Gordon Dawes

Overview

I am a Partner of Mourant Ozannes (Guernsey) LLP in our Guernsey Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice.

I am an English Barrister by background. I was in London Chambers for nine years, gaining extensive court experience, before moving to Guernsey in 1998 and joining Ozannes, now Mourant Ozannes (Guernsey) LLP, where I have been a Partner since 2003.

My practice focus points are cross-border commercial disputes, regulatory law and white-collar crime, trust disputes and related issues (for example director and company issues arising in a trust context) and areas of crossover between the regulatory and fiduciary worlds. I have a substantial company law and commercial practice more generally with considerable experience also of insurance and public law. I have a particular interest in litigation funding.

I have taken cases to all levels of the Guernsey court system including cases to the Privy Council and to the Supreme Court/House of Lords and to the European Court of Human Rights.

I have written extensively about Guernsey law including writing what is still Guernsey's leading textbook, Laws of Guernsey, Hart Publishing, Oxford, 2003. I have been a member of the editorial board of the Channel Islands' leading law review, the Jersey and Guernsey Law Review, since 2003. I am a director of Guernsey's law institute.

Professional qualifications

• Advocate, Guernsey, 2001
• Barrister, England, 1989 (currently non-practising)

Memberships

• Editorial Board of the Jersey and Guernsey Law Review

Work highlights

• Representing Sir David Barclay from 2005
• Acting for the Appellants in Carlyle Capital Corporation Limited (in Liquidation) v Conway and ors.
• Appointment to the Legal 500 inaugural Hall of Fame for dispute resolution
• Former Times Lawyer of the Week

What the directories say

In Chambers and Partners UK 2025, Gordon is ranked in Offshore: Dispute Resolution. He is described as "a wonderful person to work with."

In Legal 500 UK 2025, Gordon is recognised in the prestigious Hall of Fame for Dispute Resolution and as a Recommended Lawyer for Insurance.  One source said that he: "…brings real experience, is a heavyweight and, like the better modern-day KCs, is very responsive". Another source adds: "Gordon Dawes was outstanding in court, and the client was elated that he effectively presented arguments which demolished the opponent's case." 

In Chambers and Partners UK 2024, Gordon is individually ranked in Offshore: Dispute Resolution. A source comments: "Gordon Dawes is able to assimilate a vast number of documents, correspondence and reports and distil them into succinct and compelling legal arguments." Another adds: "Gordon's advocacy is superb."

In Legal 500 UK 2024, Gordon is recognised in the prestigious Hall of Fame for Dispute Resolution, and named as a Recommended Lawyer in Insurance. A source comments: "Gordon Dawes – really interested in and knowledgeable about the workings of regulatory and public law."

In Legal 500 UK 2023, Gordon is recognised in the prestigious Hall of Fame for Dispute Resolution, and is a Recommended Lawyer in the areas of Private Client, Trusts and Tax, and Insurance. He is described as being "technically excellent" and "calm under pressure."

Gordon is individually ranked in the Chambers and Partners UK 2023 directory in Offshore: Dispute Resolution. A source quoted in the guide describes him as "superb."

Legal 500, 2022 states "Gordon Dawes has a passionate commitment to getting the best result for the client."

"Gordon Dawes has a penetrating brain that is robust and at the same time flexible." Chambers and Partners UK 2021. 

“The outstanding Gordon Dawes handles a diverse range of instructions spanning from regulatory and insurance-backed matters through to trust disputes.”  Legal 500 UK 2020.

Gordon is "a highly experienced advocate who is particularly steeped in Guernsey law." Chambers and Partners UK 2020.

"Very commercial and a pleasure to deal with," says a source, who adds: "His client care is excellent." Chambers and Partners UK 2019. 

The "tactically very astute" Gordon Dawes "runs his teams with a great degree of practicality and efficiency." Legal 500 UK 2019.

'Legal 500 UK, 2016, lists Gordon as a Leading Individual for Dispute Resolution and he is recommended for Private Client, Trusts and Tax.

"Gordon Dawes has a strong reputation for his public law experience, having represented the Guernsey government among other high-profile clients. Sources say that he is 'extremely able' and that 'for public law matters, he is head and shoulders above the rest in Guernsey.'" Chambers UK 2016.

"The 'very experienced' and 'excellent' Gordon Dawes is especially well known for his expertise in public law matters." Chambers UK 2015. 

Described as "excellent", Legal 500 UK 2015 ranks Gordon as a Leading Individual and Recommended Lawyer in Dispute Resolution and Insurance.