The Bermuda office of law firm Appleby achieved top rankings across its core practice groups in the latest Legal 500 rankings, Caribbean 2012 edition, with 16 Appleby lawyers recommended as ‘leading individuals’ in their field.The Legal 500 Directory provides an in-depth assessment of law firms based on intensive independent research of the firms and their clients and is regarded as offering “the definitive judgment of law firm capabilities”.The 2012 Caribbean edition introduced three new practice areas for research to the Bermuda section; Dispute Resolution, Insurance/Reinsurance; and Trusts/Private Client.The Corporate Commercial Group retained its tier one position in Bermuda, with particular reference being made to Appleby’s work in advising Balfour Beatty Capital in connection with its partnering with construction firm D&J Construction for the redevelopment of the existing KEMH Memorial Hospital in Bermuda, marking the first PPP proposed for the Bermuda market.Among the individuals cited, Alison Deyer-Fagundo was recommended as being “extremely responsive and practical”.Further success was achieved by the Dispute Resolution practice, also ranked in the top tier position.For insurance and reinsurance services, the firm achieved a tier one ranking, with partner Tim Faries highlighted as an “excellent” team leader. Appleby’s role on the Kane Group acquisition of the insurance management business of HSBC in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands was cited in addition to its role advising global health service organization Cigna Corporate when, together with three affiliates, it entered into a reinsurance agreement with Fitzwilliam Insurance.Appleby’s Trusts and Private Client Group achieved a tier two position in Bermuda. Reference was made to the group obtaining a Bermuda Grant of Probate and assisting in the administration of an international estate with $100 million-plus assets that were located in several countries around the world.Appleby’s managing partner in Bermuda, Shaun Morris, said: “We are delighted to receive such praise from our clients and peers. The top tier rankings across our core practice areas are a reflection of our commitment to consistently high levels of service and the expertise of our top quality lawyers.”The following Appleby lawyers were recommended as ‘leading individuals’ in their field. Corporate & Commercial (Tier 1): Alison Dyer-Fagundo; Judith Collis; Tammy Richardson-Augustus. Dispute Resolution (Tier 1): Jennifer Fraser; John Riihiluoma; John Wasty; Kelvin Hastings-Smith; Kiernan Bell. Insurance/reinsurance (Tier 1): Alan Bossin; Brad Adderley; David Lines; Janita Burke; Tim Faries. Trusts/private client (Tier 2): Naresh Chand; Sophie Tod; Vanessa Lovell Schrum.