Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC has been given top ranking for its Dispute Resolution, Employment and Corporate & Finance work by leading law firm ranking guide Chambers and Partners.

The 2015 edition of Chambers and Partners’ respected UK Guide, which is based on extensive research among legal practitioners and clients, gives Appleby in the Isle of Man Band 1 ranking in these three key business areas. It also gives Band 1 and 2 ranking to six lawyers at the Douglas office.

The Guide quotes clients describing Appleby’s Dispute Resolution work as ‘very competent and user-friendly’ and praises the office’s experienced lawyers and access to an international network through the Appleby Global group.

Partner and Litigation & Insolvency Group Head Christopher Cope is among the notable practitioners mentioned in the Guide for Dispute Resolution, receiving a Band 1 ranking. Partner Mark Holligon is also praised, with one referee describing him as ‘commercially minded with a very good understanding of insolvency issues in particular’.

Commenting on the Guide’s findings, Mr Cope said: ‘Being ranked Band 1 for three keys areas of work is a well-deserved recognition of our team in the Isle of Man. As Group Head of the Litigation & Insolvency department, I am particularly proud, especially to read the excellent feedback from clients and peers gathered during the research for this edition of Chambers and Partners’ UK Guide.’

For its Employment work, which is also ranked Band 1, the Appleby team is described by clients as ‘friendly and approachable’ whose work is ‘consistently dealt with professionally and promptly’. One client said: ‘They do what they say and responded very quickly, you are not left guessing what comes next.’

Partner Caren Pegg, who is ranked Band 1, is described by one client as ‘very professional and approachable’, while another notes ‘she has immense memory capacity and is able to become immersed in the case’.

Appleby’s Corporate & Finance department is given Band 1 ranking for its ‘established presence in the Isle of Man market’ and ‘enviable list of internationally notable clients’.

The team is praised for delivering on time and being, in the words of one client, ‘a quality outfit’.

Partner and Isle of Man Corporate Finance Team Leader Simon Cain, who is especially well known for his expertise in capital markets matters, is ranked Band 1 and described as a notable practitioner after receiving comments such as he ‘can be relied upon to get the work done, and the quality of the work is always consistent’.

Partner and Corporate & Commercial Group Head Faye Moffatt and Simon Harding, Partner and Isle of Man Team Leader for the Funds & Investment Services and Insurance teams, are also described as notable practitioners.

The Guide quotes a client as saying Faye ‘takes a very balanced view’ and is a ‘very capable lawyer’. Another source says Simon is ‘an extremely able technical lawyer’ who gives ‘very good, succinct and accurate advice’

Photo - Christopher Cope.