The corporate and commercial department has an international background and is flexible enough to provide a wide range of legal services to both large institutions and small businesses.
The Simcocks team is experienced and dynamic enough to take an entrepreneurial approach to our clients' needs and has the depth of expertise to come up with some great ideas to help exploit every opportunity. The department has a "can do" philosophy and a reputation for delivering a results-driven service.
Matters dealt with include corporate acquisitions and disposals, rights issues, AIM listings, shareholders' agreements, general commercial agreements, security documentation, company migrations and non-contentious liquidation and insolvency matters. We also advise on regulatory matters together with banking and finance transactions for both lenders and borrowers.
The department also handles the creation of limited and general partnerships, financial agreements and advises on employment, banking, reinsurance, trust, investment, pension, aviation, egaming, capital markets, mutual funds, intellectual property, restructuring and insolvency and shipping law. Simcocks has qualified BVI lawyers advising clients on all aspects of BVI law.
Meet The Team
Director - Irini
Newby heads the corporate and commercial department. She
has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, disposal of
business undertakings, amalgamation and reconstruction of
companies, complex corporate finance transactions and she advises
directors and corporate service providers on matters of Manx
company law. Irini leads a strong team of lawyers with a wealth of
experience in corporate and commercial work across a broad spectrum
of industry sectors. She is very quick to respond and puts together
the team which offer clients great ideas and the legal expertise to
help them exploit opportunities to their fullest advantage. Her
client base ranges from major high street banks and large PLCs and
boutique private enterprise to individual gaming companies and
e-commerce entities. Previously Irini worked at the Ontario Human
Rights Commission and Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester. She has been
named as a leader in her field by the independent directory,
Chambers and Partners who report that Irini "responded in a
timely manner, anticipated potential issues and left me with a
feeling of confidence". She has been recommended for her
expertise by the Legal 500 who have described her as "very
approachable" and "pragmatic and commercial – she
aims to get deals done" and that she is "positive and
conscientious". Irini is also a practising English Solicitor,
a Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public and a member of the
Employment Lawyers Association.
inewby@simcocks.com
Director - Amy Coole
deals primarily with trust law and related matters including the
drafting and review of trusts and ancillary documentation and
advising on issues relating to the establishment and operation of
private trust structures. Amy also deals with general corporate
matters and banking and finance transactions. The Legal 500 has
recommended Amy for her expertise and described her as
"extremely reliable and technically sound" and that she
"delivers work to a high standard and at short notice".
Researchers from Chambers and Partners have also highlighted
Amy's work describing here as "a prominent name in trust
law on the Island" and reporting that one client said
"she is invaluable and never lets us down" and "her
drafting is accurate and thorough", one client praised her
ability to "make you feel at ease and provide you with
complete confidence in her abilities". Amy sits on the board
of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Isle of Man)
Limited, a leading worldwide professional body for practitioners in
the fields of trusts, estates and related issues, and is a member
of its Education Sub Committee. She is also a Commissioner for
Oaths and Notary Public.
acoole@simcocks.com
Chief Executive - Phil
Games is one of the most prominent private client lawyers
on the Isle of Man and has many long term client relationships. He
acts as a trustee and director on certain client structures and
assists clients not only with legal issues but also with the
strategic development of their businesses. Phil specialises in
working with other professionals to create bespoke off-shore and
multijurisdictional structures such as trusts, foundations and
companies. He has considerable expertise in advising wealthy
international families who want to restructure their personal and
commercial interests as well as advising on estate planning,
complex trust, probate and international pension matters. Phil
serves on the board of a number of financial services and
commercial bodies. As the chief executive of Simcocks his direct
commercial experience brings a realistic and pragmatic element to
his advice. He has been named as a leader in his field by the
independent directory, Chambers and Partners and is recommended for
his expertise by the Legal 500. Independent researchers from The
Legal 500 say he provides "high quality advice and
delivery" and praised his ability "to sharply and quickly
focus in on the real issues" as well as giving "good
technical advice" and describing him as a
"non-contentious trust guru". He is a Commissioner for
Oaths and Notary Public.
