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The Legal 500 Hall of Fame Icon The Legal 500 Hall of Fame highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession. In the United Kingdon, the criteria for entry is to have been recognised by The Legal 500 as one of the elite leading lawyers for eight years. These partners are highlighted below and throughout the editorial.
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United Kingdom > Guernsey > Private client, trusts and tax > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

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  1. Private client, trusts and tax
  2. Hall of Fame
  3. Leading individuals
  4. Next generation lawyers

Hall of Fame

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Next generation lawyers

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Who Represents Who

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Carey Olsen’s ‘well-connected and business-minded’ Russell Clark and ‘technical specialist’ Konrad Friedlaender are ‘leading experts in their field with a pragmatic and friendly approach’ and are among the main names to note in the firm’s ‘excellent’ private client and trusts team. As well as a number of applications to the Royal Court concerning momentous decisions on the administration of trust structures, the group recently handled the setting up of family offices, private trust foundations and significant transactions in the fiduciary space. Natasha Kapp is currently acting for a major global bank in a number of matters arising from rogue trading which took place on the investment portfolio held in a trust-owned company, and ‘approachable and helpful’ associate Robert Quinn is part of the team defending the trustees of a Guernsey structure in a breach of trust claim pertaining to investments. Also notable are the ‘unflappable’ Patricia Montgomery and ‘tax specialist’ Leila Arstall – ‘what she doesn’t know about tax and compliance law in Guernsey probably isn’t worth knowing about’ – who act as counsel within the team.

Mourant Ozannes' Matthew Guthrie 'is one of the best non-contentious trust lawyers in Guernsey: incredibly easy to work with and he has the fantastic ability to see things from the trustee's perspective'. For contentious work, clients can rely on the 'personable and insightful' Robert Shepherd, who 'is able to grasp problems quickly and take on board clients' concerns'. With the help of litigation expert Shepherd, Guthrie is currently acting for the trustees of a Jersey structure with regard to their involvement in an unfair prejudice claim brought by a shareholder. In addition to setting up a number of private trust structures, the team recently assisted a Guernsey-based high-net-worth individual with estate and succession planning. Other key names include Gordon Dawes - who 'is particularly good with demanding clients' - and property expert Mark Torode.

The recent arrival at Ogier of Gavin Ferguson and his team from Appleby 'reflects the overall recent increase in the focus and presence of the firm in the private client area'. The 'approachable, friendly and helpful' team recently replaced the 36 protector committees of trusts governed by seven separate trust companies with four private Guernsey protector companies. Senior associate Alice Bricogne plays a crucial supportive role within the department and recently collaborated with Ferguson to create a bespoke private trust foundation structure for an ultra-high-net-worth individual. Also notable are Marcus Leese and dispute resolution head Mathew Newman, who recently acted on behalf of members of an African family in the removal of trustees who alleged that their close relationship with one of the beneficiaries created a conflict of interest.

At Appleby, ‘staff are professional and knowledgeable’; the dedicated private client offering consists of Alison MacKrill and senior associate Paula Fry, who recently joined from Carey Olsen. The group was recently appointed as Guernsey counsel by a fiduciary entity with regard to the transfer of trusteeship of ten settlements. Anthony Williams continues to represent the beneficiary and claimant in a significant longstanding dispute with a major wealth management company which refused to terminate the trust and distribute the funds, as requested by the claimant, so as not to breach local anti-money laundering laws. In other highlights, David Dorgan – who shares his time between Jersey and Guernsey – led the advice to a trust structure with regard to the substantial distribution of funds to the settlor, with specific attention paid to the protection of the trustee, and English counsel instructed Dorgan’s team to oversee the potential termination of a defined benefits scheme which raised novel questions relating to insolvent trusts.

Babbé LLP's Nicholas Donnithorne 'is knowledgeable, professional and extremely helpful'; he recently advised on governance matters including a lengthy review of two pension plans which resulted in amendments to the trust deed. For heavyweight contentious work, the team fields Ian Swan and managing partner Andrew Laws, who is also experienced in non-contentious issues. Clients also recommend 'excellent advocate' Anna Guggenheim QC and senior associate Anna Gray.

