NINA BENEST

Nina has over 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.

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.

Claire Kingham

Claire provides tailored advice and solutions to Employers and Human Resource departments. She has been involved in creating and advising on their Policies and Procedures and ensuring that changes in employment regulation are managed and implemented correctly. Claire provides employment advice on a variety of employment related claims including discrimination, unfair dismissal, redundancy and compromise agreements along with business restructures and re-organisation.

Claire also heads up our team dealing with Estates for both Jersey residents and non-residents and the application for Jersey Probate. She is able to provide an efficient service whilst dealing with such matters at a sensitive time for those clients involved. Claire has also built strong relationships with UK and Worldwide Legal practices who require support and guidance to manage their clients through the Jersey Probate procedures.

Having drafted thousands of Wills over her career, Claire is very well versed on ensuring that the final wishes of clients are carried out, making sure that even the most complex instructions are detailed to ensure that they can be followed through. Claire has provided guidance to clients and others regarding mental capacity issues and Lasting Powers of Attorney in Jersey which became available from the 1^st of October 2018.

Having studied at Nottingham Trent University, Claire completed her Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guilford. Claire also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Employment Law from the University of Surrey.

Throughout Claire’s career she has been known for her approachable style and attention to detail, whilst going the extra mile to ensure that her clients receive a high level of service. Claire regularly speaks at events in Jersey and contributes to articles regarding changes in the law.

Claire spends her spare time with her family and friends and enjoys walking.

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.