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

Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo “handles all restructuring work in Indonesia”, says a rival law firm partner. The team has a solid record advising on bank restructuring and has acted as counsel to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency.

One satisfied clients says: “The partner you engage on a deal works on the deal, and completely oversees and carries out the work. As a result, the work gets done extremely well and in an efficient and productive manner.”

The firm advised PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional on two bond issuances valued at Rp1.3 trillion and Rp1.1 trillion respectively. The team also advised the same client on a rights issue.

Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo is widely recognised for its corporate and commercial law expertise, with its main focus on the acquisition of companies. The firm has frequently advised on acquisitions involving complex corporate and debt restructuring issues.

One client says: “The firm is very commercially minded and innovative, and is prepared to look at things from a different angle.”

The team advised PT Recapital Advisors on its acquisition of PT Bank Eksekutif. This corporate rescue involved the structure of a rights issue of the bank and a renouncement of shareholders’ entitlement to PT Recapital Securities.

Other work included advising Beaconhouse Educational Services in its acquisition of schools in Indonesia, which included various regulatory issues.

Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo’s renowned construction team is led by Timbul Thomas Lubis, who is a specialist in the areas of property and real estate.

The firm represented the Ministry of Finance, and Indonesia Infrastructure Guarantee Fund (IIGF) as guarantors, on infrastructure guarantees for the Central Java Power Plant Project. This large scale project included structuring the infrastructure guarantee and providing advice on Indonesian legal issues.

Another notable deal was advising IIGF, and assisting the Indonesian Government, on the Way Sekampung Drinking Water Project in Bandar Lampung. Advice included review of documentation for the IIGF guarantee and the concession agreement. Lampung is one of the first PPP projects under the recently enacted PPP supporting legal and regulatory framework.

The dispute resolution practice at Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo is considered as one of the fast growing litigation practices among corporate law firms in Indonesia. The team is heavily involved on high profile complex cases. For example, it represented PT Medco Energi Internasional and PT Medco E&P Tomori Sulawesi in an antitrust and monopoly case. Another notable transaction included representing PT Krakatau Steel in an arbitration proceeding at the Indonesian National Board of Arbitration.

Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo’s energy and natural resources practice is “very experienced in coal and mineral mining, and infrastructure projects”, says a rival partner.

The firm’s experience in handling projects in the fields of mining and energy is highly regarded by peers, with the team assisting on numerous major transactions in the mining sector.

Practice leader Abdul Haris Muhammad Rum has “extensive knowledge of the mining industry”, says a rival partner. He led a team advising the Ministry of Finance, and Indonesia Infrastructure Guarantee Fund as guarantor, on infrastructure guarantees for the Central Java Power Plant Project.

Another notable transaction was advising Allestari Development on its acquisition of North Maluku-based coal mining company PT Alam Raya Abadi.

Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo’s practice works across all areas of shipping and maritime law. The team is led by senior partner Dr M Idwan Ganie, who is an acclaimed expert in this area.

The firm’s solid international client base includes corporations such as Orchard Maritime, Pan Maritime and Bulk Trading. Some recent transactions include representing Itochu Corporation regarding oil pollution in Indonesia and assisting Pusan International Law Office on a ship arrest in Batam.

Last year’s highlight was representing the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company NV (EADS) in setting up a limited liability company.