Collas Crill has ‘real expertise in trust litigation,’ advising on issues concerning the conduct of trustees and their removal, with further expertise in high value commercial disputes. Christian Hay takes the lead on trust disputes and is a qualified mediator for financial services and other commercial disputes. Gareth Bell is the key contact for disputes grounded in insolvency and restructuring processes and is also able to advise on cases concerning directors’ duties, with Michael Adkins handling regulatory matters in addition to trust litigation. Ben Havard oversees a strong contentious trusts caseload, while James Tee is frequently instructed by insolvency practitioners and creditors across a range of insolvency-related issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A fantastic offshore team with real expertise in trust litigation. They are handling one of the biggest trust disputes in the Channel Islands at the moment with skill, calm and efficiency.'
- 'David O'Hanlon has excellent judgment, and he is an advocate the court has complete trust in. He is excellent at dealing with clients but works collaboratively with other lawyers. Michael Adkins is completely unflappable and a very powerful advocate who really fights for his clients.'
- 'Excellent dispute resolution team; strength and breadth of the department, led by first class partners.'
- 'Michael Adkins is an excellent lawyer with great commercial instincts. James Tee gave first-class advice.'
- 'Highly responsive. Their advice was practical but also insightful beyond pure process.'
- 'Christian Hay brought a strong strategic and tactical expertise to bear in our proceedings, alongside his intimate knowledge of the judicial process. He was always available quickly when guidance was needed, and it all led to a successful outcome.'
- 'Collas Crill has been exemplary in how a law firm should operate. They offer a higher quality service than others and are a pleasure to work with. Cannot speak highly enough of the team we worked with.'
- 'Michael Adkins is an excellent team head, led by example, always omni-present and obviously experienced in and out of court in dispute resolution and mediation.'
Key clients
- Minor and unborn family of Bidzina Ivanishvili
- Moro Sphinx Limited
- Bank Julius Baer & Co
- First Island Trustees (Guernsey) Limited
- Moore Stephens Fiduciaries (Guernsey) Limited
- S & J Webster
- Krys Global
- Fidelity Management Limited
- Equiom (Guernsey) Limited
- Artemis Trustees Limited
- IQ-EQ
- Cannon Asset Management Limited
- Ocorian Limited
Work highlights
- Advised a beneficiary looking to secure and defend substantial assets held on trust in Guernsey against enforcement claims falling out of the case of The Public Institution for Social Security -v- Al Rajaan & Others.
- Acted for a beneficiary of a £300m Guernsey trust set up by a French industrialist in a contested application for the removal of the Swiss protectors and investment managers.
- Represented the minor and unborn beneficiaries of a £1bn trust settled by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the former president of Georgia, in relation to the termination of the trust.
Lawyers
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Christian Hay, Gareth Bell, Michael Adkins