No.16

We are rather proud of our offices at No. 16 Hill Street. The offices were specifically renovated to combine a traditional Jersey lawyer’s practice with the modern facilities and technology necessary for the efficient provision of effective legal services in the Twenty-First Century.

The façade of No. 16 Hill Street carries a small inscription “IP 1748”. The letters IP refer to Jean Perrochon who in 1746, purchased the land in La Vingtaine de la Ville upon which the property stands. The house which he built is substantially the same building which is now the offices of Benest and Syvret.

The building played its part even in its earliest days shaping the Island’s commerce. Jean Perrochon was one of the Jersey merchants who in 1768 formed a Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the oldest in the English speaking world. The principal purpose of the Chamber of Commerce in those days was to protect the shipping belonging to Jersey merchants that were trading with England, France and as far afield as Newfoundland.

By 1829 No. 16 was occupied by Madame Le Sueur who ran the premises as a hotel known as Le Hôtel des Trois Pigions which later it gave its name to La Rue that later became today’s Hill Street.

Towards the close of the 19^th Century the property was already in use as legal chambers, unsurprisingly given its proximity to Jersey’s Royal Court building. One of the earliest lawyers to practice from the building was Mr. Peter Falla, a Solicitor who coincidently was the owner of the first motor car in Jersey. The premises have since that time been consecutively occupied by different legal firms.

Many of the original features that would have been installed by Monsieur Perrochon when he constructed the building two and a half centuries ago have been retained and carefully restored. Joan Stevens in her survey of old Jersey houses noted that “the interior of No. 16 has distinction”.

Surrounded by elegant original architectural heritage a modern office has been laid out. Meeting rooms have been established to provide mediation suites. All principal meeting rooms have video conference facilities. Client facilities have specifically been designed and laid out to be child friendly with family clients in mind. Access for disabled clients is good notwithstanding the age and nature of the premises.