The offshore law firms Appleby Spurling Hunter And Bailhache Labesse have agreed to merge. They will offer legal, fiduciary and administrative services in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Jersey, with further operations in London and Hong Kong.With effect from 1st September 2006, the combined group will be known as Appleby Hunter Bailhache with a worldwide staff of over 600 employees, including 44 partners.
“Our strategic vision is to be the leading provider of legal, fiduciary and administrative services in the offshore world,” says Appleby Spurling Hunter’s Managing Partner, Peter Bubenzer. “By merging with Bailhache Labesse, we are strengthening and extending our reach into another key jurisdiction and positioning ourselves as the first choice for clients in the offshore world. We will be able to offer clients more choice and enhanced resources, while offering dispassionate guidance on where to place their business. While organic growth can build expertise over time, we believe that this transaction brings immediate depth and breadth of resources and benefits to clients.”
In recent years, the offshore legal market has experienced dramatic changes. The demand for offshore services is strong, and leading firms have grown with the demand. There has also been a consolidation of firms, both globally and locally, in the main offshore jurisdictions, prompting and enabling firms to seek business in the broader European, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern markets. As the firms evolve, looking to establish a presence and critical mass in key offshore jurisdictions, a ‘magic circle’ of offshore firms is emerging.
Mike O’Connell, Chairman of the Bailhache Labessse Group’s Management Committee, describes the two firms as a natural fit. “Both are already leaders in their respective jurisdictions and we share a common vision to provide outstanding offshore services to clients,” he says. “Appleby has already demonstrated success in integrating practice and client management through combination and growth to the benefit of the clients, firm and employees. The combined resources of the new group matches our vision to provide superior services and support to those clients looking at conducting offshore business in the key global offshore jurisdictions.”
Appleby Hunter Bailhache will focus on general company and corporate advice, insurance, funds and investment services, asset finance and banking, telecommunications and technology, dispute resolution, insolvency and restructuring, capital markets and financial structures, trusts and real property. Additionally, the offshore legal services are complemented by trust, corporate administration and company accounting and management services.
Appleby Spurling Hunter has offices in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and London. The firm has represented two thirds of the companies on the Fortune 500 list and almost one half of those on the FTSE 100 list, as well and many private companies and high net worth individuals.
The firm’s principal focus is corporate and commercial matters. This includes the incorporation and formation of offshore structures. The firm also has an extensive litigation and insolvency department handling both local and international matters, and experienced attorneys in its trusts and property departments. The group currently has a total complement of approximately 435 people, including nearly 100 lawyers.
With 14 partners and over 130 employees, the Bailhache Labesse Group specialises in providing legal, fiduciary and administrative solutions to institutions, global corporations and high-net-worth individuals. Its four separate businesses – Bailhache Labesse Law Firm, Bailhache Labesse Trustees Limited, Bailhache Labesse Fund Administrators Limited and Bailhache Labesse Securities Limited – are strongest in corporate and financial services, dispute resolution, commercial property and private client work. Bailhache Labesse Trustees offers trust and corporate services, including the formation, administration and regulation of all types of offshore trusts, companies and other structures. Bailhache Labesse Fund Administrators provides registrar, administration and company secretarial services to property, private equity and other types of alternative investment funds. These are aimed at institutional, professional and high-net-worth investors. Bailhache Labesse Securities is a leading sponsor and listing member of the Channel Islands Stock Exchange with particular expertise in, and knowledge of, the listing of specialist debt instruments and funds.