Trust and broader commercial disputes are the core pillars of Collas Crill‘s litigation team, acting for beneficiaries and trustees in a variety of applications for information and the removal of trustees or protectors, and the firm’s litigators are also instructed in relation to contentious insolvency proceedings. The group is led by Christian Hay, whose practice spans both contentious and non-contentious trust matters, in addition to fund, banking and investor disputes, and Michael Adkins, an expert in regulatory proceedings and matters of fraud and other white-collar offences. Ben Havard acts for beneficiaries in an array of trust disputes.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Their strength lies in combining technical expertise with practical judgment, particularly in difficult matters where there are sensitive client, legal, and reputational considerations. Gareth Bell and Ed Carter have both been very strong. Gareth brings experience, judgment, and strategic oversight, while Ed has been highly capable, responsive, and measured in the day-to-day conduct of the matter. They work well together and give confidence that the matter is being handled carefully and intelligently.
- Superb team. Expert across all areas of Guernsey Dispute Resolution and a real pleasure to work with. One of my go-tos for Guernsey disputes matters.
- They have excellent technical knowledge and instinct for the court's likely approach. They are strong strategic thinkers, very conscientious, and excellent with clients.
- David O'Hanlon is brilliant to work with. A strong strategic thinker and always available. Tom Cutts-Watson is one to watch. A calm, tactical thinker who is an impressive and persuasive advocate.
- David O’Hanlon is excellent with clients. He is a very clever lawyer who never loses his calm. He is a persuasive and cool advocate.
- Superb team with real expertise and experience in trusts work, dealing with cases at the highest level.
Key clients
- INMCF
- Nick Hofgren
- FNB International Trustee Limited
- Fidelity Management Limited
- Oak Trust (Guernsey) Limited
Work highlights
Represented a US family in obtaining disclosure from a Guernsey trust to address cross-border tax issues, in a multi-jurisdictional family dispute that resulted in ground-breaking Guernsey judicial commentary on privacy, disclosure and costs in trust proceedings.
Acted for FNB International Trustee Limited and associated entities in defending a £320m fraud claim brought by Big Technologies plc in the English High Court.
Lawyers
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Leading partners
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Practice head
Michael Adkins; Christian Hay
Other key lawyers
Ben Havard