People
Our team is very important to us. Our values of friendly professional service, and putting you the client first, means that we recruit people that you want to work with.
We do not have chargeable targets which means that we are always looking out for you and aiming to provide the best service we can.
Our Team
James Mews
Managing Partner
Simon Walker
Counsel
Kate Hamilton
Senior Associate
James has twenty one years’ legal experience. He advises a broad range of clients on banking, corporate and commercial, regulatory, litigation and private client matters and has played a major part in the development of Jersey’s financial services laws.
In private practice James has advised many global businesses in matters across the board drawing on his unique experience of Jersey’s laws, having developed many of them prior to moving to private practice.
James led and participated in working parties in the private client arena including creating the Jersey foundation, and recent trusts amendments. In the regulatory sphere, James has been significantly involved in new legislation over the last 15 years including AML developments, the creation of civil fining powers for the regulator and the creation of the Jersey ombudsman. He developed Jersey’s banking laws including bank transfer arrangements, SEPA, the creation of a deposit compensation scheme, and a bank resolution law.
James has been an active contributor to the Jersey Bankers Association and the Jersey Association of Trust Companies on legal matters, and spoken at many seminars relating to financial services from private client, to banking and insolvency issues. He recently chaired an event at a Cambridge International Symposium on AML and banking matters including senior representatives from the Bank of England and leading UK, European and American lawyers.
James is an Advisor to the Jersey Deposit Compensation Scheme Board and has represented the Board on international matters including the International Association of Deposit Insurers.
James previously led a team of lawyers in the Chief Ministers Department as the Director, Finance Industry Development. Prior to that, he was Senior Counsel in the Enforcement Division of the Jersey Financial Services Commission advising on regulatory matters.
Other Interests
James loves sport and music, but he finds himself much better at sitting than running so it's a good job that he enjoys music. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends as well as helping a charity called Music in Action which provides education to the island’s children and outreach to care homes. If he does have time, he watches football or tennis and is trying to progress from “couch potato to 5k runner”.
Career & Qualifications
University of Cambridge (MA (Hons)) 1995
University of Cambridge (LL.M), 1996
Inns of Court School of Law (BVC) 1997
Called to the Bar of England and Wales 1997
Jersey Advocate Qualifying Examinations, Institute of Law, Jersey 2012
Previously employed by Mayer Brown, the Jersey Financial Services Commission, the States of Jersey and Pinel Advocates
Professional Bodies
Member of the General Council of the Bar for England and Wales
Member of Lincoln’s Inn
Law Society of Jersey
Simon brings significant legal experience in roles across the areas of litigation, corporate and commercial law, and private client.
Since graduating in law from Clare College, Cambridge Simon qualified as a solicitor with Forsters LLP in 1999, being amongst the first cohort of trainees at the newly formed firm, recognised as one of the leading Private Client and Property firms in the City.
Simon's career included working at US law firm Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw, where he trained as a Solicitor Advocate, and in-house at Barclays/ Barclaycard.
Simon has advised on matters across a variety of jurisdictions, including Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, United States of America and South Africa.
Simon's expertise lies in risk management and mitigation, with a particular focus on dispute resolution, data protection and private client, and general corporate and commercial matters.
Most recently Simon has worked within the educational sphere to support the establishment of multi-academy trusts, as well as procurement, public finance initiatives and employee relations. Simon has represented clients in all levels of the courts of England and Wales, including the Insolvency Courts, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Other Interests
Simon is a passionate footballer although his liking for food has made him a much better manager than player. When not cheering on his beloved team in red, he is often found lamenting the poor tactics of international coaches.
Career & Qualifications
University of Cambridge (MA (Hons)) 1996
University of Cambridge (LL.M), 1997
Legal Practice Course (LPC) 1998
Admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales 1999
Previously employed by Forsters, Mayer Brown & Barclaycard
Kate undertakes a range of commercial property, corporate, commercial, trust and fund matters.
Kate has qualified as a Solicitor of England and Wales in 2002 and has worked at leading regional firms, gaining extensive experience in commercial property, development and high value residential transactions, as well as providing property support to Private Client, Family, Insolvency and Corporate teams.
Since returning to Jersey, while keeping commercial property as her core specialism, Kate has enjoyed the challenge of learning Jersey law and broadening her areas of practice. In a previous firm she developed and led a new residential property team, as well as gaining several years’ experience in corporate commercial, trust and charities legal work.
Other Interests
Kate loves being at home, and enjoying the island in every weather, with her husband, children and dogs. Relaxation involves getting creative with a paintbrush, graphic design software or through music, and Kate would love to have the time to tread the boards, once again. Weekends are often spent cooking up a feast for family friends, and hosting house-guests. She has a staff role in children’s work at a local church and co-leads an outreach ministry for adults with learning disabilities.
Career & Qualifications
University of Nottingham (BA) 1999
The College of Law (LPC) 2000
Admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales 2002
Previously employed by Cripps LLP, Stephens Scown & Pinel Advocates