Baker & Partners LLP acts for a raft of financial services clients and government bodies in matters of financial crime and regulatory investigations. The team is experienced in prosecuting and defending allegations of fraud, money laundering and other financial offences. Stephen Baker
is highly experienced in overseeing asset tracing procedures tied to both commercial and trust disputes, with William Redgrave also offering extensive expertise in trust litigation in addition to regulatory and sanctions. Lynne Gregory handles cross-border cases centred on accusations of fraud and asset tracing, while Simon Thomas is frequently instructed by the Attorney General to prosecute a range of offences, alongside a defence practice covering both criminal and regulatory matters. James Sheedy departed the firm in January 2024.
Regulatory and white-collar crime in Jersey
Baker & Partners LLP
Practice head(s):
Stephen Baker; William Redgrave; Lynne Gregory; Simon Thomas
Testimonials
‘Mix of practical regulatory and industry experience and court-room skill.’
‘Pragmatism based on deep experience and a desire to help their client do the right and reasonable thing in the circumstances.’
Key clients
Jersey Police Association
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Government of Malaysia
Work highlights
- Retained by the States of Jersey Police Association to represent its members in disciplinary proceedings in relation to complaints and third party deaths or injuries arising whilst on duty.
- Authored document for the Government of Jersey concerning its money laundering typology.
- Under contract with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, trained and mentored law enforcement agencies in 11 jurisdictions on evidence gathering and asset recovery in financial investigations.
Bedell Cristin
Bedell Cristin is able to act for clients facing regulatory challenges, as well as those involved in matters of white collar crime, while also advising clients on sanctions-related issues. ‘Top drawer’ Edward Drummond leads the group, guiding clients through regulatory investigations and assisting them in white collar proceedings and issues arising out of insolvency. Richard Le Liard advises fund and other financial sector clients on a range of financial services regulations, including Jersey’s AML/CFT regimes and compliance with sanctions. Michael Gradidge left the firm in November 2023.
Practice head(s):
Edward Drummond
Other key lawyers:
Richard Le Liard
Testimonials
‘Edward Drummond is all over the detail and is highly experienced in white collar issues. He’s top drawer.’
‘Responsive and knowledgeable.’
‘Good, small, close-knit team that is properly structured from junior lawyers to senior partners. Responsive and alert to keeping the client up to date.’
‘Edward Drummond is knowledgeable on Jersey law and provides useful, succinct advice with a practical focus. A safe pair of hands.’
‘I have found the team I work with to be responsive, efficient, and clear and practical in their advice. ’
‘Edward Drummond is bright and commercial, produces clear advice and is happy to work collaboratively.’
‘Technically strong and clear, concise advice and support delivered in a responsive manner. I personally had a good experience with this team.’
‘Very helpful on technical questions and offered wider support with helpful examples in relation to my engagement with them on a regulatory matter. Response times were good from Richard Le Liard.’
Key clients
Purdue Pharma
Harbour Fund II, L.P
JSC Commercial Privat Bank
JT
Work highlights
- Acted as special foreign counsel to the unsecured creditors committee of Purdue Pharma in the multi-billion dollar Purdue matter.
- Advised Harbour in relation to its claims in the £1.2bn bankruptcies of Orb and Dr. Cochrane.
- Represented PrivatBank in relation to £2.6bn fraud claims.
Carey Olsen
Carey Olsen represents clients hailing from the financial and public sectors, in addition to private clients, across a broad range of regulatory matters, including AML and sanctions issues and any resultant investigations. The practice, under the guidance of Marcus Pallot, who acts for trust companies facing proceedings by the JFSC, also advises clients in matters tied to financial and cyber crimes, also assisting with asset recovery. William Grace is an expert in, inter alia, AML regulations and sanctions compliance. Oliver Lindop specialises in Jersey’s financial services regulatory regime, including as it pertains to crypto assets and gambling, while Mike Kushner is noted for his contentious regulatory practice, which encompasses international trade, sanctions and franchising advice.
