Collas Crill > St Peter Port, Guernsey > Firm Profile

Collas Crill
GLATEGNY COURT, PO BOX 140
GLATEGNY ESPLANADE
ST PETER PORT
GY1 4EW
Guernsey

Guernsey > Commercial property Tier 1

At Collas Crill, the commercial property group has pan-Channel Island and UK real estate expertise, servicing local and international lenders on  the property aspects of finance and security documents, as well as the enforcement of security when borrowers default. The group is also noted for assisting high-net-worth individuals and family offices with acquiring property across the UK in syndicates and club deals, in addition to advising developers at all stages of their activities. Co-leading are property transactional lawyer Paul Nettleship  and finance expert Michael Morris . Jason Green  advises high-net-worth individuals on the management of their property portfolios, while senior associate Donald Millar  augments the firm's property finance capabilities.

Practice head(s):

Paul Nettleship; Michael Morris

Other key lawyers:

Jason Green; Donald Millar

Testimonials

‘Jason Green is the partner that we deal with on almost a weekly basis, he has an excellent knowledge of the Guernsey property sector along with a very good commercial understanding of the sector. Collas Crill have an excellent property team.’

‘Jason is very responsive and understands some of the complex issues that we deal with. All of our property work in Guernsey is undertaken by Jason Green.’

‘We work closely with them on a number of projects and have mutual clients, so its a very collaborative approach, which we like.’

‘Paul Nettleship and Jason Green are good to work with, professional, responsive and pragmatic, which is important.’

‘Access to Partner level service. Efficient. Feel very comfortable that they know both our particular business and the sector we operate in.’

‘Paul Nettleship and Jason Green both know our business well and deal with requests efficiently’

‘Innovative in their approach to commercial transactions. Comprehensive and practical advice on all aspects of property development. Willing to provide free advice as part of a viability review team, minimising front end risk. Access is available directly to the experience required at the time. All of this is important in the world of commercial property development and confidence in the advice provided is essential.’

Key clients

The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited

Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited

SG Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited

Butterfield Bank (Guernsey) Limited

CapitalRise Finance Limited

Castle Trust Capital plc

Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Ltd

Bank Julius Baer & Co Ltd

Garenne Group

Liberation Group

SandpiperCI Limited

Comprop

Channel Islands Property Fund

Guernsey Housing Association LBG

Intertrust

Ravenscroft

Work highlights

  • Advising on the acquisition of a former indoor tenpin bowling alley, with several agreements for lease, and a residential element for redevelopment as a multi-million-pound new health and fitness centre subject to several high brand pre-lets
  • Advising Comprop on the sale to Diverse Property Investment Fund of 1 The Plaza, landmark commercial offices at Comprop’s mixed use and sustainable development at Admiral Park, St Peter Port and soon to be the Channel Island HQ to Bank Julius Baer & Co Limited
  • Advising the Family Office of a UNHWI on the £7m refinancing of The Hydro Hotel in Lake Windermere which was acquired out of administration by Thai-based Lake Merritt Hospitality, to upgrade the hotel to a new 87-bedroom hotel with all-day dining restaurant and bar

Guernsey > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Collas Crill‘s dispute resolution practitioners have an impressive director and shareholder litigation practice, regularly involved in major corporate litigation. Contentious trusts and probate are a mainstay for the team, which also has an impressive contentious insolvency practice. Taking the lead is managing partner Christian Hay , secretary of the Guernsey Bar Council with experience in arbitrations. Gareth Bell  has a varied practice that involves contentious trusts, company and insolvency matters, in addition to profession negligence cases and financial services disputes; while Michael Adkins  focuses on insolvency and risk assessment, as well as regulatory issues. Ben Havard  has a specialism in disputes arising from distressed trust structures; and Nin Ritchie  has developed a reputation for handling cases involving financial crime, anti-bribery, corruption and sanctions issues.

Practice head(s):

Christian Hay

Other key lawyers:

Gareth Bell; Michael Adkins; David O’Hanlon; Ben Havard; Nin Ritchie; James Tee; Sarah Millar

Testimonials

‘Ben Havard is a proactive, prompt, transparent, strategic thinker.’

