The Sovereigns team at Stevenson Harwood delivers integrated, multidisciplinary legal and strategic counsel to governments, sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises, and sovereign-linked entities.
In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, our clients face high-stakes, cross-border challenges that demand more than legal expertise; they require context-driven, commercially grounded solutions aligned with long-term strategic goals.
We advise across sovereign debt, capital markets, direct and indirect investments, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, asset management, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and strategic policy. Our seamless approach draws on specialists in corporate, finance, real estate, tax, and dispute resolution to coordinate comprehensive support across jurisdictions and sectors.
By acting as trusted external general counsel, we anticipate risks, manage reputational and political factors, and deliver proactive guidance tailored to each client’s priorities. Leveraging deep sector insight and global reach, we help clients unlock opportunities, safeguard assets, and navigate evolving geopolitical and regulatory landscapes.
Clients value our combination of technical excellence, strategic insight, and trusted partnership — empowering them to achieve sustainable results in a fast-changing global environment.
我们的服务
Advising on direct and indirect sovereign investments across real estate, infrastructure, and funds.
We advise sovereigns, state-owned entities, and sovereign-linked funds on direct and indirect investments across asset classes, including real estate, infrastructure, private equity, venture capital, and listed securities. Our work spans the full investment life-cycle from strategy formulation and opportunity assessment to structuring, execution, and ongoing portfolio management.
We provide tailored support in conducting due diligence, evaluating risks, negotiating terms, securing regulatory approvals, and coordinating cross-border legal, tax, and operational considerations. Our multidisciplinary team integrates commercial, legal, and geopolitical insight to ensure each investment advances national priorities and delivers sustainable returns.
With deep sector knowledge and a global network, we help clients enter new markets, expand strategic holdings, restructure assets, and manage exits. Every mandate is approached with discretion, precision, and a clear focus on maximising value while safeguarding long-term sovereign interests.
Structuring and negotiating joint ventures, co-investments, and strategic alliances worldwide.
We support sovereigns, sovereign-linked funds, and state-owned enterprises in forming and managing joint ventures, co-investments, and strategic alliances with institutional investors, private equity sponsors, corporates, and development partners. Our work covers the full spectrum from assessing potential partners and structuring governance frameworks to negotiating complex agreements that balance commercial opportunity with long-term strategic objectives.
We advise on equity and profit-sharing arrangements, capital contributions, decision-making protocols, exit mechanisms, dispute resolution provisions, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Our approach ensures that alliances are structured to protect sovereign interests, manage risk, and maintain operational flexibility while fostering strong, collaborative relationships.
Leveraging our cross-border reach and sectoral expertise, we help clients establish partnerships in industries such as infrastructure, energy, natural resources, technology, and logistics. Every mandate is handled with discretion, precision, and a clear focus on delivering durable value and strategic alignment for sovereign stakeholders.
Recent experience includes:
- Advising sovereign-backed vehicle on fund formation and governance
- Supporting an Asian SWF with its co-investment in a global private equity fund.
- Acting for a sovereign investor in negotiating a real estate partnership in the UK, including structuring governance and exit rights.
- Acting for a sovereign investor in the negotiation of joint ventures for real estate development in the UK and Europe.
Advising sovereigns on acquisitions, disposals, and portfolio management globally.
We advise SWFs, state-owned enterprises, and sovereign-linked investors on mergers, acquisitions, disposals, and portfolio management across jurisdictions. Our support spans the full transaction life-cycle—from target identification and due diligence to deal structuring, negotiation, execution, and post-closing integration.
We provide strategic guidance on regulatory clearances, foreign investment reviews, competition law compliance, and sector-specific licensing and governance. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures each transaction aligns with broader economic, political, and strategic objectives while safeguarding value and mitigating risk.
Our experience covers acquisitions of strategic assets in sectors including energy, infrastructure, technology, natural resources, financial services, and logistics. We also assist with portfolio optimisation, restructuring, and exits, helping sovereign clients retain agility in evolving markets.
By combining commercial insight with geopolitical awareness, we deliver tailored M&A solutions that meet immediate deal objectives and support the long-term interests of sovereign stakeholders.
Recent experience includes:
- Advised a Middle Eastern SWF on a European listed acquisition, covering due diligence, regulatory approvals, and shareholder rights negotiation.
- Represented a SWF in a healthcare buyout, handling co-investment terms and governance arrangements.
- Managing sale of real estate portfolio for a sovereign client; advising cross-border tax and regulatory challenges.
Guiding sovereigns on compliance, sanctions, AML, and sovereign immunity challenges globally.
We assist sovereigns, state-owned entities, and sovereign-linked funds in navigating complex governance and regulatory landscapes. Our advice covers compliance with international and local laws, including anti-money laundering, sanctions regimes, export controls, and sovereign immunity.
