Collas Crill‘s private client team represents both trustees and HNWIs in matters tied to the restructuring or relocation of trusts, and mistake applications brought before the Royal Court. The team additionally provides day-to-day support on the management of trusts and assets held therein. January 2024 saw the firm merge with Ward Yates, bringing on highly experienced trusts practitioner Victoria Yates as head of non-contentious trusts. Yates advises on the creation of family unit trusts and limited partnerships, in addition to estate planning. Damian James takes the lead on contentious matters, where the arrival of James Sheedy in January 2024 strengthens the firm’s litigious capacity. Sheedy takes on a broad spectrum of trust disputes, including breach of trust and removal of trustee cases.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Knowledgeable, experienced and confident.'
- 'Victoria Yates and Laura Le Meur are responsive, and they provide comprehensive advice.'
- 'Collas Crill is a full-service team for private clients in terms of wealth structuring, advisory and disputes. The team is very agile and responsive. They provided us clear and practical advice.'
- 'Headed by Damian James, who is my go-to for contentious trust matters. We have worked closely with CC's non-contentious team as well. Vicky Yates has just joined and is held in high regard by our firm.'
- 'Damian James has an ability to get to the heart of difficult issues quickly and calmly. My preferred type of litigator, as his drive is not to head to court, but to resolve the issues via other means. Keeps the temperature down in his dealings.'
- 'Victoria Yates understands the need for well priced, high quality work, delivered in a timely manner.'
- 'Victoria Yates is one of the top lawyers in Jersey - always willing to provide her excellent advice on complex trust and wider private client issues in both a commercial and engaging manner. Both trustees and client appreciate her approach and her professionalism.'
- 'Damian James - very strong in litigation and planning.'
Key clients
- Highvern Trustees Limited
- Entrust Limited
- Stepthorn Limited
- Ocorian
- Equiom
- JTC
- Buck Trustees
- Intertrust
- Hawksford
- Vistra
- Zedra
- Stenham Alderney
- Earl Fiduciary
- Pacor Secoma
- Wedlake Bell
- Charles Russell Speechlys
- Michelmores
- Simon Halabi
- Trident
- KPMG
- Nedgroup
- IQ-EQ
- Affinity Private Wealth
Work highlights
- Advised on extensive bespoke variations to a Jersey-governed discretionary trust settled by a billionaire Taiwanese entrepreneur.
- Advised three HNW clients of Farrer & Co in relation to proceedings in Jersey to remove the trustee of two Jersey law discretionary trusts.
- Acted for two of the beneficiaries of a series of trusts holding family wealth exceeding £800m in proceedings seeking the removal of the trustee and restructuring of the trusts.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Victoria Yates, Damian James