The Legal 500

Within Commercial and banking, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Mourant Ozannes has been increasingly active in relation to the physical migration and relocation of investment houses to Guernsey, M&A, restructurings, and the listing of Eurobonds on the CISX. Paul Christopher and David Moore are recommended, along with ‘great lawyer’ John Lewis and Andrew Walters, who is ‘a reliable practitioner’.

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

Mourant Ozannes recently advised on a number of significant commercial property purchases. Edward Prentice ‘provides clear guidance’, and Mark Torode has ‘a real strength in dealing with wealthy entrepreneurs’.

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

Mourant Ozannes saw an increase in funds-related disputes. Robert Shepherd is ‘an early port of call’ for many clients; Gordon Dawes is ‘a standout lawyer’; Christopher Edwards ‘gives sound advice’; St John Robilliard has ‘extensive knowledge’; Jeremy Wessels is ‘effective in court’; and Peter Ferbrache is also recommended.

Within Employment, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Mourant Ozannes saw an increase in employment and workplace instructions over the past year, as well as a growing number of Tribunal claims. Jessica Roland has ‘excellent knowledge of her subject, and is very pleasant to work with’.

Within Insurance, Mourant Ozannes is a first tier firm,

Mourant Ozannes’ practice spans the establishment of captive insurance vehicles in Guernsey, regulatory advice, assisting with policy wording and terms, and advice on pensions schemes and annuities, as well as insurance litigation. David Moore and Christopher Edwards are key contacts, and John Lewis is ‘great for complex matters’.

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

Mourant Ozannes acted as Guernsey counsel for John Laing Infrastructure Fund in connection with the establishment of a new registered close-ended collective investment scheme. Paul Christopher ‘provides thorough advice’, and team head Gavin Farrell is also recommended.

Within Regional review,

The Guernsey legal market has recently been a hive of activity. First, global firm Appleby opened its Guernsey office with a number of former Ozannes associates, including corporate and commercial lawyers Barney Lee and Helen Crossley, litigator Jeremy Le Tissier, and private client and trust practitioner Gavin Ferguson. Meanwhile, Ozannes completed its own pan-island merger with Jersey outfit Mourant du Feu & Jeune, to become Mourant Ozannes. Following suit, Collas Day tied the knot with Jersey firm Crill Canavan to merge from April 2011, creating a new, 16-partner Channel Islands firm known as Collas Crill. Lateral hires also happened, with Carey Olsen welcoming the ‘exceptionally strong’ Christopher Anderson from Bedell Cristin as a partner.

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

Mourant Ozannes represents parties in contentious trust appeals, and recently advised on the drafting of a Guernsey purpose trust. St John Robilliard and John Lewis are well-respected figures.