Corporate Banking & Debt Finance
We frequently act for many of the largest commercial banks in the London market, as well as smaller lenders, financiers and equity investors, in advising on matters ranging from secured and unsecured vanilla loan facilities to more sophisticated bespoke secured funding arrangements. We also regularly act for established and new to market borrowers.
We therefore understand and appreciate both the lending and borrowing sides of debt finance transactions. This understanding, developed from a wealth of transactional experience, enables us to take an efficient and commercial approach on banking and finance transactions.
Our banking & finance lawyers are well versed in dealing with security and priority issues in both domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions.
We work closely with lawyers from our Corporate team who regularly advise on matters such as loan note instruments, convertible loans, warrant instruments and matters relating to the issue of redeemable shares.
Our Capital Markets lawyers are experienced in all types of public company work involving AIM and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. We regularly advise issuers, financial intermediaries and nominated advisers/brokers on a vast majority of matters including pre-IPO fundraisings, secondary offerings, rights issues, reverse takeovers, acquisitions and disposals.
Representative Corporate Banking and Debt Finance Work
Examples of our team’s corporate banking & debt finance work include:
- Advised a client group obtaining a £24.75m facility from Nat West to refinance existing debt and provide working capital.
- Advised a group of borrower companies in connection with a £46m refinance of a revolving working capital facility secured on a large portfolio of properties (both residential and commercial).
- Advised a borrower in connection with the refinance of a term loan facility of £12.5m and a revolver facility of £3m with Barclays Bank Plc.
- Advised a borrower in connection with a term loan facility of £23.6m from Europe Arab Bank Plc used to refinance existing facilities and also an additional loan for £5.25m to refurbish a hotel.
- Advised a well-established restaurateur group in connection with a £6m term loan facility from Nat West to finance costs associated with the development by the group of new restaurant units in the UK. This included agreeing a broad cross collateralised security package over the borrower’s IP supported by debentures from the group’s subsidiaries with complex financial covenants.
Key contacts:
Biography
Claire is head of the Legal 500 ranked Real Estate Finance team and has a wealth of experience in general lending and security matters including complex intercreditor arrangements. She acts for a wide range of UK and international financial institutions, as well as a variety of borrowers, in relation to domestic and cross-border finance transactions on a bilateral, club or syndicated basis. Claire’s particular expertise is property finance and corporate lending. Claire has a wealth of experience in drafting and reviewing the full suite of lender standard form loan and security documentation.
Claire also regularly deals with senior funding lines for her lender clients borrowing from institutional lenders as well as participators and investors funding underlying facilities with end borrowers. This involves Claire advising on various structures (such as senior loan agreements and participation agreements); security arrangements (either with security trustees; sub-charges; charges over bank accounts; and/or assignments of the underlying borrower security package) and identifying the inherent potential risks with such structures. She always seeks to improve her client’s position whilst respecting the commercially agreed terms and aligned interests of the parties.
Claire’s clients value her commercial advice combined with her technical knowledge and guidance. She ensures she has an in depth understanding and knowledge of our client’s business objectives to ensure she achieves this. She is driven, committed, personable, and always aims to exceed client expectations when it comes to service delivery and deadlines. Claire works proactively with all parties to a transaction to achieve a smooth closing. Her clients appreciate her responsiveness and attention to detail. Claire is a trusted advisor to many leading property and finance professionals in the market. This reputation is demonstrated in the client testimonials she has consistently received since being listed as a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 in 2016.
Testimonials
Legal 500 2025 500 directory:
‘Claire Gibson has a wealth of commercial and technical knowledge, using her skill set to go above and beyond for her clients.’
Legal 500 2024 500 directory:
‘Teacher Stern’s team, led by Claire Gibson, has advised us on real estate finance for the last couple of years on various deals. The team is of the highest calibre for this sector in the London market. They are very professional and always responsive. All matters were dealt with, with attention and great flexibility. The team has proven to consist of highly skilled professionals, all of whom have very extensive knowledge of legal issues and an actual understanding of our needs, making it possible for them to provide advice and solutions, which are always individually tailored for the issues and goals in hand.’
‘Claire Gibson is our well-trusted advisor. Claire helps us resolve challenges that we, and our business, face. Claire is highly praised for providing the highest quality advice.’
‘Phil Berry and Claire Gibson both offer a wealth of knowledge in their field. Clients are central to the team’s work ethos, and they are undoubtedly people you want to have in your corner.
2023 Legal 500 directory: Claire Gibson “understands what her clients need; she combines her wealth of knowledge with a commercial outlook to deliver a stellar service time and again.’
2022 Legal 500 directory: recommended laywer.
2021 Legal 500 directory: Claire Gibson “has a wealth of knowledge in her field; her commercialism and dedication to her clients sets her apart from others”
2020 Legal 500 directory: Claire Gibson is ‘pragmatic, commercial and a pleasure to deal with.’
2018/2019 Legal 500 directory: Claire Gibson is praised for her ‘unparalleled professionalism and diligence’.
2017 Legal 500 directory: The ‘super-efficient’ Claire Gibson is ‘always on top of things’.
2016 Legal 500 directory: recommended figure of the ‘top-notch’ Claire Gibson.
Year qualified
Solicitor, 2003
Career History
Claire qualified in 2003 and joined the firm as a partner in 2014.
