John Lewis

Overview

I’m the Managing Partner of Mourant Ozannes (Guernsey) LLP and part of the Guernsey Corporate team. My particular interests and experience encompass:

• private M&A, corporate transactions for private wealth/family offices, complex corporate reorganisations
• fund financing, refinancing and restructuring, security enforcement
• pensions, insurance (including reinsurance and captives) and FS regulatory advice

Before moving to Guernsey in 2002 I trained at Allen & Overy in London and worked in Sydney for Minter Ellison and ING Group.

Qualifications

• Advocate – Guernsey bar
• Solicitor - England and Wales (non-practising)
• Solicitor - New South Wales (non-practising)
• LLB (Hons) - University of Birmingham
• LLM in Corporate, Commercial & Taxation Law - University of New South Wales

Memberships

• Guernsey Association of Pension Providers

Work highlights

• Advising IQ Student Accommodation on its acquisition of two student accommodation buildings in London and Edinburgh housing a total of 1,165 students
• Advising Ara Partners on its investment into Paratus, a Guernsey licensed insurer providing renewable power price insurance
• Advising Howden on its acquisition of Guernsey captive insurance manager Alternative Risk Management Limited
• Advising Phoenix Group in relation to the Guernsey aspects of its Part VII transfer scheme consolidating the Standard Life and Phoenix Life Assurance businesses into a single entity, Phoenix Life Limited

What the directories say

In Chambers and Partners UK 2025, John is ranked in Offshore: Corporate and Finance including Investment Funds. He is described as "sophisticated and commercially aware lawyer" who "delivers advice on time and ensures it is pertinent and concise."

In Legal 500 UK 2025, John is named in the prestigious Hall of Fame for both Banking and Finance and Insurance. He is also ranked as a Leading Partner in Corporate and M&A.

In Chambers and Partners UK 2024, John is individually ranked in Offshore: Corporate and Finance including Investment Funds. A source comments: "John is always willing to help and deal with the client's requirements."

John is Highly Regarded in IFLR1000 2024.

In Legal 500 UK 2024, John is named in the prestigious Hall of Fame for both Banking and Finance and Insurance. He is also ranked as a Leading Individual in Corporate and M&A. 

John is Highly Regarded in IFLR1000 2023.

In Legal 500 UK 2023, John is recognised as a Leading Individual for Corporate and M&A and is in the Hall of Fame for both Banking and Finance and Insurance. John is praised for being "very responsive and easy to work with."

In Chambers and Partners UK 2023, John is individually ranked in Corporate and Finance including Investment Funds and is described as "an excellent and gifted corporate lawyer".

John Lewis is listed as Highly Regarded in IFLR1000 in 2022.  

John Lewis is listed in Legal 500 2022 as the 'go-to name' in the private wealth field. He is also recorded in the Hall of Fame and as a leading individual, key lawyer and practice head. 

'He is very responsive and delivers clear, concise advice', Chambers UK, 2021.

Legal 500 2021 states "John Lewis is responsive, commercial and pragmatic."

"John is very knowledgeable and provides excellent service." Chambers UK 2020.

Chambers UK 2019 describes John as "always commercial and always looking to find a solution." 

Legal 500 UK (2019) lists John in the Hall of Fame for Banking and Finance and as a Leading Individual for Corporate and M&A and Insurance. He is described as "commercial and practical, always provides excellent service and gives practical, well-researched advice' and is 'approachable, commercial and understanding."

John Lewis is ranked as Highly Regarded in IFLR1000 UK 2020.