‘More proactive and involved in substance of the case than one sometimes sees with offshore firms. Well integrated as part of an international team and not just a “postbox”. The team knows its market well’

‘The partner involved in our case was Gareth Bell. Whilst the case was long and drawn out Gareth kept us in focus at all times. It was also with Gareth’s help that insurers were convinced that payment was required from them. Whilst not wishing to go through a similar process Gareth made the process Come to a conclusion is quickly and efficiently as possible’

‘Great interaction with clients, fee transparency and service.’

‘An excellent offering from a number of key jurisdictions, Collas Crill regularly appear in the largest cases and provide an exceptional service which mixes client care, expertise, experience and commerciality.’

David O’Hanlon brings clears-sightedness, good sense and commerciality to difficult cases and handles them with skill.

‘The sheer expertise of this team is fantastic. They have breadth and depth if knowledge which, when combined with superb client relationship skills, means they are top of their game.’

‘Nin Ritchie is my go to sanctions and compliance expert at Collas Crill. She is supremely clever and has a maturity in her approach to clients that is very much appreciated. Her ability to collaborate is also a key skill. Whenever there is a CI nexus, I will go to Nin.’

Key clients

Grant Thornton Channel Islands

Circumference Holdings Ltd

Guernsey Housing Association

White & Case

Payne Hicks Beach

Withers

Kingsley Napley

Keystone Law

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang

Wedlake Bell

Mishcon

Zhong Lun

Geneva Trust Company  (formerly Rawlinson & Hunter S.A.)

Sequent (formerly Rothschild Trust Guernsey Limited)

Artemis Trustees Limited

Bank Julius Baer & Co

Investec Bank Channel Islands

Work highlights

  • Defending the directors of a Middle Eastern construction company against significant claims exceeding £1.5billion arising from alleged breaches of their common law duties as a director, fraudulent and wrongful trading and breach of their fiduciary duties.
  • Defending New East International Limited, a Guernsey entity owned by the son of former Saudi Intelligence Minister Dr Al Jabri, against disclosure and freezing orders brought by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in an attempt to recover $4billion it claims it is owed, as part of global litigation also ongoing in Ontario, UK, Jersey, Bahrain, the BVI and the USA.
  • Representing Ajaz Rahim, accused in the USA of insider trading, in enforcement action brought by Her Majesty’s Procureur on behalf of the Government of the United States of America, against his Guernsey bank account (the largest forfeiture order ever to be enforced in Guernsey).

Guernsey > Banking and finance Tier 2

Collas Crill's banking and finance team has developed a reputation for real estate and Islamic finance, although it also maintains a strong fund finance practice, as well as private client and family office lending. The department is led by Wayne Atkinson, who acts for lenders and real estate funds, as well as Guernsey banking institutions. Paul Wilkes , a consultant, is an expert in Guernsey banking regulatory and securities issues. Simon Heggs  is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Wayne Atkinson

Other key lawyers:

Paul Wilkes; Simon Heggs; Ben Le Page; Annabel Bishop

Testimonials

‘The team are very knowledgeable and work as a team. They are responsive and always meet expectations, communicate well and do so at a competitive cost.’

‘Wayne Atkinson has a particularly pragmatic approach backed up by an in depth knowledge and excellent coordination and communication skills.’

‘Great people to work with. They take the time to know our team and our mutual clients. Very helpful that they are able to provide Channel Islands and BVI advice in the London time-zone.’

Simon Heggs is our go-to partner for Guernsey law finance transactions and he is a pleasure to work with.’

‘Knowledge in their field, jurisdiction and in Islamic finance generally.’

‘Ben Le Page – I have worked with Ben for a number of years on transactions involving Guernsey elements. Ben is great to work with – he provides concise, easy to understand advice and always works efficiently in order to meet the client’s deadlines. Ben is very knowledgeable in his field and I can highly recommend him to others.’

‘I have worked most closely with the Collas Crill team based in the Guernsey office. I have found them to be very personable and easy to get on with. They understand their market and know what onshore counsel require when we instruct them for transactions with a Guernsey element. Another area that they are good at is identifying potential road blocks or red flags on a transaction that are unique to Guernsey and would not necessarily be picked up by an onshore lawyer.’

