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Ogier has announced it is launching a specialist property, planning and construction law team based in Guernsey to enhance its Local Legal Services capability in Guernsey and across the Channel Islands.
Advocate Martyn Baudains will join Ogier as a Guernsey partner.
The new team will be further strengthened by the appointment of senior lawyer Claire Smith, a planning, construction, property and public law specialist.
Jonathan Hughes, Ogier’s head of Local Legal Services for the Channel Islands and head of Ogier’s Property Law Group, said: "This is an exciting development for our Guernsey Local Legal Services team and strengthens Ogier’s offering to local businesses and private clients. We have worked very closely with Martyn for many years and I’m delighted he is adding his significant experience and reputation to the Ogier team.
"By the end of the year we intend to grow the team and will be advertising for new team members to support the two senior appointments very shortly."
Martyn Baudains is rated as one of only three leading property lawyers in Guernsey by the Legal 500 for 2016. The legal commentator says he ‘has a superb wealth of knowledge’ and ‘will find a solution to any problem’.
“Martyn has a reputation for providing a highly effective and efficient service in respect of property deals, whether they be simple or complex,” said Jonathan Hughes.
Alongside Martyn, Claire Smith will join Ogier from international law firm Eversheds, where she is currently a senior lawyer. Claire previously worked in Guernsey for a number of years, acting for Guernsey and Channel Islands developers, architects, real estate investors and corporate occupiers.
Claire has more than 15 years’ experience specialising in planning, environment, construction, property, public law and major projects.
Mr Hughes said: ‘With Claire bringing both a wealth of local knowledge – including being a non-States Member of the States of Guernsey Review Committee - we are creating a unique team for Guernsey and the Channel Islands.”
As well as acting for local businesses in all sectors, private clients and individuals in the Channel Islands, Ogier’s Property Law Group will also work closely with intermediaries and government bodies in relation to inward investment to the Islands.
Ogier partner in Guernsey, Marcus Leese, said: “We’re confident the new team will adopt the same approach which has proved so successful for the Guernsey office and Ogier globally - timely, commercial and proactive service for all clients locally in Guernsey, across the Channel Islands and internationally.”
Ogier’s global managing partner Nick Kershaw added: “The development of a full Local Legal Services team in Guernsey and across the Channel Islands supports our strategic vision. We are committed to offering a range of services to meet the needs of individual and corporate clients in each of our locations as well as internationally.”
