Mourant du Feu & Jeune opens legal practice in Guernsey

24.01.2006

Mourant du Feu & Jeune opens the doors of its new Guernsey legal practice on 26th January 2006.

Initially it will specialise exclusively in international financial business. In particular, its focus will be establishing and advising on private equity, property and hedge funds, complementing Mourant’s existing Guernsey fund administration business.

It builds on Mourant’s award-winning Jersey law practice, which is the clear market leader as adviser of funds domiciled and serviced in Jersey, according to market analysts Lipper Fitzrovia.

The new Guernsey practice is led by Darren Bacon, who joins Mourant du Feu & Jeune from Carey Olsen. He also has experience in the securities and investments group of Lovells in London and as an in-house lawyer at an investment bank. He is joined by Guernsey Advocate Kathryn Christie, formerly of Collas Day.

Darren Bacon said: ’For me this is a great opportunity to work for a "magic circle" offshore law firm and to establish a new business in Guernsey. I see the future being very bright for offshore firms, with several growth areas including alternative investment funds.’

The new practice is the latest stage in Mourant’s strategy of expanding its jurisdictional reach. Mourant entered the Guernsey fund administration market in 2002 and has rapidly become a significant player.

Mourant du Feu & Jeune, which was awarded The Lawyer’s Offshore Law Firm of the Year Award in 2004 and again in 2005, acted for 45 of the FTSE 100 in the year to 1 July 2005.