‘The person whom I have worked with most closely for the past year is Ben Le Page. I have found Ben to be responsive to emails and has helped to turn around transactions with tight deadlines. One aspect that I have found Ben to be very good at is notifying me early on about any changes to fees and scope. This allows me to then have the necessary conversations with the client at an earlier stage.’

Key clients

The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited

IP Global Ltd

Riyad Bank (London Branch)

Northern Trust

HSBC UK Bank Plc

Lloyds Bank

ADIB (UK) Ltd

QIB (UK) plc

Rothschild & Co Wealth Management Limited

N. M. Rothschild & Sons Ltd

A.S.K Partners

Barclays Bank plc

Santander UK plc

Channel Islands Property Fund Limited

Al Rayan Bank

Silicon Valley Bank

Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising the leading real estate finance European Bank in connection with the amendment of facilities totalling £139million involving Guernsey share, bank account and subordinated debt security, to be used to finance significant commercial real estate in the City of London
  • Advising the London branch of a leading Islamic bank on a substantial Islamic financing involving 4 master murabaha agreements and convoluted borrower structures.
  • Acted as both lead counsel and Guernsey counsel on a secured LMA loan facility to purchase flagship Guernsey real estate.

Guernsey > Capital markets Tier 2

At Collas Crill, the capital markets practice sits in the banking and finance department under the overall leadership of Wayne Atkinson . The team is well-versed in advising listed companies on a variety of M&A transactions, and has experience in IPOs and advising international clients looking to list debt and equity on the Guernsey stock exchange. Promoted to partner in 2020, Simon Heggs is the key contact, with a track record in cross-border deals for listed companies on the Guernsey and London exchanges.

Practice head(s):

Wayne Atkinson

Other key lawyers:

Simon Heggs; Gareth Morgan

Testimonials

‘Collas Crill has a number of Partners specialising in capital markets work and offers an excellent, very responsive partner-led service.’

‘Wayne Atkinson, Paul Wilkes, Simon Heggs are all very strong and responsive’

‘I find Collas Crill to be very responsive. They are also experienced in capital markets transaction and understand their role and the what is required of them. We find they are cheaper and easier to deal with than some other offshore firms.’

‘I work with Simon Heggs on quite a few capital markets transactions. He is very responsive and able to source other colleagues in other jurisdictions where required. He also provides practical advice and does not try to unnecessarily over complicate matters.’

‘They are very responsive.’

‘I have worked with Simon Heggs. He is a very smart and enthusiastic lawyer.’

‘Team works to individual strengths and individuals are not afraid to pass matters on to more appropriately experienced colleagues. This said, they tend to maintain a watching brief rather than just delegating and forgetting, which maintains a good service level and stops matters being “lost”. In terms of billing, we have found the team to be consultative where costs have exceeded initial estimates and have not seen excessive charging.’

‘Simon Heggs is a main point of contact and has impressed in terms of his engagement and management of matters, including where he has passed elements of work on to his colleagues.’

Key clients

Ferro-Alloy Resources Limited

Janna Investments Limited

G.F.F. Limited

Seed Innovations Limited (formerly named Fastforward Innovations Limited)

Fragrant Prosperity Holdings Limited

UK Working Capital Group

Key Land Capital (active) Limited

Corporation Financière Européenne S.A.

India Capital Growth Fund

Kaizen Credit 4 Limited

Work highlights

  • Acting for Ferro-Alloy, a Guernsey company listed on LSE, in respect in its debt and equity fundraise for the expansion of Ferro-Alloy’s mining projects in Kazakhstan.
  • Advising Seed Innovations Limited, a Guernsey company listed on AIM, in the sale of its stake in EMMAC, a UK based medicinal cannabis company, to Curaleaf, a NASDAQ listed cannabis company.
  • Acting for Corporation Financière Européenne S.A. in respect to its Rule 9 offer for the acquisition of CIP Merchant Capital Limited

Guernsey > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Collas Crill brings together experts in funds, banking, real estate, regulatory issues and corporate transactions to provide Guernsey law advice on local and onshore UK transactions. The group is increasingly active in novel sectors of the market, and in 2021 advised on multiple acquisitions in the medical cannabis space, where it has developed regulatory expertise. Wayne Atkinson heads the team, with expertise in corporate transactions in regulated industries and an increasing presence for ESG issues. Simon Heggs  has experience in cross-border transactions, advising banks, pension schemes, family offices and corporate groups. Also recommended are former practice head and current consultant Paul Wilkes and seasoned corporate lawyer David Moore .

