Things that nourish me:
Spending time with my family / Reading books about History (primarily from Roman Empire through to the end of WW2 (broad I know) / Rifle target shooting / Football / International rugby / Christmas / Summer / Mountains / Lego / Trains / A good scotch whisky / Mulled wine.
Expertise
Humanity
Ashley is a specialist construction and commercial lawyer with a broad practice spanning both contentious and non-contentious matters in the Construction sector and the wider local business community. He advises contractors, developers, commercial organisations, and Arms-Length Organisations connected to government, offering clear and commercially focused guidance across complex project and regulatory environments.
Ashley qualified as an English Solicitor in 2016 and an Advocate of the Royal Court of Jersey in 2023. Prior to joining the firm in 2019 he worked in house at a local civil engineering company. This hands-on experience gives him a strong understanding of constructions processes, project risk, contract administration and commercial realities, which continues to inform his pragmatic approach to legal advice.
With expertise extending across construction law, commercial contracts, employment and discrimination matters, regulatory compliance, data-protection issues, corporate transactions and criminal legal aid, Ashley offers clients an unusually broad and integrated service. This cross-disciplinary experience enables him to provide a "one stop shop" for businesses and industry participants seeking joined up, commercially focussed legal support.
In his non-contentious construction practice, Ashley has experience of preparing and negotiation JCT and NEC contracts, collateral warranties, and sub-contractor appointments. He also assists clients with planning appeals.
On the contentious side, Ashley advises clients on disputes emanating from various construction projects, advising on contractual rights and dispute-avoidance strategies.
Alongside his construction expertise, Ashley has a well-established employment law practice, advising both employers and employees on on discrimination matters, capability processes, grievances, disciplinary procedures, redundancy consultations and the negotiation of settlement and compromise agreements. He has represented employers in discrimination cases and regularly deliver training on employment law issues.
His wider regulatory and commercial experience includes supporting clients through investigations by the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner, providing data protection compliance advice. Ashley also advises on business acquisitions and disposals, succession planning for local businesses, and general commercial contracts.
Ashley is also an accredited member of the Jersey Criminal Legal Aid scheme and is able to assist clients with criminal matters and representation during police interviews.
Recognised for his clarity, sector knowledge, and solutions-drive approach, Ashley provides reliable, practical legal support to clients across Jersey.
I became interested in pursuing a career in law when I had the opportunity to study law at A Level at Hautlieu. My teacher at the time encouraged me to obtain some work experience in a law firm as studying the law is very different to practicing the law!
I secured some work experience at a local law firm. I must have made a good impression as I was awarded a Bursary from them, which continued to be renewed all the way through my University and Post-Graduate career.
I remember that I was asked to sit opposite this new Associate who had recently joined. Who would have known that 11 years later that Associate is now my boss (Jeremy Heywood).
When it came to choosing my University degree I obviously sought counsel of the lawyers that I had met at this law firm. The overriding advice I received was do not study law. If you are going to practice law, you will have the rest of your career to master that. Instead they advocated that I study something different. Ultimately this would also help my CV stand out.
I ultimately chose Archaeology at the University of York as I had always had a fascination with ancient structures, particularly Roman and York is a fantastic place to study given its historical significance, particularly during the Roman Empire. Archaeology and Law do have transferrable skills; albeit I have not, as yet, found a need to use a trowel whilst practising Law!
Upon completing my Archaeology degree, I made the short commute to Leeds where I completed my legal studies. I returned to Jersey in 2014 and completed my training contract with a local firm. I joined BCR Law in January 2019. When I was sworn in as an Advocate I became the first Quenault to do so (about time given we have lived on this Island since at least the 16th Century!).
My role is primarily to help people and businesses through difficulty and uncertainty, to help resolve disputes, and to obtain the best result in all the circumstances.
I seek to help people, whatever situation they find themselves in, without judging them or their situation, and seek to do so by providing practical, pragmatic advice that is easy to understand.