Thomson Reuters names eight Keystone Law partners in its Stand-out Lawyers Guide 2026
Andrea James, Andrew Darwin & Anna McKibbin
“You have been an amazing lawyer and more importantly an outstanding advisor. You were always straightforward with me and never told me what I want to hear, I admire these qualities. You always answered my calls and made me feel comfortable. It's a unique quality and again I cannot thank you enough.”
- Mr P, client
“Very sincerely, there is no way for me to thank [you] adequately for the brilliance and panache with which you flourished your legal swords and decapitated the AG’s office. A big case for me, of course, a big case for you.”
- Mr D & Others, clients
“We have all appreciated very much the knowledge and experience you brought to this matter and on behalf of my colleagues and myself, thank you. It has been my pleasure working with you as you have been professional, friendly and supportive for which I similarly thank you.”
- Minerva Data Limited
“Andrew represented us in litigation required to obtain monies owed from the sale of our business and also the costs in our case Morris versus Knox Trust and MBL. We went to the High Court in December 2015 and Andrew prepared our case superbly. Andrew was always completely professional and helpful. He worked within the required timescales and we achieved a favourable outcome in December 2016. We have complete confidence in Andrew’s ability and would not hesitate in recommending him to anyone requiring legal guidance.”
- Mr M, client
“We have worked closely with Andrew on a complex litigation involving breach of fiduciary duty, conflict of interest, fraud and constructive trust in IOM. He is a very able, quick and energetic lawyer. He is adept at commercial litigation and has the ability to be precise and commercial at the same time. He goes into detail meticulously, is methodical and smart. He is calm at all times. We strongly recommend him as a commercial litigator.”
- Ballacorey Wheat Limited and Gem Global Yeild Fund Limited
“I engaged Andrew to act for me following the sudden death of my husband in February. Part of winding up my late husband’s estate involved closing a busy restaurant, making redundancies (some of which were quite acrimonious) and dealing with a very aggressive and unsympathetic landlord. All were brought to a very satisfactory conclusion. I have found Andrew to be patient, considerate and professional at all times. Indeed, he has gone beyond the call of duty. I never thought any solicitor would have been so attentive and thoughtful. Andrew continues to work with the same courteous and professional manner. I consider myself very lucky to have Andrew fighting my corner for me and certainly wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone.”
- Ms C, client
“Andrew has been excellent in providing solid and logical advice in these ongoing litigation proceedings. Of special note is his easy yet direct approach which seeks to gain resolution rather than unnecessary conflict.”
- Hartford Homes Limited
“Andrew represented me in respect of two difficult and challenging matters. The first was a claim against me which involved complicated issues of duty or care and limitation and which went as far as the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (Supreme Court) in which Mr Marshall was entirely successful and the second was a disciplinary matter in respect of which Mr Marshall’s strategy was both pragmatic and, given the nature of the matter, resulted in a most satisfactory outcome. Mr Marshall is a litigator in the traditional sense, fearless, well prepared, with good advocacy skills and a sensible pragmatic approach. Mr Marshall remained thoroughly unfazed and professional. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending him to other parties.”
- Mr C, client
“I have found Andrew to be extremely well informed and knowledgeable and has always been available when we have had questions. Mr Marshall is a very honest individual that always tells the situation as it is rather than trying to make things look possibly better than they are, which under our personal circumstances is a breath of fresh air. As a family we would like to also say that Mr Marshall is very confident in his approach to his work and has a very calming demeanour. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mr Marshall to anybody looking for legal representation.”
- Mr Q, client
“Andrew represented me at the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal where the case was dismissed. The case was a vexatious claim by an aggrieved litigant-in-person in a civil case. Mr Marshall showed an in-depth knowledge and experience of the process and navigated me through the stresses of the antiquated process, which took the best part of three years. He made the process straightforward and stress-free as possible so that it did not have an undue impact on my caseload.”
- Mr R, client
“I have been impressed with Andrew’s exceptional client service, attention to detail and methodical approach which combines practical and strategic thinking with wise and concise legal judgment to provide sensible, pragmatic and reassuring advice.”
- Mr W, client
“I dealt with Andrew, who from the outset, listened sympathetically to my case and advised me with professional diligence. Throughout our meetings, Andrew has always displayed to me his in-depth planning in order to be in a suitable position for each stage of my case. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Andrew’s professional service to anyone else.”
