Our Achievements

We feel that we have achieved when we deliver results to our clients, but how do you know that we can deliver? We’re pleased that we have received a significant number of independent endorsements. These recognise our impressive reputation within our specialist areas.

Two of the leading independent reviews of the legal world are the Legal 500 and Chambers directories.  Here is a selection of what they have said about us:

Legal 500 (2010)

In Commercial and banking, AO HALL is a third tier firm: "AO Hall fields an active restructuring practice but is also branching out into general corporate matters and M&A under the leadership of Sam Shires."

In Investment funds, AO Hall is banded as tier 4:  "AO Hall's Sam Shires is valued for his ‘ability to adapt to a constantly adjusting financial environment’. Shires advised on the establishment of a new closed-ended umbrella fund, The International Investments PCC."

In Dispute resolution, AO HALL is a third tier firm:  "Specialist contentious firm AO Hall scores points for its ‘excellent level of service’, with Alison Ozanne singled out as ‘outstanding’, and new associate Charles Moore praised for his ‘ability to grasp the situation quickly’. Trust and insurance litigation are key areas."

In Employment, AO HALL is a first tier firm: "AO Hall attracts outstanding feedback; for some it is ‘the best on the island for employment’ and ‘on a par with London firms’, and it has a reputation for responsiveness and in-depth knowledge. Non-contentious specialist Louise Hall is ‘the benchmark for employment lawyers’, and Elaine Gray has an ‘excellent manner in court’. The firm shines across redundancy issues, constructive dismissal claims and corporate support work."

Legal 500 (2009)  

In Corporate, “AO Hall is active in restructuring, and Sam Shires has ‘a commercial approach’” and “AO Hall’s Sam Shires has growing market visibility”.

In Dispute Resolution, “AO Hall’s ‘excellent’ team has been boosted by the promotion to the partnership of the ‘extremely good’ Jon Barclay and Elaine Gray. . . Name partner Alison Ozanne is ‘widely respected, effective in court’, and has a multi-jurisdictional banking litigation practice”. 

In Employment, “AO Hall’s ‘superb’ Louise Hall is the leading non-contentious employment lawyer in Guernsey, while newly promoted partner Elaine Gray ‘knows her stuff’ in employment litigation. Large financial institutions dominate Hall’s client base, and she is active in advising on redundancies”.

In Intellectual Property, “Elaine Gray . . . has a focus on IP and has ‘shown great enthusiasm for progressing the IP environment in Guernsey’”. 

We are ranked in Tier 3 for Commercial and Banking, Tier 2 for Dispute Resolution and Tier 1 for Employment. Alison Ozanne and Louise Hall are rated as “Leading Individuals”.

Chambers Europe (2009) 

In Dispute Resolution, “‘They bring City standards to Guernsey’. The highly sought-after Alison Ozanne has ‘good commercial sense and excellent knowledge of Guernsey procedure’. . . She is praised for being approachable and for providing ‘practical, useful advice that is not shrouded in legalese’. . . Jon Barclay acts on a broad range of disputes, including insolvency, trusts, fraud and asset tracing, while also advising on regulatory matters. According to interviewees, he is ‘developing a real flair for the game – he will be very prominent in years to come’”.

In Employment, “One of the few firms to have a specialist employment team . . . Louise Hall is a popular choice for any employment work in Guernsey . . . Elaine Gray has expertise in contentious and non-contentious employment”. 

We are ranked as a Leading Firm in Band 3 for Dispute Resolution and Band 1 for Employment.  Alison Ozanne, Jon Barclay, Louise Hall and Elaine Gray are rated as “Leading Individuals”. 

Chambers UK (2009)  

In Dispute Resolution, “Alison Ozanne heads the group and specialises in litigation involving trusts, banking, corporate disputes, money laundering, insolvency and insurance; she also has an active mediation practice. Jon Barclay recently joined . . . and is ‘a talented, accomplished lawyer who has a strong presence in court’”. 

We are ranked in Band 3, ahead of larger rivals, for Dispute Resolution. 

Citywealth Leaders List (2010)

Citywealth is a leading publication for the global wealth management sector.  In Contentious Trusts, Alison Ozanne, Elaine Gray and Jon Barclay are all ranked as Leading Lawyers in the category “Prominent Individuals”.