Advocate Christopher Scholefield > Viberts > St Helier, Jersey > Lawyer Profile

Viberts
VIBERTS HOUSE, PO BOX 737
DON STREET
ST HELIER
JE4 8ZQ
Jersey

Work Department

Corporate Law Partner

Position

Christopher is a partner and heads the corporate and trust team at Viberts.

Christopher has an in depth knowledge of the legislation and practice that apply to Jersey companies, Jersey trusts (whether set up in life or in a will) Jersey partnerships and Jersey foundations. He advises people planning to establish such arrangements, the regulated financial services providers who administer them, third parties dealing with them and those shareholder, partners or beneficiaries who question whether their interests are being well looked after. Currently his clients include commercial organisations, charities and beneficiaries of contested cross border estates. Recent work has included assisting the charity that works to help other charities and securing wasted costs for a trustee from the law firms who advised beneficiaries to bring ill-founded litigation against them.

When advising his clients Christopher typically brings the following skills to the table:

  • As a lawyer who handles contentious work and is accustomed to court proceedings he takes care that the evidence of his clients’ conduct would earn the understanding and respect of a court were it ever to be considered there;
  • With his expose to civil law systems and civil law practitioners he bridges both the language and the cultural gaps that have sometimes opened between his clients and those responsible for their affairs;
  • With his rigorous approach to the use of language he is adept at flushing out ambiguities before they can cause mischief;
  • He uses his experience to make sure that he not only answers his clients’ questions, but also volunteers other information material to how their objectives might best be achieved.

Career

Jersey Advocate – 1987

Languages

French and German

Memberships

  • STEP Member
  • Member of the Jersey Law Society
  • Brightly’s Charity Board Member (formerly known as Brig-y-don Children’s Charity)
  • Alliance Française Board Member
  • Trustee of TB Davis Scholarship Trust
  • Victoria College Foundation Trustee
  • Save Jersey’s Heritage Chairman

Education

University of Oxford – Jurisprudence MA

Lawyer Rankings

Jersey > Banking and finance

The banking and finance practice at Viberts is ‘quick to deliver’ on matters including refinancing, syndicated loans and Sharia-compliant financing arrangements, with particular strength in real estate transactions. Paul Wilson heads up the team. Christopher Scholefield and James Lawrence lead the firm’s work on behalf of Lloyds Bank; the former is also noted for Jersey trusts expertise, while the latter also advises other lenders on bonds and securitisations. Senior associate Oliver Hughes advises financial service sector clients on a range of financing issues.

Jersey > Corporate and commercial

Viberts advises regulated and non-regulated Jersey-based clients on M&A, handling both local and cross-border matters, with particular expertise in assisting financial services and real estate companies. Leading the team is M&A specialist Paul Wilson, who also assists with insolvency and restructuring matters. Christopher Scholefield focuses on start-ups, regulatory requirements and restructuring, in addition to advising on partnership and shareholder issues. Oliver Hughes was made senior associate in February 2022, and typically advises financial services and real estate clients on corporate trnsactions. Irene Blöch advises on M&A and associated due diligence and corporate migrations.

Jersey > Private client, trusts and tax

Viberts advises HNWIs, law firms and financial institutions on the drafting of wills and estate planning, in addition to trusts matters. The practice is led jointly by international succession planning and asset protection specialist Christopher ScholefieldZoe Blomfield, who handles complex matters relating to estate planning; and Charles Thacker, who supports clients seeking grants of probate and assists with other matters concerning the administration of estates. Eleanor Colley handles matters concerning trusts, with a focus on contentious issues.

Comparative Guides

Jersey: Litigation July 2023 This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Litigation laws and regulations applicable in Jersey.