Appleby has strengthened its Dispute Resolution team with the appointments of Guernsey Advocates Jon Barclay and Simon Florance as Partners.
The news marks strategic progress for the firm, enhancing its expertise across commercial litigation, regulatory matters and financial crime. Between them, Jon and Simon bring over 60 years of experience, and their appointments reinforce Appleby’s commitment to providing market-leading advice on complex, high-value disputes and regulatory issues for its clients.
Jon has more than 20 years’ experience at the Guernsey Bar. He qualified as a barrister in England and Wales in 1999 and was admitted as an Advocate of the Royal Court in 2006. Alongside his practice, he is a director of the Institute of Law, Guernsey, and an adjunct lecturer in Civil Practice and Procedure for the Guernsey Bar Course, supporting the education and development of the next generation of Guernsey lawyers, reflecting a commitment shared by Appleby.
Jon advises on high-value commercial and financial services disputes, including fraud and asset recovery, regulatory investigations, financial crime, contentious trusts, insolvency and restructuring, and cross-border enforcement. He is particularly recognised for his work on interim relief, including freezing injunctions, and on complex cross-border asset recovery matters.
Simon – who began his career as a solicitor in Sydney, Australia – has over 30 years’ experience as a lawyer, 20 years of which have been in Guernsey. He was called as a Guernsey Advocate in 2019 and is also admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales.
Simon advises on a wide range of financial crime, sanctions and other regulatory issues including anti-money laundering, investigations and enforcements, criminal confiscation and civil forfeiture, and compliance generally. He also acts in commercial litigation matters including complex contractual disputes, shareholder and investor actions, and contentious banking and finance issues.
Together, Jon and Simon add further depth to Appleby’s leading team, complementing the expertise of Office Managing Group Partner Richard Sheldon, Corporate Group Partners Jeremy Berchem and Tristan Ozanne, and Corporate Partners Dylan Latimer and Kate Ovenden. Appleby and its partners are consistently ranked across Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, demonstrating both the individual and collective strength of the firm’s leadership team.
Jon and Simon said they were impressed by Appleby’s reputation, culture, and its growth from a team of eight to 14 between 2024 and 2025.
Jon said: “Appleby has an outstanding reputation for client service, which was a significant factor in my decision to join the firm. I have been equally impressed by the collaborative culture and ambition of both the Guernsey office and the wider global group. I look forward to contributing to its continued success while helping clients resolve complex disputes.”
Simon added: “What stood out for me about Appleby is the calibre of the team at all levels and the opportunity to be part of a firm which is clearly going from strength to strength. Appleby’s recent growth reflects its ambition and I’m excited to work with a top-tier team who share a genuine commitment to excellence and the highest standards of client service.”
The dispute resolution team celebrated the promotion of Daisy Fakude to Counsel and Koketso Mathebula and James Gallimore to Senior Associates within the last 12 months, underlining the quality of the firm’s next generation who will be supporting Jon and Simon in their new roles.
The firm will be celebrating its ongoing success, and officially welcoming Jon and Simon, at its annual Client Summer Reception in Herm on Thursday 6th August.
Richard said: “Jon and Simon are not only exceptional lawyers, they also embody the values that define Appleby – professionalism, integrity, collegiality, excellence and inclusivity. They are outstanding additions and their appointments reflect our commitment to investing in the very best talent, ensuring we continue to build a team with the depth, expertise, and collaborative culture needed to meet the evolving needs of our clients. I have no doubt that Jon and Simon will enhance our dispute resolution services, and look forward to working closely with them.”
“Our Summer Reception in Herm is a staple in the Appleby calendar and provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate our valued relationships with clients, colleagues, and friends, and to introduce Jon and Simon to our wider Appleby community.”
Find out more about Appleby Guernsey here.
Pictured: Left to right – Jon Barclay and Simon Florance
