Collas Crill acts for HNW settlors from across the globe looking to create or restructure Jersey trusts and philanthropic vehicles, in addition to assisting trust companies in managing trusts and in contentious proceedings resulting from familial splits. Victoria Yates spearheads the trusts team, overseeing trust structures from conception through to the disbursement of trust assets and the ultimate winding up of trusts. Yates is also well versed in the use of trust structures by pension schemes and fund managers. Laura Le Meur provides additional trust structuring expertise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- James Sheedy has an excellent knowledge base, is able to break down complex issues, and provides understandable reasoning and analysis. He is responsive, interactive, and provides a sense of solidity and comfort throughout a long and complex process.
- Vicky Yates is approachable and very helpful. Damian James is pragmatic, easy to deal with, and solutions-focused.
- The team is very approachable, pragmatic, and collaborative.
- Vicky Yates is a client-focused lawyer. Her advice is succinct and understandable. She is innovative and capable of seeing the bigger picture, which creates efficiencies in the working environment. She is very personable, understands the importance of confidentiality in significant client relationships, and delivers practical direction.
- The individuals I work with stand out for their exceptional combination of expertise, approachability, and genuine commitment to client service. They consistently differentiate themselves from competitors through their willingness to go above and beyond, their clear communication, and their ability to make even complex matters feel manageable. In particular, Bonnie McPartland deserves special mention: she is always unfailingly helpful, friendly, and generous with her time. No matter how busy she is, she makes herself available to assist, offers thoughtful guidance, and ensures that everything moves forward smoothly. The qualities I value most across the team—and which Bonnie embodies especially well—are their professionalism, reliability, and genuine dedication to delivering an excellent client experience.
- The Collas Crill team is a very strong private client team in Jersey, linking well with their Guernsey offering. The recent growth of their trust company adds further strength to the offering.
Key clients
- Altum Trustees Limited
- Apex Group
- Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
- AUB Trustees (Guernsey) Limited
- Baccata Trustees Limited
- Boodle Hatfield
- Bourse Trust Company Limited
- BTG Trust and Corporate Services SA
- Cannon Asset Managment
- Charles Russell Speechlys
- Citco Jersey Limited
- Collas Crill Trust
Work highlights
Advised a UHNW family in relation to the establishment of a Jersey private trust company and Jersey discretionary trust and corporate structure to hold assets in excess of $1.5bn.
Advised a lay trustee in a rectification exercise involving cross-border assets, in preparation of the transfer of the trusteeship to a Jersey regulated trust company business.
Advised a family office in relation to a mistake application in order to obtain the court's blessing to facilitate a philanthropic bequest that would otherwise not have been possible due to the terms of the trust.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Victoria Yates
Other key lawyers
Laura Le Meur