Walkers accompanies fund managers across the lifecycle of their structures, supporting them from launch, to downstream transactions and regulatory challenges, and on to overseeing liquidations. The practice is headed by Craig Cordle, who acts for both private and listed funds targeting real estate and private equity investments, and managing partner Matt Sanders, who handles fund structuring, restructuring and migration. Chris Hutley-Hurst assists with fund formation mandates in addition to transactional matters. The funds practice was strengthened with the arrivals in June and August 2023 respectively of Annaliese McGeoch and Charlotte Gonçalves, both arriving from Mourant.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Walkers Guernsey really values their clients and make us feel special, not just one of the many clients competing for the partners' attention at the market leader.’

  • ‘Chris Hutley-Hurst is, in my mind, hands down the best funds lawyer in Guernsey. He offers practical, sensible advice, he understands the commerciality of the situations where he is advising. He's particularly good with new promoters launching their first fund.’

  • ‘Craig Cordle is the leading light in Guernsey of the listed funds world in particular having worked in London for sector specialists Herbert Smith Freehills and Norton Rose Fulbright which makes him a cut above the rest.’
  • ‘Chris Hutley-Hurst has been an invaluable resource to us since moving our fund domicile to Guernsey. His expertise is fantastic and his commercial approach and availability are unbeaten.’

  • ‘The Walkers investment funds team is incredibly professional, with expert knowledge within their field. They provide commercial advice which is both relevant and accurate. They are well regarded in the market and offer a "value-add" service.’

  • ‘The individuals within the Walkers investment funds team are their key strength and are a differentiator to their competitors. From associates to partners, they make themselves available and are always happy to help or provide guidance in way that is easy to understand and deals with the specific topic under review.’

  • ‘The team are exactly that - a TEAM. Every member of the funds practice was on the same page and aligned as to our instruction/desired results, from associates to partners, that showed strong communication internally. All show strong knowledge and have a proactive approach to get a deal/launch over the line.’

  • ‘Matt Sanders, Chris Hutley-Hurst and Charlotte Gonçalves are always available, responsive, and have excellent communication. They are more than a safe pair of hands and somewhat like the honest family members that deliver the arrow of truth but dipped in a bit of honey to lead you down the right path.’

Key clients

  • Blacksand
  • Blue Night Investment Consult Corporation
  • Canaima
  • Chrysalis Investments Limited
  • Custodian Property Income REIT plc
  • EEA Life Settlements Fund PCC Limited
  • Equitix
  • Flight Co-Investment Fund Limited/The Flight and Partners Recovery Fund Limited
  • Global MENA Financial Assets Limited
  • Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited
  • Longship Fund III
  • River Merchant Capital Limited
  • Sackville JV
  • Strawberry Star
  • Tetragon Financial Group Limited

Work highlights

  • Represented Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited in respect of its now aborted transaction involving the sale of a catalogue of music/music rights for $465m, a share buy-back programme of up to $180m and repayment of $250m drawn under the company’s revolving credit facility.
  • Advised Custodian Property Income REIT on its £530m all-share recommended merger with abrdn Property Income Trust Limited.
  • Advised Equitix on two projects in respect of its investment into Viridor Energy and the investment by Qatar’s Nebras Power into the holding company of the UK’s Rampion Offshore Wind Farm.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Matt Sanders, Craig Cordle

Other key lawyers

Chris Hutley-Hurst, Charlotte Gonçalves, Angela Proctor, Annaliese McGeoch