Simcocks Advocates

Simcocks Advocates is a British law firm with its principal office in the Isle of Man. It is one of the Island’s leading offshore legal practices.

Profile

Simcocks is one of the biggest law firms on the Isle of Man.^[1] Phil Games is the Chief Executive. Clients include small to medium enterprises, multi-nationals, regulators, and non-governmental organisations and private individuals. The company has six directors Christopher Arrowsmith, Amy Coole, Phil Games, Irini Newby, Alex Spencer and David Spencer.

History

Alfred Howard Simcocks was born in the Isle of Man on December 20, 1915 at the Rushen Abbey Hotel, Ballasalla, and was always known as Howard. He was educated at the Buchan School and King William’s College.^[2] Howard was halfway through his accountancy articles in 1939 when he volunteered to enlist in the Manx Regiment.^[3] He served in the desert and was blinded in May 1944 at the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy.

He spent some time recuperating at St Dunstan’s rehabilitation centre^[4] in Shropshire before returning to the Isle of Man. He became a law student with the help and support of retired Attorney General, Ramsey Moore. He qualified and was formally admitted to the Bar as a Manx Advocate in August 1948. Howard passed his exams by dictating his answers to a clerk in the Rolls Office.

Helen Kinvig became his secretary and was to be his eyes and ears for the rest of his working life. In the 1950s Howard acquired a tandem and Miss Kinvig used to "drive" him to the Castletown office from Ballasalla and back.

In 1949 Howard and Advocate Stanley Allen went into partnership. They used their names and borrowed part of an established name to help launch their fledgling business which later became the Simcocks brand. Outside of the legal arena Howard took part in many activities. He was a member of the Abbey Choir and composed verses for members to sing to alongside well–known tunes at church concerts. He was a Parochial Church Council member and a churchwarden for many years. Howard became a member of Malew Parish Commissioners and was an MHK for Rushen from 1956 to 1974.

He was also a member of the Legislative Council.^[5] He served on many boards of Tynwald, latterly as chairman of the Water Authority. He was also an active member of the Royal British Legion and was awarded an MBE. He also contributed many newspaper articles on the Manx political scene.

Howard practised as an advocate until 1990 when he retired to Winchester. He died in January 1995. His ashes are buried in Malew Parish Church yard.

Main practice areas

The firm's main areas of practice are banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, private client and property. The company also boasts recognised niche expertise in shipping, employment, film, space, insurance and re-insurance. Researchers from Chambers and Partners^[6] have highlighted Christopher Arrowsmith, Phil Games, Irini Newby, Kevin O’Loughlin, Alex Spencer, David Spencer and Amy Coole as key individuals.

Regarding Corporate and Finance researchers have said: “Simcocks attracts complex work from big–name clients. Sources are impressed with its ability to fit technical advice within a commercial framework. M&A work may have decreased slightly, but the corporate and commercial team is handling an increased volume of restructuring and refinancing work. The firm also has strength in funds, trusts, financial services regulation and ancillary areas like employment. The corporate group was involved in legal issues arising from the Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander collapse, and continues to act for Flybe".

Researchers have also said: “The litigation team has won praise from clients and peers for its expertise and approach. The firm has a broad range of experience, including general commercial litigation, trust litigation, fraud and asset tracing, cross-jurisdictional disputes and family law.” Researchers from the independent legal directory, The Legal 500^[7] have recommended some of the company's lawyers - David Spencer, Alex Spencer, Irini Newby, Chris Arrowsmith, Phil Games, Peter Chemaly and Kevin O'Loughlin.

In 2012 Simcocks expanded its services to be able to advise individual and institutional clients on all aspects of BVI law. In addition to having BVI lawyers based in the Isle of Man Simcocks forged a special working relationship with Samuels Richardson, a BVI law firm, for circumstances when localised "on the ground" advice is required.

References

External links

• Simcocks Advocates
• Isle of Man Law Society