The Legal 500

Work Department

Litigation.

Position

Partner. Specialist area of practice is commercial litigation, particularly in relation to banking and trust disputes, clinical negligence and contentious employment matters. Paul has over 22 years’ experience and is viewed as one of the most skilled litigators on the island, particularly for his court work and tactics, bringing with him over 13 years’ practice at the English Bar. Paul has particular expertise in commercial litigation (particularly in relation to banking and trust disputes), clinical negligence and contentious employment matters. He has considerable experience dealing with clinical negligence cases representing the practitioner/insurer. Paul continues to attract instructions in medical negligence claims from the Medical Defence Union and the MDDUS. Paul has recently successfully negotiated a settlement to a complex director’s disqualification action arising out of the Messenger Insurance PCC litigation, which was one of the stand out cases to come before the Royal Court in the last five years. Paul also regularly receives instructions in relation to trust litigation (often multi-jurisdictional), particularly acting for trustees. He has also recently been appointed by the Royal Court to represent minor and unborn beneficiaries in a complex trust matter. Paul is the first choice for contentious employment matters locally. He is retained equally by employees and employers, particularly numerous local institutions. He provides advice across a full spectrum of employment matters, acting and advising in cases of unfair and wrongful dismissal and sexual discrimination He has been heavily involved in advising employers and employees on redundancy situations, restructuring, negotiating exit packages for senior executives and advising on bonus issues and employee shareholder disputes. He is now increasingly in demand by employers who wish to use his litigation experience in drafting employee documentation in an attempt to reduce the risks of future litigation.

Career

Qualified at English Bar 1986 and practised from Trinity Chambers 1987-98; associate Laurence Keenan, Isle of Man,1998-2000; moved to Guernsey 2000; qualified as advocate 2003; partner with Guernsey law firm 2003-07; partner AFR Advocates 2007 to date. Current directorships: AFR Trustees (Guernsey) Limited, AFR Executors (Guernsey) Limited, AFR One Limited, AFR Two Limited, AFR Secretaries Limited.

Member

Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists; Employment Lawyers Association; International Bar Association.

Education

St Cuthbert’s Grammar School, Newcastle; University of Northumbria (1982 LLB (Hons)); Inns of Court School of Law Bar Final Course (1986): University of Caën, France (Certificat d’Etudes Juridiques Françaises et Normandes); Guernsey Bar (2003).

Leisure

Football; music; travel.

Practice Areas

Clinical negligence - defendant; Employment; Litigation - commercial