NINA BENEST

Nina has over twenty years’ experience in the legal profession in Jersey. She was sworn in as an Advocate of the Royal Court in August 1999, having been called to the English Bar in 1996 (Middle Temple). Nina joined Benest & Syvret at its inception in October 1997.

As an Advocate, Nina regularly appears in Court as well as before other tribunals. As the Partner heading our dispute resolution and litigation team, she also has a wealth of experience undertaking lawyer led negotiations, mediation, arbitration and private FDRs as alternative means of resolving disputes, not just through the Courts.

Nina appeared in Downes v Marshall [2010] JRC 115B, in which the court redefined the test for Appeals from the Family Registrar to the Royal Court. In De La Haye v Walton [2013] JRC 021, Nina successfully represented the plaintiff in a case that developed the doctrine of rapport á la masse in succession cases.

Nina is a former chair of the Jersey Family Law Association and is an accredited member of Jersey's Children Panel and as such represents both children and primary carers in public children law cases.

Nina is an Associate member of the Jersey Construction Council and contributes to it's work by sitting on the Policy Sub Committee.

She is also a member of the Clergy Disciplinary Division of the Ecclesiastical Court.

Outside of the office, Nina is an accomplished musician and plays viola in the Jersey Symphony Orchestra. She enjoys gardening and trying new recipes from her extensive cookery book collection.

Philip Syvret

Over the last 10 years Philip has concentrated on the Jersey property market and advises a number of local property development firms. He is a leading property lawyer and has been lead advisor for some of the islands largest residential developments. His experience in preliminary purchase agreements, land options, Planning appeals and conveyancing work is regularly called upon by clients. Philip was instrumental in the implementation of the first Planning Obligation Agreement registered in the Island. Philip’s team work efficiently and effectively to manage the client experience from beginning to end.

Philip appeared as Solicitor Advocate in the Matter of Walton Degrevement [2015] JRC 003 in which the Royal Court determined that land held by a tenant in common could be subject to the foreclosure process known as degrevement.

Philip also heads up the team administering delegates under the Capacity and Self Determination (Jersey) Law 2016. He was convened to a working party on the implementation of the new law. He also gave expert evidence in respect of delegate matters to the Royal Court in the case of The X Children v Minister for Health [2018] JRC 226, the largest negligence claim by value in British legal history.

Philip obtains Grants of Probate for both residents and non-jersey residents. He has lectured on Jersey Succession and Probate Law for local training firms.

Philip was formerly head of Jersey Solicitors Association (the Chambre d’Ecrivains) and a member of the Jersey Consumer Council. He presently sits as a member of the Law Society Conveyancing Sub-committee and has been appointed by the Chief Minister to the working party on Conveyancing Reform.

In his spare time Philip has a love of all things automotive including classic cars and motorsport, as well as his beloved Tottenham Hotspur.

DARRY ROBINSON

Advocate Darry Robinson is a litigator with broad experience. He joined Benest & Syvret in July 2018, having previously worked within the Attorney General’s Office.

Darry is a leading advocate with a practice that encompasses many aspects of public and private law cases and civil litigation arising out of family law, human rights, local authority duties, and negligence. Darry’s civil practice encompasses high value claims in tort, including group claims. He is particularly well known for bringing civil claims against the Government of Jersey on behalf of victims whose human rights have been contravened and for bringing high value claims against the Government of Jersey for individuals who have suffered severe physical and psychological injury.

Darry is known for his confident manner in court, highly persuasive style of advocacy and excellent client care. He is an expert in administrative proceedings, judicial review and human rights.

Darry succeeded for the plaintiffs in the landmark human rights Royal Court decision of F, H, Y, W, T, S [2021] JRC280, which examined the principle of real and effective consent for the purposes of Art 17 of the Children (Jersey) Law 2002 and the lawful authority to accommodate children as a consequence of instigating police protection measures under Art 41 of the Children (Jersey) Law 2002 and proportionate and necessary responses of social services and the police to avoid subverting the statutory regime.

