Iain Melville

Senior Consultant

Iain Melville

iain.melville@axis-legal.com

Career overview

Iain Melville has over 25 years’ experience working as an insolvency lawyer in Thailand. Iain represents local and international banks and other creditors in managing their distressed assets and has particular experience in advising steering committees in formal debt restructuring cases. In addition, Iain has substantial experience in M&A work, including cross-border cases and joint ventures. Iain has been regularly recognised by legal publications in the areas in which he practices. Iain has also been guest speaker and workshop leader at international conferences.

Practice highlights

  • Advises on creditors’ rights in insolvency.
  • Performs bankruptcy stress tests on structured financial products under development.
  • Assists creditors in developing strategies for managing distressed assets.
  • Advises on debt restructuring cases.
  • Advises on acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, shareholder disputes, business reorganisations and business closures.

Notable engagements

  • Advising the liquidators of the Lehman Brothers entities in Hong Kong
  • Thai Petrochemical Industry: advising the steering committee of creditors on this $3.7 billion, 140 bank debt restructuring
  • NTS Steel: advising the steering committee
  • Ital-Thai Development: advising the steering committee
  • Robinson Department Store: advising the steering committee
  • Advising a foreign hedge fund in relation to its Thai distressed assets
  • Representing an energy company in its acquisition of onshore petroleum assets in Thailand
  • Representing a household name pharmaceutical company on the Thai aspects of a multijurisdictional acquisition
  • Representing overseas companies on the Thai aspects of their group restructurings
  • Representing a UK listed company on the closure of its Thai operations
  • Acting on MBOs in the UK, including Leyland Busand Premier Brands

Practice focus

  • Insolvency
  • M&A and Corporate

Education

  • LLB (Hons) University of Edinburgh
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Law Society of Scotland
  • Law Society of Hong Kong

Awards and Recognitions

  • Leading insolvency and restructuring lawyer, IFLR1000 (2011)
  • Leading insolvency lawyer, Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2005 – 2011)
  • Leading insolvency lawyer, PLC Which Lawyer (2011)
  • Leading insolvency lawyer, Chambers Global (2002-2003)
  • Listed in lawyer Month’s 100 Leading Lawyer list in Asia