Memery Crystal has closed one of its biggest ever M&A mandates after advising on RAK Petroleum's £208m acquisition of Gulf Keystone Petroleum.

Memery Crystal, a firm best known for its listing work on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), advised Gulf Keystone on the deal, which was announced earlier this month (13 April).

The firm previously advised the Bermudan oil and gas exploration company on its AIM listing in 2004 and secondary fundraising in August last year.

Corporate partners Nick Davis and Michael Dawes led the Memery Crystal team.

Dawes said: "We do a lot of M&A work in the AIM sphere, although the tens of millions is our normal sweet spot. The ideal client is one where we can advise on its listing, on future fundraising, related employment and tax work and then on future acquisitions."

Offshore firm Cox Hallett Wilkinson advised the company on Bermuda law issues.

Baker & McKenzie London office advised RAK, a new client of the firm's UK operation. Corporate partners Helen Bradley in London and Jonathan Cahn in Washington DC led the team, assisted by London corporate associate Robert Adam.

Offshore firm Conyers Dill & Pearman advised RAK on Bermuda law issues and France's Gide Loyrette Nouel advised on Algerian law.

It is the second M&A transaction Bakers has advised RAK on in recent weeks.

In early April the firm advised on its £194m acquisition of Indago Petroleum's exploration and production assets. White & Case advised Indago.