In the Royal Court case J -v- Chief Minister [2020] JRC215, Darry, acting on behalf of the appellant, successfully sought the dismissal of conditions imposed by the Chief Minister pursuant to Article 41 of the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012 preventing J’s family from accessing the Affordable Housing Gateway in Jersey and failing to recognise the needs of the children.

Darry advanced proceeding to the Court of Appeal concerning a child who had been unlawfully placed in a UK residential unit. There was an important legal issue that required resolution by the Court of Appeal and which related to all Jersey children placed in UK residential units under Jersey care orders.  Rather than proceeding to appeal the Government of Jersey lodged the Children (Arrangements to Assist Children to Live Outside Jersey) (Amendment) (Jersey) Law 2022 which was adopted by the States Assembly on 2 March 2022 to amend the Children Law and to enable the Court to approve arrangements for a child that is to live outside Jersey in suitable residential accommodation.

Darry is an accredited member of the Jersey Children’s Panel and is able to work for both children and parents.

Hobbies

Outside of work Darry likes spending time with his family and rowing. He has on a number of occasions competed as part of a team in the demanding Sark to Jersey rowing race.

Greg is an Advocate and English Solicitor (currently non-practising) and an experienced civil, criminal
and commercial lawyer, specialising in dispute resolution.

Greg has developed a broad civil and criminal practice, dealing with matters coming before all of
Jersey’s courts. He has built a reputation as a robust litigator who offers practical solutions to his
clients on the best means for resolving their disputes, whether that be in court or through
alternative dispute resolution.

He has a thorough understanding of criminal law and procedure. His background includes
representing clients in all manner of criminal defence cases; from minor road traffic offences to
attempted murder, large-scale drug importation and fraud. He has also worked on cases challenging
administrative decisions through judicial review.

His civil and commercial practice includes advising on construction matters, contentious probate,
personal and professional negligence actions, trust disputes and insolvency, acting for both plaintiffs
and defendants. He has worked on a number of high value and significant cases for both institutional
clients and high net worth individuals.

Greg has a particular interest in planning matters, having successfully represented an appellant in a
decade long dispute involving multiple third-party planning appeals and subsequent tribunal
proceedings. He has a detailed knowledge of the policies of the Island Plan and can advise in respect
of proposed development or following a planning decision.
Greg was called to the Jersey Bar in December 2022 – during the course of his studies he was
awarded the Law Society’s prize for the highest mark in the ‘Law of Security Interests & Bankruptcy’
paper.

Outside of work, Greg is a keen runner, cyclist and paddleboarder. As a former captain of a local
rugby team, he remains passionate about the game, though nowadays more often from the safety of
the touchline!

Robin Gilmour

Robin Gilmour has been a conveyancer within the Jersey property market for over 30 years. Robin has gained in depth knowledge from working at a number of large local law firms and is now respected as one of our Islands most experienced conveyancers.

Robin handles a variety of different property transactions for people from those stepping onto the property ladder for the first time, to those undertaking investment purchases or prestigious property purchases for High net worth individuals. Boundary disputes, the purchase and sale of land and helping Commercial clients with the purchase or land or sale of developed properties is all in a day’s work.

Robin’s pragmatic manner and pro-active approach to get things completed and right for the client has added to the strength of the Benest & Syvret team.

Robin likes to keep his clients informed at all times and his extensive knowledge of the Jersey property law has been recognised and acknowledged by numerous clients.

In his spare time Robin enjoys spending time with his family.

Clare Woodhouse

Clare graduated from the University of East Anglia, with a BA in European Cultural Studies followed by a Diploma in Law. Thereafter, she went on to do her LPC at APU in Chelmsford.

Clare did her training contract at a small high street firm in Norfolk called ‘Hood, Vores and Allwood’ before qualifying as a solicitor in 2004. She worked for 3 years at a firm called ‘Ward Gethin’ where she specialised in family law before moving to Jersey.

In Jersey, Clare worked at ‘Mourant’ for 13 years, in their Family Legal Aid Department as a senior associate.

Her specialisms include children matters, both public and private, as well as matrimonial and personal injury work.

She has also completed the Mind course and is a qualified Mental Health First Aider. Until recently she was a trustee for the Jersey Child Care Trust.

