Clifford Chance, Travers Smith, and Hillhouse Legal Partners advised on LEGO Group’s acquisition of LEGO® and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centres from Merlin Entertainments for £200 million.

The sale will include 29 Centres in nine countries which attract around five million visitors each year and is expected to close around the end of the year with an estimated cash consideration of £0.2bn (subject to customary closing adjustments).

Merlin Entertainments and the LEGO Group will continue their long-standing brand partnership. Merlin will continue to operate eleven LEGOLAND Resorts around the world under licence from the LEGO Group, including the recently opened resort in Shanghai.

Clifford Chance has advised LEGO Holding A/S, the private holding, investment company and 75% owner of the LEGO Group, on the acquisition by the LEGO Group of LEGO® Discovery Centres and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centres from Merlin Entertainments. The acquisition will include 29 Centres in nine countries which attract around five million visitors each year.

The Clifford Chance team was led by Partners Steven Fox and Erik O’Connor, with support from partners Herbert Swaniker, Zayed Al Jamil, Don McCombie and colleagues from tech//digital, IP, real estate, antitrust, employment, incentives, pensions, and tax practices.

Travers Smith LLP has advised long-standing client Merlin Entertainments on the sale of its LEGO Discovery Centres and LEGOLAND Discovery Centres to the LEGO Group.

The Travers Smith team was led by Private Equity & Financial Sponsors Partner Tom Hartwright with support from Senior Associate Ramya Mahidhara, Associates James Jankowski, Pansy Doyle and Liam Carrington, and Trainee Mayo Oremakinde. Technology & Commercial Transactions support was provided by Partners Louisa Chambers and James Longster, Senior Associate Andy Maxwell and Associate Jorja Hills. Tax advice was provided by Associate Claudia French. Real Estate advice was provided by Senior Counsel Catherine O’Driscoll, Senior Associate Emma Sykes and Associate Seren Williams. Employment advice was provided by Partner Tim Gilbert, Senior Associates Laetitia Ajimal and Matt Austin. Employee incentives advice was provided by Senior Associate Claire Prentice.

Hillhouse Legal Partners advised Merlin Entertainments on the Australian component of the global sale, working in collaboration with Travers Smith who led the transaction at a global level.

The Hillhouse team was led by Director Craig Hong, with support from Director Robert Lamb, Senior Associates Michael Morris, & Vicky Yeung, Associate John Davies, & Lawyer Zach Sudira.