Clifford Chance

We cover all forms of derivatives - OTC, exchange traded and securitised (such as structured notes), including repos and securities lending work. Our practice has securities lending and repo, derivatives, sales and trading and prime brokerage and custody experts working alongside one another in all the major financial centres covering all aspects of the derivatives and securities lending markets. We work with our clients to develop structures that satisfy both their business strategy and the appropriate legal and regulatory requirements.

We are heavily involved in all developments in the derivatives market including in relation to central counterparty clearing, client clearing documentation, ISDA protocols, mandatory margin, credit, FX, equity, energy and commodity derivatives. We are the European Regulatory counsel to ISDA and advised ISDA on EMIR, the reform of the markets in financial instruments directive (MiFID2) and issues associated with Brexit. Our practice is fully integrated with the financial regulatory practice acting as a single group supported by Clifford Chances' tax and litigation practices.

We have an outstanding practice in synthetic securitisation, having been at the forefront of the re-emergence and rehabilitation of this market since the global financial crisis. We act for most of the major issuers and have been responsible for the development of virtually all the transaction structures now seen across the market. As these transactions have spread to new jurisdictions, we have been there to guide issuers through the legal and regulatory challenges. As the regulatory framework has evolved over the past decade, we have also been intimately involved, working with market participants and industry bodies such as AFME and IACPM in crafting the industry's response to these developments. Having acted for the originators on the vast majority of transactions undertaken globally over the past year, we have a depth of experience and expertise in this market.

When it comes to innovation in the Derivatives market our global Fintech experts help organisations utilise technologies such as DLT/blockchain to transform their operations. For example, we are at the forefront of developing the digital asset derivatives market, including preparing template documentation for a number of clients as well as providing related regulatory advice.