Clare has two lovely children who she spends as much time with, outside of work as possible. 

Abigail Watkins

Abigail started her legal career with a firm of Solicitors in Loughborough, dealing mainly with residential and commercial conveyancing and leases. During that time she qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and completed her law degree at Demontfort University. Abigail moved to Jersey and qualified as a Solicitor in 2003 working in a Jersey firm’s property department, dealing with residential and commercial lending, share transfer sales and purchases, commercial and residential leases and general property matters.

Abigail has a broad and detailed property knowledge dealing with commercial property matters including leases, sales and acquisitions, the sale and purchase of businesses and joint venture agreements for developer clients. Throughout her career, Abigail has undertaken residential work and has extensive experience in dealing with share transfer sales, private lending and residential leases.

In a previous role Abigail managed a portfolio of over 60 commercial properties and dealt with all aspects of management including sales, acquisitions, leases, lease renewals, rent reviews, dilapidation claims, valuations and general property management issues.

Abigail has been a key contributor to Benest & Syvret’s property team since 2014 where her skills in respect of commercial property management, lease and rental renewals has expanded the services that Benest & Syvret can provide.

Abigail enjoys a bit of the ‘good life’ looking after her chickens and vegetable garden. She enjoys walks around Jersey with her family and cooking culinary delights.

SOPHIA MOUSTRAS

Sophia joined Benest & Syvret as an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team in June 2024. She handles a wide range of disputes, including property disputes, contentious probate matters, personal injury claims, public law proceedings, matrimonial matters, and criminal investigations.

Career Overview

Sophia brings five years of offshore legal experience to her role at Benest & Syvret. She was admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales in September 2022, following the successful completion of a two-year training contract at another offshore law firm in Jersey. During her training, Sophia rotated through three seats—Corporate, Finance and Funds, Dispute Resolution, and International Private Client and Trusts—spending eight months in each. Prior to her training contract, Sophia worked as a Paralegal in a Corporate, Finance and Funds team.

Before joining Benest & Syvret, she was an Associate in the Private Client and Trusts Team at the same firm where she trained. In this role, she primarily managed contentious trust disputes and assisted with trust advisory matters, providing comprehensive advice to all parties involved in a trust's lifecycle.

Sophia's diverse experience equips her with a well-rounded perspective, allowing her to effectively represent clients by applying insights from various legal disciplines.

Education

In 2018, Sophia graduated from Liverpool John Moores University, with a 2:1 Honours degree in Law. She then completed the Legal Practice Course in 2019 at BPP University, London, with elective studies in private acquisitions, debt finance, and employment law.

Future Aspirations

Sophia plans to undertake the Jersey Advocacy Exams to qualify as a Jersey Advocate in the near future.

Rhiannon George

Rhiannon is originally from Wales, but has also lived in France and Switzerland. Rhiannon has previously worked in-house for a Swiss Foundation and a FMCG company and undertook her law degree by distance with the Open University achieving a first. She returned to Wales in order to take her LPC at Cardiff University before moving to Jersey to undertake her training contract. Rhiannon qualified as a England and Wales solicitor in September 2019. She has a broad range of experience in commercial, litigation and private client matters and is known for her client focus and problem solving abilities.

Rhiannon joined Benest and Syvret in September 2019 and works on a variety of different matters. She hopes to work towards becoming a Jersey Advocate. Outside of work Rhiannon enjoys exploring the Island, cooking and travelling. She is a fan of Formula one, cycling and rugby and tries to attend one Grand Prix each year.

ELISABETTA QUARANTA

Elisabetta completed her LLB in Law via long distance learning with Nottingham Trent University in 2013.

She joined Benest and Syvret in March 2021 to gain more practical experience in different areas. She brings with her over 10 years’ experience in Family Law and has an approachable style, attention to detail and strong organisational skills.

Elisabetta hopes to qualify as a Jersey Solicitor and is enrolled for the Jersey Law Course to start in late 2021.

She loves spending her free time with her family and friends and enjoys taking part in Zumba classes and dance charity events.