Questions asked as Guernsey law firm closes suddenly

Monday 29 October 2018

One of Guernsey's law firms closed "with immediate effect" with the news announced late on Friday afternoon following a court hearing earlier in the day.

HM Procureur, Megan Pullum QC, issued a statement from herself and the Batonnier, on behalf of the Guernsey Bar, confirming that "Haskins Legal is now closed."

The statement said that the Royal Court had appointed a Commissioner, and anyone with any queries should, in the first instance contact Jamie Toynton at Grant Thornton on 753400.

The law firm is solely owned by Rebecca Wherlock, and the website does not list any other lawyers working for the firm currently. Ms Wherlock was admitted to the Guernsey Bar in 2014. 

Pictured: The Haskins Legal team as listed on its website. 

In the past it was owned by Advocate Felicity Haskins who is believed to have retired in the last few years. She is still listed on the Guernsey Bar website, having been admitted in 1990, but Ms Haskins is not currently linked with any law firm.

The law firm, which was believed to have specialised in matrimonial cases including divorce settlements at one time, was marked as closed on the Guernsey Bar website over the weekend with any queries directed to Grant Thornton.

Pictured: The Guernsey Bar website lists local law firms, including Haskins Legal. 

When the news was announced on Friday evening, a number of questions were asked about the demise of Haskins Legal, with one woman claiming to have an active case against the law firm. 

A spokesman for Grant Thornton, which was appointed to oversee the closure of Haskins Legal late on Friday, said the firm had "no real information" as yet, but an update is expected as the situation becomes more clear. 

Pictured top: Haskins Legal's website.