Biography
Matt Benson is a partner in the European restructuring team.
Matt’s practice covers both creditor-side and debtor-side mandates across a number of industries and sectors, including mining, energy and resources, manufacturing, agriculture, financial services, retail and education as well as sovereign debt. He also handles stressed, distressed and special situation financings. Matt’s clients include leading international funds and intermediaries and he has worked on a range of complex multi-jurisdictional restructuring transactions.
Before joining Weil, Matt was part of the restructuring practice of another major international law firm.
Representative Matters:
- Advising Ares on the refinancing of TalkTalk Telecom Group
- Advising the ad hoc group of Supporting Creditors in relation to the global restructuring of McDermott International.
- Advising an ad hoc group of noteholders of Ideal Standard’s senior secured notes due 2026 in relation to its Exchange Offer, Consent Solicitation and Scheme Solicitation
- Advising an ad hoc group of bondholders on Worldwide Flight Services (“WFS”) tender offer
- Advising an ad hoc group of noteholders in relation to the consensual recapitalisation and financial restructuring of Frigoglass S.A.I.C and the group of companies formerly controlled by it (the “Frigoglass Group”)
- Scandinavian Airline, SAS on its debt restructuring
- Advising an ad hoc group of secured lenders to the world’s largest regional aircraft lessor, Nordic Aviation Capital, in relation to its restructuring by way of chapter 11 proceedings
- Advising a consortium of minority equity investors in Dream Cruises Holdings Limited, a large cruise ship operator based in Asia, in connection with its and its parents’, Genting Hong Kong Limited, multi-jurisdictional restructuring and recapitalization
- Advising OneWeb on its investment along with Bharti Global to provide more than $1bn to acquire OneWeb and fund the full restart of its business operations
- Construction and Civil Engineering Company, Obrascón Huarte Lain SA by way of English law scheme of arrangement
- Europe’s largest cinema operator, Odeon Cinemas (part of the AMC Entertainment Group), in relation to the Group’s financial difficulties and the refinancing of its European business
- Galapagos Group, a German industrials business, involving a distressed disposal of the group implemented through an enforcement sale in Luxembourg, advising an ad hoc group of senior bondholders*
- Global group of bondholders on the restructuring of The Republic of Mozambique’s Eurobonds*
- Ad hoc group of bondholders on the restructuring of the Norske Skog group, a paper manufacturer with global operations*
- Ad hoc group of senior creditors of Noble, a Singapore listed commodities trader, on the group's new financing and debt for equity swap, involving parallel schemes of arrangement in the United Kingdom and Bermuda, and a "light touch" Bermuda provisional liquidation*
- Ad hoc group of bondholders on the restructuring of Frigoglass, a Greek-listed glass and refrigeration business, involving a new capital injection and debt-for-equity swap implemented through a scheme of arrangement in the U.K.*
- Ad hoc group of bondholders on various aspects of the restructuring and asset disposal program in respect of Norwegian law bonds issued by OSX 3 Leasing BV, a Dutch E&P company with key assets located in Brazil, and associated restructuring of Brazilian listed E&P operator Dommo Energia SA*
* Experience gained at previous firm
Awards and Recognition, Speaking Engagements, Latest Thinking, Firm News & Announcements
Latest Thinking
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Motor finance: FCA publishes new complaint handling rules for ‘non-discretionary commission arrangements’, following recent court judgments
Blog Post — Weil European Restructuring Watch
— By
Neil Devaney,
Andrew J. Wilkinson,
Natasha Ayres,
Matt Benson,
Lois Deasey,
Jenny Davidson,
Mark Lawford and
Gemma Sage
— December 20, 2024
The FCA has published complaint handling rules for non-discretionary commission arrangements (“Non-DCA”) under motor finance regulated credit agreements and regulated motor finance consumer hire (lease) agreements. The new rules come into force on 20 December 2024 and will apply to complaints received on or after 26 October 2024. As far as possible, the new rules ...
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UK Supreme Court refuses cross-border insolvency assistance under the “immovables rule”: Kireeva v Bedzhamov
Blog Post — Weil European Restructuring Watch
— By
Neil Devaney,
Andrew J. Wilkinson,
Natasha Ayres,
Matt Benson,
Jenny Davidson,
Lois Deasey,
Mark Lawford and
Gemma Sage
— November 26, 2024
In a significant decision for cross-border insolvency, the UK Supreme Court in Kireeva v Bedzhamov has confirmed that under the English common law, judicial assistance from the English Courts to foreign courts and foreign insolvency officeholders is subject to the “immovables rule”. This means that, unless such courts and insolvency officeholders can avail themselves of assistance ...
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Guidance on expert evidence for English Part 26A Restructuring Plans: Chaptre Finance plc sanction judgment
Blog Post — Weil European Restructuring Watch
— By
Neil Devaney,
Natasha Ayres,
Matt Benson,
Jenny Davidson,
Lois Deasey,
Mark Lawford and
Gemma Sage
— November 15, 2024
In sanctioning Chaptre Finance plc’s second Part 26A restructuring plan, the English High Court has emphasised the importance of the parties adhering to the Court’s evidential and procedural requirements when a restructuring plan is opposed. Significantly, Mr Justice Miles’ guidance was given in circumstances where the Court accepted the plan company was facing an acute ...
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WealthTek LLP (in administration) – lessons for distribution plans under the Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations Regime
Blog Post — Weil European Restructuring Watch
— By
Neil Devaney,
Natasha Ayres,
Matt Benson,
Jenny Davidson,
Lois Deasey,
Mark Lawford,
Gemma Sage and
Lindsay Merritt
— October 22, 2024
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. ...
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Cineworld successfully restructures UK leases via UK restructuring plan
Blog Post — Weil European Restructuring Watch
— By
Andrew J. Wilkinson,
Neil Devaney,
Natasha Ayres,
Matt Benson,
Lois Deasey,
Jenny Davidson,
Mark Lawford and
Gemma Sage
— October 01, 2024
The High Court has exercised its cram down power and sanctioned the Part 26A restructuring plans proposed by four of Cineworld’s UK operating companies, in face of significant opposition from its landlord creditors. In sanctioning the plan, Cineworld’s UK Group has avoided administration at the end of September. ...
Firm News & Announcements
- Weil Advises Ares on the Refinancing of TalkTalk Telecom Group Deal Brief — December 20, 2024
- Weil Advises on High Yield Offering by the Frigoglass Group Deal Brief — November 01, 2024