Clients praise Ogier in Guernsey's depth, responsiveness and acumen in Legal 500 UK 2026 rankings

Recognised as market-leading in the latest Legal 500 rankings across multiple core legal service lines, Ogier’s Guernsey team continues to attract praise.

With seven top tier practice areas, 25 recognised lawyers and a ranking in the new category Regulatory and White-Collar Crime, Ogier is named as a "go-to provider for offshore legal advice" in Legal 500 UK 2026.

Clients emphasise Ogier’s strong bench of lawyers, partner-led engagement, market knowledge and hands on, collaborative approach to challenging matters. Alongside technical ability, they endorse Ogier's practical, commercial mindset, consistently highlighting that its lawyers cut through complex legal and regulatory issues to deliver pragmatic advice that gets the deal done. 

Ogier's practice partner in Guernsey Christopher Jones said: “We are grateful to see our clients’ voices so clearly reflected in these rankings and contributing to so many of our partners being recognised for their achievements as well as a strong set of 'next generation' lawyers. Feedback from our clients and peers confirms that listening closely, being commercially minded, and engaging with difficult issues are what differentiates us." 

Banking and finance

"Always prepared to go the extra mile", Ogier's Banking and Finance team in Guernsey has retained Tier one status with Leading Partner ranking for Christopher Jones and Next Generation Partner for Paul Chanter. Matthew Macfarlane is a key lawyer. The team is noted for its work with both bank and private credit lenders and borrowers with the structuring of fund, real estate and acquisition financing facilities, as well as restructuring credit lines and enforcement of security, fund, real estate and asset financing, and leveraged finance, refinancing and secured lending arrangements.

Capital markets

Legal 500 UK 2026 notes that the breadth of transactions serviced by Ogier's Tier one Capital Markets team in Guernsey is valued by clients, including assisting clients with IPOs and subsequent transactions, listing securities on TISE and take-privates by funds and other buyers, assisting listed asset managers in transactional and regulatory matters, insurance-linked securities and derivatives deals. Partners Bryon Rees, Tim Clipstone, Richard Sharp and Paul Chanter are all singled out for recognition.

Commercial property

Described as "very approachable team players" with "excellent use of technology" who can "provide commercial answers to resolving complex issues", Ogier's Commercial Property team retained Tier one status with Hall of Fame ranking for Martyn Baudains, and Leading Associate for Piers Dereham and Martín Casas.

Corporate and M&A

Clients say Ogier's Corporate and M&A team – which has retained Tier one status with Leading Partner ranking for "standout partner" Bryon Rees and Leading Partner for Richard Sharp – is "a go-to provider for offshore legal advice in the corporate and M&A sector". Key lawyers are Andrew Grant, James Walsh, Liam Murphy and Diana Collas. Clients say Ogier's Corporate team's "responsiveness and quality of delivery of service was exceptional" with knowledge of process which is "second to none". Legal 500 UK 2026 notes Ogier's transactional capabilities range from private equity-led take-privates to schemes of arrangement, advising both local and international clients on their acquisitions and disposals and providing assistance on restructuring matters. Partner specialisms span corporate and private wealth transactions, funds, insurance and reinsurance. 

Dispute resolution

"Well versed in tackling complex trust disputes, with additional expertise in commercial, insolvency and regulatory proceedings", clients say the "exceedingly sharp" Guernsey Dispute Resolution team's "strength lies in their detailed specialist knowledge in high-value offshore trusts and international commercial disputes. Their key capability from their clients' point of view lies in an impressive ability to marshal highly complex facts and figures and apply them to a pretty complex area of law, often including an international element". The team has retained Tier one status with a Hall of Fame ranking for Simon Davies, Leading Partner for Mathew Newman and Next Generation Partner for Bryan De Verneuil Smith. Alex Horsbrugh-Porter is a key lawyer.

Insurance

Ogier's Insurance specialists advise major international insurance funds, brokers and corporate clients on complex insurance matters, particularly renowned for their expertise in high-value longevity risk swaps. Leading partner Richard Sharp's experience covers all elements of insurance and reinsurance law and regulation, particularly regarding novel ILS and cellular vehicles. Wider team expertise includes insurance scheme operational and transactional issues and clients note that "the Ogier team has developed a reputation as the go-to law firm for offshore insurance entities assisting in the humanitarian / ESG space." Richard is ranked in the Tier 1 Insurance practice alongside Leading Associate Andrew Grant and Key Lawyers Michelle Watson Bunn and Liam Murphy.

Private client, trusts and tax

Ogier's "highly practical and commercial" Tier one Private Client, Trusts and Tax team include "the best non-contentious trust lawyer in the Channel Islands" - Leading Partner Matt Guthrie - who acts for professional trustees, HNW settlors and beneficiaries in relation to their trusts and foundations, and associated international reporting requirements. Next Generation partner Catherine Moore provides additional trust formation and administration expertise, with the team including key lawyers Chris Hards and Diana Rodriguez advising HNW clients on the structuring of their trusts and other asset planning matters, and helping family and business relocations into Guernsey, as well as advising clients on semi- and non-contentious trusts and wills matters.

Employment 

A "great team of highly skilled individuals", Ogier's Employment team in Guernsey is noted for its particular strength in non-contentious employment matters. Rachel DeSanges is named a Next Generation Partner.

Investment funds

Ogier's Investment Funds team in Guernsey is a "great fund formation team, especially for VC" with two Leading Partners - Tim Clipstone and Bryon Rees – and three key lawyers; Michaela Jesson, Michelle Watson Bunn and Gabrielle Payne. In this space Ogier handles the spectrum of fund matters, assisting sponsors and managers with the structuring and launch of Guernsey-registered investment vehicles, and works with its litigation team to oversee fund mergers via schemes of arrangement. Legal 500 UK 2026 notes Tim Clipstone's expertise in the structuring of closed and open-ended funds and associated regulations, Bryon Rees in both private and listed funds, and Richard Sharp in cellular structures and their use by the insurance industry and other asset managers.

Regulator and white collar-crime

Experienced in advising financial services clients on the handling of assets subject to SARs and those potentially affected by sanctions regimes, as well as assisting with maintaining compliance with the regulatory regimes governing Guernsey-registered funds and handling insolvency proceedings, Ogier's Regulatory and White-Collar Crime team in Guernsey is ranked in this new category in 2026. Mathew Newman, a specialist in contentious insolvency matters and related fraud and asset tracing processes, and Tim Clipstone, who is particularly well versed in the regulations governing investment funds, in addition to advising on AML/CFT requirements, are noted alongside key lawyer Bryan de Verneuil-Smith. Clients endorse the Ogier team saying: "Ogier has a deep bench of regulatory professionals that gives huge comfort to insolvency practitioners navigating the modern regulatory and sanctions landscape."