The Legal 500

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

Ogier was busy advising on refinancing transactions, and on enforcement matters. The practice has a large share of the market in relation to international banks lending in transactions involving Jersey entities, and has offshore derivatives expertise. Christopher Byrne ‘provides high-quality advice’, and Jersey banking head Matthew Swan is ‘supportive on transactions’. Michael Lombardi and Marc Yates are also recommended.

Within Commercial property, Ogier is a first tier firm,

Ogier advised on Waitrose’s headline acquisition of substantial retail businesses in Jersey, and acted for Sandpiper on multiple pre-let development agreements. Chris Renouf has ‘a quiet dignity which makes contact with him very enjoyable’. Peter Bertram is a key contact.

Within Corporate and commercial, Ogier is a first tier firm,

The quality of Ogier’s ‘work and its service delivery put the firm in the first division’. The practice advised Sterecycle in connection with a complex corporate reorganisation. Team head Christopher Byrne ‘provides high-quality advice’, and Marc Yates and Nicholas Ward are also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Ogier is a first tier firm,

Ogier was successful for FG Hemisphere in its efforts to recover a $125m debt against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kerry Lawrence is ‘a top-level practitioner’, and Matthew Thompson is also recommended.

Within Employment, Ogier is a second tier firm,

Ogier acted for Waitrose on the employment aspects of the acquisition of three stores in Jersey, including the transfer of employees and staff recruitment. Michael Little is recommended.

Within Investment funds, Ogier is a second tier firm,

Ogier ‘exceeds expectations’. The practice acted on the establishment of a closed-ended international oil and gas royalty fund structured as an Expert Fund. Team head Michael Lombardi, Clive Chaplin and Tim Morgan are key contacts, and Dan Richards has ‘a very pragmatic approach’.

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

Ogier has extensive expertise in advising on the establishment and administration of trusts. The team is also experienced in establishing structures using private trust companies, the restructuring of trusts, and breach of trust issues. It recently acted on the establishment of a number of foundations. Steve Meiklejohn ‘analyses issues with a depth of understanding that is difficult for peers to surpass’; and Sally Edwards is ‘an exceptional talent’.

Within Structured finance and securitisation, Ogier is a first tier firm,

Ogier was involved in a range of debt securities listings, and saw signs of activity across structured note issues, emerging market and sukuk issues, and the restructuring of asset-backed commercial paper programmes. Christopher Byrne ‘knows his way around the finer points of Jersey law’, and Michael Lombardi and Matthew Swan also attract praise.