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