Banking and finance in Guernsey
Carey Olsen (Guernsey) LLP
Carey Olsen handles a range of finance work, with a strong presence in top-tier investment fund finance and cross-border real estate finance deals. In fund finance, the firm handles large deals for well-known banks dealing with elite fund managers and the reverse, with some of the team having practices crossing over with fund formation. Andrew Boyce advises leading banks and heavyweight private equity managers in this space, with Ben Morgan's highlights including real estate finance transactions - Annette Alexander's practice covers both streams. Tom Carey's workload also includes advising leading private equity houses on fund finance transactions.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Boyce; Ben Morgan
Other key lawyers:
David Crosland; Tom Carey; Andrew Boyce; Ben Morgan
Key clients
Blue Diamond
Heitman LLC
Quadrant Real Estate
Work highlights
- Advised Blue Diamond on the financing of its purchase of eight branches of Wyvale Garden Centres from Terra Firma Capital Partners.
- Advised Quadrant Real Estate on a £36.9m mezzanine term loan for the redevelopment of retail parks in Bristol and Kirkcaldy.
Mourant
Mourant has expertise in fund finance, acting for both managers and banks, as well as real estate finance, including structured deals and work for non-bank lenders. M&A acquisition finance and shipping finance are more niche areas in which the firm has handled deals. Caroline Chan has a track record of handling sensitive restructurings as well as real estate finance, while Darren Bacon and John Lewis are active in fund financing transactions for well-known borrowers. Helen Wyatt focuses on banking sector transactions against highly complex regulatory backdrops. Frances Watson also acts for borrowers and lenders, including non-bank lenders, with John Rochester particularly active in UK real estate deals. Dylan Latimer, previously a counsel at the firm, is now a partner at Bedell Cristin.
Practice head(s):
John Lewis
Other key lawyers:
Caroline Chan; Darren Bacon; Helen Wyatt; Frances Watson; John Rochester
Testimonials
‘I found the team really helpful; they were happy to turn things at the last minute and followed up with us on the transaction to make sure they were available when needed.’
‘The team have been particularly helpful with their detailed knowledge of local practice.’
Work highlights
- Advised a FTSE 250-listed fund on borrowing £150m, £50m of which in an accordion tranche.
Appleby
Appleby's finance practice, led by Jeremy Berchem, covers a mix of work ranging from fund finance through to real estate deals and corporate lending, as well as regulatory matters. Below partner level, counsel Chet Pohl and senior associate Nicole Sorbie have track records of working with the firm's partners on large fund finance facilities. Kate Storey is now at WALKERS.
Practice head(s):
Jeremy Berchem
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Harding; Chet Pohl; Nicole Sorbie
Testimonials
‘The team provides commercial, solutions-driven perspective and workable recommendations as to how to proceed, making it a match for any other firm in Guernsey, notwithstanding its relatively small size.’
‘What really sets Appleby apart is its commercial understanding of the market – as well as being technically on the money, its assistance in bringing deals to a commercially agreeable position is invaluable.’
‘Jeremy Berchem has fantastic knowledge of the market and is always on hand to help with complex points of Guernsey law.’
‘Nicole Sorbie’s experience and efficiency are second-to-none.’
Key clients
Bank Julius Baer
BMO Real Estate Partners
Butterfield Bank
Citibank
Credit Suisse
HSBC
Investec
Lloyds Banking Group
Royal Bank of Scotland
Société Générale
Work highlights
- Advised three banks led by Lloyds Corporate Capital Markets on a revolving loan to Bridgepoint Europe IV.
- Advised ReAssure on a loan to refinance a portfolio of nineteen real estate assets in the UK.
- Advised Investec on a revolving loan to Zenprop Group, involving security over a number of on-island assets.
- Advised PraxisIFM on borrowing multi-currency term and revolving facilities from Royal Bank of Scotland International, partially secured over shares in Guernsey Financial Services Commission-regulated companies.
- Advised National Asset Management on a loan taking security over the units of a Guernsey LLP, a structure not legally permitted at the time the Security Interests Law was enacted.
Bedell Cristin
At Bedell Cristin, Kate Ovenden and senior associate Ann Halliday handle a range of lending, with a key strength being real estate finance work. The team also has strong capabilities in complex restructurings and distressed lending as well as work for non-bank lenders. Dylan Latimer joined in September 2019 from Mourant.
