Ogier is particularly adept at overseeing trust matters, including disputed restructurings and breach of trust claims, but handles a growing caseload of contentious insolvency matters, as well as regulatory and proceeds of crime issues. Mathew Newman heads the team alongside Simon Davies, with the former specialising in restructuring and insolvency disputes and trust matters, while the latter handles a combination of commercial and trust cases. Bryan De Verneuil-Smith maintains a broad practice, covering commercial, insurance and trust disputes, with additional expertise in matters hinging on directors’ duties. Sandie Lyne specialises in trust issues, including the removal of trustees and contentious restructurings. Julia Schaefer joined the practice as a consultant advocate in April 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The best thing about dealing with Ogier's team was their common sense approach, and understanding of our issues. There was never any confrontation, and they adopted a collaborative approach whilst being firm with us on the legal issues involved.'
- 'Bryan De Verneuil-Smith was extremely helpful and approachable. His team were extremely efficient and also approachable.'
- 'Sandie Lyne is an energetic and charismatic partner who has an infectious enthusiasm for her work. Mathew Newman has a depth of technical knowledge that is valuable to any client. Bryan De Verneuil-Smith does not shy away from complex matters and is very pragmatic in his approach.'
- 'Fantastic team with great depth - on top of their cases and involved in all the big cases on the island.'
- 'Simon Davies is a doyen of the Guernsey bar - he is treated as the pre-eminent expert in the field. Sandie Lyne has a burgeoning practice which is going from strength to strength.'
- 'One of the leading law firms in Guernsey, with excellent lawyers.'
- 'Mathew Newman is one of the leading dispute lawyers in Guernsey. Bryan de Verneuil-Smith is a first class lawyer with excellent skills.'
- 'Dynamic and highly versatile team. Able to think out of the box to deliver well-calibrated responses. Well integrated across the firm.'
Key clients
- BDO LLP
- Butterfield Trust
- New Street
- Begbies Traynor
- CRGF Funds GP Limited
- Krys Global
- EEA Life Settlements PCC Limited
- The Public Trustee of Guernsey
- Suntera Private Wealth
- Alvarez & Marsal
- HSBC Bank (CI and UK)
- Praxis
- Teneo Restructuring
- Leonard Curtis
- RG Growth
- Barratt Hodgson
- Stanislav Gromov
- Grant Thornton
Work highlights
- Acted for the defendant bank in relation to a cause filed in September 2021 and tabled in February 2022 by a BVI company seeking a declaration that funds held by the bank are not the proceeds of criminal conduct.
- Acted for the plaintiff, Mr. Stanislav Gromov against three defendants (Rose Group Limited, VEB bank and RGI Residential Holdings Ltd) in a claim that these parties acted unlawfully towards our client and caused him damages in the amount of $124m.
- Represented CRGF in the Guernsey Court of Appeal in a long-running dispute with Rusnano, relating to investment management fees due under a limited partnership agreement.
Lawyers
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mathew Newman, Simon Davies