header-logo header-logo

02 February 2026
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
printer mail-detail

Mourant—Benjamin Manchak, Jessica Vickers & Stefan Chinniah

Firm promotes trio to partner across Channel Islands and Cayman Islands

Mourant has promoted three lawyers to partner across its Channel Islands and Cayman Islands offices, with Benjamin Manchak, Jessica Vickers and Stefan Chinniah joining the partnership from 1 February 2026.

Manchak (pictured), who has been with Mourant since 2015, has broad litigation experience developed in the Channel Islands, the US and the UK, as well as time spent at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. He is recognised as a leading associate in dispute resolution in Legal 500 UK 2026. Vickers, who joined in 2016, advises on high-value cross-border commercial disputes, including contentious trust matters, fraud and insolvency, and is co-chair of the Cayman Islands branch of IWIRC.

Chinniah is an investment funds specialist who first joined Mourant in 2012 and returned in 2020 after time at CMS in London. His practice focuses on the formation and operation of private equity, venture capital and real estate funds and investment structures.

Managing partner Ben Robins said the promotions were ‘well-deserved appointments’, adding that all three had made ‘outstanding contributions’ to the firm. Manchak said it was ‘an honour to be joining the Mourant partnership’, while Vickers said she was ‘thrilled to be joining the partnership’, and Chinniah described his appointment as ‘a proud moment’ in his professional journey.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll