Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

The Makarim & Taira S team, which is led by Ratna Iskandar and Gregory Ranslam, “consistently gives the best and most accurate legal advice of any law firm I have worked with,” says one client. “Generally, the individuals involved with deals are fantastic.”

One deal highlight saw the firm represent HSBC, Labuan in the initial stage of the assignment of a 10% participating interest in Block Cepu from Mobil Cepu Ltd (MCL) and Ampolex (Cepu). This transaction involved the subsidiaries of ExxonMobil Corporation and PT Pertamina EP Cepu with four local government companies.

The team also advised UniCredit Bank’s provision of export credit facilities to several Indonesian companies worth US$50 million.

Makarim & Taira S has a “deep understanding of our business, and provides quality service and advice”, says one client, who also praises the firm’s “commitment to keeping a great working relationship”.

The firm represented Sumitomo Corporation and GDF Suez in the acquisition of and investment in Supreme Energy’s geothermal energy business in Indonesia. The Makarim team performed legal due diligence on the target company.

The firm also represented Sara Lee in Unilever’s acquisition of the company’s business in Indonesia and majority shares in an Indonesian publicly listed company PT Sara Lee Body Care Indonesia. This was noted as the most complex acquisition of the 40 jurisdictions that were affected by this deal.

The Makarim practice, led by partners Pudji Whjuni Purbo and Rahayuningsih Hoed, retains its position as one of Indonesia’s top construction and real estate teams.

Purbo is experienced in dealing with government agencies and state owned companies, including PT Pertamina and PT PLN. Meanwhile, Hoed is strongly noted for experience on land acquisitions for infrastructure and mining projects, project finance for power plants, mass termination of employment contracts, and dispute resolution.

The firm is frequently instructed on major land acquisitions and advises some of the largest domestic and international construction companies in contractual matters and negotiating with landowners.

Notable transactions include advising an Indonesian power producer in a dispute over the acquisition of land by a state owned company.

Makarim & TairaS has strong connections both domestically and internationally, and this allows its energy and natural resources team to maintain and develop work relating to power plants and coal asset acquisitions.

Highly regarded partner Pudji Purbo is “commended for her knowledge and execution skills”. She recently led a team advising Genting Sanyen on its mining investments and related regulatory provisions.

Another highlight was advising consortium, which included Marubeni Asian Power, Korean Midland Power, PT Tripatra and Samtan, in the development of a coal fired steam power plant in Cirebon, Indonesia.

Other notable transactions include advising Asia Resources Holdings and ESCO Corporation in the acquisition of a mining trading company and a mining company, respectively.

Makarim & Taira S has built a strong reputation for labour and employment disputes. The practice has enjoyed another strong year, and has promoted senior associates Benny Bernarto and Teddy Suprijadi to the partnership.

Co-leader of the practice Richard Cornwallis is an extremely well regarded lawyer who specialises and has particular strength in labour and employment matters.

The firm advised Waterford Wedgwood in a termination of employment case and also the negotiation of acceptable severance pay to all affected employees.

Ali Budiardjo Nugroho Reksodiputro

Ali Budiardjo Nugroho Reksodiputro has experience in the representation of all areas of the shipping and maritime industry. The practice is especially skilled in handling cargo claims, liability issues, vessel mortgaging and charter disputes. The team is acting for Lonergan Overseas over claims relating to a wreck removal plan of the MV Hyundai 105 after collision with VLCC Kaminesan in 2004.

Assegaf Hamzah & Partners

The year 2010 saw this firm’s shipping, maritime & aviation practice’s involvement in a number of high profile matters. The team advised International Finance Corporation on its US$35 million loan facility to PT Trada Maritime, which is the largest floating oil storage operator in Indonesia. Another transaction was defending the state airport’s operator PT Angkasa Pura against charges that it operated a monopoly in its warehousing division to the detriment of international cargo airlines.

Makarim & Taira S

Makarim & Taira S is predominantly known for its expertise in the corporate, commercial and finance sectors, but it has significantly strengthened its reputation in the shipping, maritime and aviation sectors. It represented Dubai Aerospace in a purchase and lease back transaction of eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft for PT Garuda Indonesia. The team also advised RBS Aerospace in the lease of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Garuda.

Oentoeng Suria & Partners

Oentoeng Suria & Partners has extensive experience in advising on shipping law and shipping transactions. The firm is particularly adept at work covering the structuring and financing of shipping joint venture investments. A notable highlight was advising the Bank of International Indonesia and PT Sillo Maritime Perdana in the acquisition of a cargo ship from a German company. Upon acquisition, the firm supported the setting up of a Maersk subsidiary shipping company in Indonesia.

Roosdiono & Partners

The aviation practice at Roosdiono & Partners continues to grow and is recognised as a trusted legal adviser to ECA lenders and other financiers. The firm advised CIT Aerospace on the aircraft financing of Airbus airlines to PT Garuda Indonesia. Other notable work includes advising AirAsia on aircraft financing.

Soewito Suhardiman Eddymurthy Kardono

SSEK predominantly acts as Indonesian counsel to a number of multinational shipping companies operating in Indonesia. The shipping practice takes particular pride in resolving cabotage (sabotage) issues for shipping companies. In a high profile case, the firm advised PT Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line on the complex debt restructuring of a large shipping company.