- Mr C, client
Andrew is an award-winning Isle of Man Advocate dealing with a broad range of disputes but specialising in complex matters relating to fraud, professional liability, breaches of fiduciary duties, shareholder disputes, proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act (including civil recovery, restraint and confiscation proceedings), and regulatory proceedings.
Andrew also has a wealth of experience dealing with complex trust, property, contractual, and high-value estate disputes, and liquidations.
Andrew deals with a broad range of employment disputes, including unfair and wrongful dismissal, redundancy, whistleblowing and discrimination.
Andrew deals with applications for Norwich Pharmacal Orders and interim relief, including freezing injunctions, and is skilled in applications to register and enforce foreign judgments.
He has represented clients in the High Court, the Appeal Court, the Privy Council, and in the criminal courts, in addition to the Employment Tribunal, Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal and the Licensing Court.
Expertise
Andrew acts in high-stakes disputes involving directors, trustees, and partners, including claims for breach of fiduciary duty alongside shareholder conflicts, trust disputes, and professional liability matters.
Experience
- Acted for the defendant in high-profile complex fraud/breach of directors’ duties proceedings alleging fraud against the billionaire director of a publicly listed Indian company with damages claimed in excess of £350m.
- Successfully represented a firm of advocates in defending a claim brought against it for damages in the sum of £2m, as a result of an alleged breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence.
- Advised a shareholder in a claim against three of his fellow shareholders (who were also holding the shares in trust for my client) for damages in the sum of £500,000.00 as a result of breach of the shareholder’s agreement, and fraudulently breaching their fiduciary duties and trust by manipulating the valuation of my client’s shares following his resignation from the company. This matter reached a successful conclusion following a lengthy mediation.
- Advised a company in a claim against its former directors and corporate service provider as a result of a number of fraudulent payments to one of the former directors amounting to over £10m. Also advised the company’s subsidiary in a claim against one of the main banks seeking to set aside a number of charges granted by the former directors to secure a loan from the bank to a former director as part of the former directors’ attempts to disguise the origins of the fraudulent payments
Andrew advises on complex contractual disputes across commercial, property, and employment contexts, combining courtroom advocacy with strategic resolution and enforcement expertise in domestic and cross-border matters.
Experience
- Advised a company in defending a claim brought by an online gambling company and counterclaiming for approximately £12m.
- Acted for the claimants in Morris & Morris v Knox Limited and MBL Financial Limited and succeeded on all of the contested points, and in defending the counterclaim for £500,000. Also successfully represented the claimants in the costs application and proceedings, which involved sums that outweighed the amounts at stake in the substantive proceedings.
- Advised a listed company in a dispute regarding a break clause in a lease.
- Advised numerous companies and individuals in landlord and tenant disputes.
- Advised the Island’s leading property development company in defending a claim for damages in the sum of £1.5 as a result of an alleged breach of contract for sale.
- Successfully represented a firm of advocates in defending a claim brought against it for damages in the sum of £2m, as a result of an alleged breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence.
Andrew represents both employers and employees in employment disputes, from unfair dismissal to fiduciary breaches and contractual issues, often with crossover into regulatory and fraud investigations.
Experience
- Advised an employee in a successful claim against a government department for unfair dismissal and breaches of the Data Protection Act.
- Advised a consultant employee in a whistleblowing claim against the Department of Health and Social Care.
- Advised a former director of a government department on a claim for redundancy.
- Advised a leading corporate service provider in a high-level employment dispute involving sums over £400,000.
- Advised a company that owned a leading Isle of Man restaurant on 12 redundancies following the decision to close the restaurant. This matter also involved successfully defending a claim for unfair/wrongful dismissal.
- Advised an Isle of Man-based international business and its shareholders in relation to potential unfair prejudice and employment matters arising in relation to settling with a departing shareholder founder and employee.
- Advised a senior executive regarding their employment termination following a dispute with an Isle of Man employer, negotiated the terms of a settlement agreement and the terms of a settlement payment, and advised on the removal of long-term restrictions from the settlement agreement that could impact on the client’s ability to seek new employment
Andrew specialises in civil fraud litigation, pursuing or defending claims involving deceit, dishonesty, and asset misappropriation, often using freezing injunctions and Norwich Pharmacal Orders to preserve or trace assets.