Practice head(s):
Marcus Pallot
Other key lawyers:
William Grace; Oliver Lindop; Mike Kushner
Testimonials
‘CO have been leading industry on regulatory developments, so have an excellent grasp of the spirit of the law. Consequently, their advice is more accurate and relevant.’
‘William Grace is a leading lawyer on the regulatory environment and has extensive experience, having advised on some of the top cases and in advising the JFSC or government.’
‘The team has significant depth of experience. They offer pragmatic and clear solutions to any queries and align their advice to the risk appetite of the client whilst ensuring effective and enduring solutions.’
‘William Grace has a wealth of experience to draw from. He is involved in a significant number of different regulatory challenges within Jersey, and can therefore draw on both legislative and pragmatic solutions as needed. Oliver Lindop is always available regardless of his personal commitments, ensuring that advice is swift and on point.’
‘This was a money laundering and regulatory matter. Carey Olsen are the pre-eminent firm in dealing with these matters in Jersey. They were an easy choice, and delivered solid advice and insight into the legal process.’
‘William Grace is simply the most meticulous lawyer I have worked with, with a capacity for both grand strategy and essential detail at the same time. Many lawyers score well at one extreme or the other, he covers both ends of the spectrum with equal confidence.’
‘The advice received from Oliver Lindop was clearly backed by sound knowledge, experience and judgement. He was able to weigh up arguments and recommend appropriate courses of action.’
‘Mike Kushner gave pertinent and timely advice.’
Key clients
UK Government
Accuro
Alter Domus
Aztec
Brevan Howard
Brooks Macdonald
Butterfield
Channel Insurance Brokers
Crestbridge
Fairway
FCM
Hawksford
Imperium
IQ-EQ
Intertrust
JTC
Langham Hall
Lloyds Bank
Nordic Capital
Oak Group
Ocorian
Palmer Street Holdings
Rawlinson & Hunter
RBSI
Royal Bank of Canada
Saltgate
Apex
Soc Gen Kleinwort Hambros
States of Jersey Development Co
Stonehage Fleming
TMF
UBS
Work highlights
- Advised the UK Government on a sanctions-related matter.
- Assisted several clients in respect of sanctions and criminal investigations into Roman Abramovich.
- Acted for a regulated client in relation to Vatican financial crime proceedings.
Mourant
Mourant is able to assist clients across the gamut regulatory challenges, including the launch of regulated businesses, up to investigations and enforcement proceedings brought by the JFSC. The ‘highly skilled’ Mathew Cook spearheads the firm’s contentious regulatory efforts, acting for financial services clients in AML and tax reporting compliance as well as sanctions-related proceedings. Non-contentious matters are the domain of Simon Gould and Sarah Huelin, who advise on the regimes governing banks and trust companies. Laurie Child is the key contact for matters of data protection and information law, and is also able to advise on competition matters. Tom Fothergill joined the team from Walkers in December 2023, bringing additional expertise in Jersey’s AML regime.
Practice head(s):
Mathew Cook; Simon Gould; Sarah Huelin
Other key lawyers:
Laurie Child; Jula Le Cornu; Tom Fothergill
Testimonials
‘The team at Mourant offers solid, well grounded advice in complex and delicately balanced scenarios and demonstrates an excellent understanding of our business models and dependencies, resulting in advice which is on point, and easily understood.’
‘Mathew Cook demonstrates a sure hand in cases where diverse areas of law overlap, offering comprehensive yet easily digested advice on complex situations.’
‘This team is extremely well-versed in Jersey regulatory and white-collar crime. They have a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape and provide clients with clear and well-judged advice on how best to navigate it. ’
‘Mathew Cook is a highly skilled regulatory lawyer who gets right to the heart of a problem and displays great strategic skill. Laurie Child is a hard-working and engaging lawyer with an effective practical approach.’
‘The team is extremely versatile and effective. It is impressive how capable they are in adapting to new issues, identifying new and fruitful arguments to address them and conducting effective and insightful research to back them up.’
