What can I do for you?
I'm a corporate and commercial specialist with a broad range of experience in advising universities, charities, regional development agencies, entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and private companies both nationally and internationally. My work involves acquisitions, disposals, mergers, restructuring, joint ventures, spin-outs, collaborations, partnerships, complex funding grants and general contract and commercial work. A large part of my work is international (in particular, advising companies and universities on their business in China, India and the Middle East) and I have been seconded to the State Capital Group's members in China and India (Boss & Young in Shanghai and J Sagar Associates in Bangalore and Delhi).
I have also developed a specialised corporate practice advising on the sale and purchase of Lloyd's of London namecos (corporate underwriting). Through a combination of working with key Lloyd's managing agents and winning praise from Lloyd's names, the majority of nameco transactions continue to be referred to me (I have undertaken around 50 nameco transactions in the past few years).
Supporting my clients’ objectives
A real highlight for me was leading our team and advising on the merger of the College of North East London (CoNEL) and Enfield College with a combined 20,000 students and seen as an Olympics legacy for the future. I was proud to be involved in this complex 15 month project and the Vice Principal of the College noted in the press release that “The merger went through very smoothly and efficiently thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of the Mills & Reeve team”.
I particularly enjoy working with clients over a long period of time which leads to me gaining an in-depth understanding of their business and commercial issues. For example, over the last eight years I have advised and project managed a significant number of acquisitions and joint ventures for Cambridge University Press (including in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Singapore as well as many in the UK).
What do others say?
Legal 500 notes that "rising star Neil Burton is ‘practical, quick witted, diplomatic and willing to go the extra mile’."
One of my favourite comments came from the Head of Legal of a Regional Development Agency who described me in an independent client review as "meticulous, fast, practical, ...an absolute gem... at board meetings he has the right level of gravitas". Also, another client (an MD of a UK Private Bank) sent a direct letter to our Managing Partner in respect of my leading role on corporate disposal and said "Neil was absolutely first class in the way he handled the transaction for us....the dedication Neil showed to seeing this transaction through was outstanding".
What else should you know?
I am also a qualified and practising Notary Public which enables me to notarise and organise apostille/legalisation of legal documents for use overseas. My notary work combined with my corporate work has enabled me to advise clients on wide range of overseas transactions (eg, incorporation and managing foreign subsidiaries and offices).
My secondments to stand in for the Head of Legal at Imperial College, London, a telecommunications company and the University of Essex have enhanced my understanding of the commercial issues which clients face coupled with how our clients’ businesses operate.
I share responsibility for our India group, focusing on promoting trade, business and investment opportunities with India. Also, the leading HE think-tank, The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, recently commissioned me to write a report entitled Foreign Provision of Higher Education in India- Legal Issues and Practices.