Experience
- Advised a shareholder in a claim against three fellow shareholders (who were also holding the shares in trust for the client) for damages in the sum of £500,000 as a result of breach of the shareholders’ agreement, and fraudulently breaching their fiduciary duties and trust by manipulating the valuation of the client’s shares following his resignation from the company. The matter reached a successful conclusion following a lengthy mediation.
- Acted for a defendant in high-profile complex fraud/breach of directors’ duties proceedings alleging fraud against the billionaire director of a publicly listed Indian company with damages claimed in excess of £350m.
- Advised a company in a claim against its former directors and corporate service provider as a result of a number of fraudulent payments to one of the former directors amounting to over £10m. Also advised the company’s subsidiary in a claim against one of the main banks seeking to set aside a number of charges granted by the former directors to secure a loan from the bank to a former director as part of the former directors’ attempts to disguise the origins of the fraudulent payments.
- Advised publicly listed claimant companies in complex fraud proceedings in the Isle of Man arising from an alleged Eastern European real estate investment fraud with a claim value in excess of €25m, including negligence claims against the directors and auditors.
- Advised numerous individuals and entities in quasi-fraud claims.
Andrew advises on civil recovery, restraint, and confiscation under POCA, frequently representing individuals and businesses facing enforcement action following fraud, regulatory breaches, or cross-border financial misconduct.
Experience
- Advised 10 individuals and entities who were subject to Restraint Orders, restraining assets valued at over £15m, following a global investigation. Successfully discharged all of the Restraint Orders and obtained an order requiring the police to return the assets seized for the criminal investigation.
- Successfully discharged a Restraint Order that restrained an individual’s assets valued at £400,000.
- Advised a client in discharging a Restraint Order which restrained funds in the sum of £360,000.
- Represented a number of clients in confiscation proceedings following guilty pleas to criminal charges.
Andrew defends professionals and businesses in regulatory actions, particularly where allegations of misconduct intersect with fiduciary breaches, employment claims, or criminal investigations.
Experience
- Represented a senior advocate before the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal as a result of a complaint by the Isle of Man Law Society alleging numerous breaches of the Advocates Practice Rules and Advocates Accounts Rules. The Advocate retained his practising certificate and received a small fine of £4,500.
- Successfully represented a senior advocate before the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal as a result of a complaint brought by an individual who was the adverse party to his client’s claim.
Andrew acts in complex trust and estate disputes involving contested wills, trustee removal, or breach of fiduciary duty, often requiring injunctive relief or forensic asset tracing.
Experience
- Advised the executors of a billionaire’s estate on an application to seek the court’s direction on the ownership of the deceased’s family home, as a result of a number of failed trusts and an erroneous conveyance made in the deceased’s lifetime.
- Advised the executors of an estate, valued at over £20m, in defending a claim over the validity of a will and allegations of undue influence.
- Advised a number of clients in Beddoe Applications and applications seeking the directions of the court.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Leading Individual for Isle of Man: Dispute Resolution 2019–2020, 2021–2026
Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner for Isle of Man: Employment 2021–2026
Recognised in Chambers UK Offshore: Employment 2026
Recognised in Chambers UK Offshore: Dispute Resolution
Winner of “Lawyer of the Year – Gold – Partner” at the Citywealth Future Leaders Award 2023
“Andrew merges expertise in law with strategic business understanding to achieve outcomes of significant commercial importance.”
Chambers UK 2025
“Andrew is commercially minded, very knowledgeable and very responsive.”
Chambers UK 2025
“Andrew has an incredible knowledge of Manx case law.”
Chambers UK 2025
“Acknowledged by Chambers 2025 for advising clients on a range of employment matters spanning breach of fiduciary duty to shareholder disputes. ”
Chambers UK 2025
“Acknowledged by Chambers 2025 as an up-and-coming partner with expertise in a range of disputes, including employment and property matters. ”
Chambers UK 2025
“Andrew Marshall is ‘a true lawyer’s lawyer’ who regularly handles complex commercial disputes and shareholder disputes.”
The Legal 500 2024
“Andrew Marshall is absolutely first class. I have worked with him particularly on corporate matters relating to shareholder disputes. There are 3 particular strengths that stand out: (1) Overarching common sense and commercial nous; (2) Absolute mastery of the law; and (3) 100% commitment to achieving the result that the client needs. The combination of these strengths brings about a clear and effective results-driven approach.”