Practice head(s):

Wayne Atkinson

Other key lawyers:

Paul Wilkes; David Moore; Simon Heggs

Testimonials

‘Strong corporate offering for Guernsey firm; domestic expertise (not simply servicing off-shore clients) as demonstrated by work leading the way on cannabis opportunities in Guernsey.’

‘Paul Wilkes, Wayne Atkinson, Simon Heggs all give great advice and act as trusted advisers to clients.’

‘Approachable, responsive and value for money’

‘Simon Heggs – super approachable, commercial yet incredibly transparent and good value for money. An all round good guy and leader in his field.’

‘The CC team are consummate legal professionals who are readily accessible on a fast response basis with a highly personalised client engagement style and approach. Having a single senior partner lead as prime contact means each new piece of advice work is assessed and allocated quickly to the relevant experienced senior advocate to provide quality initial response advice and for an early plan to be formed. Speed is so important these days.’

‘Highly qualified, experienced, knowledgeable, with full understanding of our, as the client, business model and of our strategic corporate approach to legal matters. CC senior lawyers have formed deep relationships with our Board and Execs.’

Key clients

Northern Trust

CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK

HWS 3 Limited & HWS 4 Limited

India Capital Growth Fund Limited

Fairtree Capital

Grant Thornton

Investec Bank

Queens Road Medical Practice

Channel Island Property Fund

Condor Ferries

IP Investment Management (HK)

Sequent

PineBridge Investments

JTC Group Limited

Fladgates

Hill Dickinson

Midshore Consulting Limited

Boodle Hatfield

Blue Islands Limited

Fastforward Innovations Limited

Nuvei Group

Emmac Limited

Work highlights

  • Assisting Curaleaf with the acquisition of Europe’s largest medicinal cannabis company, EMMAC Life Sciences Limited, with the assistance of $130million investment by a sovereign wealth fund
  • Advising MJ Hudson on the acquisition of Saffery Champness Funds Services
  • Lead Counsel on the establishment of the World’s first authorised, Bitcoin backed, investment fund and surrounding structures including regulatory advice, corporate governance and shareholder matters.

Guernsey > Private client, trusts and tax Tier 2

At Collas Crill, the international private client and trusts practice focuses on a range of issues, including trusts, family law, international wills and estates, with clients based in the MENA and Caribbean regions. The team is co-led by Angela Calnan , who has an additional specialism in Shariah-compliant structuring and succession and probate expert Joanne Seal David Cooney left the firm to join Walkers in April 2022.

Practice head(s):

Angela Calnan; Joanne Seal

Other key lawyers:

Cerisse Fisher

Testimonials

Angela Calnan is readily understands case needs and delivers promptly – great trust knowledge Cerisse Fisher – excellent supporting act – same attributes.’

Collas Crill is known for its expertise in all things offshore and I have no hesitation in referring to them if we need private client and corporate expertise in the relevant jurisdiction.

Key clients

HFL Limited

Praxis Trustees

Lancaster Trustees

Artemis Trustees

Maurice Turnor Gardener – Clare Powell

Wedlake Bell – Andrew McIntyre, Matthew Braithwaite

Withers – Christopher King, Dora Clarke

Payne Hicks Beach – Lance Christopher

Charles Russell Speechlys – Anna Sibbald, Terence Bennett

Macfarlanes – Jenny Bird

Laytons LLP – Alexandra Bartrope

Cazenove Capital – James Falla, Richard Hodgetts, Alastair Gates, Bradley Tate, Adam Robin

