Hall Of Fame

Commercial property in Guernsey

Carey Olsen

Carey Olsen‘s commercial property team frequently advises corporate clients entering the Guernsey market for the first time on securing premises for their businesses, in addition to assisting corporate tenants with leasing issues. The practice also advises HNWIs and family offices on the purchase of residential and investment properties. Practice head Jason Morgan advises on a wide range of property matters, including the purchase of commercial office space and associated lease arrangements. Davey Le Marquand acts at the intersection of property and private client law, advising on inheritance and estate management, while counsel John Le Tissier advises on transactions including leases and secured finance. Senior associate Rachel Jones is a contentious and non-contentious planning specialist, while fellow senior associate Kieran Ogilvie advises on commercial leases and property developments.

Practice head(s):

Jason Morgan


Other key lawyers:

Davey Le Marquand; John Le Tissier; Rachel Jones; Kieran Ogilvie


Testimonials

‘I consulted Rachel Jones in connection with my planning appeal. She came highly recommended, and was a crucial component of my succeeding. She quickly absorbed the issues and drafted the case, which I presented. She was focused and incisive, besides being cheerful throughout. Her advice, when sought, was both sensibly practical and reasonably restrained.’

Collas Crill

Offering ‘excellent knowledge of the Guernsey property market', Collas Crill advises on the full spectrum of commercial property matters, ranging from acquisitions and disposals to financing arrangements and leases. The arrival of planning consultant Chris Crew from the States of Guernsey has augmented the firm’s capabilities in this space. Paul Nettleship leads the practice, advising on the acquisition and disposal of free- and leasehold properties, in addition to representing clients in property disputes. Jason Green focuses on assisting HNWIs with the management of property portfolios, while associate Harry Round advises on secured lending, leases and acquisitions. Michael Morris and Donald Millar left the firm in February 2023, joining Spencer West LLP.

Practice head(s):

Paul Nettleship


Other key lawyers:

Jason Green; Harry Round; Chris Crew


Testimonials

‘Collas Crill has an excellent knowledge of the Guernsey property market, they are the only property lawyers that we use in Guernsey.’

‘Jason Green provides excellent advice for board consideration.’

‘Professional but caring firm, very personable, and the knowledge and experience of their property department in particular is second to none.’

‘Paul Nettleship provides an extremely responsive service and delivers a superb client experience. We have been working on complex deals involving multiple parties and Paul has been able to be creative, pragmatic and deliver simplicity on the other side of complexity.’

‘Very approachable, friendly staff with a can-do attitude.’

‘We deal with Paul Nettleship on a weekly basis and have never had any issues. He always makes time to discuss various property matters in detail and nothing is ever too much. His advice is second to none.’

‘Experienced team – fantastic local market knowledge – second to none in the commercial arena, with a good mix of skills and disciplines. Connected to the marketplace and individuals/firms that operate in the same. Embrace the sharing of sector knowledge with clients and associated professional contacts and encourage debate of factors and concerns affecting the sector.’

‘Paul Nettleship and Jason Green – highly collaborative and well connected to the marketplace, regularly hosting focus groups that encourage debate among the attendees not only on market conditions but also issues and concerns affecting the sector. Help shape the industry through thought leadership.’

Key clients

Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Ltd


Bank Julius Baer & Co Ltd


Butterfield Bank (Guernsey) Limited


Canaccord


CapitalRise Finance Limited


Castle Trust Capital plc


Channel Islands Property Fund


Comprop CI Limited


Diverse Property Income Fund


Garenne Group


Guernsey Housing Association LBG


Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited


Liberation Group


Ravenscroft


RAW


Red Fund


Sancus


SandpiperCI Limited


Schroders


SG Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited


Sydenhams


The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Sydenhams (Guernsey Building Supplies) on its acquisition of a large commercial site in St Peter Port.
  • Assisted ComProp CI with the completion of four agreements for lease on new landmark office premises which the client is developing in Admiral Park.
  • Advised a local investor on the acquisition of two freehold office buildings in St Peter Port, both with sitting tenants.

Ogier

The March 2022 arrival of counsel Jonathan Anderson from Appleby added further transactional and construction experience to Ogier‘s commercial property team, which advises both corporate and HNWI clients on the acquisition, disposal and leasing of properties and property holding companies in Guernsey. The practice also advises institutional lenders on financing arrangements for property developments, with further expertise in planning and environmental law. Practice head Martyn Baudains advises both landlords and tenants on lease agreements, while also supporting corporates and HNWIs with offshore relocations. Senior associate Piers Dereham and ‘knowledgeable, commercially minded, thorough and responsiveMartín Casas are well versed in commercial and residential transactions, construction and planning law.

