Things that nourish me:
Time with my partner, my family and close friends / laughter, especially when unplanned / my dog - his constancy, character and uncomplicated presence / travel, and the quiet satisfaction of getting home again to Jersey / hotel rooms and the calm of temporary order / utilitarian elegance - objects that are beautiful but have purpose / quiet luxury and thoughtful design / order and organisation as a way of thinking, not just a way of living / people, and the equal value of my own space / buying, reading and shelving cookbooks / cooking for people I care about / real fires on miserable days / a genuinely good read / being on horseback, fully present / a trip to London for its energy, galleries and theatre / my favourite restaurant, returned to often / champagne (never prosecco) - always shared, always the right moment
Expertise
Humanity
I have long been drawn to Jersey’s distinctive history and its deeply rooted legal culture. That interest led me to study history and law at the University of Sussex, where I graduated with a first-class honours degree. I went on to pass the English Bar examinations with distinction and completed pupillage at a general common law set in London, gaining broad and rigorous experience across both advocacy and advisory practice.
The opportunity to return to Jersey was one I embraced with enthusiasm. I joined Bailhache Labesse (later Appleby), and was admitted to the partnership shortly after obtaining my Advocacy qualification at the age of 27. Over time, my practice developed across a wide range of contentious and private client matters, and I later assumed the role of office managing partner. That experience provided invaluable insight into the governance, culture and strategic direction of a substantial legal practice, as well as a clear understanding of how the expectations of local clients were evolving.
By 2013, it had become apparent to me that a growing segment of the local market was underserved. Individuals and owner-managed businesses were seeking legal advice that combined technical rigour with accessibility, clarity and genuine engagement. I founded my own firm that year to meet that need, with the ambition of creating a practice built on technical excellence, clear communication and a strong service ethos, focused on long-term client relationships rather than one-off transactions. In 2016, that practice evolved into what is now BCR.
Since those early days, the firm has grown significantly in both scale and capability. I continue to maintain a varied practice, including selected litigation, advisory and private client work, as well as complex and high-value family matters. What I value most, however, is acting as a trusted adviser to private clients, supporting them through different stages of life and helping them navigate legal complexity with clarity, judgement and foresight.
Those founding principles established in 2013 remain central to the firm’s values and continue to underpin how we operate today, shaping both the advice we give and the way we work with our clients. Making a positive and lasting difference remains at the heart of everything I do, and of the culture of the firm we have built.
I was born and raised in Jersey, in a family where some relatives still spoke Jèrriais. I am proud of my Jersey heritage and a strong advocate for all that the island has to offer, from its sense of community to its remarkable landscape and local produce. I cannot point to a single defining moment when I decided to become a lawyer, but the idea took root early and that early exposure undoubtedly helped shape what became a lifelong profession.
Outside my legal practice, I have a long-standing passion for food and cooking. I have an ever-growing collection of cookbooks - now closer to a reference library - and enjoy nothing more than discovering a new recipe to try out on willing (and occasionally unsuspecting) dinner guests. I also have a deep interest in wine, and in champagne in particular. Time spent seeking out new bottles, exploring vintages and adding to my cellar is never wasted, and I take as much pleasure in sharing wine as I do in discovering it.
Travel is another enduring interest and a welcome counterbalance to professional life. I particularly enjoy exploring Europe, with Italy remaining a firm favourite for its food, art, culture and relaxed approach to time. I am also drawn further afield, especially to Africa, which holds a special place for me through friends and family, and for the perspective it offers. I am a keen horse rider and have owned polo ponies in both England and South Africa, playing to a modest level. I have also been fortunate to explore parts of Europe, Africa and South America on horseback - experiences that are as likely to involve dust, early mornings and questionable comforts as they are unforgettable scenery and exceptional food.
These interests help keep me grounded, curious and balanced. They reflect a belief in enjoying life, valuing good company and maintaining perspective - principles that quietly but consistently inform how I approach both my professional and personal life.