Julius Baer – Marie-Christine Potter

KPMG – Paul Beale

Investec – Justine Mallett, Shaun Lacey

Forsters – Nick Jacob

Stenham Trustees Limited

Grayson Clements Ltd

Intertrust Trustees (Guernsey) Limited

MJ Hudson

Charles Mia Limited

Guernsey > Investment funds Tier 3

Clients appreciate the 'real depth and knowledge' on display at Collas Crill, where lawyers focus on advising innovative managers on fund formation, with increasing expertise in the crypto asset space; as well as investors, including high-net-worth individuals, private banks and sovereign wealth funds on their activity. Wayne Atkinson  heads the team and has developed a reputation for green and impact investment structuring and the related regulatory requirements. Gareth Morgan  has strong links with South African clients, advising on launching a number of funds. Paul Wilkes is a consultant with broad investment funds knowledge.

Practice head(s):

Wayne Atkinson

Other key lawyers:

Paul Wilkes; Gareth Morgan

Testimonials

Very approachable and one of the only teams in Guernsey with the real depth and knowledge to launch and maintain investment funds.’

Strong technical funds team and responsive.’

Collas Crill is my preferred offshore law firm. They are very focussed, responsive, cost conscious and pro active. Every funds lawyer I worked with at Collas Crill was extremely technically able. They offer a very commercial approach and add value.’

Wayne Atkinson is a very thoughtful lawyer who sees a big picture without neglecting minutiae. Very experienced.’

Wayne and Gareth managed to create a structure and framework from scratch and get a regulator to approve it. Their willingness to take on this piece of work and execute it makes them stand out.’

Key clients

Jacobi Investment Funds PCC Limited

Integral Asset Management Limited

Oleada Capital Guernsey Limited

Freedom Asset Management Limited

RAW Capital Partners

Marlborough International Management Limited

Darwin Property Investment Management Limited

Riverside Capital Limited

The Channel Islands Property Fund Limited

Ravenscroft Investment Management Limited

White Star Capital Group (Venture Capital Group)

Cazenove Capital Management Limited

Rangemore Advisory Limited

Seek Ventures GP Limited

Sanlam Investments UK Limited

Sygnia Group (South African venture fund manager)

MJ Hudson

Resolute Capital Partners Ltd (US based investment firm)

IP Global Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised Digital RFQ Limited on the establishment, structuring and authorisation as an authorised, open-ended Class B fund of Jacobi Investment Funds PCC Limited and the creation of its first fund, Jacobi Bitcoin ETF, the Worlds first Bitcoin backed investment fund.  Transaction value, based on predicated year one value of the Fund, is US$1billion.
  • Acted for Sanlam Investments UK as lead counsel on the establishment, structuring and authorisation of Aubrey Walk Asset Management Limited and Aubrey Walk Investment Funds PCC Limited (a licensed manager and authorised open-ended Class B fund respectively) and on the launch of its first fund, the Qualified Dividend Fund.
  • Acting as lead counsel for Oleada Capital Limited on the establishment of an open-ended PCC investment fund structure focusing on ESG and ESG-related strategies such as renewables futures, health and clean energy investment.  This structure is expected to be approved early 2022 and the transaction value based on predicted year one value of the funds formed day one, is US$225million

Jersey > Investment funds Tier 2

At Collas Crill, Sam Sturrock  is the key individual for funds work, with expertise in private fund regimes across the Channel Islands and cryptocurrencies. He is also an expert on regulatory issues. Overall, the firm handles matters throughout a fund’s life cycle, including establishment, authorisation and structurings.

Practice head(s):

Sam Sturrock

Testimonials

‘The Collas Crill team have a very hands on approach and like to understand the holistic picture when it comes to clients and their objectives. They are collaborators in the truest sense and combined with their strong technical skills and desire to provide a first class client service, they are firm we enjoy working with.’

‘I have worked mainly with Sam Sturrock, Group Partner, on a variety of client structures from corporate finance deals to debt listings to first time fund set ups. Sam is a pleasure to deal with, always available and very personable. Sam is person who likes to add value to client engagements, he thinks about issues outside of the box and often those not yet on the client’s radar, helping him to become a trusted partner.’

We value Sam’s responsiveness, his thorough approach to finding achievable solutions to client problems, his accuracy and his reliability. He is very knowledgeable and and through proactive engagement, he manages expectations.