Practice head(s):

Martyn Baudains


Other key lawyers:

Piers Dereham; Martín Casas; Jonathan Anderson


Testimonials

‘The team have a fantastic knowledge of the UK and Guernsey property market, regime and the idiosyncrasies that make the Channel Islands unique. The responsiveness and availability is also commendable.’

‘Martín Casas’ knowledge of Guernsey property has been a tremendous asset in negotiating our new long-term lease and in exiting and finalising our break from the previous premises, which has proved seamless thanks to his assistance.’

‘The team knows the ins and outs of the Guernsey real estate market like no other team on the island.’

‘Martyn Baudains marries legal and commercial advice like no other. He appreciates one without the other doesn’t work. A truly excellent advisor.’

‘They talk in plain English and present the details in an easily readable way.’

‘Martín Casas is always available, he is very responsive to queries.’

‘Martín Casas is always a pleasure to work with. Knowledgeable, commercially minded, thorough and responsive. A useful person to have on your side to get a transaction over the line.’

Work highlights


  • Advised Intersurgical (Guernsey) on the sale of Circuit House for £4.65m in under five weeks.

Ferbrache & Farrell LLP

Ferbrache & Farrell LLP acts for corporate clients, HNWIs, landlords and tenants on the spectrum of property matters in Guernsey, including the acquisition, disposal and leasing of commercial property. Managing partner Alastair Hargreaves leads the team, advising on commercial property transactions alongside counsel Anna Douglass, as well as advising on planning and environmental law issues. Senior associate Stuart Nash assists with a wide range of property matters and also advises banks on security requirements for real estate transactions.

Practice head(s):

Alastair Hargreaves


Other key lawyers:

Anna Douglass; Stuart Nash


Testimonials

‘Ferbrache & Farrell’s knowledge of Guernsey leases allowed us to take comfort in the exiting process, whilst giving us utmost confidence that the terms of the new lease reflected our best interests. At all times the team kept us informed and updated, whilst working in our best interests.’

‘Stuart Nash was our main point of contact. The attention to detail and explanation of any unknown legal terms made the whole process extremely comfortable to run through.’

‘The team is agile and works well to achieve results for our unconventional requests and complex business and property matters. They come forward with solutions that expedite the process of delivering the lease requirements we’ve had, whereas other firms we have dealt with through other businesses have spent a disproportionate amount on fees whilst seeing little practical return.’

‘Stuart Nash has been exceptional and efficient in the work that we’ve received. I have confidence in the lease assignments and mitigations he’s put in place with intelligent warranties and/or indemnifications that have quite literally saved us £100k in subsequent property disputes. Whenever I’m going out to bat on a property matter, I’m taking Stuart with me.’

‘F&F obviously have a well oiled system. They had a proactive approach to everything throughout the whole process.’

‘Alastair Hargreaves at Ferbrache & Farrell is very knowledgeable, he took me through the vagaries of commercial property transactions, and having only sold domestic properties before, this was very helpful. He assumed nothing and explained everything in detail and offered useful advice.’

AFR Advocates

AFR Advocates acts for financial services and property developer clients, advising on the development and sale of real estate in Guernsey, as well as assisting property portfolio managers with their ongoing responsibilities concerning leases, alterations and dilapidations. The practice is also noted for its property disputes work, as well as its advice on the property aspects of insolvencies and corporate restructuring measures. Mark Ferbrache leads the team, and handles a range of transactional and contentious matters.

Practice head(s):

Mark Ferbrache


Mourant

Under the leadership of managing partner John Lewis, Mourant‘s commercial property team advises corporate clients on the acquisition, disposal and lease of premises in Guernsey. Landlord and tenant matters and the property aspects of M&A are both areas of expertise for senior associate Laura Bougourd. Alison Wood has additional experience assisting developers with the drafting of construction and schedule documents.

Practice head(s):

John Lewis


Other key lawyers:

Laura Bougourd; Alison Wood


Testimonials

‘The commercial property practice at Mourant has maintained its reputation for excellent client service. The practice continually evolves in relation to technological advancements, staying ahead and abreast of the changing environment.’

‘The individuals in the Mourant team give clarity in all advice they provide.’

‘They have a strong team that appears to work really well together. They provide excellent feedback and are very approachable.’

Key clients

Lloyds Bank PLC


Guernsey Electricity Limited


The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited


EFG Bank AG, Guernsey Branch


The Channel Islands Co-Operative Society Limited


AKOP Capital Limited


Millltowers Limited


Ferryspeed (Guernsey) Limited


Bank Julius Baer, Guernsey Head Office


Grant Thornton


Work highlights


  • Advised Grant Thornton on its lease of new prime flagship premises, including assisting with agreements for lease arrangements and warranties during construction.
  • Advised the Channel Islands Co-Operative Society on a range of matters concerning various sites, including sales, lettings, planning matters and boundary investigations.
  • Advised the Guernsey branch of EFG Bank on the sale of its centrally located commercial office building and the lease of new premises.