‘Mathew Cook has a measured and seductive style of approaching matters which is very helpful in persuading the court and indeed the other side to come round to his way of reasoning. This lies at the heart of a lot of his (and his clients’) successes.’
‘I have most experience of Mathew Cook, who is a bright and innovative lawyer in the regulatory and financial crime legal world of the Channel Islands and a partner with excellent ability and knowledge which places his clients in very safe hands. ’
‘Many of the top Jersey law firms profess to have a regulatory and white-collar crime practice, but in my view, Mourant are definitely the market leaders in this space. They are at the forefront of most, if not all, of the leading cases in this area and there is a reason for that. They are experts in this field and the most reliable and consistent team in this area.’
Key clients
Triton Administration Jersey Limited
Jersey Financial Services Commission
H1 Trust Company Limited
Standard Chartered Bank Jersey
Imperium Trustees (Jersey) Limited
JTC (Jersey) Limited
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA
Work highlights
- Advised Triton Administration (Jersey) Limited, JTC Trust Company Limited and Imperium Trustees (Jersey) Limited on compliance issues and assisted in bringing judicial reviews where necessary.
- Advised H1 Trust Company Limited on a case concerning the scope and application of the Jersey regime for freezing and confiscating assets in aid of foreign criminal proceedings.
- Represented a number of financial services clients facing enforcement action from the JFSC or the Economic Crime and Confiscation Unit.
Oben Law
Oben Law advises financial services sector clients facing investigations and enforcement actions. Practice head David Wilson
counts both the Viscount of Jersey and JFSC amongst his clients, while also assisting financial services, accountancy and law firms across a range of regulatory challenges, including AML/CFT regimes, professional negligence claims and sanctions matters.
Practice head(s):
David Wilson
Testimonials
‘The team comprises specialised and experienced leaders that work directly with clients to deliver practical advice and strategic guidance to navigate complex regulatory problems. They are always available and supportive from start to finish. I wouldn’t use anyone else.’
‘Very approachable team that is keen to understand how they can support you. Finger on the pulse locally with regard to the regulatory landscape and what other competitors are doing, and what we need to do to be best in class locally.’
‘David Wilson is an insightful and considered advocate.’
‘Thorough and approachable. Advice given is well-thought-out and practical.’
‘David Wilson’s experience as a Jersey litigator is almost unparalleled.’
‘The team has a great depth of knowledge and is very approachable. They have varied skills so can cover most areas with exceptional capabilities.’
‘The people are able to work with you as a partner rather than just going through the motions. They can explain issues very clearly and also always make recommendations and work with you.’
Key clients
Zedra
TMF
Fiduchi
Aqua
Equiom
Oak Group
GFSC
JFSC
Belasko Jersey Limited
Work highlights
Advocate Davida Blackmore
Advocate Davida Blackmore is renowned for providing advice regarding issues of data protection, providing support to the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner alongside corporate and charitable clients across the spectrum of GDPR matters, SARs and more. Davida Blackmore is also able to assist with matters of employment law, including restrictive covenants and discrimination allegations, and is additionally the island’s foremost mental health law practitioner.
Practice head(s):
Davida Blackmore
Testimonials
‘Davida Blackmore is a unique resource in the Jersey legal marketplace, providing a boutique employment and data protection practice.’
‘Davida Blackmore is highly experienced in data privacy and employment matters, with a particular skill in mental health.’
‘Davida Blackmore is not like any lawyer I’ve ever met. She has a particular skill in explaining legal positions in layman’s terms, which coupled with her extensive level of knowledge of the subject matter provides a formidable foundation for her to work from. She is also extremely kind, generous with her time and empathetic.’
Key clients
Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Work highlights
- Advised the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner on all aspects of its regulatory functions under the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018, the Data Protection Authority (Jersey) Law 2018 and the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011, including acting in appeals issued to the Royal Court.
- Handled various data protection issues for Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, including subject access requests and associated matters.
- Advised startups on data protection requirements, including providing training and appropriate policies and procedures.
