Carey Olsen is the first port of call for a number of Guernsey and foreign-based trust companies, providing ‘first class’ advice concerning the drafting of trust instruments and wills and the setting up of trust companies, while also working with the firm’s litigators to represent various parties in mistake and trustee removal applications. Heading the group is trust structuring expert Russell Clark, while Natasha Kapp is able to advise on HNW clients’ philanthropic aims in addition to handling the restructuring of trusts and assisting trustees with their day-to-day responsibilities. Konrad Friedlaender continues to advise on matters of trust formation and administration as a consultant, with Patricia Montgomery overseeing both the establishment of trusts and advising on Guernsey inheritance laws and supporting clients with the drafting of wills and administration of estates.

Mourant fields ‘one of the top offshore private wealth teams’ in Guernsey, overseeing the structuring, restructuring and termination of trusts and advising trustees on their administrative and fiduciary duties, while working alongside the firm’s disputes team to tackle contentious trust matters, including attempts to remove trustees or vary trust instruments. Practice head Gilly Kennedy-Smith is well versed in the structuring of trusts and succession plans in addition to related tax matters. Alexander Hawkins acts for HNW clients in relation to their wealth management planning, while also assisting professional trustees in relation to their fiduciary duties and in situations where their removal is sought. Lorcan Higgins joined the team from Australia’s Mills Oakley in September 2024, handling the formation and restructuring of Guernsey trusts.

The ‘highly practical and commercial’ lawyers that make up Ogier‘s trusts practice advise HNW clients on the structuring of their trusts and other asset planning matters, and are also able to help with family and business relocations into Guernsey. The team is headed by ‘the best non-contentious trust lawyer in the Channel Islands’ Matt Guthrie, who acts for professional trustees, HNW settlors and beneficiaries in relation to their trusts and foundations, and associated international reporting requirements. Catherine Moore provides additional trust formation and administration expertise, while Chris Hards, who made partner in October 2024, advises clients on semi- and non-contentious trusts and wills matters.

Collas Crill‘s ‘highly responsive and efficient’ team is instructed by HNW settlors and beneficiaries looking to structure, vary or exit trust structures, with particularly strong ties to the MENA market. The team also works alongside the firm’s litigation department in breach of trust, fraud and trustee removal proceedings. Heading the team is Angela Calnan, who advises across the life cycle of trusts, from structuring to winding up, and Joanne Seal, a specialist in wills and estates matters. Cerisse Fisher oversees the set-up and restructuring of trusts and in addition to advising on semi-contentious trust matters. June 2025 saw Elena Gogh, a specialist in the structuring of family offices and other wealth management vehicles, join the team.

Walkers provides ‘practical and pragmatic advice’ to trustees, HNW settlors and beneficiaries looking to establish and manage trusts in Guernsey, with particular expertise in structures designed to hold digital assets. The group also works closely with the firm’s disputes team where trust or probate matters become contentious. Practice head Rupert Morris is an experienced trust structuring advisor, acting for a client base that includes HNWIs and governments looking for assistance with wealth and asset management, while also representing them before the courts should matters become contentious. David Cooney supports clients with the structuring of trusts and the assets held within across Guernsey, the Cayman Islands and BVI, and is especially adept at advising on crypto-asset management structures. Aaron Sanders acts for clients in breach of trust proceedings and trustee removal applications.

Appleby‘s private client and trusts team, under the guidance of Jeremy Berchem and Stuart Tyler, assists clients with the structuring of trusts and wills, and is also able to advise them on mistake and rectification applications, working with the firm’s litigation specialists. Berchem and Tyler leverage their finance and transactional experience to assist HNW clients with deals concerning trust assets. Paula Fry handles trust structuring and restructuring mandates, in addition to appearing in court for clients in applications to vary trusts or remove trustees or protectors.