About
DQ is a leading Isle of Man-based law firm with an international reach, offering a full range of legal, regulatory, compliance and tax services to a local and global client base.
The firm: We are accessible, responsive and commercial with client-oriented strategies and goals. Our specialist lawyers are recommended by industry leaders in numerous reputable guides including Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.
Our thriving and dynamic practice has seen phenomenal growth in recent years and is capitalising on a simple formula – to provide a quality of service that cannot be exceeded in the Isle of Man, as efficiently as possible.
Partners and other lawyers at the firm have practised at some of the leading law firms in the Isle of Man, Cayman, Bermuda and Guernsey. DQ provides a highly responsive, bespoke service at competitive rates and is regarded by clients and competitors alike for its pragmatic and commercial ‘can-do’ approach to clients’ requirements and quick turnaround times.
Types of work undertaken: DQ has a leading regulatory and compliance team in the Isle of Man, with significant experience advising on all aspects of regulatory and compliance matters, including establishing financial services businesses, data protection, regulatory enforcement and international tax and securities investigations. Three members of the team are accredited data protection practitioners. In addition the team engages regularly with the island’s regulators and is at the forefront of lobbying for pragmatism in any changes to the island’s regulatory and AML regime.
DQ has expertise in an extensive range of corporate and commercial matters involving the Isle of Man. Clients include local and multinational corporations, insurance companies, banks, public bodies, entrepreneurs and HNWIs. DQ also has established relationships with City, European and US law firms. Areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, insurance, listings, directors’ duties and corporate governance, partnerships/limited partnerships, investment funds, gambling, employment and pensions.
The team was the sole Isle of Man legal adviser to one of the largest e-gaming/e-business acquisitions of 2016 (with a deal value of around £1.2bn) when GVC Holdings plc successfully bid for, and acquired, bwin.party Digital Entertainment and in 2018 in the GVC Group’s takeover of Ladbrokes Coral, the UK’s biggest high street bookmaker, with a deal value of around £3.9bn.
DQ leads the way in shipping on the island and works with some of the biggest names in the ship industry . The team has extensive experience of advising on the finance of new builds, purchases and the preparation, registration and enforcement of related security documents.
Dispute resolution expertise includes fraud and asset recovery, restructuring and insolvency, contractual matters, commercial disputes, estate and trust disputes, judicial review, insurance and medical negligence, public and administrative law, data protection disputes and property litigation. The top-ranked employment team advises trust and corporate services providers, banks, charities and both private and public sector employers on issues ranging from day-to-day HR queries through to complex corporate restructuring and litigation.
The tier one ranked specialist private client, trusts and pensions team provides a complete, integrated service to local and international clients. The team also provides specialist advice on establishing and administering Isle of Man foundations and Isle of Man hybrid companies. Clients include banks, corporate trustees and other leading institutions both on and off the Isle of Man as well as individuals who are non-UK domiciled and wish to use an Isle of Man structure.
DQ’s strategic aim is to maintain excellence in its core sectors and to continue to provide clients with creative, innovative and commercial solutions.
Our directors serve on various governmental and private sector steering groups, tribunals and committees,
DQ is also the sole Isle of Man member of TAGLaw, an international alliance of high-quality, independent law firms.