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International law firm

 

Who we are

Founded in Paris in 1920, Gide is a leading international law firm with 10 offices around the world (Algiers, Brussels, Casablanca, Istanbul, London, Paris, New York, Shanghai, Tunis and Warsaw). Gide employs more than 500 lawyers from 35 countries, including more than 120 partners, among which many are locally and internationally respected business law specialists. Gide’s offices in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa provide high quality legal services with in-depth knowledge of local markets, regional experience and the resources of an international law firm.

A Cross-border Task Force to Accompany Your Global Strategy

Gide has significant experience providing cross-border advice for various Chinese companies with their go-global strategy. Our lawyers are skilled in the most complex transactions covering a wide range of industries and their working languages are Chinese, English and French. The team understands both the Chinese and overseas business environments and is able to provide a comprehensive and professional service that meets our Chinese clients’ requirements throughout the world, and in particular in Europe and Africa.

Our Strengths

  • A team specialising in Chinese outbound investment

    Gide is one of only a few international law firms comprised of lawyers with first-class expertise in their field and in their own jurisdictions who work seamlessly together to achieve clients’ objective and guarantee successful projects worldwide.

  • A long standing presence in China

    With experienced Chinese and foreign qualified lawyers capable of leading and assisting from China our Chinese clients for their outbound projects with no time difference and language barriers.

  • Full-service capabilities

    We advise on all aspects of projects and M&A transactions in close collaboration with all our practice groups (e.g. our highly rated M&A, Projects, Tax and Competition & Antitrust teams). Our integrated team allows us to provide clients with a “one-stop shop” for all their projects’ needs, that proves particularly efficient and effective when structuring and planning deals, and improve the chances of success from multiple fronts.

  • Strong international network supporting China

    Outbound practice encompassing ground-breaking investments by Chinese investors (both state-owned and private companies), composed by:

    • Gide’s unique international presence and global reach with 10 offices across Europe, USA, Africa, the Middle-East and Asia;
    • our European Network: a partnership in continental Europe with three other prestigious independent law firms: Chiomenti (Italy), Cuatrecasas (Spain & Portugal) and Gleiss Lutz (Germany).
    • our strategic cooperation agreement with Bowmans, the leading law firm in English-speaking Africa, to reinforce our presence on the African continent
    • our being the member of Lex Mundi, the largest international network of independent law firm

This strong network allows us to provide clients with a seamless, integrated service on complex cross-border transactions, international projects and litigation, wherever their outbound projects are located. Such global expertise has especially served our Chinese clients well on their outbound projects to Europe, Africa, South America and Asia.

What we do

  • We are a major player in cross border mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and corporate law. The skills of our practice group cover the full range of essential M&A practices, ranging from public takeover offers to private equity, via dispute resolution and restructurings, in the most diverse sectors of activity.

    Find out more: Corporate/M&A
    Find out more: Restructuring

  • Major mining, energy, infrastructure and industrial projects have been Gide’s core practices since the 1960s. Over the years, Gide has successfully assisted our foreign and Chinese clients in implementing a large number of major international projects. Since the Channel Tunnel, the Projects team’s transactional practice has grown to cover all continents, all sectors of activity and all financing methods.

    Find out more: Projects & Project financing
    Find out more: Infrastructure

  • When we set up an office in Brussels in 1967, Gide was a pioneer in international competition and trade law. Ever since then, our Firm has consolidated and expanded its expertise in this field of law, both within and outside Europe. We understand that competition and trade laws bear particularly high stakes for our clients, and we strive to help them gain a better understanding of these laws so that they may use them to enhance their development.

     

    Find out more: Antitrust/Competition
    Find out more: International Trade

  • Gide’s public and administrative law team was set up 30 years ago, we advise clients in the private and public sectors on all public and administrative law matters, including PPP, public procurement, tender, legislative and regulatory framework for major projects.

    Find out more: Public Law

  • Gide has an outstanding reputation for resolving challenging, high-value disputes through litigation, arbitration and ADR. We combine legal excellence with pragmatism and approachability. Drawing on our international network and our full service capabilities, we provide comprehensive and multicultural expertise.