Our multidisciplinary team designs and implements robust compliance frameworks tailored to sovereign-specific risks and operational contexts. We guide clients through regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, and evolving global standards to mitigate legal and reputational risks.
We also advise on governance best practices, board responsibilities, transparency requirements, and accountability mechanisms to strengthen institutional integrity and stakeholder confidence. Our expertise extends to managing interactions with regulatory authorities and coordinating responses to cross-border regulatory challenges.
By integrating legal, regulatory, and geopolitical insight, we enable sovereign clients to maintain compliance, protect assets, and uphold their international standing in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Recent experience includes:
- Advised a sovereign client on UK securities disclosure obligations after acquiring a significant minority stake in a listed company, and developed best practices for public reporting.
- Managed merger control and FDI filings for a sovereign wealth fund’s acquisition of a European energy asset, coordinating with local counsel to secure multi-jurisdictional approvals.
Advising SWFs on fund formation, governance, and compliance in private and alternative funds.
We provide sovereign wealth funds, state-owned entities, and sovereign-linked investors with comprehensive legal support on fund formation, governance, and regulatory compliance. Our expertise covers investments in private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, infrastructure funds, and other alternative vehicles.
Our team advises on fund structuring, partnership agreements, governance frameworks, investor rights, and ongoing compliance with applicable securities laws, AML rules, and international regulations. We assist clients in navigating fund-related negotiations, managing fiduciary duties, and aligning investment strategies with sovereign mandates.
With deep knowledge of cross-border fund jurisdictions, we support SWFs investing alongside private funds or acting as direct fund managers, ensuring adherence to local and global regulatory standards while mitigating operational and reputational risks.
By integrating legal precision with strategic insight, we help sovereign investors optimise their asset management approach, safeguard investments, and achieve long-term financial objectives.
Recent experience includes:
- Advised a sovereign client on restructuring and risk-managing a multi-jurisdictional infrastructure portfolio in response to regulatory shifts and market changes.
Representing sovereigns in high-value disputes, arbitration, and enforcement worldwide.
We represent sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises, and sovereign-linked entities in complex, high-stakes dispute resolution matters worldwide. Our services include international arbitration, litigation, mediation, and enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards.
Our multidisciplinary team handles disputes involving sovereign debt restructuring, investment treaties (BITs), commercial contracts, joint ventures, and state-to-state proceedings. We help clients manage risk, mitigate reputational impact, and secure effective remedies through tailored strategies.
With expertise in multi-jurisdictional asset tracing, fraud investigations, and enforcement actions, we support sovereigns in protecting and recovering assets globally. Our approach blends legal acumen with geopolitical and commercial insight, ensuring each dispute is managed with precision, discretion, and strategic foresight.
As trusted advocates, we guide sovereign clients through complex disputes efficiently, preserving long-term interests and critical relationships.
Recent experience includes:
- Advising a Middle Eastern SWF in an ICC arbitration, including multi-jurisdictional enforcement
- Representing a SWF in recovering misappropriated assets by securing freezing orders and effecting cross-border recoveries
- Advising a state-owned enterprise on resisting enforcement of a fraudulent arbitral award and pursuing perpetrators
- Managing multi-jurisdictional asset recovery for a state-controlled financial services company.
Supporting sovereigns in infrastructure, energy and resource development.
We support sovereigns, state-owned enterprises, and sovereign-linked funds in delivering complex projects that drive national development and economic growth. Our expertise spans energy, infrastructure, mining and natural resources, with a focus on structuring, financing, and executing projects that are commercially viable and legally robust.
From public-private partnerships and concession agreements to production sharing contracts and resource licensing, we help clients navigate regulatory frameworks, environmental standards, and geopolitical considerations. Our multidisciplinary approach combines legal, commercial, and sector-specific insight to anticipate risks, optimise outcomes and unlock long-term value.
With a global network and deep industry knowledge, we assist in securing strategic partnerships, financing, and operational solutions, ensuring projects are implemented efficiently, sustainably, and in alignment with sovereign priorities Each engagement is approached with strategic foresight and unwavering focus on advancing national objectives.
Advising on defence contracts, offsets, and strategic sourcing for sovereigns.
We advise sovereigns, state-owned enterprises, and sovereign-linked funds on legal and strategic matters in defence, secruity, and high value procurement programmes. Our work covers the full lifecycle of defence and strategic projects, from drafting and negotiating contracts to ensuring compliance with national regulations and international obligations.
We provide specialised guidance on military equipment acquisitions, industrial participation schemes, offsets, technology transfer arrangements, and cybersecurity initiatives. Our team helps clients manage regulatory complexity, supply chain risks, and sensitive geopolitical considerations, ensuring projects advance national security objectives.
By combining sector-specific insight with practical legal advice, we support sovereigns in optimising procurement strategies, mitigating operational and compliance risks, and enhancing the strategic impact of their programmes. Each engagement is handled with discretion, precision, and a focus on long-term national interests.
