Voisin Law Pays Tribute to Michael Voisin

[Pictured: A young Michael Voisin taken from 1962 when he was first called to the English bar.]

Voisin Law is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Advocate Michael Voisin, whose name remains an enduring part of our firm’s history, identity, and legacy.

Michael joined the firm founded by his great-grandfather in February 1963 and dedicated four decades of his professional life to its development and success. When he retired in 2003, it marked the first time in the firm’s then 107-year history that a member of the Voisin family was no longer at its helm. Ian Strang succeeded him as Senior Partner, continuing the strong foundations that Michael had helped to establish.

As Senior Partner from 1976 until his retirement, Michael led the firm through a period of significant growth and transformation, both for the practice itself and for Jersey’s evolving legal and financial services sectors. A groundbreaking lawyer with a commercial outlook, he recognised early the opportunities that Jersey’s unique constitutional and fiscal position presented and became one of the leading figures involved in promoting the Island as an international finance centre.

Michael was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Jersey’s finance industry. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he championed Jersey on the international stage, lecturing at global conferences and writing extensively on the Island’s role in international finance. Under his leadership, the Voisin law firm developed a strong international reputation, helping to position Jersey as a respected and sophisticated financial centre.

His vision extended beyond the legal profession. Michael understood that lawyers, alongside accountants, could play a central role in the development and administration of trust and corporate structures. He was one of the founders of Volaw Trust & Corporate Services Limited, established in 1982 to administer companies and trusts previously operated through the law practice. The business would later become VG Trust & Corporate Services Limited and grow into one of Jersey’s significant trust company businesses, employing more than 115 people in the Island.

Michael’s influence was not confined to private practice. Continuing a long family tradition of public service, he served as Deputy for St Lawrence between 1969 and 1975. During his time in the States of Jersey, he sat on both the Finance and Agriculture Committees and played an important role, alongside Ralph Vibert, in negotiating Jersey’s special relationship with the European Economic Community. Those negotiations led to Protocol 3 of the Treaty of Accession, which came into force in 1973 and established Jersey’s unique position within the EEC’s customs arrangements while maintaining autonomy in areas such as financial services, taxation, and political representation. This framework would prove highly significant in supporting Jersey’s future economic development.

Within the legal profession, Michael built a formidable reputation. Under his leadership, the firm acted on a number of pioneering and complex matters, including multi-jurisdictional litigation and the establishment of Jersey’s first Shariah-compliant fund. He was also recognised for his expertise in planning law, particularly through his involvement in the long-running Lesquende case. His ambition, foresight and commitment to excellence helped create many of the foundations upon which Voisin Law continues to build today.

Michael was also a familiar and respected presence within Jersey’s courts. Former colleagues fondly recall that court ushers affectionately nicknamed him “Mr Bojangles” because of the distinctive jangle of the chain bracelets he wore as he wrote in court – a small but memorable detail that reflected the character, individuality and presence that made him such a well-known figure to generations of legal professionals.

Reflecting on Michael’s contribution, Principal Partner Jeffrey Giovannoni said:

“Michael Voisin was a significant figure in the history of our firm and in the development of Jersey’s legal and financial services community. His leadership, ambition and belief in Jersey’s potential helped shape both our practice and the wider industry. While many of our current team did not have the privilege of working alongside him, we continue to benefit from the legacy he helped create. On behalf of everyone at Voisin Law, I extend our sincere condolences to Michael’s family, friends and former colleagues, and our gratitude for his lasting contribution.”

Beyond his professional achievements, Michael embraced retirement with the same enthusiasm and energy that characterised his career. He divided his time between Jersey and his home in Majorca, enjoyed golf, and pursued a lifelong passion for deep-sea fishing. His travels in search of the next catch took him across the globe, from Venezuela to Mauritius and beyond.

As we remember Michael, we do so not only with sadness at his passing, but with deep appreciation for a life of remarkable achievement and service. His contribution to Voisin Law, to Jersey’s legal profession and to the development of the Island’s finance industry leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to be felt for many years to come.

Our thoughts are with Michael’s family, friends, and loved ones at this difficult time.

[Dated: 22 July 2026]