The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Appleby is a second tier firm,

Appleby provides ‘commercial, sensible advice and sound knowledge of cross-geography issues’. The practice was appointed by Bank of Scotland in connection with the extension and amendment of a facility to a Jersey-domiciled fund. Team head Wendy Benjamin is ‘fantastic’; Alastair Drummond specialises in property finance and banking law; and Mark Lewis’ finance work primarily relates to lending to public and private funds and other investment vehicles.

Within Commercial property, Appleby is a first tier firm,

Led by Tim Hart, Appleby’s property group acted for Dandara in the completion of the complex legal structuring of its Castle Quay development at St Helier Waterfront. John Bisson is ‘a very able advocate’, and Andrew Pim has a substantial development practice.

Within Corporate and commercial, Appleby is a second tier firm,

Appleby recently welcomed Walkers’ former corporate head James Gaudin. The team was Jersey Counsel in relation to London & Regional’s €114.2m takeover bid for Euronext-listed NR Nordic & Russia Properties. Team head Mark Lewis is recommended, and Andrew Weaver ‘inspires confidence’. Alex Last has ‘great understanding of Jersey and Cayman law’.

Within Dispute resolution, Appleby is a first tier firm,

Appleby ‘deals with matters in a highly efficient fashion’. Highlights included appearing for the defence in the first contested extradition case to come before the Jersey courts. Team head Fraser Robertson ‘provides sound advice’, and ‘fearless litigator’ Michael Cushing ‘gets to the heart of a problem very quickly’. Managing partner Michael O’Connell, Gillian Robinson and David Benest are also key contacts.

Within Investment funds, Appleby is a second tier firm,

Appleby welcomed ex-Walkers corporate head James Gaudin to the practice. The team advised on the establishment of the Aberdeen Latin American Income Fund, the first UK-listed Latin American closed-ended fund with an income bias. Department head Andrew Weaver is recommended, and Mark Lewis is ‘a pleasure to deal with’.

Within Regional review,

International firm Walkers likewise experienced change, with its former corporate head James Gaudin leaving for Appleby, while Nigel Weston left Mourant Ozannes to head Walkers’ finance and corporate group. Jonathan Tonge has taken over as the firm’s managing partner for regions and has relocated to Jersey to replace Hugh O’Loughlin, who retired.

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

Appleby advises high-net-worth individuals, private banks and trust companies. It also acts on the incorporation of Jersey-law foundations. Naomi Rive ‘understands the individuals and issues in her marketplace’.

Within Structured finance and securitisation, Appleby is a second tier firm,

Appleby recruited James Gaudin from Walkers to develop the structured finance group. The team advised Petropavlovsk on the establishment of a Jersey convertible bond cash-box structure.