Clients praise Ogier's "true powerhouse" Guernsey team in Legal 500 UK 2027

Ogier in Guernsey is named as “a go-to for large and complex, high-value matters" and has "the best litigation team in Guernsey" in the latest Legal 500 UK rankings, which recognise the collective strength of the team across seven top-tier practice areas.

The Guernsey team has 23 recognised lawyers, nine of them achieving Leading Partner or Hall of Fame rankings, including three new higher rankings, in Legal 500 UK 2027.

Clients benefit from a “broad scope of skill sets, which is helpful for any large multi-faceted project”, according to feedback, with teams working “seamlessly and efficiently to achieve client outcomes".

Ogier's Guernsey practice partner Christopher Jones said: "One thing that stands out to me is how many of our lawyers are recognised by clients as the leading experts in their field and how much clients value and benefit from the range of skills across our teams. It demonstrates how individual excellence delivers results across the wider team. Congratulations to all who continue to set such a high standard at Ogier."

Banking and Finance

Ogier's Banking and Finance team in Guernsey continues to rank tier one, with client feedback endorsing that they can be trusted "with our most complex matters". One client's "'go to' in Guernsey", Paul Chanter, is newly ranked as Leading Partner (up from Next Generation Partner last year), alongside Christopher Jones. Matthew Macfarlane and Jonathan Branch are named as key lawyers.

Capital Markets

Legal 500 UK 2027 feedback notes the "consistent delivery of high-quality support" from Ogier's tier one Capital Markets experts, who routinely act on take-privates, overseeing both the transactions and related de-listings, particularly on behalf of private equity funds. Bryon Rees, noted for his experience in structuring and guiding the operation of listed funds targeting private equity and real estate assets, has a new ranking of Leading Partner.

Corporate M&A

Clients say Ogier's Corporate M&A team – which has retained its tier one status, with Leading Partner status for Bryon Rees and Richard Sharp – "stands out for its knowledge and experience in the insurance M&A market". The team "inspired confidence throughout the M&A process", according to feedback. James Walsh and Liam Murphy are also singled out for recognition.

Dispute Resolution

Client feedback for the tier one Dispute Resolution team says "Ogier has the best litigation team in Guernsey" and "provides pragmatic advice that is sensitive to cost drivers". Co-practice head Sandie Lyne "defends the interests of both trustees and beneficiaries in, inter alia, breach of trust claims and blessing applications". There is a Hall of Fame ranking for Simon Davies, "one of the big three on the island and a seriously respected advocate" and Leading Partner ranking for Mathew Newman. Bryan De Verneuil-Smith is also recognised as a key lawyer.

Insurance

Ogier's tier one Insurance team demonstrates "excellent insurance knowledge and how to structure the holdings of insurance companies". One client praised Richard Sharp, who has an enhanced ranking of Hall of Fame, for how he "demonstrates attention to detail and the ability to stand back and question". Also named are Leading Associate Andrew Grant and key lawyer Michelle Watson Bunn.

Private Client, Trusts and Tax

Ogier's tier one Private Client, Trusts and Tax team "is a true powerhouse in the private client sphere", according to client feedback. Matt Guthrie, "deservedly the most respected trust lawyer in Guernsey", is ranked as a Leading Partner. "Well-versed in the usual topics for Latam clients in particular," Catherine Moore is a Next Generation Partner. Chris Hards and Diana Rodriguez are named as key lawyers.

Investment Funds

Ogier's Investment Funds team is "responsive, efficient, cost-effective, and keen to see the project through to a successful conclusion". "Any client would be fortunate to have such a heavily engaged partner doing their work" as Tim Clipstone, according to feedback, while fellow Leading Partner Bryon Rees "is an expert practitioner who is proactive, responds quickly and efficiently to queries and document requests, and is commercially aware". Gabrielle Payne is also named as a key lawyer.

Real Estate

Described as having "a deep knowledge of Guernsey's real estate market", Ogier's Property team retained tier one status in the Real Estate category with a Hall of Fame ranking for Martyn Baudains, of whom one client said: "you're always in safe hands with". Legal 500 also confirmed Leading Associate rankings for Piers Dereham and Martín Casas.

Regulatory and White-Collar Crime

Clients highlight the team’s "excellent and professional performance". Bryan De Verneuil-Smith is noted as a key lawyer.