‘Collas Crill provided us with jurisdiction-specific advice in a specialized field in connection with an investment in a venture capital fund based in Jersey. They were able to provide the exact services we needed in the fund formation space.’

‘The were extremely responsive and their in-depth knowledge of the fund space was invaluable to us.’

‘Professional, efficient, trustworthy.’

‘I worked with Sam quite often and he is a great person to work with. Always responds in a helpful and timely manner and is able to deal with complex situations.’

Key clients

Gemini Capital Management (Ireland) Limited

Mahnaz Capital CV

Intertrust

Northern Trust

IQ EQ Fund Services

TEAM Plc

Work highlights

  • Advising on the Jersey legal aspects of an application to the Jersey Financial Services Commission for an authorisation to privately place interests in a Cayman Island exempted limited partnership established by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. investing into a Delaware limited partnership.
  • Acting as Jersey Counsel for the pension fund of a global manufacturing company to provide ‘investor side’ advice relating to their interests in a £125million Jersey Unit Trust regulated as an expert fund.
  • Advising a South Korean investment manager in relation to a high-profile dispute over the management of a Jersey unregulated fund which is an incorporated cell.

Collas Crill is an offshore firm with offices in BVI, Cayman, Guernsey, Jersey and London. With 39 partners and directors, and 86 other lawyers and legal professionals, Collas Crill delivers a comprehensive range of legal services to clients locally and around the globe.

Clients include some of the world’s leading financial institutions, international businesses, trusts and funds, as well as HNW individuals and families, alongside an established network of independent and trusted partners.

The firm is committed to the local communities in which it operates and to the wellbeing of their people, and seeks to build and develop a reflective CSR programme.

Practice areas
Banking and finance: 
Collas Crill’s banking and finance teams in Guernsey, Jersey, BVI and Cayman act on both borrower and lender side for banks, funds, institutional and private investors, government linked organisations and global development corporations. They are on the panel of and work for leading retail banks including RBS, HSBC, Santander as well as private banks such as Investec, Coutts, Rothschild and Arbuthnot Latham and Islamic banks (namely ABC, BLME, ADIB, QIB, Gatehouse and Al Rayan Bank).

The firm has particular expertise in –

  • Islamic finance transactions
  • acquisition and leveraged finance
  • structured finance, note issues
  • fund finance
  • debt restructuring

It is able to advise on BVI and Cayman finance matters from the Channel Islands in a UK time zone.

Capital markets: Collas Crill’s global capital markets team acts on a broad range of debt, equity and derivative capital markets transactions on all of the major exchanges in the UK, Europe and the US. We are typically instructed by an array of issuers, banks, brokers, underwriters, sponsors and other advisors in respect of initial applications, secondaries, M&A transactions (including by scheme of arrangement), warrant and option programmes, EBTs and general continuing obligations, and we have significant experience in acting for activist shareholders. Through our in house listing agents, we also provide a comprehensive legal and advisory service to international companies listing securities on The International Stock Exchange and the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange.

Commercial and residential property: Collas Crill’s full service property team in the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey is recognised by clients for its responsive, friendly and commercially aware approach. The firm’s property specialists have the local knowledge and expertise to not only offer top quality advice on all residential and commercial property transactions, but to give meaningful opinions and anticipate challenges and opportunities at every stage of the process. The firm is consistently recognised as a leader across the Channels Islands and the Cayman Islands.

The firm acts for landlords and tenants, private individuals, banks, corporates and investments funds and works with the islands’ largest property developers of both residential and commercial property. Across the jurisdictions, the firm is known for advising on complex real estate transactions, boasting one of the largest and most experienced property teams.

In the Channel Islands, the firm also established a UK real estate and real estate finance team advising international clients investing in and financing UK real estate.

In the Cayman Islands, the firm has secured highly-coveted panel positions as preferred attorneys for most of the Class A Banks.

The team routinely is involved with negotiations with government authorities with respect to acquisitions, commercial activities, licencing and all regulatory matters.

