Ogier remains in the second tier in financial and corporate this year. The market suggests that the firm is still a small step behind the leading practices: "In Guernsey, we will more often use Mourant or Carey Olsen, just because we have a more developed relationship with those firms," says one client....
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Ogier remains in the second tier in financial and corporate this year. The market suggests that the firm is still a small step behind the leading practices: "In Guernsey, we will more often use Mourant or Carey Olsen, just because we have a more developed relationship with those firms," says one client.
Last year, the team was kept busy with M&A mandates. In one example, partner Caroline Chan advised on Waitrose's acquisition of five supermarket stores from the Sandpiper CI Group in both Channel Islands. It is believed to be the largest value retail conveyances in Guernsey. Elsewhere she acted for JPMorgan on its acquisition of the private-equity administration services business of Schroders.
Clients are satisfied with Chan and her team's work: "They understand our issues, they're participating in our business meetings," says one. "They're always willing to help and they work with us quite well."
In the capital markets area William Simpson and Frances Watson acting for Justice Holdings' on its listing on the LSE. The deal was significant as it was the largest IPO on the LSE since April 2009. Elsewhere the team advised the Etalon Group, one of Russia's largest real estate developers, on its $575 million IPO listing on the LSE.
A key partner at the firm for straight finance work is Nick Gamble. In addition, partner Roger Le Tissier also advised on a holding company Series B Investco's establishment in Guernsey, in order to facilitate a reorganisation of debt holders' interest in a utility provider Jeyes.
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The team's "responsiveness" and "quick reaction" towards clients' enquires has earned them praise. "They're very responsive for phone calls and e-mails, it's very rare if you don't hear from somebody very quickly," says one client, while another adds: The firm's managing associate Andy Lowe was also praised in this regard: "I thought Andy is very contactable, and he would response quickly to stuff....
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The team's "responsiveness" and "quick reaction" towards clients' enquires has earned them praise. "They're very responsive for phone calls and e-mails, it's very rare if you don't hear from somebody very quickly," says one client, while another adds: The firm's managing associate Andy Lowe was also praised in this regard: "I thought Andy is very contactable, and he would response quickly to stuff."
Newly-elected partner Frances Watson also receives client approval. "What makes Ogier stand out is in particular Frances Watson, she really really knows what is a fund, a fund manager, she has been around, and she knows how to be commercial. She just understands what our clients need."
One of the biggest transactions last year saw lead partner Roger Le Tissier acting for Burford Capital on its further £110 million fund raising, which is one of the largest capital raisings for a litigation fund. Elsewhere he also acted for alternative asset management firm CQS on its diversified fund establishment and LSE listing.
Another highlight saw partner William Simpson advising on the establishment of World Shariah Funds (WSF) as a collective investment scheme. WSF is one of a small amount of shariah-compliant funds established in Guernsey, and the firm's first experience in advising this type of fund in the jurisdiction. "William Simpson is very strong in investment funds," says one rival.
This ability to understand the needs of new funds is particularly valuable as one client says: "They're extremely good at working out what you need. For example, if you're establishing a fund in Guernsey for the first time, they know all the hurdles you could possibly face, and they prevent those divisions, so they're very good at saying this is the way to do it, or is that what you want. They guide you through very well."
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