The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Mourant Ozannes ‘fields a good team on short notice and is sensible on fees’. The practice advised Russian banks on loans exceeding $1.5bn to Jersey companies, and acted for the lenders on a $3bn senior facility. James Ruane is recommended.

Within Commercial property, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Mourant Ozannes’ recent merger added further depth to the property practice, with the additional resource of legacy Ozannes partner Marcus Stone. Highlights included acting for Lloyds Banking Group on the property and financing aspects of the sale by Sandpiper of supermarkets and other property to Waitrose. The ‘organised and tenacious’ Wendy Lambert is also sought after in respect of migration and housing advice, as well as planning appeals and development advice. Gavin Renault is likewise recommended.

Within Corporate and commercial, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Mourant Ozannes saw a spate of redomiciliations and IPOs in 2010, and gave Jersey advice on cash-box structures. The practice also advised on deals involving emerging markets and new technologies. James Ruane is recommended, and James Hill ‘always goes the extra mile’. Clients praise Tim Herbert’s ‘quality advice’.

Within Dispute resolution, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Mourant Ozannes ‘looks after clients royally and repeatedly impresses’. Key matters included acting for the States of Jersey in the Woolworths liquidation after UK liquidators continued trading in Jersey without court approval. Jonathan Speck is ‘a class act to watch’, and Mark Temple is also recommended. Contentious regulatory practitioner Beverley Lacey’s ‘wide experience is invaluable’.

Within Employment, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Mourant Ozannes successfully defended HSBC Bank Middle East in a high-profile claim for constructive dismissal. Helen Ruelle provides ‘good-value, practical advice’.

Within Investment funds, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Acting on nearly half of all Jersey funds, Mourant Ozannes is ‘at the top of the table in terms of quality’. The practice acted on the Jersey aspects of the establishment of the CLOF II Jersey Property Unit Trust. Team head Ben Robins is ‘technically very good’; Daniel Birtwistle has ‘sound industry knowledge’; and Gareth Rigby is ‘particularly impressive’. Edward Devenport, Marcus Stone, Mark Chambers and Jacqueline Richomme are also key contacts. Nigel Weston left for Walkers.

Within Regional review,

The most recent significant changes to Jersey’s legal market were Mourant du Feu & Jeune’s pan-island merger with Guernsey firm Ozannes, to establish Mourant Ozannes, and Crill Canavan joining up with Guernsey practice Collas Day to form Collas Crill. The jury is out on whether further consolidation is likely to occur among the remaining independent practices.

Within Private client, trusts and tax, Mourant Ozannes is a second tier firm,

At Mourant Ozannes, ‘there is always someone available to assist’. The firm plays a dominant role in relation to trust litigation, non-contentious trust drafting and Jersey foundations. Giles Corbin is ‘very knowledgeable’, and Marcus Stone has a good following among local trust companies. Mark Temple advises on trust litigation.

Within Structured finance and securitisation, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Mourant Ozannes advised ETF Securities on the launch of its exchange-traded products for base metals. Robert Hickling is ‘very strong’, and Alastair Syvret and James Ruane are names to note.