The Legal 500

‘By far the best in Gibraltar’, Hassans has broad-based expertise, with particular strengths in commercial, shipping, constitutional, and cross-border disputes. The firm has also represented asylum-seekers in immigration cases. The ‘outstanding’ John Restano continues to act for Crédit Agricole in Michailidis v Calyon. Practice head Lewis Baglietto is ‘every bit as good as his counterparts in London’. Former Minister for Justice Daniel Feetham returned to the firm; he is a ‘tenacious and determined’ litigator with ‘the strength to want to take things on’. Feetham inherited a contentious trusts caseload from former Hassans lawyer Gilbert Licudi, who is now Minister for Justice. David Dumas is ‘distinguished for his ability to remain calm and confident in high-pressure negotiations’, and Julian Santos ‘finds solutions and thinks one step ahead’. Nicholas Howard is also ‘a lawyer of high quality’.

Triay & Triay delivers an ‘excellent level of service’, ‘knows the sector well and is highly regarded by the judiciary’. The firm is particularly experienced in international trusts, high networth matrimonial work, shipping, commercial remedies and private client, and is increasingly active in funds disputes. The ‘simply outstanding’ Charles Simpson is ‘highly versatile, strategically astute and instils confidence in clients’.

Isolas is handling a major insurance fraud case as well as a number of claims arising from financial institutions allegedly mis-selling investment products. Mark Isola is ‘a leader in employment litigation’, and Christian Rocca is recognised as a leader in regulatory work. Elliott Phillips, who is also recommended, is representing a client in an international trust dispute.

Triay Stagnetto Neish’s practice has been strengthened by the recruitment of ‘leading lawyer’ Keith Azopardi QC from Attias & Levy, who is particularly recognised for his work in public law and trust litigation. Consultant James Neish QC is ‘an elder statesman’ and ‘very good at what he does’.

Cruz & Co’s ‘very good’ practice is responsive and ‘value for money’. The firm’s expertise includes asset-freezing injunctions, employment litigation, landlord and tenant, trust, fraud, and banking litigation, as well as arbitration and judicial review. Nick Cruz ‘never lets you down’, is ‘a good businessman’ and an excellent negotiator. Associate Joanne Wild is also recommended.

Charles A Gomez & Co is highly rated for its human rights and constitutional law expertise, and is also experienced in dealing with complex criminal cases and international disputes. The ‘fearless’ Charles Gomez is a ‘bulldog’, and ‘a leader in judicial review’. Nicholas Gomez shows ‘attention to detail and provides swift responses’, and is ‘clearly one to watch for the future’.