Endorsements
The Legal 500 - 2004 Edition
The Legal 500 is an independent publication produced annually as a guide to legal services for clients and potential clients in the UK/Global market. In order to compile the editorial for this publication The Legal 500 interviews both clients and member of the legal profession to gain an idea of firms’ expertise.
In this edition Ozannes was the only Guernsey law firm to be ranked in the top tier for each area of expertise covered by the Legal 500 for Guernsey .
Firm Overview
Premier division Ozannes, offering tremendous depth and breadth, remains committed to a Guernsey base and fields excellent groups, led by top names in all main practice areas. Ozannes, which has established excellent correspondents in London , Jersey and worldwide, sees a steady flow of blue-chip instructions and high-value work. Rupert Evans retired as a partner of Ozannes in 2004 after playing a leading role in the development of both the firm and Guernsey as an Offshore Funds Centre. He remains as a consultant and will continue as president of the States of Guernsey Legislation Committee.
Commercial and Banking
Ozannes’ Peter Harwood retains his reputation at the top with an impressive year during which the corporate group acted as sole external legal advisors on the issue and listing oftwo series of guaranteed floating rate notes by Hanson Finance PLc, on the Guernsey basedChannel Islands Stock Exchange (CISX). Gavin Farrell and ever-popular Daivd Moore continue to handle complex, high-value assignments for such clients as Candover Investments plc and Generali. Associate Jessica Roland was commended by clients for some ‘chunky work’ with employee downsizing.
Investment Funds
Oznnes’ top trio, Peter Harwood, David Moore and Gavin Farrell continue to advise across the range of structured products, derivatives and share issues for major players. Including Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.
Insurance
At Ozannes, busy Peter Harwood advised Bank of Scotland on the transfer and novation of £40m insurance policies from an Isle of Man captive to a Guernsey PCC. David Moore, consistently recommended as a very clever commercial lawyer who is pleasant to work with, is well supported in the insurance field by associate Chris Anderson. The firm reports a modest increase in direct instructions from London blue-chip insurers and friendly societies.
Commercial Litigation
Ozannes’ litigation group has edged ahead of its rivals by sheer weight of talent. The team is led by highly respected Peter Ferbrache, noted by clients as a ‘a man who will take on anything’. Insolvency and asset tracing expert Jeremy Wessels, commended for his approachability, has been leading the Guernsey legal advisors to Westminster City Council in the complex action over trust assets allegedly connected with Dame Shirley Porter. Robert Shepherd, ‘a constructive dealmaker’, acted for the trust company in Guernsey International Trustees Limited, the precedent-setting freezing order case. Gordon Dawes, maintaining his reputation as an innovator and uncomprising fighter, is challenging fishing regulations introduced by the States of Guernsey.
Commercial Property
At Ozannes, uncompromising and plain-speaking Roger Perrot ‘yields no ground to bureaucrats.’ He continues to work on the property aspects of Lloyds TSB Group Offshore’s redomiciliation to Jersey and is advising leading mail order company Healthspan Ltd on diversification.
Private Client and Trusts
First choice for trust litigation in Guernsey is Ozannes’ St John Robilliard, who has handled several landmark cases of international significance, including a 2003 success in Cohen v Coutts (Guernsey) Ltd for, among other things, indemnity costs. David Moore is recommended for regulatory appeals and negotiation with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
Extracts taken from The Legal 500 2004 edition.
PO Box 186, 1 Le Marchant Street,
St Peter Port, Guernsey, CI, GY1 4HP.
Tel: +44 (0) 1481 723466 Fax: +44 (0) 1481 714653
Email: guernsey@ozannes.com
PO Box 733, 29 Esplanade,
St Helier, Jersey JE4 0ZS
Tel: +44 (0) 1534 723466 Fax: +44 (0) 1534 723465
Email: jersey@ozannes.com