OGIER won the Offshore Legal Team of the Year Award at the inaugural Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners’ Private Client Awards in London last night.

The firm’s "first rate" reputation and contribution to the amendments of Jersey’s trust laws were highlighted by the panel of judges, which was chaired by Wilson Cotton, director of Smith & Williamson Ltd and Vice President of the Association of Corporate Trustees.

BBC journalist John Humphrys presented the award which was collected by Ogier partners Steve Meiklejohn and William Simpson.

Advocate Meiklejohn said: ‘The judges recognised our high quality people, strength in depth and jurisdictional reach, describing Ogier as 'one of the most extensive offshore private client teams’.

‘I am delighted that the firm received this recognition at the first STEP awards among some of the leading practitioners in the trust sector."

Established to recognise excellence amongst professionals advising and managing family wealth, the awards were attended by hundreds of the top private client lawyers, accountants, bankers, trustees and barristers from around the world.

The 2006 STEP Private Client Awards were held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Tuesday 26 September 2006.