Hansard Global PLC in £357 Million IPO

White & Case Ranks Highly in Bloomberg's 2006 IPO League Tables

London, January 9, 2007 ... White & Case advised both Dr. Leonard Polonsky, the founder, chairman and indirect majority shareholder of Hansard Global plc ("Hansard") and Polar Cap Limited, the 100 percent parent and sole selling shareholder of Hansard, on Hansard's listing on the London Stock Exchange and in the initial public offering (IPO) of approximately 37 percent of Hansard's shares to institutions and certain management.

"The Hansard IPO concluded a very successful year for White & Case," said Greg Hammond, the lead White & Case partner advising on the deal. "We are particularly pleased that the strong level of interest in the Hansard IPO among investors helped us to end 2006 on such a high note."

Bloomberg's 2006 League Tables reflect the Firm's recent capital markets successes, with White & Case being ranked second by deal count and third by volume in the EMEA Equity IPO Issuer Advisers category.

Through the sale of its shares, Polar Cap Limited raised gross proceeds of approximately £130 million (excluding proceeds arising under any over-allotment arrangements). The sponsor to the listing was Lazard & Co. Limited and the underwriters to the offer were Pamure Gordon and Fox-Pitt Kelton.

Hansard is a leading provider to affluent international investors of tax-efficient investment products packaged under a life assurance policy wrapper. The company is based on the Isle of Man and has operations in Dublin.

The White & Case team advising on the transaction was led by partner Greg Hammond, working closely with partners Peita Menon, Dan Hamilton, Carmen Reynolds, Kaya Proudian, Oliver Brettle and Brian Conway; counsel Andrew O'Keeffe and Brad Kurkowski; and associates Nicholas Greenacre, Jennifer Grabowski, Deborah Grim, James Meakin, Malcolm McLean, Olivia Rascoe, Kate Boyden and Helen Puchkova in London; and partner Marc Polonsky in Moscow.

About White & Case
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Contact:
James Martin
Media Relations Mgr EMEA, White & Case
44 0 20 7532 2853/ 44 0 7939 012 011


Alexandra Henderson
Media Relations Executive, White & Case
44 (0) 20 7532 2848