Mourant fields ‘one of the top offshore private wealth teams’ in Guernsey, overseeing the structuring, restructuring and termination of trusts and advising trustees on their administrative and fiduciary duties, while working alongside the firm’s disputes team to tackle contentious trust matters, including attempts to remove trustees or vary trust instruments. Practice head Gilly Kennedy-Smith is well versed in the structuring of trusts and succession plans in addition to related tax matters. Alexander Hawkins acts for HNW clients in relation to their wealth management planning, while also assisting professional trustees in relation to their fiduciary duties and in situations where their removal is sought. Lorcan Higgins joined the team from Australia’s Mills Oakley in September 2024, handling the formation and restructuring of Guernsey trusts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is thorough, approachable, and are largely happy to explain things in granular detail. They take great efforts to get to know the clients, and also the people they are working with. They are excellent at communication and set realistic time frames for results.’
‘Alexander Hawkins is superb. He has brilliant attention to detail and I have real faith in his advice. He looks at things from all angles and is so proactive.’
‘Gilly Kennedy-Smith exudes confidence in herself and the team around her.’
‘Gilly Kennedy Smith is very friendly, connects the person with the correct expertise, has good knowledge on the subject matter, strives for results and is a good positive role model.’
‘The team is approachable, articulate and has an understanding of the commercial implications of its advice, which is always appreciated.’
‘Alexander Hawkins continues to prove himself to be one of the sharpest trust lawyers I have worked with in my thirty plus year career. He thinks deeply around a subject and often comes up with solutions that are very much outside the box. Gilly Kennedy-Smith is a true private client practitioner, with very special people skills, both with her clients and with her team.’
‘They are excellent - one of the top offshore private wealth teams operating internationally. Led by Gilly Kennedy-Smith, you can expect a superb technical team and brilliantly well connected with incredible clients.’
‘Gilly Kennedy-Smith is best in class in the Channel Islands. Simple as that, she is a superb private wealth lawyer and unlike many competitors' leading partners, she has a very strong technical tax background given her previous UK domestic career. In my view, Gilly is the best private wealth lawyer that you can get in the Channel Islands, that is no understatement.’
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Gilly Kennedy-Smith
Other key lawyers
Alexander Hawkins; Lorcan Higgins