Linklaters, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Jones Day are acting on a refinancing deal for major cinema chain Cineworld, as it deals with the financial impact of coronavirus.

The company's biggest shareholder is cutting its stake in the chain by a third, as Cineworld announced Thursday that the impact of the virus could, in the worst case scenario, result in it breaching financial covenants unless a waiver agreement is reached with the required majority of lenders, according to a statement by the company on the London Stock Exchange.

Its majority shareholder Global City Theatres (GTC) is selling a 7.9% stake in the firm worth £112 million, the majority of the shares were bought by a subsidiary of Singapore-based investment group GIC, according to a statement by Cineworld on the London Stock Exchange.

Jones Day is advising GTC on the financial aspects to the deal, with finance partner Lee Federman leading the team, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

The statement added that, as part of a refinancing of GCT's financial arrangements, the proceeds of the share sale will be used to restructure the margin loan facility provided to GCT by Barclays and HSBC into a new secured corporate loan facility.

Linklaters is advising GIC on the deal terms, the firm confirmed, with corporate partner Richard Good leading the team.

Freshfields is advising the lending banks Barclays and HSBC, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.