Appleby’s Isle of Man office has once again been awarded top ranking for its Dispute Resolution, Employment and Corporate & Finance work by leading law firm ranking guide Chambers and Partners.

The 2016 edition of Chambers and Partners’ respected UK Guide, which is based on extensive research among legal practitioners and clients, ranks Appleby Band 1 in these three key business areas. In addition, the Douglas office now has three individual lawyers ranked Band 1, with Simon Harding joining colleagues Caren Pegg and Christopher Cope in the latest edition.

The Guide quotes clients describing Appleby as being ‘very responsive’ and a ‘go-to firm’.

Managing Partner Faye Moffett said: ‘It is a testament to our professionalism and high standards of service that we have retained Band 1 ranking across these three key areas of work. We are very proud, especially as the rankings of this prestigious Guide are based on detailed research which takes account of client experience and peer observations.

‘The feedback recorded by Chambers is excellent and underlines why the Isle of Man office is so highly regarded by clients and our colleagues in the legal profession worldwide. I’d like to give particular acknowledgment to Simon Harding on achieving a Band 1 ranking this year.’

Appleby’s Corporate & Finance department is given Band 1 ranking and is described by Chambers as a ‘powerhouse with strength in depth across a whole range of transactions’.

One client said: ‘What they benefit from is that they have a range of experience. There is a fair number of them, and that is one of their strengths. They are our preferred firm.’

Partner and Isle of Man Team Leader for the Funds & Investment Services and Insurance teams, Simon Harding, who has moved up from Band 2 to Band 1 in this year’s rankings, is a ‘very considered lawyer’, the guide says. ‘I think he is the best fund lawyer on the Island at the moment,’ one client comments.

Partner and Isle of Man Corporate Finance Team Leader Simon Cain is ‘easy to deal with’ and ‘has the ability to think outside the box’, while Faye Moffett is praised for being ‘very grounded’ and ‘reasonable’. Both retain Band 2 rankings.

Appleby’s respected Employment practice in the Isle of Man is noted for its activity in non-contentious matters including outsourcings and restructurings, according to Chambers. Partner Caren Pegg, who is ranked Band 1, is described by clients as ‘an expert in her field’ who is ‘able to translate legal requirements into laymen's terms and enables us non-legal professionals to understand the relevancy of such requirements to our own individual businesses’.

Dispute Resolution at Appleby’s Isle of Man office is highly-praised by clients quoted by Chambers. One said ‘they tend to be my go-to firm, especially because I wouldn't want to be on the other end of their litigation department’. Another described them as ‘very responsive’, adding ‘it doesn't matter what day or holiday it is, they have always been there. They will always find a solution and find help’.

Partner and Dispute Resolution Group Head Christopher Cope retains Band 1 ranking and is described as ‘bright and unflappable’ with a ‘good, measured approach. Partner Mark Holligon is ‘very thorough’, ‘very astute’ and ‘everything a litigation lawyer should be’, according to the Guide, which ranks him Band 2.

Commenting on the Guide’s findings, Mr Cope said: ‘Retaining our Band 1 ranking is a well-deserved recognition of our Dispute Resolution team in the Isle of Man. As Group Head, I am particularly delighted to read the excellent feedback from clients and peers gathered during the research for this edition of Chambers and Partners’ UK Guide.’