GlobalData has revealed the latest mergers and acquisitions (M&A) league table of the top 10 legal advisers in Asia-Pacific by value and volume for the coronavirus-hit first quarter (Q1) of 2020, which witnessed subdued deal activity in the region.

Linklaters leads by value

Linklaters has dominated the M&A legal advisers league table based on deal value in the first quarter of 2020. The UK-based law firm advised on eight deals worth US$12.4bn in Q1 2020.

GlobalData, which tracks all M&A, private equity/venture capital and asset transaction activity around the world to compile the league tables, confirmed that Allen & Gledhill occupied the second position with three transactions worth US$6.4bn.

Aurojyoti Bose, Financial Deals Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “In terms of deal value, Linklaters emerged as the top legal adviser in Q1 2020. Interestingly, Herbert Smith Freehills and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas also advised on eight deals each but Linklaters left the two behind in value terms by a great margin on the back of participation in some of the big ticket deals such as US$10.6bn Charoen Pokphand Group’s acquisition of Tesco’s operations in Thailand and Malaysia.

“Moreover, Linklaters has established presence in Asia-Pacific region and also has alliances with several local law firms, which helped it in participating in some of the significant transactions in the region.”

Linklaters, which topped the league table of M&A legal advisers in Asia-Pacific, stood at eight position in GlobalData’s recently released global league table of top 20 M&A financial advisers.

Khaitan & Co tops by volume

Khaitan & Co has secured number one position in the latest global M&A legal advisers league table based on deal volume in Q1 2020. The law firm advised on 15 deals worth US$1.3bn.

GlobalData revealed that AZB & Partners occupied the second position with transactions worth US$0.9bn.

Bose explains: “Khaitan & Co held the top spot in terms of deal volume but lagged behind many of its peers in terms of deal value. Surprisingly, it also did not feature among the top ten advisors by value.”

Asia-Pacific deals market in Q1 2020

The deal volume in Asia-Pacific saw a year-on-year increase of 3.43% from 2,711 to 2,804 in Q1 2020. Deal value declined by 9.94% from US$128.3bn to US$115.5bn during the same period.