John Cunha

John is a partner in the banking and finance team at ASAR with over 17 years of international and regional experience. He advises on a broad range of capital markets, banking and finance, and M&A transactions, with particular strength in debt capital markets. John regularly supports issuers, arrangers, and underwriters on debt and liability management deals and provides regulatory advice to local and international financial institutions on derivatives, securities lending, repos, and credit support documentation.

His finance practice spans domestic and cross-border matters, including bilateral and syndicated lending, project finance, and structured facilities. John also has extensive experience advising on mergers, acquisitions, and public takeovers and has played a leading role in some of Kuwait’s most high-profile capital markets and M&A transactions.

John is known for his strategic thinking, attention to detail, and ability to simplify complex legal matters. Clients appreciate his clear, straightforward advice and his focus on achieving practical outcomes.

• Advised the Government of the State of Kuwait in relation to its issuance of US$8 billion Kuwait sovereign bonds;
• Advised Adeptio AD Investments SPC Limited in relation to its US$3,4 billion acquisition of a 93.4% stake in Kuwait Food Company (Americana) a Kuwaiti listed entity;
• Advised the Dealers and Managers in relation to the establishment of a US$4 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme for EQUATE Petrochemical B.V., and its inaugural US$2,25 billion issuance thereunder; and
• Advised the Dealers and Managers in relation to the establishment of a US$2 billion Trust Certificate Issuance Programme for EQUATE Sukuk SPC Limited and its inaugural US$500 million billion issuance thereunder.    

• Banking
• Capital markets: Debt
• Capital markets: Equity
• Financial services regulatory
• M&A

• Banking
• Financial services
• Investment management

• Master of Laws (LLM) in International Trade Law, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2007
• Master in Business Administration (MBA), University of the Free State, South Africa, 2001
• Baccalaureus Procurationis (B.Proc.) in Law, University of the Free State, South Africa, 1998

• Admitted as a Solicitor (England and Wales), 2007
• Admitted as an Attorney (South Africa), 2000