    Find out more: Arbitration
    Find out more: Civil and Commercial Litigation

  • The real estate market has gained in complexity and structure in the past few decades, with extensive financialisation, more complex players, and an increasing number of regulations and court rulings. Gide’s team dedicated to real estate operations, set up in 1971, enjoys recognised expertise in all legal and tax issues likely to affect real estate players.

    Find out more: Real Estate

  • Gide’s expertise extends to all areas of taxation: the tax structuring, tax aspects of corporate restructuring and regrouping, assisting with tax audits and obtaining tax approvals, criminal tax law, international tax law, real estate taxation and the taxation of large fortunes.

    Find out more: Tax

  • Intellectual property has been one of the firm’s core activities for the past 40 years. In most of our offices, specialist practitioners assist clients throughout the development of their intangible assets, from the birth of intellectual property rights through to their exploitation, and their defense. We have also acquired a high level of expertise on legal questions raised by digital communication means, i.e. media, IT and new information technology laws, as well as in telecommunication law.

    Find out more: Intellectual Property
    Find out more: Data Protection
    Find out more: Digital & IT, Digital & Cybersecurity

  • In most countries, employment law is becoming increasingly intricate, with courts rendering the practice more complex still by adding their interpretation of the law to the mix, thereby adding to the complexity of managing the application of employment laws. First and foremost, Gide’s lawyers look to find the best operational solutions for our clients, in line with applicable legislation, regulations and case law. We also have extensive experience in advising clients on the employment/secondment of expatriate overseas and compliance with the local content requirements.

    Find out more: Employment
    Find out more: Employee Share Schemes

  • With around thirty specialist lawyers based both in Paris and in our international offices, Gide’s Insurance, Industrial Risk & Transport practice group is a multi-disciplinary team with renowned expertise.

    Find out more: Insurance

  • Banking and Finance law is one of Gide’s key areas of expertise. Numbering over 100 lawyers in our offices throughout the world, our Banking & Finance practice a comprehensive range of services to meet the full spectrum of banking and finance issues faced by our clients with a focus on French, U.K. and U.S. law, complemented by local law expertise from our international network.

    Find out more: Banking
    Find out more: Capital Markets

MAJOR DEALS

  • Advised ICICLE, a renowned high-end fashion brand, on developing its activities in France from the establishment of subsidiaries and acquisition of premises, its buy-out of the luxury brand Carven, the opening of its flagship store at Avenue George 5 to the creation of ICCF Group, a franco-Chinese fashion group with international tenure.
  • Advising INNER MONGOLIA FURUI MEDICAL SCIENCE CO., a Chinese company dedicated to pharmaceutical diagnosis and medical services, on its investment, via a capital increase of EURO 19,600,000, in MEDIAN Technologies a French software publisher and provider of services in the field of medical imaging in oncology.
  • Advised CHALCO, the world’s second-largest alumina producer and third-largest primary aluminum producers, on all aspects of bauxite mining and alumina projects in the Republic of Guinea.
  • Advising COSCO SHIPPING BULK on various mining, infrastructure and transport projects in Africa.
  • Advised CHINA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL GROUP CO, LTD. (CEEC) on a biomass energy project in Côte d’Ivoire. The project owner is Biovea, a project company owned by Electricity de France (EDF), Meridiam and Biokala. CEEC acts as the EPC contractor.

Rankings & Awards

Top ranked law firm
Chambers Global & Europe 2024

  • 60+ practices recognised
  • 140+ individual rankings

Top ranked law firm
The Legal 500 EMEA 2024

  • 60+ practices recognised
  • 90+ individual rankings

Best law firm in francophone Africa
Jeune Afrique 2024

  • 10 lawyers recognised among the 100 most influential lawyers in Francophone Africa

Regional law firm Africa

  • Algeria firm of the year – 2024
  • Regional law firm of the year in Francophone Africa – 2022

Law firm of the year : France
Mergemarket European M&A Awards 2023

France law firm of the year
Chambers Europe Awards 2023

  • LEGAL 500 EMEA 2024

    Project Finance

    Tier 1

    Gide regularly acts for public institutions, manufacturers, investment funds and lenders, and is known for its expertise in the structuring and financing of projects. The group is particularly adept at advising on projects across the construction, oil-and-gas, nuclear energy and logistics industries.