The Legal 500 2024
“Andrew Marshall is a true lawyer’s lawyer. We retained him for a complex administrative law matter, in which he excelled in detailed analysis and astute advice. His command of the finer points of Manx law is equal to that of the finest minds on the bench. Despite all the complexity, he managed to deliver sound, sensible, practical advice and eventually led us to a powerful victory over a recalcitrant government.”
The Legal 500 2024
“Andrew Marshall. Quite simply, first class. He epitomises the points I have mentioned above – i.e. he has the key qualities of the application of an unparalleled knowledge of the law to a solutions-based strategic approach. Whatever the complexity of the Gordian knot, he will slice through it with common sense and understanding, to his client’s best advantage.”
The Legal 500 2023
“Andrew Marshall is a lawyer who exhibits top notch emotional intelligence in engaging with clients. He uses this to good effect when engaging with clients and presenting advice, especially when that advice is not what the client wants to hear. A very measured calm and knowledgeable lawyer.”
The Legal 500 2023
“First class Andrew Marshall, a ‘very measured calm and knowledgeable lawyer’ specialising in commercial disputes who has recently been particularly active in shareholder disputes.”
The Legal 500 2023
“I found Andrew Marshall to be extremely professional. He navigated the matter to completion with complete success.”
The Legal 500 2023
“Andrew Marshall is well versed in employment practices and employee rights. He were quick in identifying strengths and weaknesses. Easy to work with and transparent about billing.”
The Legal 500 2023
“Andrew Marshall is quick to respond and in a professional manner.”
The Legal 500 2023
“Andrew Marshall”s knowledge of the employment sector has been exceptional. From dealing with redundancy issues to potential disputes regarding terms of employment and severances. I have had complete confidence in his advice and guidance.”
The Legal 500 2022
“Andrew Marshall has had to deal with some complex and potentially stressfully situations in dealing with a difficult and potentially contentious estate. He has at all times been professional, available and thoughtful in his approach and his careful handling of personalities and scenarios has helped to avoid dramas turning into crisis.”
The Legal 500 2022
“Andrew Marshall is absolutely focused on resolving each matter in the best way, deploying his very considerable knowledge of the law, his clear and detailed forensic analysis, his extensive tactical experience, and his practical common sense, to find the best solution to every problem and to provide his clients with exemplary outcomes. He is absolutely first rate.”
The Legal 500 2022
“Andrew Marshall is a rising star in the Manx legal landscape. He is a beacon of hope for the future – bright, energetic and humble.”
The Legal 500 2022
“I have worked with Andrew Marshall. He has always been very attentive and helpful in his guidance and also very willing to explain legal terms and issues to me at length. Above all, I trust his counsel completely. He has always been at the end of the phone when I need to speak to him and in person should it be required.”
The Legal 500 2022
“Andrew Marshall brings great strength in terms of attention to complex detail whilst also formulating the bigger picture and strategy for complex cases. He enables clients to feel at ease due to these exceptional dual strengths.”
The Legal 500 2021
“Andrew Marshall is an exceptional employment lawyer. He shows exceptional awareness of complex issues and the drive needed to push complex cases forward. He has an excellent manner with clients.”
The Legal 500 2021
“Andrew Marshall will not rest until he is confident that he has found the very best solution for his clients, applying his detailed knowledge and experience across the corporate litigation sphere to achieve the appropriate outcome.”
The Legal 500 2021
“Andrew Marshall is an outstanding lawyer, very personable, shrewd and not shy about reining in a client who may be too aggressive for their own good.”
The Legal 500 2021
“Andrew Marshall would be an asset to any firm. He is responsive and does not say what you want to hear. If it’s bad news he will tell you but also has compassion to take time to understand the situation.”
The Legal 500 2021
“Andrew Marshall builds up very good working relationships and always has the best interests of his clients at the fore, as well as being able to explain issues in a very succinct way.”
The Legal 500 2020
“Andrew Marshall is extremely professional while maintaining an easy, friendly manner.”
The Legal 500 2020
“Andrew Marshall, whose drafting skills are second to none and who has that rare ability to condense complex issues into compelling, succinct explanations.”
The Legal 500 2019
Andrew qualified as an advocate in 2010. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2018, he worked at the following firms:
- Gough Law
- Kerruish Law & Trust