Christopher Gardner
Partner | London | Dubai
Christopher Gardner

Christopher Gardner's practice focuses on the structuring and establishment of private funds domiciled in all key onshore and offshore jurisdictions across a range of asset classes, with a focus on liquid and illiquid debt and credit, hybrid, real estate, private equity, infrastructure, hedge and renewable energy funds. Mr. Gardner acts most frequently for sponsors and investors from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and North America.

Mr. Gardner also advises on M&A transactions in the financial services sector, the spin-outs and establishment of new asset management businesses and on the sale and purchase of fund interests, fund and co-investment restructurings, as well as providing advice on portfolio company corporate and commercial and general financial services regulatory matters.

Mr. Gardner is ranked in Private Equity: Credit Funds by Chambers UK. The 2025 edition notes that “Chris is very good interpersonally and a very strong lawyer” and client testimonials in the 2024 edition describe him as “a fantastic lawyer”, adding “Chris is super qualified, we trust him with everything”.

Mr. Gardner is ranked for Private Funds in The Legal 500 UK. In the 2025 edition, clients state that he is “[…] is very commercial […] and is very responsive” and recommended for “his clear and practical advice” Another client comments that “Chris Gardner has a great legal mind and is a great solutions-oriented business person. He has worked closely with our team through a transaction that was extremely difficult. Always helpful, responsive and diplomatic” (2024).

Mr. Gardner has been continuously ranked in The Legal 500 UK since 2015.

Mr. Gardner co-authored the “Private Equity Funds” chapter of Sweet & Maxwell's Law and Regulation of Investment Management. He is a regular speaker at industry events.

  • Private Credit Fund Structuring - ACC Webinar (May 2020)
  • Investing in Illiquidity - Why Should Private Debt Be Part of Your Portfolio? - PDI -Capital Structure Forum, London (November 2019)
  • How Will Brexit Impact Businesses with International Operations? Are You Prepared, Deal or No Deal? - New York (October 2019)
  • Marketing Non-U.S. Funds in the United States and Europe: Successful Capital Raising for Private Funds - Dubai (September 2019)
  • Distressed Debt Funds, Global Alternative Funds Symposium - New York (June 2019)
  • Focus on Real Assets and Credit, Focus on Real Assets and Credit - United Arab Emirates (March 2019)
  • Alternative Asset Seminar: Strategic Options for Private Equity General Partners - London (September 2018)
  • Fund Structuring, Fundraising and Distribution in a Post-Brexit World, Brexit for Fund Managers Seminar Series - London (September 2018)
  • Navigating Global Developments in the Investment Funds Industry - Opportunities for Ireland - Dublin (June 2018)
  • Alternative Credit Council Global Summit 2018 - London (May 2018)
  • The Annual Dechert DIFC Asset Management Forum - United Arab Emirates (March 2018)
  • AIMA Update of Guide to Sound Practices for the Valuation of Investments - London (May 2018)
  • Credit Funds: A Global Perspective on Evolving Structures - London (January 2018)
  • Financing the Economy: Private Credit Research Launch - New York / London (October 2017)
  • Germany Forum 2017 - Munich (June 2017)
  • Latest Developments in the Irish Funds Industry: What Asset Managers Need to Know - London (May 2017)
  • New Money from New Markets – How to Raise and Manage Money from Asia and the Middle East - New York (March 2017)
  • Capital Raising 2017- Tips and Trends in Europe, the US and the GCC - Dubai (March 2017)
  • DIFC Funds - 2016 and beyond - Dubai (September 2016)
  • SuperReturn CFO/COO Forum 2016 - Amsterdam (September 2016)
  • RAIF - European Game Changer? - London (July 2016)
  • Germany Forum 2016 - Munich (June 2016)
  • Strategy and Structuring – Is the ELTIF the Answer? - London (May 2016)
  • New Opportunities in Asia and the Middle East: Global Trends in Local Markets - New York (April 2016)

 

 

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    • The College of Law, York, LPC, 1998
    • University of Exeter, LL.B., (European), 1997
    • Universität des Saarlandes, LL.M., 1999
    • England and Wales, 2001
    • English
    • German