“Simcocks’ team is skilled in handling a wide array of commercial property work, such as acquisitions and disposals, leases, financing and development agreements”
Legal 500 2022
The laws surrounding commercial property are complex. Understanding the issues and taking legal advice at the outset of acquiring or disposing of premises can help you avoid the pitfalls and potential disputes that may arise.
The Isle of Man is known as a leading international offshore financial centre which has resulted in a number of businesses setting up and relocating here. This has led to substantial growth in the commercial property sector.
At Simcocks, the Property Department is long established and has extensive experience of the Isle of Man law’s complexities, putting you in a stronger position to negotiate the right solution for your business.
We are equipped to deal with all aspects concerning commercial and residential property, agricultural holdings and estates, including acquisitions, financing, sales, development agreements, management and leasing.
We also work in conjunction with our litigation department to enforce securities principally in cases involving business organisations.
We are sensitive to the complex commercial aims and pressures of clients wishing to secure a transaction or maximise a property opportunity. Our property team prides itself in adopting a proactive approach to negotiations to ensure that clients are able to conclude deals quickly, whilst being protected by appropriate legal documentation.
Our versatility in the commercial property sector and awareness of current trends in the market, ensures that our client base continues to grow. We understand the issues that commercial agents and developers, landlords and tenants face and we are here to help.
Simcocks has the ability to handle the full range of your commercial property needs, whether simple or complex, large or small, local or national. With a highly experienced team of lawyers and conveyancers, we bring a practical and focused approach to commercial property Isle of Man transactions.
As Manx land law differs greatly from that of other jurisdictions it is strongly recommended that advocates are involved at a very early stage in projects concerning any form of Isle of Man estate planning.
Contact Irini Newby for assistance with your commercial property queries.
“We can only recommend their expertise and proactive approach to anyone looking for no nonsense advice that delivers.”
Legal 500 testimonial, 2026
Every business can face financial difficulties: it may be due to changing economic conditions, unforeseen events, misjudgements or mismanagement.
Simcocks has a dedicated team of lawyers providing advice on business restructuring and insolvency. We represent individuals and businesses, both locally and with a cross-jurisdictional dimension to their business dealings.
We advise on every aspect of the restructuring of companies and the recovery of assets in the context of contentious and non-contentious insolvency issues. Our work includes reorganisation and reconstruction, distressed finance, refinancing, receivership, voluntary arrangements and liquidation.
Simcocks offers its clients realistic and innovative solutions and so when necessary, our lawyers will call upon additional experts in fields such as banking, capital markets, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, employment and property to work on restructuring and insolvency matters.
We also act for trustees in bankruptcy, bankrupts’ creditors and those with other interests in individual insolvencies. Much of this type of work also involves cross-border and multi-jurisdictional issues.
Our advocates have experience dealing with a number of substantial schemes of arrangement, debt restructuring and corporate rescues.
The team regularly work with under-performing businesses and their directors, insolvency practitioners, accountants, trustees and company directors advising them as to their duties, options and responsibilities.
We understand the need for a fast and responsive service without losing sight of the commercial realities of what can be a difficult and complex situation. We offer pragmatic and timely advice which takes into account the individuality of each case.
At Simcocks you will receive sensible advice and risk analysis, high-quality project management and a refreshing sense of calm under pressure.
Areas Of Advice
- Asset and debt recovery
- Bankruptcies
- Partnership issues, including restructuring and disputes
- Restructuring and schemes of arrangement
- Employment matters relating to company insolvency
- Directors’ duties
- Winding up orders
- Cross-jurisdictional issues
- Security reviews
Contact Irini Newby, Chris Brooks, Michael Mudge or Charlotte Ronan for assistance with your restructuring or insolvency queries.
The Manx Shipping Register is separate from that of the UK, yet is still a part of the British Register. The advantages of this situation mean Manx registered ships fly the Red Ensign and are treated with the privileges which this extends; their owners benefit from the favourable legislative climate and low fees applied by the Isle of Man government and, importantly, no tonnage charges are levied.
The Isle of Man has significant expertise in ship management. Managers range from local subsidiaries of major oil companies such as BP and Shell and other major fleet operators such as Maersk, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement and Döhle to companies providing specialist management services for private and commercial yachts.
Simcocks is capable of advising on most ship management Isle of Man matters and works with ship owners, managers, charterers, shipyards, traders, banks and insurers.
The team has worked on the registration, sale and purchase of many types of ship and also the sale and purchase of ship-owning companies. We regularly work on high-value, complex transactions with cross-border dimensions. We have considerable experience in maritime finance and work with banks and financiers in connection with the financing of new builds, purchases and the preparation and registration of related security documents.
