“Caroline Jennings has always been there to help and advise me through the whole procedure. I am extremely grateful for all her hard work and patient in dealing with matter. Thank you.”
Client
Simcocks has an experienced Family Law team with specialist skills in all aspects of what has become an increasingly complex and challenging area of the law.
We work closely with experts across Simcocks in corporate, trust and property law to provide a complete service for our clients. We are committed to the resolution of family problems by negotiation and conciliation wherever possible and have a high success rate in negotiating favourable settlements on behalf of our clients.
Our expertise lies in the ability to mix robust and rigorous litigation skills inside the courtroom with effective negotiation outside.
Divorce and Separation
The ending of a marriage or civil partnership can be a distressing time whether you have made the decision or your spouse has made it for you. We recognise the stress that accompanies the breakdown of a relationship and offer specialist, sensitive and practical advice.
We are able to issue divorce or dissolution proceedings on your behalf and in the event of you receiving a divorce or dissolution application we can deal with this quickly to protect your interests. We are able to provide advice on other options available to you such as separation agreements.
Our practitioners are accustomed to advising in complex financial cases often with an international dimension. We can take any necessary steps to bring financial claims, including the obtaining of interim orders to protect assets and/or compel proper disclosure of relevant documents and information.
We often liaise with lawyers in other jurisdictions to deal with cases where there are assets in more than one country, sometimes held through companies, trusts or other asset protection structures.
Children
When a relationship breaks down we can help you safeguard the interests of your children. This may be through negotiation, mediation or by an application to the court.
We provide practical advice and assistance designed to minimise upheaval and disruption and aim to ensure your child’s welfare is the primary consideration.
Some parents are unsure how to tell their children about their separation or divorce and we often guide parents to the Resolution website which includes a very comprehensive advice centre for parents.
Simcocks has considerable experience in advising parents, whether married or unmarried, in relation to the whole range of private law matters involving children. We are also accustomed to dealing with matters that have an international element.
We also have the expertise to represent parents and children who have become involved in public law proceedings brought by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Cohabitation
If you are intending to live with someone, but are not married, Simcocks can draw up an agreement reflecting your intentions.
At present in the Isle of Man, there is relatively little legislation governing the breakdown of relationships between unmarried couples who live together, in contrast to divorcing couples. As a result, there is very little legal protection for cohabitees. Cohabitation agreements can increase your legal protection in the event of separation.
If your relationship breaks down and you have not been married or in a civil partnership, we have the expertise to advise you on the rights that you do have. We can guide and represent you through issues including claims based on interest in property or land, or for financial provision for children, which may be in addition to child maintenance.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Prenuptial agreements are entered into before marriage with the intention of providing a framework for the division of property in the event of a divorce. They are increasingly popular as a means of increasing financial certainty in the event of separation, but also as an important part of wealth and estate planning. This is a rapidly developing area of the law so expert advice, which Simcocks can provide, is essential.
Postnuptial agreements are entered into by a couple at some stage after their marriage and the 2008 Manx case of MacLeod v MacLeod indicates that such agreements are likely to be enforced by the Court.
We have the expertise to advise upon and to prepare appropriate agreements including those involving international elements.
Mediation
Mediators are trained to help you and your partner work things out together. They meet with you and your partner to identify issues you differ over and help you both reach an agreement. Mediators are neutral, will not take sides and usually recommend each person obtains legal advice alongside the mediation process. Further information about mediation can be provided on request.
Contact Caroline Jennings or Louise Byrne to discuss your needs.
Asset recovery disputes invariably require quick and decisive action at short notice. Often this is made more complex due to multiple jurisdictions being involved.
Our civil fraud and asset recovery lawyers are experienced in the tracing, freezing and recovery of misappropriated assets in the Isle of Man, UK and overseas.
At Simcocks, we can give you advice on the legal procedures to recover assets and protect your individual or business reputation. The quicker you get an advocate involved in the matter, the better chance we will have of being able to act swiftly on your behalf to resolve the situation.
Every client case is handled efficiently with the strictest confidentiality. We understand how allegations of fraud can have a devastating effect on your reputation, so we work quickly and thoroughly to remedy the situation.