pgames@simcocks.com
Director - Alex
Spencer specialises in corporate and commercial law. His
clients are both domestic and international and include private
companies, PLCs, large blue chip institutions and corporate service
providers. He has considerable experience in dealing with matters
including corporate acquisitions and disposals, rights issues, AIM
listings, shareholders' agreements, general commercial
agreements, security documentation, company migrations and
non-contentious liquidation and insolvency matters. Alex also
advises on regulatory matters together with banking and finance
transactions for both lenders and borrowers. Alex has also given
expert witness evidence on Manx law regarding directors' duties
and the applicability of foreign law. He has been named a leader in
his field by the independent directory, Chambers and Partners and
recommended for his expertise by the Legal 500, who described him
as "very practical with an intimate understanding of the
real-life commercial aspects of a transaction" and "an
excellent communicator who is able to explain complex
matters". He was praised for being "diligent and able to
understand issues from a client's perspective" and
"highly responsive". He is a Commissioner for Oaths and
Notary Public.
aspencer@simcocks.com
Director - David
Spencer has widespread experience in banking and insurance
law, regulation and compliance. His specialisms include the
drafting and implementation of bespoke bank loan and security
documentation, media and entertainment finance documentation and
insurance contracts. David has particular expertise in schemes
involving the transfer of insurance business and schemes of
amalgamation. The Legal 500 has described him as "highly
responsive and ready to go that extra mile" and "one of
the most experienced insurance lawyers on the Isle of Man". He
has been named a leader in his field by the independent directory,
Chambers and Partners who has also described him as "vastly
experienced and considered a strong transactional lawyer" and
that he is "fantastic, available and great at client
service" and according to one source "the pre-eminent
insurance law expert on the Island". He is a Commissioner for
Oaths and Notary Public.
dspencer@simcocks.com
Peter Chemaly specialises in corporate and
commercial and company law, including the transactional and
regulatory aspects of capital markets, mutual funds and financial
services. He also has considerable experience in the asset leasing
field, including aircraft leasing. His clients are mainly
international (including Indian, Eastern European and South
African) and include listed companies (AIM and NYSE; acting for the
company or the underwriters) and private companies. His experience
includes the structuring, establishment, restructuring and winding
up of mutual funds, listings, financing transactions,
shareholders' agreements, transactions in securities, company
restructuring and general commercial agreements. He previously
worked at Webber Wentzel and Werksmans in Johannesburg, Dechert in
London and Maitland in the Isle of Man and Luxembourg and his
international experience promotes a businesslike, problem solving
approach. Peter also speaks Afrikaans. Independent researchers from
the Legal 500 have described Peter as "technically
strong" and as a "meticulous and experienced lawyer who
applies his knowledge to the practical and commercial needs of
clients".
pchemaly@simcocks.com
Rob Haddow focusses on general corporate and
commercial work, banking and finance, regulatory matters, trusts,
e-gaming and compliance. He has acted in a number of super yacht
and aircraft sales and purchases, leasing, finance and security
matters. Rob's direct commercial experience brings a realistic
and pragmatic element to his advice. Researchers from The Legal 500
have reported he has "a wide-ranging knowledge of all
commercial matters". Rob previously worked as an equity
options trader and fund manager. After completing his legal
training he subsequently qualified as a Chartered Certified
Accountant (ACCA) whilst working as in-house legal counsel for the
largest corporate and trust service provider on the Isle of Man.
Rob was retained by its parent company, an international banking
group, to manage and develop its corporate treasury department. He
spent a short time in Dubai for another international corporate and
trust services group as its chief financial officer and in-house
legal counsel. Rob is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants (FCCA) and a Commissioner for Oaths and
Notary Public.
rhaddow@simcocks.com
Adam Kelly has particular responsibility for
commercial contracts and intellectual property matters. He has
considerable experience in dealing with licence, service, supply
and technology agreements. Adam advises on all aspects of
Intellectual Property including computer and software licences,
trademarks, domain names, copyright issues, design rights, patents,
trade secrets, technology transfer and licence agreements as well
as research and development agreements. Having practised both as a
senior in-house solicitor and in a well-respected English regional
law firm, he gives realistic commercial as well as practical
advice. Matters in which he has been involved include major
infrastructure projects in the public and private sectors in the
Isle of Man and further afield. Adam is a practising English
Solicitor, the former chairman of the Isle of Man's Copyright
Tribunal and a former associate member of the Chartered Institute
of Patent Agents. The Legal 500 has described him as a "very
experienced associate."
