This Is Guernsey

By Simon Tostevin

GUERNSEY law firms and lawyers have earned high praise in the 2010 edition of the Chambers UK directory.

The well-respected publication has made reference to 10 firms from Guernsey working in areas of corporate and finance, dispute resolution and trusts.

Carey Olsen and Ozannes are both rated in the top band for two of the areas and in the second tier for the other, while Babbe and Ogier are also ranked in each of the directory’s categories, with Ogier appearing twice in the second band.

The Ozannes dispute resolution team was the only local firm in the top band for that category.

The firm was also in the top band along with Carey Olsen for corporate and finance, while Carey Olsen was the only firm with a top ranking in trusts.

‘Ozannes realises that it always must strive for excellence,’ said senior partner Peter Ferbrache (pictured).

‘That is the intention of every member of the firm. It is therefore comforting that that is recognised by Chambers and Partners and indeed clients and other professionals.

‘We aim to do even better in future. Standards must always rise.’

Carey Olsen managing partner John Greenfield was similarly pleased. ‘With four top-tier and a further four second-tier rankings in Guernsey and Jersey, the directory further cements our position as the leading law firm in the Channel Islands.’

Babbe managing partner Andrew Laws said the firm was delighted to be ranked in each of the categories.

‘In a challenging commercial environment, being recognised as leaders in your field by clients and peers is a gratifying experience and is a reflection on everyone in the firm and their hard work.’

Ogier was recognised by Chambers for making a ‘huge impact’ in Guernsey since establishing its local office in 1998 and competing for big clients.

That pleased managing partner William Simpson.

‘It is good to see Ogier earning such acclaim by Chambers UK. This is the latest legal directory to acknowledge our increasing presence in Guernsey.’

Collas Day was once again recognised in the corporate and finance section, but also appeared in the dispute resolution rankings for the first time.

The directory also recognised the growing British and international interest in Collas Day and its efforts to develop a client base in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Partner Ian Kirk said Chambers was a highly regarded directory as it placed a strong emphasis on the opinions of clients and peers in order to decide the rankings.

‘We’re pleased to be visible in our categories of expertise because that reflects what clients say and their experience of the firm as a whole.’

Ashton Barnes Tee was ranked in dispute resolution, while senior partner Raymond Ashton was recognised in the trust section as an ‘other notable practitioner’.

Advocate Ashton said the rankings reflected its clients’ view that Ashton Barnes Tee was an excellent alternative to the larger firms.

He also felt it showed that the firm was now well established in the Guernsey legal market.

AO Hall and AFR Advocates both featured in the rankings for dispute resolution in bands three and four respectively.

The guide also said AO Hall had ‘a strong reputation for litigation, employment and, more recently, investment funds’.

Founding partner Alison Ozanne said AO Hall was delighted to have been recognised as a specialist firm.

‘We strive to deliver consistently sound and practical legal guidance, complemented by an engaging and welcoming manner.

‘To receive regular acknowledgements of our achievements in our specialist practice areas is a much welcomed compliment.’

Mark Ferbrache, managing partner of AFR Advocates, said he too was pleased with the continued recognition of the firm, as well as its key individuals in litigation, property matters and employment law.

The Guernsey offices of both Bedell Cristin and Mourant du Feu and Jeune also featured in the corporate and finance category of the directory.

nÊThe Chambers UK directory, which has been published each year since 1989, researches the UK legal profession, identifying the leading lawyers and law firms through interviews with thousands of lawyers and their clients.

Greater weighting is given to the views of the clients and all interviews, which are conducted over the phone and last around 30 minutes, are confidential.

Article posted on 23rd November, 2009 - 2.30pm