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Allen & Overy wins "IFLR Czech Republic Law Firm of the year" award

Allen & Overy received the "IFLR Czech Republic Law Firm of the year" award at the 14th Annual IFLR European Awards gala held at the Dorchester Hotel in London last night.

The award recognises excellence in finance law expertise, and Allen & Overy has been recognised specifically for its advisory role on the issuance of the first international Czech covered bond programme. Allen & Overy advised joint arrangers and lead managers Barclays Bank PLC, BNP Paribas and Raiffeisen Bank International AG on the EUR5 billion covered bond programme and on the first covered bond issuance by Raiffeisenbank a.s. under this programme. Raiffeisenbank has now become the first ever Czech bank to issue covered bonds on the Eurobond market.

Václav Valvoda, Partner and Head of the Finance Practice at Allen & Overy in Prague, commented on the award: "We are honoured to have won the IFLR Czech Republic Law Firm of the year award. We like market firsts and we are delighted to see further sophistication of Czech product line. Reaction of our clients to the covered bond deal was overwhelming."

Allen & Overy has advised on many important transactions in the Czech Republic. Our excellence in the field of banking and finance is due to the combination of our strong domestic/regional roots and our worldwide client relationships.

Prague-based Managing Partner for Central Europe Jane Townsend, who collected the award on behalf of the firm last night, said after the ceremony: "To receive an award of this stature from IFLR is a tremendous achievement. We value the opportunity to be at the forefront of legal development in the jurisdiction. Our lawyers and staff have worked hard to promote this latest innovation and to produce the high level of client service recognised by this award.”

Allen & Overy had a double success at the IFLR European Awards 2013, as we also received the main award "International law firm of the year".

For further information, please contact Jana Kloudová, jana.kloudova@allenovery.com, on +420 222 107 117.