With over 30 years’ corporate law experience, advising both UK and global clients, Michael has extensive experience of a wide range of both public and private M&A, privatization, joint venture, corporate governance and capital markets transactions, as well as large scale outsourcing and restructuring matters.
Experience
Representative matters
Liberty Global on the takeover of Cable & Wireless Communications plc at an enterprise value of $8.2 billion.
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) on its establishment as an international financial centre in the United Arab Emirates. This deal was awarded "Corporate Team of the Year" at the Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards 2015.
Liberty Global, Inc. in connection with its US$23.3 billion acquisition of Virgin Media Inc.
Singapore Airlines in relation to the sale of its 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic to Delta Airlines.
African Barrick Gold plc on its £2.3 billion IPO on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.
Société Générale, a leading European bank, on its plan to form a joint venture with AllianceBernstein, a leading global investment management and research firm, through the combination of their respective cash equity and equity research businesses.
Chipita S.A. on the sale of its business to Mondel?z International, Inc. for approximately $2 billion.
Coca-Cola European Partners plc, now named Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc, on its international senior notes offerings to fund the acquisition of Coca-Cola Amatil Limited.
Delek Group in connection with its offer to purchase the entire issued share capital of Ithaca Energy, Inc. (other than shares already owned by Delek Group) for C$1.95 per share, or approximately C$681 million.
Deutsche Beteiligungs AG and funds advised by DBAG on the acquisition of Pfaudler Process Solutions Group, a part of National Oilwell Varco, Inc.
Eurobank Ergasias in connection with its sale of 20% of the share capital of Grivalia Properties.
Citigroup, Erste Group and Renaissance Capital as joint bookrunners in relation to the initial public offering and listing of Waberer’s International.
A bondholder group on the £1.5 billion recapitalization of the Co-operative Bank PLC.
Barclays Bank PLC and Jefferies Finance LLC, as mandated lead arrangers, in connection with the £130 million term facility and the £25 million revolving facility in connection with the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Prezzo PLC.
Liberty Global on the creation of a first-ever tracking stock under English law for its operations in Latin America and the Caribbean (the Liberty Latin America and Caribbean Group, or “LiLAC Group”).
Motor Oil (Hellas) Corinth Refineries S.A. in its inaugural bond offering of €350 million 5.125% senior notes due 2019 (the “Notes”), issued by its wholly owned subsidiary, Motor Oil Finance plc.
Ecopetrol on the English law aspects of its agreement to acquire, jointly with Talisman BP Exploration Company Colombia Limited, owner of BP’s interests and business in Colombia.
Banking clients in relation to a proposed major restructuring of a major UK chemicals company.
Pro bono
Working with 30 Birds, an organization supporting the evacuation of hundreds of at-risk female students escaping Kabul, Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.
Prepared a legal memorandum focused on accountability mechanisms for war crimes committed in Ukraine for the Public International Law and Policy Group.
Advising Afya Inc on a partnership through a merger and joint venture, or through acquisition.
Advised Pure Leapfrog on governance arrangements for an innovative UK-based natural climate initiative. Partnered with the Earth Law Center and Lawyers for Nature to craft innovative methods to advance the interests of the natural environment in corporate boardrooms.
Published Work
- Scargill. M, (ongoing contributor) “Insider Dealing and Market Abuse”, Tolley’s Company Law, Lexis Nexis
- Scargill. M, co-author (2019 – 2023) “Initial Public Offerings Law and Regulations”, Global Legal Insights
- Scargill. M, Morrison. M, Withers. N, Burrows. S, (2022) “Public Mergers and Acquisitions in the United Kingdom: Overview” Thomas Reuters Practical Law
- Scargill. M, Morrison. M, Strecker. P, Withers. N, Burrows. S, Porter. R, (2022) “Private Mergers and Acquisitions in the UK: Overview” Thomas Reuters Practical Law
Qualifications
Admissions
Solicitor, England and Wales, 1980
Academic
B.A. and M.A., Jurisprudence, New College, Oxford University, 1974 - 1977
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.