Keystone has launched a brand new law firm in Douglas, in the Isle of Man.

The move will make Keystone the first firm, with direct links to the UK, to establish a presence in the Isle of Man in more than twenty years.

The driving force behind the endeavour is to provide domestic and international clients with the superior service standards and support of an award winning UK law firm, paired with the knowledge of leading local Isle of Man lawyers. In turn, by bolstering collaboration between offices, Keystone aims to boost the Isle of Man’s reputation as an international business centre, strengthening the symbiotic relationship between the UK and the Isle of Man, nurturing and facilitating business growth in both.

Keystone operates an innovative business model which has proved a huge success in England, challenging many leading firms to rethink how they operate. By removing the traditional partnership structure often found in the legal sector, clients benefit from a superior service that is unhindered by billing targets and inefficiencies.

The opening of the firm resonates particularly with Keystone’s Managing Director and founder James Knight, who grew up in the Isle of Man.

“For the past 14 years we have worked tirelessly to create a cutting edge law firm that is orientated around the needs of modern businesses,” James explains. “Keystone’s phenomenal success is due to the fact that we deliver a level of service and value that cannot be found elsewhere and this helps make our clients more successful than they would otherwise be. Until now, companies on the Isle of Man have been excluded from the Keystone story, so I am incredibly excited at the prospect of bringing these benefits to a place that is very close to my heart.”

The core team of the new legal practice is Geoff Kermeen, Stephen Rodd, Gillian Christian, Ben Hughes and Charlie Whipp, all of whom boast strong links with the Isle of Man, having previously been involved in Cain’s business development on the island, as well as in the UK for many years. Combined, they offer a compelling mix of experience, legal expertise and client service in the areas of corporate, commercial, banking, finance, dispute resolution, trust, pensions, insurance and regulatory law.

In addition to Keystone’s founding Isle of Man lawyers, all of the existing UK firm’s partner-level lawyers will be made available to Isle of Man clients when they need general or specialist English law advice. At least six of Keystone Law Limited’s leading solicitors, specialising in the provision of aviation, real estate, employment, intellectual property and tax advice will also become part of the Isle of Man team.

Managing Director of Keystone Law Isle of Man, Geoff Kermeen, said:

“We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to establish, launch and operate a truly client-centred Isle of Man law firm. Although Keystone’s 170+ partner-level lawyer offering has been winning awards for its unique approach in the UK, our mission is to provide that same seamless service on the Isle of Man – combined with the experience of senior, experienced and, more importantly, local lawyers who know the Isle of Man and its business opportunities, environment and community like the back of their hand.”

Editors Notes

For more information please contact:

– Geoff Kermeen, Director, Corporate Advocate and English Solicitor (non-practicing)

– Stephen Rodd, Corporate and Commercial Solicitor

– Gillian Christian, Director, Dispute Resolution Advocate

– Ben Hughes, Insurance and Pensions Solicitor

– Charlie Whipp, Director and Corporate Advocate

  • Registered Legal Practitioners include:

– Simon Murfitt, Finance Consultant Solicitor and RLP

– Graham Goldspink, Property Consultant Solicitor and RLP

– Tony Watts, Finance and Banking Consultant Solicitor and RLP

– Denham Bell, Employment Consultant Solicitor and RLP

– Nick Tall, Commercial Consultant Solicitor and RLP

– Sharron Carle, Tax Consultant Solicitor and RLP

About Keystone Law

  • Keystone was founded in 2002 by its current managing partner, James Knight, and Charles Stringer. It is now a full service law firm with 170 experienced lawyers averaging 21 years post qualification experience.
  • The firm’s fee earners benefit from a highly sophisticated IT platform which facilitates remote and mobile working.
  • Keystone was granted its ABS licence on 21 October 2013.
  • In 2015, Keystone received the award for Innovation in Agile Working, at the Lawyer Business Leadership Awards.