Christian Pilkington
Biography
Overview
Christian is head of the EMEA Financial Restructuring and Insolvency team based in London.
He has experience dealing with the full spectrum of creditors, debtors and insolvency practitioners, advising clients in respect of stressed and distressed investments, complex restructurings, liquidations and insolvent estates, and all other aspects of national and cross-border special situations. In addition, he has regularly advised directors of companies in financial difficulty, often with an international element. He has extensive experience working with overseas counsel and coordinating advice on cross-border restructuring and insolvency issues.
Clients state that Christian is "without a doubt one of the leading restructuring lawyers in the market, with an enormous grasp of all aspects of European restructuring, in particular schemes of arrangement. He is highly commercial, very user-friendly, always responsive and invariably all over deals" and is "a hugely experienced, commercial and technical lawyer" (Chambers UK, Restructuring/Insolvency, 2021). Clients also describe him as "an excellent strategist and a market leader in European restructuring and related matters" (Legal 500, Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency, 2021).
Experience
Swissport
Representation of Swissport, the world's leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, on its comprehensive restructuring and recapitalization. The restructuring provided Swissport with a delevered and strengthened balance sheet by addressing approximately €1.9 billion of existing debt, and left the business with improved liquidity with which to withstand the ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Petra Diamonds
Representation of the ad hoc committee of bondholders of the US$650 million 2022 Notes in the financial restructuring of the diamond mining group, Petra Diamonds, with mines in South Africa and Tanzania.
Seven Energy
Representation of an ad-hoc group of noteholders in relation to the comprehensive restructuring of Seven Energy.
Concordia
Representation of the ad hoc group of senior creditors in the US$3.7bn recapitalisation of Concordia, a publicly listed international generics pharmaceuticals business.
African Bank
Representation of the committee of senior creditors on the restructuring of African Bank.
Kaupthing
Representation of Kaupthing in relation to its winding up proceedings, the fifth largest bankruptcy ever.
Co-author, "Pre-pack rules repackaged", White & Case, May 2021
Co-author, "Schemes and Restructuring Plans: Challenging Times?", White & Case, February 2021
Co-author, "UK Schemes of Arrangement and US Securities Considerations", White & Case, October 2020
Co-author, "Restructuring the next wave of cov-lite debt", White & Case, July 2019
Co-author, "Restructuring across Europe – a new era?", White & Case, January 2019
Co-author, "The Lehman Brothers Administration: Scheme to the Rescue", White & Case, August 2018
Author, "Schemes of Arrangement in Corporate Restructuring", Sweet & Maxwell, July 2017
Author, "Indah Kiat Scheme – Preparation is Key", White & Case, February 2016
Co-author, "High yield bond restructurings across Europe", White & Case, April 2015
Co-author, "China poised to acquire distressed assets", White & Case, March 2015
Co-author, "APCOA – The Key Highlights of 2014's Most Discussed Scheme", White & Case, December 2014
Co-author, "Mining & Metals: Opportunity & Risk – Weathering the bottom of the cycle", White & Case, December 2014
Co-author, "'Flip-Up' Pre-Packs – A New Approach to Accessing the UK Insolvency Regime", White & Case, June 2014
Co-author, "Apcoa Parking: Availability of UK Scheme of Arrangement to foreign corporates extended", White & Case, May 2014
Leading Lawyer, Chambers UK 2015
Restructuring/Insolvency - London (Firms)
Recommended Lawyer, The Legal 500 UK 2014
Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency
Leading Lawyer, IFLR 1000 2014
Financial Restructuring; Restructuring and Insolvency
40 Under 40
In 2013, Christian won a 40 Under 40 Recognition Award in the Legal Advisor category from The M&A Advisor, an award scheme which recognizes emerging industry leaders in M&A, private equity and restructurings.
