infrastructure in a $350m notes issue; advising Japfa on its $198m IPO; and handling a private placement of notes worth $103m for MedcoEnergi. Bono Daru Adjii and Putu Suryastuti are the key contacts.
Corporate and M&A
Assegaf Hamzah & Partners’ ‘top-class’ group acted for XL Axiata in its $577m sale of 3,500 telecoms towers to STP, advising on due diligence and handling transaction documents from numerous bidders. Ahmad Fikri Assegaf and foreign counsel Valerie Ngooi also advised Tara Cell (now Komet Infra Nusantara) on Nusantara Infrastructure’s £110m investment into the company. Eko Basyuni heads the practice.
Dispute Resolution
At Assegaf Hamzah & Partners, Chandra Hamzah and Eri Hertiawan successfully represented President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla at the Central Jakarta District Court, in a case of national importance challenging the legitimacy of the 2014 presidential election. The firm also acted successfully for the World Bank in a $1.3m claim brought by 22 private individuals relating to the Kedung Ombo dam, and defended StemCord against negligence claims alleging incorrect storage of cord blood. Ahmad Maulana and Yogi Marsono are other notable practitioners.
Employment
Headed by Ahmad Maulana, Assegaf Hamzah & Partners’ team is experienced across the full spectrum of non-contentious matters, and has also handled numerous employment-related disputes. Recent work includes advising on applications for work visas, negotiations with labour unions, and representing employers in legal actions concerning fraud.
Projects & Energy
The team at Assegaf Hamzah & Partners ‘provides advice that is easy to apply, is always updated on new regulations and continuously helps to monitor progress’. Ahmad Fikri Assegaf is ‘an excellent negotiator, who is patient and always willing to clarify matters’; Kanya Satwika is another key practitioner. Notable clients include Jakarta MRT, Korea Eximbank and BNP Paribas.
Real Estate
Assegaf Hamzah & Partners advises on matters including sale and purchase agreements, conveyancing, leasing, and title searches and registrations. Notable highlights included acting for the subsidiary of an investment bank on a 5000sqm development site. Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf is the leading figure.
Restructuring and Insolvency
Assegaf Hamzah & Partners’ Eri Hertiawan acted for Trimas Mulia in a debt moratorium application, and represented the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore in bankruptcy proceedings against Tigerair Mandala.
Shipping
Eri Hertiawan and Chandra Hamzah co-head the group at Assegaf Hamzah & Partners, which ‘achieves excellent results’, and recently acted for a shipowner in a $1.2m general average claim. The group also advised Kharisma Mutiara Agung on its acquisition of 40% of the shares in Parvi Indah Persada from a private individual.
Tax
Assegaf Hamzah & Partners’ ‘deeply knowledgeable’ team provides ‘quick response times and highly beneficial guidance’. Licensed tax adviser and tax court attorney Wibowo Mukti heads the group, which advises on the full range of issues, from corporate compliance to reviews, audits and tax court appeals.