Mourant is to merge with Cayman law firm Quin & Hampson

Jersey-headquartered Mourant, a wealth management, offshore law and third-party administration services provider is to merge with Cayman law firm Quin & Hampson. Mourant has been seeking to build on the base it established with the opening of a Cayman office in 2004. This move to join with an established Cayman firm was considered the most effective way of enhancing Mourant’s competitiveness in the Cayman market. All the Quin & Hampson partners will join a new Mourant partnership in Cayman and the employees of Quin & Hampson will transfer to Mourant. In addition, Mourant is acquiring Q&H Corporate Services, an affiliate of Quin & Hampson. Subject to regulatory approval, joint operations will begin by the end of April 2007 and Quin & Hampson will rebrand as Mourant with effect from 1 October 2007. Nicola Davies, chief executive of Mourant, said: “Cayman is an important element in our strategy of developing a substantial presence in the major offshore and onshore centres used by the international financial markets.” Charles Quin, senior partner of Quin & Hampson, said: “The trend for consolidation in the offshore legal world is making it harder for independent firms to compete.” According to research from Lipper Fitzrovia, the largest administrator of all funds serviced in Jersey is Mourant International Finance Administration, with $58 billion assets under administration.