Corporate and commercial: With offices in Guernsey, Jersey, BVI and Cayman, Collas Crill’s corporate team advises a broad range of banks, trust companies, private equity, listed and unlisted corporates, HNWs and families, their directors, and shareholders, with particular expertise in the energy, utilities, digital assets, medical, transport, licensed premises and real estate sectors. Work includes –

  • complex international M&A, especially in relation to regulated parties
  • corporate structuring, joint ventures, PE investment and fund vehicles, SPVs, SPACs and associated listing of vehicles on TISE
  • IPOs, secondary offerings and structured products
  • a top regulatory practice advising clients on a host of risk and regulation issues including investigations and disciplinary hearings, aspects of corporate governance, directors duties, AML, data protection, competition law and economic substance
  • restructuring, insolvency and migration of corporate vehicles
  • commercial agreements, distribution, outsourcing, technology and licensing contracts . The team also works closely with its top ranking litigation teams in each jurisdiction in relation to complex insolvencies and shareholder disputes.

Dispute resolution: As one of the largest and most experienced teams in the Channel Islands, the Cayman Islands and the BVI, we handle:

  • commercial and financial services litigation including complex shareholder disputes and activism, Section 238 fair value proceedings, professional indemnity claims, contractual and investment fund disputes, fraud, asset tracing, enforcement actions and freezing injunctions
  • insolvency and restructuring, advising voluntary, provisional and official liquidators, liquidation committees, directors, creditors and investors, companies and shareholders in relation to liquidations, schemes of arrangement and compromise, restructuring strategies, and reduction of share capital petitions
  • contentious trusts and probate, acting for trustees, beneficiaries, settlors and protectors as well as parties to divorce proceedings impacting on offshore trusts and,
  • regulatory disputes, claims and investigations, including utilities regulation, TIEAs, enforcement action and breaches of sanctions, AML, data protection and money laundering laws and financial crime.

Investment funds: Collas Crill’s fund specialists offer advice on all aspects relating to the establishment, authorisation and structuring of funds and related investment vehicles. The firm has particular expertise acting for emerging managers who are building their business and acting for institutional investors, including acting for private equity funds and sovereign wealth funds on joint venture and fund investments, as well as planning their internal corporate structures.

International private client and trusts:  We work with wealthy individuals, family controlled businesses and entrepreneurs to manage and protect wealth across generations, and to succession plan. We represent trustees, settlors, protectors and beneficiaries and have extensive experience of private wealth structuring including pensions, foundations and trusts, and we have particular experience of shariah compliant structuring. We work closely with our corporate and litigation teams in respect of corporate structures within family trusts, trust issues arising from divorce or family disputes, and contentious and semi-contentious trusts matters including mistake applications, and variations.

