SaoirseO'Reilly

Associate

London + 44.20.7039.5223

Saoirse O'Reilly practices commercial litigation and arbitration with a focus on resolving complex high-value commercial disputes for multinational corporations and high net worth individuals, often with a international angle. She has particular experience advising on contentious contractual disputes involving contractual interpretation.

In 2020, Saoirse spent time seconded to Boeing Defence UK working with the litigation team advising on a range of contractual disputes and general commercial matters.

Saoirse's recent experience includes acting as lead associate advising a German hotel operator in four connected LCIA arbitrations in disputes against a prominent international hotel franchisor. The disputes related to the termination of a series of franchise agreements and involved questions of implied terms, repudiatory breach of contract, contractual interpretation, suppression and maximization of revenues, revenue generation methods and metrics, and waiver and estoppel.

Saoirse is currently acting for a private offshore bank in relation to claims valued at over £400m threatened by a liquidator of English companies, arising from an alleged international scam based on missing trader intercompany fraud, raising issues of liability for fraud, dishonest assistance, fraudulent trading, and breach of fiduciary duties.

Saoirse works closely with Jones Day's Business Restructuring & Reorganization team, advising on contentious matters and investigations connected to restructurings and refinancings. She has acted for the liquidators of the BHS Group of Companies on their high-profile investigation into one of the largest retail collapses in the United Kingdom and American Industrial Partners in connection with disputes relating to the acquisition of an aluminum smelter in France.

Experience

  • AIP acquires Aluminium BelgiumJones Day advised American Industrial Partners in the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Aluminium Belgium BV, the parent company which owns Aluminium Duffel, from Ecnavla 8 UK Ltd.
  • Macquarie sold Condor FerriesJones Day advised Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets in the sale of Condor Ferries, an operator of lifeline freight and passenger ferry services between Guernsey, Jersey, the United Kingdom, and the Port of St. Malo in France, to a consortium of Columbia Threadneedle European Sustainable Infrastructure Fund (ESIF) and Brittany Ferries.
  • BHS insolvency officeholders seek advice relating to investigations arising from company's collapseJones Day is acting for Geoff Rowley and Tony Wright as the insolvency officeholders of UK high street retailer, British Homes Stores ("BHS"), on investigations into the causes of the company's collapse and pursuing avenues of recovery for creditors.
  • Byron Hamburgers enters into company voluntary arrangementJones Day advised the casual dining chain, Byron Hamburgers Limited, on the approval by its creditors of a company voluntary arrangement within the context of a wider financial and operational restructuring of the company.
  • Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund II and Condor Ferries Group complete debt refinancingJones Day represented Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund II (MEIF II) and the Condor Ferries Group, an operator of passenger and freight ferry services, in connection with the refinancing of Condor's senior facilities.
  • CBRE GIP's European Co-Investment Fund acquires portfolio of assets from Prologis UKJones Day advised CBRE GIP's European Co-Investment Fund (a Dutch incorporated fund) in relation to the acquisition of a portfolio of 22 UK logistics assets (mix of development and stabilized assets) and circa 20 associated property holding companies and management companies, and the formation of an associated 85/15 joint venture with Prologis UK.
  • Fourth Alcuin Fund acquires minority stake in Air Charter ServiceJones Day represented The Fourth Alcuin Fund LP, a fund managed by Alcuin Capital Partners LLP, in connection with its minority stake investment in Air Charter Service, a global leader in providing aircraft charters.