Our corporate and commercial lawyers also assist with all aspects of mergers and acquisitions (ranging from contractual arrangements and regulatory compliance to financing) and in appropriate cases assist in the redomiciliation of companies incorporated in other jurisdictions to the Isle of Man. We also assist with corporate restructuring and insolvency.
Simcocks has also acted for ship owners, underwriters, financiers and lawyers from other jurisdictions in litigation matters brought in the Isle of Man. Our Dispute Resolution department assists in matters such as banking litigation, injunctions and freezing orders, personal injury claims and asset tracing in addition to general commercial disputes.
The team also works in the “super” and “mega” yachts sector and has good contacts with many of the specialist managers in this industry. We advise clients on finance and leasing, ownership structures, sale and purchase, chartering, insurance, management agreements as well as operating, crewing and employment issues for commercial and private owners.
Simcocks is a member of the Isle of Man Maritime Group and the Isle of Man Superyacht Forum.
“Simcocks has a broad team of extremely able litigators and advisors with significant depth of knowledge individually.”
Chambers & Partners HNW Guide 2024
With well-recognised trusts legislation, courts well qualified to adjudicate on fiduciary matters and a solid banking and accounting infrastructure, the Isle of Man is a leading trusts jurisdiction.
Trusts are useful for financial planning purposes, to provide for the orderly administration of a family’s assets or to enable certain assets to be managed on behalf of those who would be unable to do so for themselves.
Simcocks’ Isle of Man trust lawyers have been consistently recognised as leaders in the field of trusts advice work on structures governed by Isle of Man law.
Simcocks’ Isle of Man trusts team acts for many different types of client from corporate trustees to families, high net worth individuals and legal and accounting intermediaries.
As one of the key players in the offshore arena, Simcocks advises local and international families in protecting and managing their wealth, Simcocks delivers exceptional results through our technical proficiency.
The team are used to working across a number of different jurisdictions and coordinating with consultants in a variety of countries.
The team is led by Phil Games who is highly experienced in the trusts and private client field. He is an acknowledged expert and is recommended, together with other members of the trusts team, in both Chambers UK and The Legal 500 publications. Many members of our trusts team are members of The Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners.
The trusts team works closely with lawyers from the litigation and private client teams where necessary. Our Isle of Man litigation lawyers have been involved in substantial and complex international trust disputes.
Areas of Expertise:
- Trust Drafting
- Trust Advice on all aspects of Isle of Man trusts law, including in relation to establishing, restructuring and winding up of trusts
- Foundation drafting and establishment
- Establishment of Isle of Man Charitable Trusts (and other forms of Isle of Man Charity)
- Corporate Advice to structures underlying Trusts and Foundations
- Purpose Trusts
- Private Trust Companies and Family Offices
- Regulatory Issues.
“Fantastic service by Christopher Brooks. The issue was resolved promptly and beyond my expectations.”
Client
Simcocks for Employees
We can help employees with a full range of employment advice covering all workplace issues including:
- Unfair Dismissal
- Unlawful Deductions from pay
- Whistleblowing
- Discrimination and Equality
- Redundancy
- Injuries at work
- Settlement agreements
- Restrictive Covenants
- Immigration
Click on the links for more information.
Our Approach
Employment situations can be extremely upsetting and worrying. We understand and appreciate this and will try to give you objective advice on your situation in a compassionate and friendly manner.
Our first task will be to advise you on where you stand. Whilst some guidance can be obtained from Manx Industrial Relations Service, legal advice will help you understand more clearly where you stand. This could be whether you have a claim, when you have been, or are about to be, dismissed; whether you should resign and claim constructive dismissal, or whether what you are being offered to leave is a fair amount.
Where possible, we will explore whether it is possible to resolve any dispute out of Court or Tribunal. We will look to explore conciliation and settlement possibilities wherever that is advisable, and we are very good at achieving successful negotiated outcomes, that mean that Court can be avoided. Often this can be done even when the employee has already been presented with a settlement agreement; and very often the cost of our advice is considerably lower than the benefits that we secure for our client in a settlement agreement.
If an early settlement is not possible then you may need to make a claim in the Employment and Equality Tribunal. Making a claim is free of charge but can be both daunting, stressful and involve a considerable amount of law, and it is very important to your prospects that you frame the claim in the right way. Simcocks can guide you through the process with cost effective strategic advice as to how best to make and present your claim. Our advocates regularly provide expert representation at all stages of the process.
In short, Simcocks can provide expert advice on whether you have a claim and what you should do next.
Funding and Proportionality
Simcocks will always consider with you the proportionality of taking legal advice or action and will aim to ensure, so far as possible, that you receive positive financial benefit from our service.
We will consider with you what your claim is worth, how our advice can be funded, what it is likely to cost and how you can achieve the best outcome for you.
Contact Chris Brooks on enquiries@simcocks.com now to discuss.
