Cinema seats

Slaughter and May and Herbert Smith Freehills are among the firms advising as U.K. cinema company Cineworld acquires Canadian rival Cineplex for C$2.8 billion.

Listed company Cineworld operated 9,498 screens across 786 sites including in the U.K., Ireland, U.S. and Europe as of December last year.

Cineplex operates 165 theatres across Canada.

HSF has fielded a London-based team to advise Cineplex, consisting of corporate partner Caroline Rae and tax partner Isaac Zailer.

Baker McKenzie is advising Cineplex on U.S. law matters, according to a statement by the company. The Baker McKenzie team is made up of New York-based corporate and securities partner Steven Canner and Washington D.C.-based antitrust partner Creighton Macy. The firm is also being advised by Canadian law firm Goodmans.

Slaughters is advising long-term client Cineworld on the transaction, according to one person with knowledge of the situation. 

The Magic Circle firm previously advised Cineworld in its takeover of U.S. rival Regal Entertainment.

Last year, HSF also picked up a lead role for a major cinema dea, when it advised on Vue Cinema's purchase of German rival Cinestar for €221.8m alongside Allen & Overy.