Kate Ovenden
Kate joined the firm in 2006, after 10 years as a corporate and financial services lawyer at leading City firm Withers LLP. Prior to that, she gained extensive experience as a trust and company administrator in Guernsey.
Kate acts for local fiduciaries, licensees and banks, as well as multinational companies, intermediaries, private owner-managed businesses and high net worth individuals. She specialises in advising on banking and finance matters, the establishment and administration of all types of investment funds and related structures, financial services and regulatory issues, as well as having a significant corporate and commercial practice.
Kate is a director of Elizabeth College, Guernsey.
- Advocate - Guernsey
- Solicitor* - England & Wales
*non-practising
- 'Leader in their field' - Chambers UK, Europe and Global 2019, 2018 and 2017
- 'Leading individual' - Legal 500 2018, 2017 and 2016
- 'Leading Lawyer' in investment funds, private equity and mergers & acquisitions - IFLR1000 2015
Bedell Cristin has advised Inflexion Private Equity on the acquisition of Estera, a leading global provider of funds, corporate and trust services, from Bridgepoint. Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
Leading offshore law firm Bedell Cristin has advised RBS International in connection with finance made available to the Channel Islands Property Fund Limited.
On 19 June the governments of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man have issued a joint statement of their commitments to align themselves with the principles as set out by the EU’s Fifth Anti Money Laundering Directive and move towards a public register of...
A different type of racing is taking to the motocross track at Pleinmont during the summer months. Distance.gg has teamed up with law firm, Bedell Cristin, to stage a series of four 5k running races over the taxing track at La Trigale.
Kate Ovenden and Richard Sharp will be attending the 10th annual Guernsey Funds Forum at 155 Bishopsgate, London on Thursday 16 May 2019.
Both Jersey and Guernsey fulfilled commitments made in 2017 to introduce substance measures to meet European expectations on fairness of taxation by the end of 2018 and have now been formally confirmed as 'cooperative jurisdictions'.
We have advised The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited in relation to real estate finance facilities made available to Ravenscroft Private Investment Fund Limited.
Bedell Cristin acted for a major institutional investor (in partnership with Greystar Europe) in the acquisition of a 26.5 acre site in Greenford, West London.
At the beginning of October 2018 the European Securities Management Authority (‘ESMA’) published several new Question and Answer (‘Q&A’) documents which will be of interest to those in the funds industry.
Bedell Cristin Guernsey has acted again as lead adviser to EV Private Equity, an independent growth equity firm focussing on new technologies in the oil and gas sector, on the launch of its latest Guernsey fund, EV Private Equity V Plus LP, a Guernsey priva...
Bedell Cristin is once again an exhibiting sponsor at the Guernsey Funds Forum which takes place at Etc.Venues, 155 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD on Thursday 17 May 2018 from 12pm.
Bedell Cristin Guernsey Partnership, working with English counsel Pinsent Masons LLP, has advised AM alpha Kapitalverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH in connection with the £87 million purchase of the Rylands Building, the 470,000 sq ft Grade II listed Debenhams de...
Bedell Cristin is making a bursary scheme available to Guernsey legal students for the first time. It is open to local candidates wishing to pursue a legal career in Guernsey.
Leading offshore law firm Bedell Cristin has advised The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited in connection with loan facilities made available to the Channel Islands Property Fund Limited.
The Beneficial Ownership of Legal Persons (Guernsey) Law, 2017 (the "Law") came into force on 15 August 2017.
There has been a great deal of activity across the Channel Islands because of the pending introduction of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Bedell Cristin has advised Regional REIT Limited ("Regional Reit"), the UK regional office and industrial property focused REIT managed by London and Scottish Investments and Toscafund Asset Management, on the acquisition of c £129m of UK regional office, i...
Bedell Cristin Guernsey has appointed a number of experienced lawyers to strengthen its teams and to support the continued growth of the firm.
Bedell Cristin are once again exhibiting sponsors at the Guernsey Funds Forum which takes place at etc.venues, 155 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD on Thursday 11 May 2017 from 12pm.
An early start on Tuesday 28 March did not deter an audience intrigued to learn more about the emerging blockchain technology and the opportunities on offer for Guernsey. Spanning Guernsey's finance, banking, insurance and technology sectors, over 50 att...
Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee has recently submitted its proposals for the establishment of a Register of Beneficial Ownership for consideration by the States of Guernsey at its sitting on 15 February 2017.
The Project de Loi entitled The Access to Neighbouring Land (Guernsey) Law, 2016 was registered on 16 January 2017.
Bedell Cristin's Guernsey Office has acted as lead adviser to Jordan based promoter Catalyst Investment Management Company on the launch of its latest clean-tech fund.
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC") yesterday launched a new regime for private investment funds, following a brief consultation with industry.
Bedell Cristin has again acted as Guernsey and Jersey legal advisers to The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited in connection with the loan facilities made available to Channel Islands Property Fund Limited.
Bedell Cristin has appointed Advocate Kate Ovenden as the new Managing Partner of its award winning Guernsey office.
As legislative developments make it easier to move between jurisdictions, many offshore companies are choosing to redomicile.
Bedell Cristin are once again exhibiting sponsors at the Guernsey Funds Forum which takes place at etc.venues, 155 Bishopsgate in London on Thursday 12 May 2016 from 12pm.
Bedell Cristin advises in connection with the £140 million financing of the acquisition of a portfolio of office and commercial properties throughout England, Scotland and Guernsey
A number of significant amendments to Guernsey's company legislation, the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended), have come into force today, 3 September 2015, subject to certain transitional provisions.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued its advice to the European Commission, Parliament and Council in relation to the application of the AIFMD passport to non-EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs) and non-EU Alternative ...
On 29 July 2015 a number of significant changes to Guernsey's company legislation, the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended), are expected to be approved by the States of Guernsey.
Bedell Cristin are once again exhibiting sponsors at the Guernsey Funds Forum which takes place at etc.venues, 155 Bishopsgate in London on Thursday 14 May 2015 from 12pm.
In Guernsey, collective investment schemes (open- or closed-ended) can either be "authorised" or "registered".
Bedell Cristin Guernsey partner, Kate Ovenden, will be attending MIPIM UK at Olympia, from 15 - 17 October 2014, where she will be based at the Guernsey Finance stand.
Kate Ovenden and Tristan Ozanne of Bedell Cristin's Guernsey office, together with Kirkland & Ellis LLP, have recently advised SOF Investments Limited in relation to the establishment of Special Opportunities Fund (Guernsey) LP.
Bedell Cristin in Guernsey have acted for Artex Risk Solutions in relation to the acquisition of Heritage Insurance Management Limited, the specialist captive and insurance management arm of Guernsey headquartered Heritage Group.
At its next meeting on 30 October 2013, the States of Guernsey will be asked to approve further changes to the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, as amended.
On 30 May 2013, the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") approved cooperation agreements to be signed by the Guernsey regulator, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC").
On 30 May 2013, the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") announced that it has approved cooperation agreements to be signed by the Guernsey regulator, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC").
The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (the "Directive") must be implemented by EU Member States by 22 July 2013.
Bedell Cristin has advised GI Partners, a leading private investment firm, on the Guernsey and Jersey legal aspects of its £82.7 million freehold acquisition, in partnership with Rowan Asset Management ("Rowan"), of Aldwych House, a 163,000 square foot offi...
Bedell Cristin Guernsey Partnership has advised Barclays Bank, Barclays Corporate, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and National Westminster Bank plc on Guernsey law security relating to Photobox’s £120m purchase of online cards retailer Moonpig.com.
New rules on economic substance came into effect on 1 January 2019 in the BVI, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey. Our experts have put their heads together and come up with their top tips for any company incorporated, registered or tax resident in one of ...
New rules on economic substance came into effect on 1 January 2019 affecting companies and certain types of partnerships incorporated, registered or tax resident in the BVI, Cayman Islands, Guernsey or Jersey. Clients are looking to their corporate service ...
In response to European Union requirements, many offshore jurisdictions have enacted legislation requiring certain tax resident entities to demonstrate sufficient economic substance in the relevant jurisdiction. This table gives a high-level overview and co...
This briefing aims to give a brief overview of what the new substance rules will entail for those companies tax resident in Guernsey or Jersey.
From April 2019 gains made by non-residents on all types of UK property will become, for the first time, subject to UK tax. This briefing provides an overview of the new rules, and explores the relevance for offshore-based structures holding UK real estate.