Our dedicated team combines experts in commercial, criminal litigation and regulatory issues, both in the Isle of Man and the UK. We have significant experience in dealing with civil fraud, Isle of Man criminal law and asset tracing matters, having acted for both claimants and defendants in a number of cases.
We regularly assist both corporate and individual clients in complex fraud and regulatory matters.
Areas of Expertise:
- Managing major fraud litigation, including fraudulent misrepresentation, deceit, breach of fiduciary duty, obtaining secret profits, breach of trust, dishonest assistance, and unjust enrichment
- Obtaining interim civil remedies such as freezing orders, search and seize orders and other ancillary relief
- Restraint and confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Contact Chris Brooks, Charlotte Ronan or Michael Mudge to discuss your needs.
“Winston Taylor was totally on top of my case, thinking ahead and extremely thorough.“
Legal 500, 2026
We have a number of years’ experience in dealing with personal injury legal matters, including Road Traffic Accidents and Accidents at Work.
Our litigation lawyers recognise that many people are anxious about what is involved in bringing a claim for compensation. Our experienced and dedicated team are focused on making the process as simple and easy to understand as possible.
Our ultimate aim is to enable clients to move forward with their lives, so we aim to progress cases efficiently, with the utmost care and sensitivity.
Contact Winston Taylor or Michael Mudge to discuss your needs.
Winston Taylor specialises in personal injury cases. Prior to his call to the English Bar, Winston qualified and practiced as a radiographer and so brings with him a unique perspective in personal injury and medical negligence claims and related issues.
Michael Mudge joined Simcocks in 2025 as a Consultant Advocate to the Litigation & Dispute Resolution department, having qualified in 2017. His current practice is primarily focused on commercial and civil litigation, but he retains interest in family, criminal and commercial/corporate work.
If you are entering into a dispute regarding property you need a team of skilled advocates advising you. Our Litigation & Dispute Resolution department has a great deal of experience in all aspects of property litigation including construction, development and boundary disputes.
Contact Chris Brooks or Michael Miles to discuss your needs.
Businesses in many sectors are facing a rising tide of regulation and more aggressive authorities. As transparency rises in importance and the costs of non-compliance with laws and regulations increase, businesses everywhere strive to adapt to the growing pressure from regulatory bodies.
In particular, data protection is an issue that you cannot afford to ignore, especially since the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018.
Our specialist and highly experienced Isle of Man lawyers can assist with the provision of regulatory advice to financial services and other institutions.
Who would need Regulatory & Compliance advice and assistance?
- TCSPs and Banks – Financial Services Act / AML Code
- Gaming Entities – Online Gaming Regulations Act
- Insurance Companies – Insurance Act
- Pension Companies – Retirement Benefit Schemes Act
- Funds – Collective Investment Scheme Act
- All Businesses – GDPR & General Company Reporting
Our Regulatory & Compliance services include:
- Advice on AML issues and reporting
- Advice on financial services authorisations, regulation and conduct of business
- Data protection
- Regulatory reviews
- Development and enhancement of policies
- Review of terms and conditions
- Due diligence
- Advice on bribery and corruption policies.
Risk Assessments
We also have experience in conducting comprehensive risk assessments on behalf of our clients. Once the relevant risks have been identified we work closely with our clients to prepare and establish appropriate policies and to implement change.
We also help clients respond to regulatory investigations and interventions when the continued operation or reputation of the individual or the business is at stake.
We have experience in and can assist with regulatory disputes and investigations in relation to financial services and other industries and can also assist in relation to disputes / litigation in the field of data protection law.
Whether you or your organisation needs help before or after a regulatory intervention, clear and decisive advice will bring clarity in often stressful and emotional circumstances. Clients look to us to minimise the risks – commercial, legal and reputational – which can arise from regulatory enforcement.
We engage regularly with the Island’s regulators on behalf of our clients and are familiar with the data protection, AML and employment issues which can arise.
Above all, in providing clients with regulatory advice, we aim to support businesses and organisations in relation to current issues, and as in terms of forewarning and assisting with preparations for incoming and future requirements.
