The annual debate over legal advisers played out as usual at Judgment Day with Allen & Overy emerging as the IJInvestor Awards 2022 winner for Legal Adviser in the EMEA category.

The independent panel of judges separated the legal category into EMEA, Americas and Global with A&O impressing them for its activity over the course of the judging period in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The A&O team across EMEA has been instructed on more than 230 M&A related mandates in the energy and infrastructure sectors and its closed deals in the period with a value of more than $100 billion, representing some 10% of market share.

According to the submission: “We have enjoyed another outstanding year having advised across the entire gamut of energy and infrastructure subsectors across EMEA.”

In Europe, A&O’s highlights include having acted on a slew of digital infrastructure transactions, the primary ones of which were Emitel, Global Cloud Xchange, České Radiokomunikace, euNetworks.

In the clean energy space, the law firm acted for Zenobē and EnergyNest in energy transition, while in straight renewable energy, it was on Beatrice, Infinis, Acciona Energia.

In the transport sector, A&O acted for clients on the A3 in Italy, D4 Expressway in the Czech Republic, while in the UK it has been involved with HS2, GB Railfreight and Angel Trains. On social infra, the firm acted on Parmaco.

Meanwhile in utilities and T&D (transmission and distribution) the firm acted on Adven/Värmevärden, SGN, Anglian Water, Portsmouth Water, Caruna, Fortum Baltics.

“We continue to be the leading firm acting on emerging markets transactions, including across Africa, drawing on our unmatched global footprint that is complemented by a market-leading energy and infrastructure offering in the region.

“Similarly, highlights across the Middle East include a number of social infrastructure transactions (Uemedical, Engin Group, Chemi Pharma) and notably Hassana on its acquisition of a 49% stake in Aramco Gas Pipelines Company, one of the world’s largest energy infrastructure deals with a value of $15.5 billion.”

The submission states the case for A&O in a way that impressed the judges: “In the 12-month period, we furthered our dedication to assist with the transition to green energy through our M&A and funds activity, including advising on the creation and structuring of the world's largest investment fund exclusively dedicated to the development of clean hydrogen infrastructure solutions.

“We have stayed at the front edge of policy and regulatory development around the world, including through our dedicated Hydrogen Interest Group and CCUS Group and publication of materials on various countries’ decarbonisation strategies.

“We understand the range of issues that can arise on market-first energy transactions, particularly those involving emerging governmental policies and think outside the box to help our clients find innovative and pragmatic solutions to any issues as they arise.”