Christopher is brilliant. He listens and provides support throughout and gives very clear advice.
Chambers & Partners UK Guide 2026
However well prepared your business, no employer can absolutely guard against the possibility of a claim
And if your business is threatened with or served with a claim then Simcocks is well placed to provide expert advice as to how to defend it. Simcocks can advise you of the most cost effective route to avoiding civil or reputational loss either in the High Court or in Tribunal. A case is often won and lost on meticulous preparation of evidence and legal argument and Simcocks will provide you with the best advice as to how to respond to any claim situation. Our advice will be detailed and clear.
Often, disputes with employees can be successfully conciliated. This is often, but not always, a good way of resolving matters – given that employers are highly unlikely to recover any of their legal or management costs of defending an Employment Tribunal claim. We are able to advise on whether you should or should not compromise and provide advice on a suitable settlement agreement to ensure that any further claims are prevented.
Contact Chris Brooks now for expert guidance.
Some more specialist examples of the areas we can assist with are set out below:
Employee Competition and Loss of Data
It is sadly the case that employers cannot always trust employees to act in their best interests and occasionally an employee may be tempted to download confidential data for their own purposes or to cause the employer harm. Further, the employee may wish to set up in competition with the employer and look to poach clients or suppliers or employees. Simcocks can assist in advance with the drafting of suitable restrictive covenants to be incorporated into employment contracts to mitigate or reduce this potential.
Where data has already been taken or misused, Simcocks can advise on emergency action needed to mitigate or prevent the use of data by the rogue employee through emergency Court action and investigation into the activities of the worker.
Advice on employee investigations can be given in other context to where there is a suspicion of wrongdoing on the part of a member of staff.
Equality Advice
Isle of Man law provides protection for workers so that they are not discriminated against on the basis of protected characteristics. These protected characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Disabled persons have a right to expect that reasonable adjustments will be made for them in the workplace. The extent of this right may be the subject of dispute and the answer to the question ‘What is reasonable?’ may be unclear.
It is important that employers understand their responsibilities and seek appropriate preventative advice to fulfil them.
In addition, where a claim is threatened or brought it is important that the organisation is able to take early specialist advice to ensure the best possible outcome. Such situations can be very costly for employers if not handled correctly.
Whistleblowing
Additionally, organisations need to have appropriate procedures in place to deal with whistleblowing by workers and most ensure that these policies and procedures actually function in practice. If a situation develops that is likely to lead to a claim or through which a claim arises, then it is very important that employers take early appropriate advice to mitigate the chances of a successful claim against them being maintained. This is very important because the cost to organisations can be considerable from successful claims as there is no statutory cap to compensation in protected disclosure or health and safety related cases and awards can be very large.
Data Protection Subject Access Requests
When employees make Subject Access Requests, significant work can result for their employers. It is very important that the correct documents are disclosed failing which there can be civil or regulatory consequences. Our Commercial Department regularly advise on the strategy and requirements in dealing with such requests. Contact Alex Spencer for more information.
Other Employee Issues
Simcocks can readily advise on a wide range of other employer/employee issues and disputes. When choosing an Advocate, it is important to choose a firm which has appropriate experience in this specialist area and Simcocks is able to give you the guidance that you need to deal with all employment situations. Spending time and money on human resources should be a fundamental part of any business. We will look to give you the best possible support in the most cost-effective way.
Call Chris for more details of how we can help with any contentious matters.
Employment contracts often contain provisions restricting employees from working for or helping a competitor after they have ceased to be an employee. These clauses can include prohibitions on competing with the employer but also on dealing with customers or suppliers of the company on behalf of a competitor or prohibitions on soliciting or enticing away existing customers or suppliers.
There may also be prohibitions on the use of confidential information such as client lists or technical knowhow that the employee has received through working at the company.
However, some such clauses are void on grounds of public policy as the Courts generally don’t want to prevent legitimate business activity.
It can therefore be difficult to know whether you do or do not need to abide by a provision in your contract restricting what you can do when you have left your present employment.
For advice on whether these restrictions and clauses are enforceable, take expert legal advice from Simcocks. Call Irini or Chris to discuss.
Your employer may be offering you a settlement agreement to compromise your employment rights. This may be part of a voluntary redundancy package or it may be because relations have broken down and you have been asked to leave.
Simcocks are able to provide expert advice as to:
- whether the settlement agreement is in your interests,
- What your position would be if you didn’t sign it
- Whether it is correctly drafted so as to protect your position.
- We can often negotiate a better outcome than that initially offered.
- We work with Manx Industrial Relations Service to secure the best outcome for you.
- Often your employer might offer you a sum for legal advice for the settlement agreement.
Call Chris for more details of how we can improve the sum you receive and check the drafting of the Settlement Agreement.
