Appleby is a go-to name in the market for advice on Manx insurance and pensions law. The team routinely advises on regulatory compliance and acts on some of the island’s most significant and high-value transactions involving insurance stakeholders and pension funds. The team also leverages its international reach on mandates involving multiple jurisdictions. Juan Thornley co-heads the practice, providing advice on transactional and advisory work in the financial services sector, while fellow co-head Garry Manley is regularly instructed by international insurance groups to advise on high-value and complex transactions. Michelle Brook‘s broad practice encompasses regulatory matters, acquisitions, and insurance business transfer schemes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Appleby put forward a fantastic cross-border team across Isle of Man and Guernsey.' 

  • ‘Juan Thornley and Sophia Howell-Evans were outstanding.' 

  • ‘Garry Manley is responsive, pragmatic and solution-focused.’

  • ‘I have worked closely with this team for many years. They remain my 'go-to' firm in the Isle of Man. They are excellent technical lawyers with an intimate knowledge of regulation and practice. They are pragmatic and easy to work with. They are very responsive and flexible. In brief, they are the Isle of Man's magic circle law firm.’

  • ‘Michelle Brook is a Counsel in the Corporate Team who specialises in corporate insurance matters. Michelle is extremely knowledgeable and pragmatic.' 

  • ‘I find the Appleby IOM office particularly useful for our business. They are fully engaged and up to speed with relevant current insurance regulations and have been particularly helpful to our business on special projects involving restructuring certain regulated entities.' 

  • ‘Garry Manley, in particular, is exceptional. He is confident in his subject matter and through his understanding of the IOM insurance regulations he provides proactive and innovative solutions.’

Key clients

  • Quilter
  • Monument
  • International Financial Group
  • Utmost International
  • Thomas Miller
  • Zurich International Life
  • Hansard Global

Work highlights

  • Advising on the successful launch and authorisation of the first ever Isle of Man insurance special purpose vehicle.
  • Advising International Financial Group on its agreement to purchase Isle of Man Assurance's wealth book of business.
  • Implementing the first transfer of domicile, re-registration, and merger of two IOM insurance companies.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Juan Thornley, Garry Manley

Other key lawyers

Michelle Brook, Katherine Garrood