The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, ISOLAS is a first tier firm,

Isolas has enjoyed a very solid year with considerable banking and finance activity, having represented VTB Bank on a major $2bn restructuring. The firm has played a lead role in many of the most significant transactions of the past year, including advising Lloyds of London, RBS and Fortis. The firm’s presence is noted in acquisition finance, corporate finance, real estate finance and structured finance, and is also able to advise on international securitisation, and real estate, shipping and aviation finance. Christian Hernandez receives compliments on his terrific technical know-how in this area, as ‘he is particularly good on transactional work’.

Within Corporate and M&A, ISOLAS is a second tier firm,

Isolas’ senior partner Peter Isola ‘is an outstanding practitioner, clearly one of the best respected names in Gibraltar’. Isola is in charge of financial services, corporate and trust law and is strongly supported by real estate expert partner Elaine Bingham. The firm has advised on major transactions, spanning equity capital markets, including flotations and secondary offerings for Gibraltar registered corporations, corporate governance, regulation and domestic and cross-border mergers, as well as acquisitions in the public and private markets. Clients include international corporates, investment banks and private equity houses. Isolas’ company management business, Fiduciary Management, is the largest in Gibraltar.

Within Dispute resolution, ISOLAS is a second tier firm,

Isolas has a solid presence in civil and commercial litigation. Christian Rocca, is ‘one of the jurisdictions best respected practitioners’ and heads up a four-lawyer strong team spanning general commercial disputes, compliance and regulatory matters, civil fraud, injuction and asset-tracing, trusts litigation, shareholders disputes regulatory investigations and money-laundering issues.

Within Legal market,

Gibraltar’s oldest law firm Isolas was established in 1892, and is also recognised as a market leader. Triay & Triay, another of the Gibraltar’s longstanding firms, stands out particularly for its finance capability. Triay Stagnetto Neish has consolidated its presence as one of the country’s leading firms, particularly since its merger with Denton Wilde Sapte in 2006.

Within Private client, ISOLAS is a first tier firm,

Renowned for handling high-profile private clients matters, Isolas’ ‘very strong team’ is led by senior partner Peter Isola. Some of the firm’s most noteworthy instructions include acting for a number of clients in structuring a tax-efficient way to acquire holiday homes, as well as advising high-net-worth individuals on the use of asset protection trusts to protect assets from future creditors. Will drafting and will execution, planning and administration of estates, transfers and redomiciliation of trusts, trust litigation, and creation and administration of charities are a few of the firms notable strengths.

Within Real estate and construction, ISOLAS is a first tier firm,

Isolas advises on the full spectrum of real estate services, from purchase and sale of residential properties in Gibraltar, to purchase and sale of commercial premises and leases. Real estate expert Elaine Bingham spearheads a team of three fee-earners. Bingham is regarded in the market as a ‘phenomenal lawyer who adds value to every project she works on’. Some of her recent work includes acting for developers in a number of residential and commercial developments, as well as being involved in the Europlaza project, Atlantic Suites, Kings Wharf Quay 27 and Gibraltar’s leading office development, Europort.

Within Shipping , ISOLAS is a second tier firm,

Isolas boasts a highly respected shipping practice and stands out particularly for being one of the few firms with a dedicated admiralty department. Christian Hernandez, head of the firm’s admiralty and shipping team, is ‘undoubtedly one of the heavyweights in the sector’. Hernandez has represented shipowners, P&I Clubs, banks and the International Transport Workers’ Federation. The firm continues to be a favourite amongst several top-drawer shipping firms in London.

Within TMT, ISOLAS is a first tier firm,

Isolas boasts an impressive track record in e-gaming and e-commerce issues. The firm spans regulatory matters, tax planning for gaming tax and income tax, employment issues, contracts for software and website development, gaming platforms, web content, hardware, software and content procurement, and also intellectual property protection. Senior partner Peter Isola is regarded as ‘one of the pre-eminent experts in e-gaming and telecoms’.

Within Tax, ISOLAS is a first tier firm,

Isolas is described as ‘extremely able, with an ever-present partner involvement’. Peter Isola stands out as one of Gibraltar’s outstanding tax experts, and has represented private clients on tax and offshore trust matters.