Collas Crill ‘offers practical and business-oriented advice’ to its clients, which include individual directors and regulated financial services businesses, on AML compliance and data protections issues; the group is also well placed to support them in the event that the GFSC launches investigations into their conduct. Under Nin Ritchie’s stewardship, the practice also advises businesses in areas such as crypto-assets and cannabis on the regulatory frameworks governing their industries. Ritchie herself is well versed in matters of financial crime, in addition to her expertise in sanctions regimes. Michael Adkins represents clients facing contentious regulatory proceedings brought by the GFSC and in dealings with the Guernsey FIU.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Nin Richie leads the leading financial sanctions and regulatory team in Guernsey. She is the go-to partner for financial sanctions and regulatory matters, which requires a combination of technical expertise and deep understanding of the Guernsey regulatory landscape.’
‘Michael Adkins is hands on and practical, and well as technically a very capable partner; all in all, a safe pair of hands.’
‘Collas Crill combines a deep knowledge of regulatory law in the Channel Islands with a tenacious and strategic approach to litigation. They possess high quality lawyers at all levels of seniority. The team is willing to test innovative and novel legal arguments to achieve a client's practical objectives.’
‘Michael Adkins is a hugely accomplished lawyer with an encyclopaedic knowledge of regulatory law across a number of offshore jurisdictions. He thinks hard about his cases, is willing to innovate, and is adept at spotting the winning points. Michael is also hugely personable and a delight to work with even under the pressure of litigation.’
‘Nin Ritchie is unquestionably the best sanctions and anti-money laundering lawyer in Guernsey. She combines deep subject matter expertise with a commercial perspective on handling complex regulatory issues. When Guernsey issues arise, she is always my first call.’
‘Collas Crill is one of the most sophisticated firms in Guernsey. The firm offers practical and business-oriented advice which is very pragmatic and accommodates the client's wishes. The firm's strength lies in particular in its excellent relationship with the PRC.’
‘I would like to recommend Nin Ritchie. She has a wealth of experience in sanctions matters, excellent relationships with the PRC and a great team of associates helping her on our matters. She is always in touch and able to deliver results within very tight deadlines.’
'Michael Adkins was leading the matter and had assistance from others within Collas Crill, and the team as a whole was extremely impressive. They don't take bad points and know where they want to get to and how they will look to achieve it. I was most impressed by them and hope to work with them again.'
Key clients
- Butterfield Bank
- Albecq Trust
- GenTwo
- Stonehage Fleming
- Bank Julius Baer
- BCL LLP
- Cannacord Genuity
- Van Mossel
- Guernsey Post
- Accuro
- Wilson Sonsini
- Zedra
Work highlights
Commenced judicial review proceedings against the Guernsey Financial Intelligence Unit, challenging its decision not to consent to the release of $130m belonging to a US businessman and suspected to be the proceeds of crime by his Guernsey investment manager.
Defended a former director in connection with sanction proceedings following a GFSC regulatory investigation into the operation and management of a £50-100m private equity fund which collapsed in 2019.
Advised a Guernsey service provider with regard to digital assets and crypto issues, including a tokenised wine investment scheme, a proposed NFT purchase scheme, various inter-company lending, prime broking and institutional crypto exchange service arrangements and conducting a review of crypto platforms.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Nin Ritchie
Other key lawyers
Michael Adkins; Wayne Atkinson