We also have a specialized team to assist in all aspects of wills, estate planning and administration, succession planning, probate, guardianship and powers of attorney.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Partner; Head of Commercial property; Residential property Jason Greenjason.green@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734216
Partner; Commercial property; Residential property Paul Nettleshippaul.nettleship@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734200
Partner; Head of Corporate and commercial; Funds; Risk and regulatory Wayne Atkinsonwayne.atkinson@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734225
Group partner; Corporate and commercial; Banking and finance; Funds; Risk and regulatory; Paul Wilkespaul.wilkes@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734268
Managing partner; Head of dispute resolution; Insolvency and restructuring; Contentious trusts; Trust and fiduciary Christian Haychristian.hay@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734290
Partner; Dispute resolution; Insolvency and restructuring Gareth Bellgareth.bell@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734214
Group partner; Private client; Wills and estates Joanne Sealjoanne.seal@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734261
Partner; Dispute resolution; Risk and regulatory; Insolvency and restructuring; Contentious trusts Michael Adkinsmichael.adkins@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734231
Partner; Dispute resolution; Contentious trusts; Employment Ben Havardben.havard@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734248
Partner; Dispute resolution; Contentious trusts David O'Hanlondavid.ohanlon@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734259
Group partner; Head of UK real estate Michael Morrismichael.morris@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734263
Partner; Head of private client and trusts; Wills and estates Angela Calnanangela.calnan@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734233
Group partner; Corporate advisory, securities and capital markets Simon Heggssimon.heggs@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734825
Partner; Family Law Elizabeth Couchelizabeth.couch@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734221
Of counsel; ispute resolution; Insolvency and restructuring James Teejames.tee@collascrill.com+44 (0) 1481 734284
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Michael Adkins photo Michael AdkinsMichael is a litigation lawyer, specialising in insolvency, regulatory/public law, trust and…
Wayne Atkinson photo Wayne AtkinsonWayne is a Partner and heads up Collas Crill’s Guernsey Corporate, Finance…
Gareth Bell photo Gareth BellGareth is a Partner and leads the firm’s Guernsey Corporate Disputes team.…
Quentin Bregg photo Quentin BreggQuentin is a Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution Department.  Quentin specialises…
Jessica Burgess photo Jessica BurgessJessica is an Associate in the International Private Client and Trusts team…
Angela Calnan photo Angela CalnanAngela is Partner and head of the International Private Client & Trust…
Elizabeth Couch photo Elizabeth CouchElizabeth is a Guernsey Advocate and joined Collas Crill in January 2021…
Thomas Cutts-Watson photo Thomas Cutts-WatsonTom is an Senior associate in the Guernsey office’s dispute resolution team.…
Amy Davies photo Amy DaviesAmy is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team in Guernsey. Her…
Cerisse Fisher photo Cerisse FisherCerisse is a Group Partner in the International Private Client and Trust…
Jason Green photo Jason GreenJason is the Senior Partner of Collas Crill, and a Partner in…
Ben Havard photo Ben HavardBen is an Advocate and Partner in our dispute resolution team. He…
Christian Hay photo Christian HayChristian is the Head of Dispute Resolution and Managing Partner in Guernsey.…
Simon Heggs photo Simon HeggsSimon is a Group Partner in our Guernsey Corporate, Finance and Funds…
David Jeffery photo David JefferyDavid is a Senior Associate in our Guernsey Dispute Resolution Team, with…
Ben Le Page photo Ben Le PageBen is an Advocate and Senior Associate in our Guernsey Corporate, Finance…
Jazzmin Le Prevost photo Jazzmin Le PrevostJazz is an Associate sitting across the International Private Client and Trusts…
Sarah Millar photo Sarah MillarSarah is an Advocate and Senior Associate within the family law practice…
David Moore photo David MooreDavid is a Consultant. He has more than 30 years’ experience in…
Steve Moore photo Steve MooreSteve is an Associate in the Corporate, Finance and Funds team in…
Gareth Morgan photo Gareth MorganGareth is Group Partner in the Corporate, Funds and Finance team, working…
Marco Nel photo Marco NelMarco is an Associate in the International Private Client and Trust team.…
Paul Nettleship photo Paul NettleshipPaul is a Partner and Head of the Guernsey Property team. He…
Ben Newton photo Ben NewtonBen is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team.  He has advised on…
David O David O"HanlonDavid is a Partner in the Guernsey dispute resolution team at Collas…
Ian  Petherbridge photo Ian PetherbridgeIan is a Senior Associate in the Corporate, Finance and Funds team…
Nin Ritchie photo Nin RitchieNin is a Group Partner in the Dispute Resolution team in Guernsey.…
Harry Round photo Harry RoundHarry is an Associate in the Guernsey Property Team. He assists a…
Joanne Seal photo Joanne SealJoanne is a Group Partner in the International Private Client & Trusts…
Laura Smeith photo Laura SmeithLaura is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team.
Emma Taylor photo Emma TaylorEmma is an Advocate and Senior Associate in our Guernsey Dispute Resolution…
James Tee photo James TeeJames is a Partner in our Guernsey Dispute Resolution team. James advises…
Paul Wilkes photo Paul WilkesPaul is a Consultant in the Corporate, Finance and Funds team. He…
Number of partners and directors : 16
Number of other fee-earners : 24

Briefing
After a busy year in offshore litigation, what
lies ahead in 2020? (https://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/analysis/disputes-yearbook-2020/sponsored-briefing-after-a-busy-year-in-offshore-litigation-what-lies-ahead-in-2020/)
Christian Hay gives an overview of Collas Crill’s disputes work in 2019 and discusses the challenges and trends that can be expected over the next year