  • LEGAL 500 EMEA 2024

    Industry focus : Energy

    Tier 1

    Gide provides advisory and contentious assistance to secondary sector clients and investors across the energy sector. Public administrative law is a key strength for the team, while energy and environment matters and sustainable development are further focuses of attention.

  • LEGAL 500 EMEA 2024

    Mergers & Acquisitions

    Tier 2

    Extremely goal oriented, dedicated and skilled in handling international and domestic transactions." "The team is a go-to for leading banks and major industrial companies in managing strategic publicly listed and private M&A transactions, as well as handling distressed M&A and corporate restructuring matters.

  • CHAMBERS GLOBAL & CHAMBERS EUROPE 2024

    Projects & Energy (International)

    Band 2

    Gide's well regarded department has strong global activity, with a particular presence in Africa. The team represents states, corporates and lenders. The lawyers are regularly appointed on projects in a variety of sectors including natural resources, transport infrastructure and renewable energy.

  • CHAMBERS GLOBAL & CHAMBERS EUROPE 2024

    Projects & Energy (Africa-Wide)

    Band 2

    Enviable presence in francophone Africa." "Sought after for its representation of international financial institutions (IFIs), private sponsors and developers in energy projects and infrastructure developments concerning ports and municipal services.

  • CHAMBERS GLOBAL & CHAMBERS EUROPE 2024

    Projects & Energy: Power (Africa-Wide)

    Band 2

    Gide is regularly instructed on high-profile renewable energy projects, including wind and hydroelectric power matters. The Paris-based team is equally highly adept in oil and gas projects and transactions, and demonstrates notable ability in advising Asian clients on Africa-bound investments.

  • CHAMBERS GLOBAL & CHAMBERS EUROPE 2024

    Corporate/M&A: High-End Capabilities

    Band 2

    Gide combines strong French expertise with the ability to advise international companies on cross-border matters, notably in relation to European and African jurisdictions. The lawyers regularly handle sophisticated joint venture and M&A transactions, as well as corporate structure issues.

Where we work

Europe

Gide’s extensive network ensures it can provide seamless, cross-border legal services and offer high-quality legal advice tailored to the specific needs of its clients, particularly those from China looking to invest or expand their operations in Europe.

Gide has a dedicated team of professionals who specialize in assisting Chinese clients with their international ventures, integrating our offices in China, Paris, London, Brussels, Warsaw and Istanbul.

This team is adept at navigating the complexities of cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, project finance, dispute resolution and regulatory compliance. The firm’s expertise extends to various sectors, including industrial manufacturing, finance, consumption and luxury, real estate, and technology, making it a one-stop solution for Chinese enterprises seeking to establish or expand their footprint in Europe.

Gide’s track record in assisting Chinese clients is exemplary, with numerous successful projects across different industries. The firm has been involved in high-profile transactions such as the acquisition of European assets by Chinese state-owned enterprises and private companies. Gide’s ability to provide strategic legal advice is backed by its strong relationships with local authorities and regulatory bodies, which is crucial for navigating the legal landscape in Europe.

Africa

Over more than 50 years, Gide has gained significant experience in assisting clients with their investment and business activities throughout the African continent, including in both civil law and common law countries. Chinese clients seek the assistance of our Africa team because we are able to help them realise their “going out” strategy at all stages and because we understand what makes or breaks an investment project in the region.

Gide’s Africa team is made up of lawyers from our office in China, three offices in Africa (Algiers, Casablanca and Tunis) and two main offices in Europe (Paris and London), who work together with our extensive network of local law firms to serve Chinese clients.

The members of Gide’s Africa team have accumulated extensive experience in China’s investment in Africa, and we are well versed in the cultural, legal, political and economic background of China and Africa. Through our involvement in a wide range of cross-sectoral projects in Africa, the Gide Africa team is able to provide legal advice to Chinese investors in all areas of Chinese investment and projects in Africa. The Gide Africa team is able to combine its extensive experience in the areas of mining, mergers and acquisitions and corporate law, energy, project finance, public-private partnerships, infrastructure, oil and gas, trade, dispute resolution and all related matters to serve its clients.

 

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