Channel Isle crossing for Wedlake Bell partner

A large slice of Wedlake Bell's client base has been shipped across the English Channel with the appointment of Quentin Spicer as senior partner of the firm's Guernsey office.

Spicer, a commercial property lawyer, transferred from Wedlake's London office last week to replace Michael McKean, who opened the Guernsey office in 1986.

McKean will remain with the firm as a consultant.

Spicer said most of his clients had decided to stay with him because his expertise in offshore matters would give them the opportunity to make investments overseas.

The Channel Islands office largely handles offshore and tax-related matters, administers offshore companies and trusts, and provides asset protection and tax efficient structures for individuals.

It also runs a Guernsey-based trust company enabling sophisticated offshore tax structures for both UK and non-UK resident clients.

The office at St Peter Port has seven fee earners, two of whom are partners and five of whom are UK-qualified.

Spicer, who has been a partner at Wedlakes since 1969, said he did not plan to change the structure of the Guernsey office too much.

He said: "It works very well as it is. It is the only law firm in Guernsey which has its doors open to everybody."