Equity Capital Markets

Equity Capital Markets

Equity capital markets issues call for a reliable, skilled and innovative partner. We regularly advise issuers and manager banks in share and rights issues as well as in listings on the Helsinki Stock Exchange’s main list and First North.

We will coordinate the drafting of the prospectus, handle the due diligence review and support your company in fulfilling its IPO and listing obligations. Several of our lawyers also have a degree in finance, which enables us to make the drafting process easy and smooth both for the issuer and the manager.

As our client, you will also benefit from our efficient project management and processes, our excellent contacts with the authorities and our experience and expertise relating to the book-entry system.

We also have experience and expertise relating to listing on markets outside of Finland. We participate actively in drafting market regulation and model documentation. We have participated in the drafting of the Issuer’s Handbook published by the Finnish Foundation for Share Promotion since 2012, when Nasdaq First North started operating in Helsinki. Latest edition of the Issuer’s Handbook (for a MTF) was published in August 2022. In addition, we have assisted the Finnish Foundation for Share Promotion in the preparation Issuer’s Handbook aimed for the main list of the Helsinki Stock Exchange.

  • Drafting prospectuses and releases for the company’s approval
  • Planning and implementation of the due diligence review of the listing company or issuer
  • Support in corporate governance
  • Corporate law decisions and registrations
  • Reporting and disclosure obligations
  • Legal opinions
  • Advice relating to the book-entry system
  • Private placement exemptions
  • Fulfilment of obligations of listed companies
  • International securities offerings 

We represent both companies and manager banks in Finnish and international share issues and listings.

The Legal 500, IFLR1000, Chambers Europe and Chambers Global rank our services among Finland’s best.

Latest references

Castrén & Snellman was commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment to carry out a study on how the Circular Economy Act could be used to promote circular economy aspects in public procurement. Our report provides valuable information to the working group tasked with preparing the new Circular Economy Act. The report includes an overview of relevant strategies, action programmes and policies, a look at relevant legislation and case law, an assessment of the current state of circular economy procurement and examples of integrating circular economy aspects into public procurement from around the world. We end the report with concrete conclusions and a proposal for a new circular economy provision with justification. The proposal aims to maximise the regulation’s effectiveness and minimise any adverse side effects. The final report is available on the Circular Economy Act project’s Gateway to Information (in Finnish). The study was carried out by Anna Kuusniemi-Laine, Sanna Aalto-Setälä, Lotta Huhtamäki, Marja Ollila, Laura Vuorinen, Paavo Heinonen and Anna Ylitalo.
Case published 11.11.2025
We advised CapMan Real Estate in the acquisition and financing of a high-quality residential asset located in Katajanokka, Helsinki.  The asset was acquired from the Finnish Seamen’s Service Bureau (MEPA).  The property consisting of 38 modern rental apartments with a parking garage was completed in 2017. The building features high-quality construction, modern floorplans, and well-designed communal areas including a gym and rooftop sauna premises, and blends with the area’s historic maritime character. The residential asset is located in the prestigious Katajanokka seaside district of central Helsinki, known for its architectural heritage and proximity to the city centre. The property has a high ESG profile which will be further improved by CapMan Real Estate.
Case published 6.11.2025
We are acting as legal adviser to Stena Line on its acquisition of NLC Ferry Ab Oy (Wasaline), strengthening Stena Line’s position in the Baltic Sea and enabling it to take over operations of the ferry route between Umeå in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland. The acquisition further strengthens Stena Line’s position as one of the leaders in sustainability within the ferry industry and enhances the company’s access to alternative fuels whilst providing a strong intermodal transport link towards Gothenburg and Trelleborg, and onwards to the European continent. NLC Ferry, operating under the auxiliary name Wasaline, were owned by Kvarken Link, a company jointly owned 50/50 by the cities of Umeå and Vaasa. Wasaline is the world’s northernmost shipping company, operating daily passenger and freight services between Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden, and is the first carbon-neutral ferry operator in the Baltic Sea with its hybrid vessel, Aurora Botnia, which runs on biogas and batteries. Stena Line is one of Europe’s leading ferry operators, with 20 routes across the continent. The company is family-owned, was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, with 6,550 employees and an annual turnover of 19.6 billion SEK. The transaction is conditional to the approval of the respective municipal councils of Umeå and Vaasa as well as customary closing conditions such as authority approvals. The completion of the transaction is expected to take place in the beginning of the year 2026. Castrén & Snellman is collaborating with CMS Wistrand, Stena Line’s advisor on Swedish law matters in connection with the transaction.
Case published 4.11.2025
We advised Prisma Properties in a real estate transaction in which the company acquired a retail property in Helsinki from Hartela.  The acquired property was built specifically for the discount retailer Jula. Completed in October 2025, the property is modern and very energy-efficient, and it is fully leased to Jula under a 10-year lease agreement. The property located in the Konala district, adjacent to the busy Ristikko shopping centre, spans 2,600 square metres. Prisma Properties is a fast-growing developer and long-term owner of modern properties for discount retail, grocery retail, and quick-service restaurants. The company operates across the Nordics and manages a property portfolio valued at approximately EUR 650 million, primarily consisting of newly developed properties with long lease agreements.
Case published 29.10.2025