Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC has achieved tier 1 ranking across eight categories in 2014 according to The Legal 500, the world’s leading independent authority on legal services providers.

There was also individual recognition for 15 Appleby lawyers in the Isle of Man when the updated UK guide was published on Wednesday. Appleby achieved a total of 11 tier 1 rankings, with the Isle of Man office receiving eight, an improvement on last year’s seven categories, and the Jersey office receiving three.

Appleby Isle of Man office received tier 1 ranking in banking and finance, commercial, dispute resolution, employment, insurance and pensions, investment funds and capital markets, e-gaming, and shipping and aviation.

Among the Isle of Man lawyers to receive individual recognition were Partner Claire Milne, who was described as ‘exceptional in her field’, and Partner Simon Harding for leading a team that has ‘a strong knowledge of local insurance regulation and legislation' and ‘can also provide a more global outlook'.

Faye Moffett, Partner and Corporate and Commercial Practice Group Head, was praised as giving ‘commercially astute’ advice which is ‘always given in a timely fashion’, and was recommended for her ‘willingness to assist and help to achieve completions when timescales are tight’.

Also acknowledged were Partner Simon Cain and Associate Tom Brook, for advising a communications company on the refinancing of its senior debt facilities, and Counsel Michelle Brook for being ‘very responsive’. The Legal 500 UK 2014 guide also notes that Associate Eleanor Dangerfield ‘goes above and beyond to ensure that transactions run as smoothly and efficiently as possible’.

Sean Dowling, Isle of Man office Managing Partner, said: “Appleby’s ranking recognises the professionalism and expertise of its Isle of Man office, and we are delighted to have received a tier 1 ranking in an ever greater number of categories.

“These results are a testament to the outstanding calibre of our team in the Isle of Man, and I am grateful to our peers and clients whose recommendations are integral to the research process and the recognition that we have received for the high quality of services that we offer.”

Appleby has also been shortlisted in the ‘Offshore Firm of the Year 2014’ category for The Legal 500 Awards. The shortlist is compiled using The Legal 500’s proprietorial research and feedback gathered during the course of the year from more 50,000 interviews with in-house counsel. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, 8 October 2014.

Published for more than 20 years, The Legal 500 series provides comprehensive worldwide coverage on legal services providers in over 100 countries. Used by commercial and private clients, corporate counsel, CEOs, CFOs, professional advisers and other national and international referrers of work, the series is globally respected for its definitive judgement of law firm capabilities.

Photo - Sean Dowling.