The 2015 edition of The Legal 500, widely acknowledged as one of the largest legal referral guides, has recommended 14 lawyers at Simcocks.

The guide’s researchers have also ranked Simcocks as a top tier company for private client and commercial property advice. The commercial property department is praised for “quick response times, excellent service and clear advice”, and led by the “very capable and client-focused” director Irini Newby.

Irini Newby said: “We are delighted that the independent researchers from the Legal 500 have acknowledged the strength of our commercial property advice. A considerable part of their research is based on what our clients say about us which makes it particularly gratifying. We aim to provide clear guidance on all aspects of property transactions in the Isle of Man including commercial development, construction and engineering, hotel acquisition and disposals, structured real estate and planning strategies. We also advise individual and institutional clients, local trustee service providers and private clients on the Island who are dealing with commercial property in the UK. Simcocks also provides advice on property litigation and have substantial experience in advising on boundary, planning and construction disputes.”

Chief executive Phil Games, director Amy Coole and Kevin O’Loughlin are singled out in the private client team, which is described as “professional, approachable and solution-oriented”.

Amy Coole said: “The Private Client department appreciates that its technical skills and knowledge have been recognised. We have many years of experience acting for private individuals, families, estates, trusts and family businesses. Clients also include trust companies, financial institutions, wealth managers, family offices, high net worth individuals and their advisers. We have one of the largest private client department’s on the Island which includes a dedicated trust and foundation team and another team focusing on all aspects of wills, probate and the administration of estates. We also have lawyers who are experts in immigration, pensions, international wealth structuring, philanthropy and dispute resolution. The Legal 500 is widely acknowledged as one of the largest, independent legal referral guides which makes its recommendation more meaningful to us.”

The guide endorsed Simcocks in eight other practice areas which were banking and finance; shipping, aviation and space; commercial; insurance and pensions; dispute resolution; investment funds and capital markets; e-gaming and employment. It went on to include directors David Spencer, Irini Newby, Christopher Arrowsmith and Phil Games on its Leading Lawyers list.

The 14 lawyers recommended by the researchers are Alex Spencer, Amy Coole and Robert Haddow for banking and finance work; Alex Spencer, David Spencer and Irini Newby for commercial advice; Irini Newby for commercial property; Christopher Arrowsmith, Elizabeth Simpson and Jacqui Owens for dispute resolution; Adam Kelly and Irini Newby for e-gaming; Irini Newby and Winston Taylor for employment; David Spencer, Elizabeth Simpson and Jacqui Owners for insurance and pensions; Peter Chemaly for investment funds and capital markets and Christopher Arrowsmith and Peter Taylor for shipping, aviation and space.

Photo - Amy Coole.