Legal Recruitment in Jersey and Guernsey
The principles of recruitment are broadly the same whichever field one is working in, but knowledge of the particular field is essential if a firm is to make the right introductions.
That is why AP Group consists of specialist divisions. Having started in 1990 as a general recruitment consultancy in Guernsey, the company’s success led to expansion geographically, with offices now also established in Jersey, London, Cyprus, Geneva and Zurich, with dedicated teams dealing exclusively with one area of business.
The fact that AP Group started in the Channel Islands, and that our headquarters remain there, gives us an immediate advantage in that we are accustomed to taking into account the differences between jurisdictions and how they could affect the recruitment process.
Guernsey and Jersey are similar to the UK in many ways, but there are crucial differences. For instance, the casual observer might assume that, as the locals speak English and use sterling rather then francs or euros, the islands are part of the UK – but they are not. The British Isles, yes, but they have a large degree of independence; each with its own elected parliament. While the money is equivalent to sterling and you will find English notes and coins in your change, you may also find something you haven’t seen for years – pound notes – which Guernsey and Jersey both produce, although the shops and restaurants will happily accept your pocketful of parking-meter fodder.
The laws in the Channel Islands are not based on their British counterparts – they are derived from Norman law. The local practitioners are not called lawyers – they’re advocates. Importantly, Guernsey advocates have to finish their legal training with a stint at Caen in Northern France.
Those who do not have the specialised training are designated as solicitors, or even `English solicitors’.
As for the laws themselves, both Jersey and Guernsey pride themselves on being innovative – an overused word, but Jersey’s trust law certainly justified it and was promptly adapted and adopted all over the world. The current focus in Guernsey is on intellectual property, the concept of which has exercised the minds of millions of businesspeople, with the realisation that you don’t have to be able to touch something to own the rights to it.
Nothing, then, can be taken for granted where the Channel Islands are concerned, and that is a sound basis on which to proceed in recruitment. Finding a position for a candidate in a similar firm just down the street is one thing, but when there is a big upheaval involved, with families to be transplanted, schools to be found and property to be sold and bought, people need all the help they can get.
The experience of our consultants helps to ensure that not only is the candidate making a good decision professionally, but that life outside the job will be suitable too.
From the client’s point of view, the sourcing of suitable candidates is a crucial part of the recruitment and retention process, and one that needs to be approached in a methodical way by people with in-depth knowledge and a vast network of contacts. AP Legal, which operates globally, has a team of experienced recruitment consultants, with over 20 years’ experience in the legal recruitment sector between them.
Spending a great deal of time meeting candidates and clients around the world has provided us with comprehensive knowledge of the markets, also enabling us to provide the very best service. We handle placements from newly qualified through to partner level.
The group is active in more then 40 jurisdictions, handling vacancies at senior levels for some of the world’s biggest and most prestigious companies, and along the way we have established key relationships with professional bodies. We are, for instance, a global recruitment partner to the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Securities and Investment Institute (SII).
In the wide world of the law, AP Legal’s remit encompasses the specialist areas of private client, corporate/commercial, finance, capital markets, insurance, real estate,
IP/IT/TMT, family, funds and financial services, dispute resolution, human resources, EU/competition, construction, projects/energy/natural resources, crime/fraud/licensing, public sector, transport; and tax.
The sheer range of these specialisms demonstrates the knowledge and versatility of our consultants, each of whom brings his or her specific expertise to the team.
For us, the chief advantage of being based in London is the fact that the City has a huge legal community and many people will gain experience at what might be regarded as `legal HQ’ before deciding to pursue their career somewhere less frenetic. After all, city life doesn’t suit everyone, and even if it does appeal, there are other urban environments in world.
Another major plus point is that London could be described as a hub, well served by airports, which makes it a convenient place for us to meet clients and candidates – and we do consider it vital to make personal contact when circumstances allow.