Wealth & Finance International - Business Awards 2015

www.wealthandfinance-intl.com 11 Best for Trust & Dispute Resolution Law - Channel Islands FranckelLaw, established in October, 2008, is a specialist litigation and dispute resolution firm which draws upon the expertise and experience of Advocate Simon Franckel, to provide quality legal services. Simon Franckel commented on what this award means for the firm and how it was achieved. Company: FranckelLaw Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.franckellawjersey.com Telephone: 01534 871212 First of all, how does it feel to have been awarded ‘Best for Trust & Dispute Resolution Law - Channel Islands’? What do you believe are the reasons behind your success? I am delighted with the recognition the efforts of the firm has been given. Receiving this award means a great deal to a small firm such as Franck- elLaw, which does not have the full weight of a marketing department nor a significant marketing budget, to make sure that the industry knows of our existence and the services we have to offer. This award serves to reflect the recognition of the levels of experience, expertise and of course of the services we deliver for our clients in litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in relation to compliance, insolvency, professional negligence, as well as our core experience in trust and fiduciary law. Please give us a brief overview of FranckelLaw, your clients and the services you offer? Whilst we represent clients in relation to a wide range of disputes, we specialize in advice and assistance in relation to trust disputes, as re- flected in this award. Our clients are trustees, HNWI and Protectors. What is your philosophy behind client service? How do you maintain the high standards you set yourselves across your company? Whilst there can be advantages to a larger firm, we firmly believe that in the area of client service we have a real competitive edge. It is our philosophy that the firm’s clients are entitled to high service levels from a fee-earner with whom they are familiar. Our clients appreciate the consistency which we offer in this area. Our quick response times, in meeting our clients’ needs and demands is no small source of pride for those who work at the firm. Existing as a small firm means all of our clients receive a personalised service with lawyers they know and trust and who are more than familiar with what they need from us. This type of consistency can be lost in larger firms who share caseloads regularly amongst a larger staff. We consider this consistency to be a main reason behind our success and client satisfaction. While working in an industry that is constantly changing, what measures do you take to ensure that you are at the forefront of any emerging devel- opments and trends? As we work in an industry which is constantly changing to address new challenges, I believe we benefit from Jersey being a small jurisdiction. The Jersey Legal Information Board reports on all judgments of any significance. The Royal Court is very busy at the moment. The result is an efficient, regular source of significant trust-related decisions, often of relevance beyond this jurisdiction. We also retain good connections with other firms and professional advisers in other jurisdictions, all in the effort to remain at the forefront of emerging developments and trends, ensuring that our services are always ahead of the competition. Please tell us a bit more about your region. What are the challenges and opportunities of being based there? As previously stated, we make the most of making our base in a small jurisdiction. Jersey is of course traditionally a trust-focused jurisdiction and changes in the tax treatment of such structures have from that perspective alone diminished the benefit of trusts. Jersey has chosen to take significant steps to redress its reputation as a secret tax haven. This can and does make it difficult for Jersey structures to compete with similar structures in jurisdictions which are, perhaps, less concerned with their international reputation. However, every challenge brings its own opportunity, and Jersey has survived for many years as a significant financial centre by adapting to the changing market forces. I have no doubt that will remain the case. What does the future hold for your firm? What plans do you have to both maintain and build upon your success? As we look to the future we are certain that FranckelLaw will continue to grow; since we were established, the emphasis has been on steady growth whilst ensuring that we are capable of maintaining the levels of service which our clients have come to expect from us.