Contact Chris Brooks, Kevin O’Loughlin, Elizabeth Simpson or Michael Mudge to discuss your needs.
With sanctions increasingly employed in international politics, the impact on businesses and individuals can be significant.
The Isle of Man Customs and Excise Division is the authority responsible for execution of UK and UN sanctions on the Island, and outlines its remit as such:
It is the policy of the Isle of Man Government to maintain the implementation of international sanctions measures in the Isle of Man, in line with such measures as have effect in the United Kingdom from time to time.
The applied sanctions regulations include:
- the purposes of the sanctions regime (what the Island hopes will be achieved through imposing sanctions)
- who will be subject to sanctions
- the type of sanctions, such as trade and financial sanctions
- details of exemptions that may apply, such as exemptions which allow people to trade with a certain country that would otherwise be prohibited by the regulations (see Licences below)
- how the Isle of Man Government will enforce sanctions
- other rules, such as circumstances in which information about sanctions may be shared
Licences
In order to avoid breaching any financial sanctions imposed on an individual or business you will require a licence from the Isle of Man Customs and Excise Division, unless a general licence already exists. These are listed on the website.
Ways We Can Assist
- Advice on whether, or how, you can trade with someone who might be sanctioned.
- If you are subject to a sanction, whether in the Isle of Man or elsewhere in the world, we can advise on:
- how the sanction will affect you and what you can and cannot do.
- obtaining an Isle of Man licence to enable your basic needs or living expenses to be met or for other special reasons.
- Sanctions work usually involves more than one jurisdiction and if you are subject to a sanction, live outside the Isle of Man, but have a bank account or assets in the Isle of Man, then you may need Isle of Man advice. We can work with professional advisers in the UK who regularly deal with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) or further afield.
If you need assistance with regards to sanctions, get in touch with Chris Brooks in our Litigation & Dispute Resolution team at cbrooks@simcocks.com or enquiries@simcocks.com.
A trust dispute is any dispute relating to the administration or running of a trust, whether it involves a dispute over the value of assets, interpreting the trust deed, or issues with difficult trustees or feuding beneficiaries.
Whether you are a trustee faced with a claim from beneficiaries or a third party, a trustee with issues relating to how to properly administer a trust, or a beneficiary with concerns over how a trust is being administered, our trust dispute team can help.
We advise both beneficiaries or other individuals and trust companies on a range of issues, including:
- Issues regarding the administration of a trust
- Claims by or against the trustee
- Queries regarding trust assets
- Disputes between trustees
- Disputes between beneficiaries
- Variation of trusts
- Removing a trustee from office.
As family arrangements become more complex, trustees and beneficiaries are frequently being drawn into disputes which lead to court proceedings. Our team of advocates have a vast amount of collective experience in handling complex trust disputes. We act for many different types of client from corporate trustees to protectors, to non professional trustees of private family trusts, high net worth individuals and settlors and legal and accounting intermediaries.
Why choose Simcocks?
Simcocks’ contentious and non contentious advocates have been consistently recognised as leaders in the field of Isle of Man trusts law.
Contact Chris Brooks, Phil Games or Kevin O’Loughlin to discuss your needs.
Whatever your assets, you want to ensure that they are protected and passed onto the correct people in the way you would want them to be. Our Private Client team has a great deal of experience in this area and can advise and assist you in your estate planning.
Making a will is the only way for you to ensure your assets are dealt with in the way you want them to be after your death. If you die without making a will your property and assets may not pass to the people you would like them to. By making a will you can specify which of your possessions you wish to give to individuals and you may distribute legacies of money to family, friends or charity.
An Ordinary Power of Attorney allows one or more person to make financial decisions on your behalf. It is only valid while you have mental capacity to make your own decisions.
An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document in which you appoint someone else to look after your affairs in the event you lose mental capacity.
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.
Many wealthy families establish Foundations as an alternative to a family trust. The Foundation is a separate legal entity and the assets are beneficially owned by the Foundation.
Phil Games leads the Private Client department, which has been awarded Top Tier status by the Legal 500. Contact us on enquiries@simcocks.com or call +44 1624 690300 to discuss your estate planning needs.