Practice head(s):
Kate Ovenden
Other key lawyers:
Collas Crill
At Collas Crill, alongside fund finance work and real estate matters, group partner Paul Wilkes also has a strong track record in local finance deals. Sean Cheong, who heads the team, handles a broad range of work, including advising lenders on fund financing work, while senior associate Tristan Ozanne advises bank and non-bank lenders.
Practice head(s):
Sean Cheong
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Sean Cheong is very good technically, hard-working and crucially highly responsive. This attitude and approach is also then set as the standard for the junior lawyers in the team to follow and they do so to a high level.’
‘Sean Cheong – I trust her experience and judgement. My top choice in Guernsey, particularly on complex matters.’
‘Ben Le Page is a magician and a gentleman. Works hard and effectively. Great to have on the team.’
Key clients
Royal Bank of Scotland
Northern Trust
Butterfield Bank
Lloyds Banking Group
Kleinwort Habros
Rothschild Bank
Investec
Work highlights
- Advised RBS International on a revolving facility lent to Guernsey Electricity.
- Advised RBS International on a £45m loan to Blue Diamond used to purchase eight branches of Wyevale Garden Centres from Terra Firma Capital Partners.
- Advised TH Real Estate on arranging a structured £155m loan to the developers of 80 Fenchurch Street in London.
Ferbrache & Farrell LLP
Gavin Farrell and associate Natalie Le Cras are key names at Ferbrache & Farrell LLP, which handles a range of cross-border lending work including private fund finance; frequently representing borrowers. Restructuring is another area of expertise.
Practice head(s):
Gavin Farrell
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Ardmuir
Guernsey Investment Fund
HitechVision Asset Solutions
Lakestar Advisors
Next Generation Holdings
Norvestor
Ravenscroft
Ogier
Ogier's Marcus Leese handles M&A acquisition finance and restructuring work, as well as fund and corporate finance deals. Christopher Jones is also active in fund finance and real estate finance, and is also involved in asset finance work. Managing associate Paul Chanter works with both partners on a broad range of finance matters.
Practice head(s):
Marcus Leese
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Jones; Bryon Rees; Paul Chanter
Testimonials
‘Very reliable, hardworking and knowledgable.’
‘Marcus Leese is well-known in finance circles.’
‘Christopher Jones is very effective and personable – technically very good and keen to deliver a quality service.’
Key clients
ABN AMRO
Ahli United Bank
Credit Suisse
Erste Bank
HSBC
Nomura
Royal Bank of Canada
Sberbank
Caledonia Investments
Tristan Capital Partners
WALKERS
WALKERS has expertise across the finance space, and is particularly well-connected in Asia with strong relationships with the Singapore branches of several investment banks. Sam Shires has a track record of handling acquisition and real estate finance, as well as handling vessel finance - an area in which Matt Sanders is also active. Kim Paiva is a key counsel - she has particular expertise in aviation finance. Senior counsel Zoe Hallam relocated from the firm's Cayman office, bringing with her fund finance expertise.
Practice head(s):
Sam Shires; Matt Sanders
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is always happy to go the extra mile to assist, and all its work is very timely and accurate.’
‘The team is very friendly and approachable at all levels.’
‘Kim Paiva is very pleasant do deals with, very professional and always personable – she keeps clients informed as to developments relevant to them and takes a practical approach to transactions.’
Key clients
Goldman Sachs
Bank of Nova Scotia
Nordic Aviation Capital
Credit Suisse
Standard Chartered
Deutsche Bank
Work highlights
- Advise Credit Suisse’s Singapore Branch on financing of Raksha Energy Holdings, a Guernsey company, and its purchase of another, AIM-listed, Guernsey company, Myrtah Energy; the deal was in effect the take-over of a listed company by its key shareholder, which owned its shares via a Jersey trust.
- Advised Standard Chartered on financing Ascendas REIT’s purchase of a British commercial real estate portfolio held through separate Guernsey SPVs.
- Acted as Guernsey counsel to Bank of Communications Financial Leasing on leasing two container ships.
- Advised BNP Paribas on a $35m loan to Advent Fund Group, the borrowing company being a Maltese entity owned by a Guernsey PCC.
- Advised Strawberry Star Real Estate on borrowing £83m to finance Urban Exposure to redevelop Napier Gateway in Luton.