Christopher joined Acuity Law as a Partner in September 2021, having previously led teams at Capital Law, Harrison Clarke Rickerbys and Hugh James.

He has significant experience as a real estate finance lawyer and has acted on an extensive range of banking transactions, including refinance transactions and a full range of funding types, including development, investment, SIPP, healthcare, charity, social housing and mezzanine.

Chris Aguis has been extensively involved in representing market-leading banks throughout his career, having acted for niche funders in high-volume lending, in addition to all the major high-street lenders on a bespoke basis.

He is a specialist in development finance, investment finance, third sector/charity finance, acquisition finance, refinance, and social housing finance.

Chris’s practice has been built on the principles of identifying problems, suggesting commercial solutions and backing them with commercial advice. He places excellent service and relationship management at the heart of everything he does and has developed a strong reputation advising banks, funders, and borrowers in all manner of funder transactions. Chris’s clients include Julian Hodge Bank and the Development Bank of Wales.

Acting for the Welsh Government in the provision of an £18 million loan facility to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to assist in the urgent re-financing of the Covid Large Business Interruption Scheme (CLBILS) loans that had been taken out by the four Welsh professional rugby regions: Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys. Chris led a team of advisers in the negotiation of a bespoke facility and security-taking process.

Appointed by DBW following a tender process in an advisory role in the set-up of the new funding scheme Self Build Wales.

Advised Julian Hodge Bank Limited on process and documentation for granted repayment holidays to borrowers at the onset of lockdown.

Advised Julian Hodge Bank Limited on a multimillion-pound reorganisation of debt from an existing Borrower Group of companies into a single, tax-efficient vehicle.

Advised Welsh Vauxhall dealership in the refinance of its banking facilities into Metro Bank Limited and subsequently the sale of one of its sites and security release.

Advising a private fund on the recovery process, including insolvency advice, in relation to an eight-figure loan in default. This advice culminated in referral to an insolvency practitioner and ongoing advice throughout the appointment of administrators.

• Acting for funders lending to commercial businesses, third sector organisations and the care sector
• Acting for Clearing Banks and many challenger banks, including Santander, DBW, Shawbrook Bank, Julian Hodge Bank and others
• Particular skill in lending to the third sector, maintaining relationships with funders such as Triodos Bank and WCVA
• Acting for borrowers faced with funder due diligence
• Acting in the insolvency sector, with strong relationships with LPA receivers and the wider insolvency community