Operating from the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey, London and additional fiduciary services companies in Ireland and New Zealand , Ogier has long established relationships with many of the world’s leading international financial institutions, professional advisers and regulatory bodies and has been at the forefront of the development of the offshore financial markets for more than eighty years.
With almost 500 people worldwide, Ogier offers clients the strength in depth to handle the largest, most demanding and complex offshore transactions. Corporate and finance law and associated fiduciary services form the core of our practice, principally in the areas of banking, corporate, investment funds, real estate investment, regulatory advice and structured finance. At the same time Ogier is a full-service firm, with strong practices in the areas of employee benefits, employment, litigation, private client, property and trust & estate planning.
The firm is consistently highly rated by clients and market commentators in independent research studies and regularly leads offshore transactional league tables.
We recognise that our services need to be provided in an expert, responsive and cost effective manner across jurisdictions and time zones. We agree clear fee structures in advance, keep clients fully informed of the progress of transactions and cases and are able to deliver advice and documentation whenever and wherever clients require.
We also recognise that our business is a people business and we invest substantially in recruiting, training and retaining the best people to ensure that our clients have access to the highest quality of offshore legal and fiduciary advice. Many of our lawyers joined the firm from leading City of London and US based firms and bring a wealth of international knowledge and experience in their respective areas.
Banking
The banking sector is essential to the finance industries of each of the offshore centres and increasingly those banks operating across the offshore jurisdictions seek specialist banking advice from experienced lawyers who understand their business and know their requirements. Members of the firm’s Banking Team advise on all areas of banking regulation, documentation, security, redomiciliation and the establishment and operation of banking institutions in Cayman, Guernsey, and Jersey.
Corporate
Ogier’s highly experienced Corporate Team has extensive experience in establishing many forms of domestic and cross-border corporate vehicles, investment trusts and partnerships and in advising on private placements, initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, reorganisations, joint ventures and disposals. Members of the Team advise clients across all sectors of industry, with particular experience of working with leading organisations in the finance, technology and insurance sectors.
Private Client
Ogier’s multi-disciplinary Private Client Team provides administration services to trusts, companies and limited partnerships established in the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands and elsewhere. The Team has particular experience of advising high net worth individuals and family offices on the full range of private client legal advice and administration services.
Investment Funds
The Channel Islands’ low tax status, proximity to European financial markets and sophisticated banking and professional infrastructure make Guernsey and Jersey leading jurisdictions for the establishment of investment funds in the European time zone. The Cayman Islands, with its neutral tax status and equally sophisticated financial and professional infrastructure is the leading offshore jurisdiction for investment funds globally, with more than 50% of all offshore hedge funds being Cayman funds. Ogier’s global Investment Funds team is one of the largest, most experienced such offshore teams and advises on the establishment and ongoing administration of all forms of investment funds across each of these offshore jurisdictions.
Structured Finance
The Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey offer legal and regulatory regimes which are sufficiently flexible and responsive to be attractive to those deciding where to site structured finance transactions. Ogier’s Structured Finance Team works with major financial institutions and their professional advisers advising on offshore transactions involving companies, limited partnerships, trusts, unit trusts and hybrid companies including no par value, protected cell and unlimited liability companies. Working with Ogier Fiduciary Services the Team is able to co-ordinate and arrange SPV administration services for vehicles established in Cayman, Guernsey and Jersey. The Team also has experience of working with vehicles established under the laws of other jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, Ireland and Luxembourg.
Trust & Estate Planning
Ogier’s highly respected and award winning Trust & Estate Planning Team advises many of the leading trust companies in Cayman, Guernsey and Jersey on the establishment of trusts, the continuing obligations of settlors, trustees and beneficiaries, trust administration issues, trust disputes, due diligence reviews and trust regulation.
Ogier has a long history of community involvement in all the jurisdictions in which it operates and all our people are strongly committed to supporting a wide range of charitable, social and educational initiatives. These range from bursary and work placement schemes through legal aid and pro-bono work to support for many different charitable, academic and sporting projects in each of our communities.
