NEWS RELEASE

Kyiv - Within the frames of its further expansion in Ukraine, Leroy Merlin, one of the largest European DIY ("do it yourself") retail networks, acquired another construction project for its DIY hypermarket in Kyiv. DLA Piper acts as a legal adviser of Leroy Merlin for this project, which is structured through conclusion of an investment agreement with a local Ukrainian developer.

DLA Piper team provided the client with a full-scope legal support for the project, in particular conducted a legal due diligence of the land plot for construction and developer's rights to such land, developed the transaction structure, drafted an investment agreement and other transactional documents, advised the clients on securing the payments under the investment agreement, including preparation of bank guarantees to be provided by the developer, supported the negotiations between parties, as well as managed the execution of the investment agreement and other transactional documents.

The team working on this transaction is led by Natalia Kochergina, Partner and Head of Real Estate in Ukraine, and includes Dmytro Pikalov, Senior Associate and Sergiy Portnoy, Associate (both - Real Estate practice); as well as Illya Sverdlov, Legal Director (Tax practice), advising on tax issues.  Illya Muchnyk, Legal Director, and Mykhaylo Byelostotskiy, Associate (both - Banking & Finance practice) advised on the bank guarantees.

Natalia Kochergina said: "We provided legal support to Leroy Merlin on a number of acquisition projects in Ukraine.  This project is another great example of the full range of services we are able to provide to this leading foreign investor in Ukraine. The high standard of our work and client service has earned us a string of repeat real estate sector instructions from this major global brand".
Leroy Merlin is a global chain with more than 300 home improvement stores in 13 countries. Being present in Ukraine since 2010, Leroy Merlin currently works with one DIY store in Kyiv (17A Polyarnaya Street) and has serious further expansion plans for the country.

ENDS
For further information: Nataliya Tkachenko, Marketing Manager, DLA Piper Ukraine LLC, Tel: +380 44 490 9579 or Email: nataliya.tkachenko@dlapiper.com

Notes to editors:

1. DLA Piper Ukraine LLC is part of DLA Piper, aglobal law firm.  The Kyiv team comprises more than 35 lawyers and is headed by Margarita Karpenko, Managing Partner.  In 2012 DLA Piper was named Foreign Law Firm of the Year (Legal Awards Ceremony, 2012).
2. Real Estate team of the office comprises 5 lawyers and is headed by Natalia Kochergina, Partner. In 2009 and 2010 DLA Piper was recognized Real Estate Law Firm of the Year in Ukraine (Legal Awards Ceremony, 2009, 2010).
3. DLA Piper is a global law firm with 4,200 lawyers across 77 offices and 31 countries. From its offices across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the United States, legal and business advisers provide a comprehensive range of services to local, regional and international businesses.