The Hong Kong office of a local law firm has been commended by a monthly magazine for its role in one of the top Asian legal deals of the past year.

International Financial Law Review recognised Appleby Spurling & Kempe for its participation in the Debt and Equity Linked Deal of the Year, a transaction which involved the leveraged buy-out of ASAT Holdings Limited for an aggregate consideration of 2,180,000,000 Hong Kong dollars (US$280 million).

AS&K's resident partner in the Hong Kong office, Michael Spurling, accepted the award on behalf of the firm at the Asian Legal Deals of the Year ceremony.

"We are very pleased to be recognised for our participation in the transaction. The deal reflects the dynamism of Bermuda companies and their transactions in the Asian region, which our firm is focused on servicing,'' said Mr. Spurling.

"International Financial Law Review is widely recognised as one of the leading publications that cover legal regulations for the world's financial markets, and the law firms that serve those markets.'' Chase Asia Investment Partners II (Y), LLC, the private equity arm of the Chase Manhattan Corporation, which was formed to invest in leading companies in Asia, led a syndicate of investors involved in the buy-out.

ASAT is one of the principal operating businesses in the QPL Group, which is involved in the assembly of integrated circuit packages for the semi-conductor industry.

It is a subsidiary of QPL International Holdings limited, a Bermuda company administered by AS&K and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1989.

AS&K set up its Hong Kong office in 1990 to better serve its expanding base of clients in the Far East.

Michael Spruling Multi-million dollare deal reflects the dynamism of Bermuda companies LAWYERS LEG BUSINESS BUC