Mourant

Banking and finance, corporate, insolvency and restructuring.

James advises on Jersey companies, unit trusts, limited partnerships and security interests. His practice covers corporate, banking and structured finance work, and the tax and regulatory treatment of Jersey vehicles. Highlight deals: James’ recent corporate practice includes advising: a major private equity investor on a USD 500 million investment in a Jersey company; a regulated business on a large-scale migration to Jersey, including obtaining the necessary consents from the Jersey regulator; a FTSE-100 company on its acquisition of a Jersey company holding the key asset in a major resources project. James’ recent finance practice includes advising: a lender relying on security over Jersey shares for loans exceeding USD 1 billion; lenders on numerous private equity buyouts, including Formula One and Vue Cinemas; lenders on numerous UK commercial property finance ventures – James works with a team delivering Jersey, BVI, Cayman and Guernsey advice all from the London time zone. James’ recent restructuring practice includes advising: lenders and special servicers on numerous defaulting UK commercial property structures, including security reviews and security enforcement advice; on the financial restructuring of a global engineering group. On the advisory front, James was part of the Mourant Ozannes team appointed to advise Jersey Government/industry on the UK’s ICB/Vickers banking reforms and their impact in Jersey. What the directories say: IFLR 1000, 2014: Ruane himself is described as: ‘highly responsive, thorough, thoughtful and a pleasure to deal with’, by one client who adds that the partner is his ‘go to’ lawyer in Jersey and, through him I’ve been connected to the rest of Mourant Ozannes’ network. Never been disappointed’. James is also ranked as a Leading Lawyer; James is described as a ‘safe pair of hands’ (Chambers UK, 2014); James Ruane ‘makes sure that advice can be implemented from business perspectives’ (Legal 500, 2013); James Ruane ‘understands the commercial imperatives’ (Legal 500, 2013); He is acknowledged for his ‘straightforward advice’ (Chambers UK, 2013).

Called to the Bar of England and Wales 1994 (currently non-practising); tax chambers, London; Freshfields (practised banking and finance law); joined Mourant Ozannes in 2000; solicitor of the Royal Court of Jersey 2003; partner 2004.