Ogier
Ogier is well positioned to advise clients on their duties under Jersey’s AML/CFT regulations, acting for trust companies and other regulated entities regarding their compliance structures and JFSC enforcement actions. Nick Williams takes the lead on contentious regulatory matters, with Matthew Shaxson advising on tax reporting and AML obligations in addition to competition matters. James Angus frequently acts for the island’s Economic Crime and Confiscation Unit in addition to advising clients on Jersey’s new Deferred Prosecution Agreements law, while Tom Hall specialises in white collar crime and cross-border asset tracing.
Practice head(s):
Nick Williams; Matthew Shaxson
Other key lawyers:
James Angus; Tom Hall
Testimonials
‘Tom Hall is an excellent senior associate, responsive and with real expertise in sanctions and regulatory matters.’
‘The team deals with high value matters at the intersection of trust law, sanctions law, and regulatory law, in isolation or in combination. This is my go-to team for complex trust matters which require sanctions and regulatory advice in Jersey.’
‘The Ogier team is very knowledgeable of the legislative and regulatory requirements across both Jersey and Guernsey for financial services, including their application to various businesses and the services they may offer.’
‘Matthew Shaxson is highly knowledgeable and experienced. His pragmatic approach delivers appropriate results relevant to clients, particularly in an environment where the amount of legislative and regulatory change was high.’
‘Ogier’s regulatory practice provides clear advice on regulatory matters affecting Jersey. The team is proactive, helpful, well connected with the local regulator and very client focused. Their advice is practical and takes into account their clients’ needs.’
‘Matthew Shaxson is very approachable and knowledgeable of the latest developments in Jersey regulation. He provides hands-on practical advice and is part of a broader team covering funds and other matters who can assist on different aspects of Jersey regulations.’
Work highlights
Walkers
Walkers acts for banks and trust companies amongst a range of regulated financial services clients in relation to Jersey’s AML regime, and considerably strengthened its capacity with the recruitment of A&L Goodbody LLP‘s Sian Langley and Appleby‘s Gemma Palmer in July 2023 and January 2024 respectively. Jointly heading the team are Dilmun Leach, who advises on the island’s AIFMD regulations and the developing rules governing digital assets, and Nigel Sanders, whose practice focuses on contentious regulatory matters, including issues of competition law. Amman Bulchandani maintains a broad practice covering AML matters, consumer credit and prudential regulation. Tom Fothergill departed the firm in December 2023.
Practice head(s):
Dilmun Leach; Nigel Sanders
Other key lawyers:
Sian Langley; Gemma Palmer; Amman Bulchandani
Testimonials
‘Sian Langley is a highly accomplished and versatile regulatory lawyer who has had top class experience in a number of jurisdictions, and I would not hesitate to use her.’
‘I have found Sian Langley to be technically adept, with strong presentation skills and with a very strong work ethic. Her multi-jurisdictional ability means that she is able to get to the nub of regulatory issues quickly.’
‘Sian Langley’s understanding of Jersey’s legal system is comprehensive. Sian worked under pressure and to very tight deadlines. I was very impressed with her approachability and commitment to the project. The client was satisfied with the deliverable, and Sian played a big part in this.’
‘A very good team, and what impressed me most was its depth and experience.’
‘Dilmun Leach and Sian Langley are two highly competent lawyers who are able to leverage their experience and are very knowledgeable.’
‘Dilmun Leach is our go-to partner in Jersey. He is smart, extremely responsive and knows the Jersey landscape inside out. I would highly recommend him.’
‘Excellent team with a depth of knowledge and understanding.’
‘Gemma Palmer requires a special mention as she is also swift to act and respond with considered and appropriate advice. A wealth of knowledge and an excellent lawyer to deal with, who simply get things done.’
Key clients
LGT Wealth Management
Work highlights
- Advised a number of clients in connection with a change to Jersey’s anti-money laundering legal and regulatory framework in 2023.
- Advised a managed trust company business on complying with the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018 in core regulatory documentation.
- Assisted LGT with its acquisition of abrdn Capital Limited.