Download as PDFAndrew Thornton

Called: 1994

 

 

Profile

Main practice area is in company law with a particular emphasis on advisory matters.

What the Journals say

Ranked in: Chambers and Partners Company

• The “top-drawer” Andrew Thornton's particular emphasis lies in advisory work. (Chambers and Partners)
• Andrew Thornton, a leading barrister in schemes and reductions of capital, who is “a very commercial lawyer with the brightest of futures ahead of him.” (Chambers and Partners)

Ranked in: The legal 500 Company

• ...a “strong litigator” Andrew Thornton (The Legal 500)

During the past twelve months, Andrew has been involved in many of the leading corporate transactions in the UK. In particular, Andrew has acted on the following transactions (which represent only a selection of the transactions in respect of which he has been instructed):

1. The acquisition of Alliance Boots Plc by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
2. The merger of MyTravel Plc and Thomas Cook A.G.
3. The acquisition of Hanson plc. Andrew advised Hanson Plc and the successful bidder.
4. The acquisition of ICI Plc by Akzo Nobel N.V., in which Andrew advised ICI.
5. Andrew acted on the unsuccessful takeover of Countrywide plc by its management and 3i plc, which was not approved by its members.
6. Andrew was subsequently instructed on the successful takeover of Countrywide plc by the Apollo Funds. Andrew advised throughout on the structure and drafting and presented the transaction to the High Court for sanction.
7. Andrew was instructed on the takeover of Crest Nicholson by Castle Bidco Limited, a joint venture between West Coast Capital and the Bank of Scotland.
8. Andrew was instructed in relation to the takeover of Corus Plc by Tata Steel.
9. Andrew was instructed in relation to scheme of arrangement to eliminate minority shareholders in Pizza Express.
10. Andrew was instructed in relation to the takeover of Innovata Plc. Andrew advised throughout of the structure and drafting and presented the transaction to the High Court for sanction.
11. Andrew was instructed in relation to the takeover of Homestyle Plc.
12. Andrew represented Alfred MacAlpine Plc and Corillion Plc on Corillion’s recent acquisition of MacAlpines.

During the past year, Andrew acted in respect of a substantial number (in excess of 150) capital reductions. Clients represented include some of the largest FTSE 100 companies. Andrew has also advised and appeared in relation to approximately a dozen transfer schemes under Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 in the past 12 months.

Andrew also advised in relation to several hundred further commercial transactions, the majority of which are confidential.

During the year, Andrew also gave a number of lectures to city firms and continues to contribute to a number of publications, including Gore-Browne on Companies, Buckley on the Companies Act and Company Directors: Law and Liability. A Jordans’ publication on the new Companies Bill edited by Andrew, Michael Todd QC and Richard Snowdon QC will be published in October 2008.

Andrew sits on the Law Reform Committee of the Bar Council and is a frequent contributor to CPDcast.com who provide CPD online.