GOUGH Advocates has announced the consultancy appointment of Bryan Darroch to lead the provision of its newly launched “In-House Counsel Services”.

This service will enable the firm to offer bespoke in-house counsel facilities to entities that do not yet have the volume to justify their own full-time legal counsel or that simply want to supplement their existing in-house arrangements.

Bryan, has spent the last eleven years fulfilling the “in-house” role within Fortis Prime Fund Solutions (which was purchased earlier this year by Credit Suisse) where he was responsible for the legal affairs of in excess of 20 companies spread over 10 jurisdictions, crossing a range of financial disciplines.

Further to this new move, Bryan will now be offering his expertise through Gough Advocates to a range of external fund managers, administrators, custodians and bankers as well as to corporate and trust service providers.

“I have recognised that many companies consider themselves to be too small to justify the expense of a full time in-house counsel,” he said.

“However, in these days of ever-evolving rules relating to compliance and regulation along with the general complexities of doing business in an offshore financial centre, many of these entities simply cannot afford not to invest in appropriate and timely legal advice.”

Managing Director of Gough Advocates, Paul Kerruish, added, “I am delighted to be working with Bryan on this exciting new venture. This is an excellent opportunity for us to embrace a new and developing niche within the market, while filling a gap in professional services provision on the Island for small and medium sized entities.

“I am confident that this innovative service will contribute positively to maintaining and enhancing the Island’s reputation as a Premier Tier jurisdiction in terms of regulation and compliance.”