Edward Devenport

Overview

I’m a Partner of Mourant Ozannes (Jersey) LLP and also the Global Practice Leader of our award-winning International Trusts & Private Client team. The main focus of my practice is trusts holding private wealth, but I also have substantial experience of working with trust structures in the commercial sphere, such as pensions, employee benefit trusts, unit trusts and investment funds.

I joined Mourant Ozannes in 1990, having worked in investment banking in London for three years. I became a Partner in 1996 and served on our management committee from 2008 to 2012.

A regular speaker at conferences in Jersey and beyond, I’m also responsible for the Jersey chapters of several jurisdictional guides to trusts. In addition, I’ve served on various industry working parties considering improvements to Jersey's trust and fund legislation.

Professional qualifications

• Cayman Islands Attorney, 2007 (currently non-practising)
• Solicitor, Jersey, 1993
• Called to the English Bar, 1987
• Member of the STEP Jersey Branch

What the directories say

In Legal 500 UK 2025, Edward is ranked as a Leading Partner in Private Client, Trusts and Tax. He is described as "one of the best and most experienced trust lawyers in Jersey."

In Chambers and Partners High Net Worth 2024, Edward is ranked Band 1 in Offshore: Trusts in Jersey. He is described as "fantastic" and "a very good technical lawyer."

Edward is Highly Regarded in IFLR1000 2024.

In Legal 500 UK 2024, Edward is ranked as a Leading Individual and a Recommended Lawyer in Private Client, Trusts and Tax. 

In the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2023, Ed is awarded a top tier Band 1 ranking in Offshore: Trusts in Jersey. A source says: "Ed is extremely knowledgeable, he also has the awareness to deal with complex, sensitive issues in a professional and empathetic manner." Another adds: "Ed very ably leads his team, and covers all aspects superbly."

Ed is listed as a Global Elite - Lawyer in the Private Client Global Elite Directory 2023.

In Legal 500 UK 2023, Edward is recognised as a Leading Individual in Private Client, Trusts and Tax. He is described as being "very client-focused and dedicated" with a "wealth of experience, pragmatism and intuition."

Ed is individually ranked Band 1 in Chambers and Partners UK 2023 in the area of Offshore: Trusts. He is described as a "professional team leader, focused on client needs and someone who builds excellent interpersonal relations."

Edward is Highly Regarded in IFLR1000 in 2022.  

"Edward Devenport and William Burnell are responsive, creative, technically skilled and business-minded." Legal 500, 2022. 

"He is technically gifted and very astute." "He's reliable, sage, sensible and very practical." Chambers and Partners UK, 2021. 

Chambers and Partners UK 2020 rate Edward as a Leading Lawyer, with sources stating: He is "one of the best trust practitioners in Jersey." "He is calm and collected and he can bring his tons of experience to make sure everything goes smoothly."

Edward is named in the prestigious Legal Week Private Client Global Elite directory, 2019.

'Clients say: "He is a superb lawyer. He is excellent with clients and he's very clear and calm."' Chambers and Partners UK, 2019. 

Edward is recognised by Chambers and Partners UK, 2017, as "hugely knowledgeable on the non-contentious side. He possesses the expertise to cover a full range of matters for groups including private individuals and commercial organisations." It lists him in Band 1 for Offshore Trusts in Jersey.

Edward is listed as a Leading Individual for Private Client, Trusts and Tax, by Legal 500 UK, 2016, which describes him as "superb" and comments that he "swiftly finds creative solutions to unusual problems."

Edward is listed as a Prominent Figure in the Citywealth Leading Lawyers List 2016.

Who's Who Legal, 2016, lists Edward in Private Client and in Private Funds.

Edward is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Investment Funds, IFLR1000, 2016.