January 2024 saw Collas Crill merge with Ward Yates, heralding the arrival of Nick Ward, a specialist in both transactions and day-to-day corporate advice. Matthew Gilley took on the leadership of the group following Mike Williams‘ departure, advising on a range of financing transactions and with particular expertise in real estate deals. Sam Sturrock maintains a practice that encompasses transactional and regulatory advice, including a focus on matters concerning fund and asset managers and HNWIs.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Personal service and attention, quality and experience of the partner and their commitment to complete in the minimum of time. Quality of proactive guidance through all aspects of the transaction.'
  • 'Great partner engagement.'
  • 'Personal service and attention. Quality and experience of the partner and their commitment to complete in the minimum of time. Quality of proactive guidance through all aspects of the transaction.'
  • 'Sam Sturrock was very effective and very responsive in his legal work.'
  • 'The team is extremely knowledgeable and has a fantastic understanding of the law and the application of it. They also have a good grasp of the court process and people involved in the law offices.'
  • 'Collas Crill provide expert advice and are a high-quality, cost-effective alternative to their competitor offshore firms.'
  • 'Sam Sturrock is highly responsive and a pleasure to work with.'
  • 'They provide great service, which is what my clients want.'

Key clients

  • London & Capital Group
  • Kalkan Capital
  • Superbia Holdings
  • Blue Islands
  • BodySmart Finance
  • Condor Ferries
  • Dualit
  • Hawksford
  • Highvern
  • JTC
  • KPMG
  • Liberation Group
  • Mail.ru Group
  • Nedgroup Trust
  • RBC Trustees
  • Sanne
  • Stonehage Fleming

Work highlights

  • Acted as lead counsel to Dutch car dealership Van Mossel in its acquisition of Jacksons, a Channel Islands, UK and Isle of Man motor group for £45mn.
  • Advised Bank of London and Middle East and Darin Partners on the acquisition, via a Jersey corporate structure, of an office building in Newcastle currently let to Verisure for £18.3mn.
  • Advised the management of a Manchester-based toolmaking company in relation to its acquisition by a Luxembourg private equity structure.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Matthew Gilley

Other key lawyers

Nick Ward, Sam Sturrock, Conor Walsh, Khetha Shezi