akelly@simcocks.com
Kevin O'Loughlin has considerable
experience in corporate and private client fields and practises in
company law, trust law, funds, regulation and pension law. He has
advised companies in relation to Isle of Man aspects of corporate
activity such as mergers and takeovers and listings, including in
relation to associated pensions implications. He regularly advises
professional trustees in relation to all aspects of trust
administration. Prior to joining Simcocks he worked with Coopers
& Lybrand Isle of Man (primarily its fiduciary business Abacus
Trust Company Limited) as in-house counsel for 12 years, and
previously worked in Dublin with the Insurance Corporation of
Ireland PLC as a technical insurance specialist in marine and
aviation claims. Independent legal researchers from Chambers and
Partners have named Kevin as a leader in his field describing him
as "clinical in his attention to detail" and the Legal
500 name him as a "leading individual" describing him as
giving "practical and clear advice" and having "the
ability to think outside the box". Kevin sits on the board of
the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Isle of Man)
Limited, a leading worldwide professional body for practitioners in
the fields of trusts, estates and related issues, and is a member
of its Technical and Policy Sub Committee.
koloughlin@simcocks.com
Jacqui Owens is an English Solicitor and Manx
Advocate. She has in-depth knowledge of insurance and reinsurance
law, market practices and business structures. At Hogan Lovells and
Wragge Lawrence Graham (where she was a partner) Jacqui advised
London and overseas clients involved in complex multijurisdictional
litigation and arbitration, managed inspections, advised on a wide
variety of coverage and insolvency related issues and negotiated
and drafted settlements, commutations and commercial agreements.
She gained further business, regulatory and dispute resolution
experience when Chief General Counsel of a Lloyd's of London
managing agency. Since joining Simcocks Jacqui has advised
commercial clients and private individuals involved in investment
and business related disputes. She has carried out strategy
reviews, as well as having day to day conduct of high value,
complex, document heavy cases in the Isle of Man High Court. Jacqui
has developed expertise in disputes involving investment funds,
their managers, advisors and regulators, policyholders and life
assurance companies, investors and financial advisors and in
judicial review of government decisions. She has executive board
level experience gained in the London market, expertise in managing
and settling high value commercial litigation and is acutely aware
of the importance of cost-effective, expedient solutions and
clients' commercial needs.
jowens@simcocks.com
Hannah Quinn undertakes various matters
including the preparation of company charges, advising on company
administration, legal opinions for high value transactions,
drafting commercial agreements and drafting and advising on trust
deeds and structures. Hannah deals with money lending entities in
the preparation, advice and execution of loan and security
documents and also advises in the first instance in relation to
those entities obtaining a money lender's licence. She has
experience with commercial leases and property transactions. Hannah
also works within Simcocks' Private Client department in
relation to high net worth estate planning and restructuring,
property transactions and Wills advice. She is also a Commissioner
for Oaths. Hannah is a member of the Isle of Man Junior Chamber of
Commerce and the Education Secretary for the Young Lawyers
Association.
hquinn@simcocks.com
Peter Taylor had a successful career in the
shipping industry, latterly as a surveyor for the Isle of Man Ship
Registry before becoming an Advocate and joining Simcocks. He has
considerable experience in surveying merchant ships, commercial
yachts and fishing vessels and in drafting international and
merchant shipping legislation. He has served as an engineer officer
in the British Merchant Navy, as an officer in the Royal Naval
Reserve and worked as a Hull and Machinery Surveyor for
Lloyd's. He is able to advise on most shipping and ship related
matters and has specialised in pollution prevention regulations and
the Limitation of Liability Convention. Peter has a very detailed
knowledge of seafaring employment matters under the relevant
Merchant Shipping Acts and can advise on all aspects of employment,
contracts, incentives, workplace disputes, regulatory issues and
proceedings. He also advises on criminal matters, personal injury
claims, engineering disputes and international arbitration. Peter
has a degree in Mechanical Engineering, was called to the Bar of
England and Wales (and is an unregistered Barrister, not practising
in England and Wales) and has been a Chartered Engineer since
1995.
ptaylor@simcocks.com
David Wozniak advises on company
administration, commercial agreements, trusts and prepares legal
opinions relating to various types of high value transactions. He
also provides advice on both commercial and domestic conveyancing
and charities. David has also worked in Simcocks' Private
Client department advising on Wills, trusts and preparing Powers of
Attorney. David has a keen interest in the local economy and is a
member of the Isle of Man Junior Chamber of Commerce. He also
attends e-gaming forums on a frequent basis and various activities
hosted by the Isle of Man Law Society's Young Lawyers
Association.
dwozniak@simcocks.com