Guernsey is, for many, the jurisdiction of choice for the establishment and/or administration of all types of investment structure and collective investment vehicle, including private equity, hedge and property funds, across a wide range of asset classes.
This briefing provides an overview of the key changes introduced by the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (the "GDPR"), which will have extra-territorial effect in the Channel Islands in relation to the personal data of EU citizens, and the provisions...
The key advantages to listing on the Official List of The International Stock Exchange (TISE) as operated by The International Stock Exchange Authority Limited (TISEA) are: – TISE is licensed, regulated and supervised by the Guernsey Financial Services Com...
The International Stock Exchange (TISE) (formerly known as The Channel Islands Securites Exchange or CISE) has experienced an increased interest in listing specialist securities, particularly high yield bonds, since the introduction of a new European Union ...
Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee has recently submitted its proposals for the establishment of a register of beneficial ownership for consideration by the States of Guernsey at its sitting on 15 February 2017. Following consultation papers issued ...
The Project de Loi entitled The Access to Neighbouring Land (Guernsey) Law, 2016 was registered on 16 January 2017, although it remains subject to Royal Assent. The new legislation provides that where a person requires entry onto neighbouring property for ...
In finance transactions, legal opinions are often sought from local counsel as to the capacity of entities formed under the laws of Guernsey to enter into transactions and documents and as to the laws of Guernsey generally. This briefing summarises issues ...
The Companies (Treasury Shares) Regulations, 2016 and The Companies (Treasury Shares) (Amendment) Regulations, 2016 (together the "Regulations") were both implemented on 22 July 2016. The Regulations have had a significant impact on how companies in Guerns...
In April 2017 the Population Management (Guernsey) Law, 2016 (the "New Law") will come into effect, reforming Guernsey's current population regime in a bid to diversify the demographic of an ageing population. This new strategy is the result of a political...
This briefing summarises the key changes made by the Companies (Guernsey), Law, 2008 (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015.
This briefing is intended to summarise the issues usually encountered when taking security in finance transactions involving Guernsey situs intangible assets.
In this briefing, we will provide a general summary of the key features of Guernsey foundations, including their creation and administration, and we will explore some of the issues which will be of interest to those considering setting up a Guernsey foundat...
A "trust" is a legal arrangement which exists in many jurisdictions when one person (a "trustee") owns assets not for his own use and benefit but for the benefit of others (the "beneficiaries"). It is normal, but not essential, for a trust to be constitute...
This briefing provides a summary of the main provisions of Guernsey law relating to protected and incorporated cell companies.
The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (the "Directive") was published in July 2011. It seeks to regulate alternative investment fund managers ("AIFMs") managing or marketing alternative investment funds ("AIFs") in the European Union.
Part VII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended (the "Law") allows companies to migrate into and out of Guernsey (i.e. to or from the Guernsey Register of Companies (the "Register") to or from a jurisdiction with equivalent legislation).
The Limited Partnerships (Guernsey) Law, 1995 (as amended) (the "Partnerships Law") was enacted to provide the finance industry in Guernsey with an additional flexible vehicle. It provides a limited liability option for a person who wishes to participate fi...
Guernsey companies are utilised for significant structuring and offshore transactions including captive insurance, investment funds and special project vehicles owning property. Generally, contractual relations with banks, insurers, reinsurers and investme...
The Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guensey) Law, 2002, as amended (the "Law") provides that certain transfers of long term insurance business require the sanction of the Royal Court in Guernsey (the "Royal Court") and sets out the procedure governing such...
It is common for a Guernsey captive to reinsure a fronting insurer which in turn insures the captive's parent. Consequently, the issue of security is a common theme in Guernsey captive arrangements. Some of the security options available and some legal iss...
On 11 November 2010 the European Parliament approved the Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers (the "Directive"), following months of negotiation.
This briefing covers the practical issues that are likely to be considered by UK advisers when structuring an AIM or LSE IPO using a Jersey or Guernsey based vehicle ("FloatCo").
On 1 July 2008, Guernsey's new companies law, the Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008 (the "Law") came into force. This briefing summarises the major changes to this area of law and outlines important administrative steps which need to be taken by company admini...
Kate Ovenden, Partner writes the Guernsey Chapter for Alternative Investment Funds 2013. This article appeared in the 1st edition of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Alternative Investment Funds 2013; published by Global Legal Group Ltd, London...
