Ogier
Ogier‘s team advises clients including HNWIs, their family offices and fiduciary service providers on a range of trust matters, including the establishment and restructuring of Guernsey structures, succession and estate planning, family governance, and tax efficiency. Spearheading the practice is Matthew Guthrie, noted for setting up and restructuring complex cross-border structures, in addition to representing trustees involved in disputes. Catherine Moore assists HNWIs and fiduciaries with the structuring of private wealth and regulatory issues, while managing associate Chris Hards supports clients with matters of trusts and foundation law, with further expertise in pensions issues. Gavin Ferguson completes the roster of recommended names.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Ogier has helped our company in many ways over the years. Understanding our business and our clients has been essential in Ogier providing bespoke options to us and our clients. This helps us get to the heart of matters quickly, reduces cost and helps us resolve matters efficiently too. Ogier can explain complex matters in a way that is easily understandable so that we can identify the issues. Ogier are also very responsive.'
- 'Prompt and efficient service, with really personable staff. There is a real sense of commercial thinking, whilst safeguarding the interest of the trustees and beneficiaries as a whole.'
- 'Chris Hards is personable, efficient and has a great way of explaining complex matters and never gets flustered. Matthew Guthrie has excellent technical ability and is able to pick up on the key elements without issue and cut through to the heart of what is really important.'
- 'They couple a private client expertise with the corporate mindset which clients are looking for.'
- 'The team is very strong in trusts, with a track record of advising on and structuring complex assets in the HNW and UHNW space for international clients.'
- 'Ogier have a very strong team in Guernsey which provides a wide range of skillsets and experience. We have benefitted from their advice and support in general trust matters, and more complex matters such as divorces of trust settlors and beneficiaries, and charity legislation. It is reassuring to know that a wide range of advice and support can be obtained from within one firm.'
- 'Very cohesive and great partner engagement.'
- 'The team at Ogier, led by Matthew Guthrie, is first tier. I've worked with them on a number of complex and very high value trust matters, and they are responsive, detailed and also commercial in their provision of advice.'
Work highlights
- Advised a local trust company on Guernsey law concerning a trust which was established to receive the shares in a Guernsey holding company following the settlor's death.
- Advised on a significant business wind-down involving the transfer of a large number of structures.
- Acted for a large trust company in a highly contentious restructuring of a trust involving an application by a beneficiary for the removal of the trustee and numerous additional applications.