'Trusted and key player' Angela Calnan spearheads Collas Crill's private client offering; she is noted for her 'impressive ability to turn around work quickly under considerable time pressures and make the complexities of the law easily available to her clients'. The 'responsive and practical' six-partner team entrusts its wills, probate and estate planning work to Joanne Seal, while Michael Morris and Chris Bound specialise in UK property assets and landed estates, respectively. In recent highlights, one of the UAE's major metal companies instructed the group to draft the bespoke trust instrument and rules of an employee savings plan, and Calnan oversaw the establishment of a number of Guernsey trust foundations on behalf of foreign ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families for the purpose of estate planning. Contentious trust expert Gareth Bell was part of the team which advised a Central American settlor on the revocation of her old trust and the setting up of a new structure on different terms. Also notable is of counsel David O'Hanlon, who handles interactions with the court such as applications in the context of momentous decisions. Clients also appoint the group to move assets within trusts to minimise tax liabilities or repay loans to beneficiaries. The 'very responsive and commercial' Christian Hay and consultant Kerrie Le Tissier are also key contacts.

AFR Advocates 'is extremely responsive, cost-conscious and reliable - the approach within the private client team is far more commercial and business-minded than their competitors', according to one client. Senior partner Mark Ferbrache 'stands out as an extremely experienced and versatile commercial lawyer'; he is currently challenging a will as part of a probate dispute involving allegations of unlawful meddling and breach of trust. Also notable on the contentious front is practice head Paul Richardson. Senior associate Ian Davis is representing a high-net-worth individual in his ongoing claim against the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) following an investigation into the client's affairs which the SFO admitted was significantly flawed. Simon Geall and Peter Stahelin are also key names to note.

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Legal Developments in Guernsey for Private client, trusts and tax

Legal Developments in Guernsey

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • In re B; B v T (Court of Appeal, 11 July 2012)

    A trustee's duty of confidentiality has recently been discussed and to some extent clarified in the recent Guernsey Court of Appeal decision of In re B; B v T (Court of Appeal, 11 July 2012). This summary has been prepared to provide you with a summary of the case as well as the general issues raised, but is not intended to cover all matters or to provide commentary.   This summary does not constitute legal advice.
    - Ogier

  • The Company Administration Regime in Guernsey

    Introduction 
    - Ogier

  • Guernsey Image Rights Legislation

    The Image Rights (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Ordinance 2012 (the Ordinance) and The Image Rights (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2012
    - Ogier

  • Guernsey Foundations

    The Foundations (Guernsey) Law, 2012 (Law) is awaiting Royal assent, expected to be given by the end of the year or early next year. Whilst Guernsey is not the first jurisdiction to provide for foundations, the Law does provide a number of unique options for individuals wishing to take advantage of the benefits provided by foundations. The purpose of this note is to provide both a general summary of the features of a Guernsey foundation, as well as a summary of these unique options that will be available under the Law.
    - Ogier

  • Foundations in Guernsey

    On 25 July 2012 the States of Deliberation, Guernsey’s parliament, approved the project de loi The Foundations (Guernsey) Law, 2012 (the “Law”). Subject to Privy Council approval, the Law is expected to come into force in late 2012 or early 2013. This note is a brief summary of certain features of the new Law.
    - Carey Olsen

  • Friendly Rivalry? The Competition Laws of the Channel Islands

    • New Competition Law for Guernsey in force on 1 August 2012 • Jersey and Guernsey now both regulate the abuse of a dominant position, anti-competitive arrangements, and mergers and acquisitions • Key differences between the islands' competition laws • Overall, a pan-Channel Island approach to regulation
    - Ogier

  • Making a will in Guernsey May 2012

    On 2 April 2012 The Inheritance (Guernsey) law 2011 came into force which has replaced Guernsey’s forced heirship regime with a system of full testamentary freedom (accompanied by family and dependent provisions).
    - Carey Olsen

  • Listing Specialist Securities on the Channel Islands Stock Exchange

    The Channel Islands Stock Exchange LBG ("CISX") began its operations in October 1998. It is based in St Peter Port, Guernsey and provides a listing facility and bespoke trading platform.
    - Carey Olsen

  • Image rights laws to be introduced in Guernsey

    “Image is everything” - Andre Agassi once famously declared in an advert for camera brand, Canon.
    - Carey Olsen

  • Structured finance and securitisation transactions with a Guernsey element

    Basics of a Guernsey company
    - Carey Olsen

Press Releases in Guernsey

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
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