Leveraging practice head Nancy Chien‘s ties to both Asian and Middle Eastern jurisdictions, Bedell Cristin advises clients on the setup of Jersey-domiciled family offices and other structures to hold family assets. Chien is also sought after for assistance with succession planning, and in setting up philanthropic vehicles, an area of expertise shared by Sevyn Kalsi. Kalsi is further noted for his expertise in matters of family governance, and has worked to grow the firm’s ties to African markets. Edward Bennett assists clients with the setup and reorganisation of trust structures, and is also sought after for assisting HNW families with the transfer of assets to the next generation. Kirsten Brass acts for clients looking to establish Jersey-based trusts, and also handles matters arising out of wills and probate proceedings.

Acting for HNWIs, family offices and trustees alike, Carey Olsen advises on matters tied to the establishment and restructuring of Jersey-based trusts. The department is also frequently instructed on contentious matters arising out of the actions of trustees. Practice head Alexa Saunders supports clients in both semi- and non-contentious matters, including the setting up of trusts and philanthropic vehicles, and subsequent restructurings. Robert Dobbyn is also able to assist with such matters, acting for a client base spread across Europe and the Middle East. Contentious matters are the domain of Andreas Kistler, who represents plaintiffs and defendants in breach of trust and professional negligence hearings. Keith Dixon is noted for advising on succession and estate planning issues, with Stephen Fitzgerald focusing on pension and employee benefits-related trust structures.

The trusts practice at Mourant advises HNW clients on the establishment of trusts and family offices in Jersey, and represents their interests when disputes concerning trusts arise, including the removal of trustees. Edward Devenport heads the group, advising primarily on the structuring and operation of private wealth vehicles. Will Burnell was made partner in August 2023, acting for a variety of HNWIs and philanthropic bodies in relation to their Jersey-based structures, while Chiara Mundy acts for trust companies on a range of contentious and non-contentious trust matters.

Trust companies and HNWIs instruct Ogier on the full spectrum of private wealth issues, including the establishment of Jersey trusts and other wealth management vehicles. The group is increasingly active advising on the setup of structures for HNWIs looking to invest their capital. Jointly heading the team are James Campbell and Josephine Howe, both acting for clients on the structuring and administration of trusts, in addition to offering expertise on the use of private funds. Katherine Neal specialises in the use of trusts in relation to employee incentive and pension schemes. Henry Wickham, who made partner in October 2023, is noted for his work on international will and probate matters, complementing his broader trust and estate planning practice.

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.

Viberts acts for a number of Jersey-based HNWIs and trust companies on the full range of trust, will and probate matters, including acting for clients in challenging wills, contesting the actions of executors, and assisting with succession planning. The practice’s leadership group consists of Christopher Scholefield, a specialist in asset protection and succession planning matters, mental capacity expert Zoe Blomfield, and Charles Thacker, who assists clients with the drafting of wills and applications to the court concerning will and probate.

Appleby advises clients across the spectrum of trust challenges, including the setting up and subsequent restructuring of trusts. In addition, the team works alongside the firm’s disputes practice when matters become contentious, while working with the corporate team on matters pertaining to companies held in trust. Nichola Brennan assists trustees and beneficiaries with the structuring of Jersey trusts, leading the team alongside disputes specialist Fraser Robertson, who tackles the gamut of trust disputes and associated commercial matters. Giles Corbin advises on the use of trusts as both wealth-holding and charitable vehicles, while Michael Davies acts for trust companies regarding indemnities and supplemental instruments.

With considerable expertise in trust disputes, Dickinson Gleeson represents HNWIs as trustees and beneficiaries and trust companies in issues resulting from contested restructuring efforts to disagreements between beneficiaries concerning trust property. Craig Swart heads the practice, maintaining a mixed contentious and advisory practice. James Dickinson acts for clients in trust disputes and asset recovery proceedings, with James Gleeson representing HNWIs, trustees, beneficiaries and executors in matters before the courts.

Walkers is ‘practical in its approach’ to a variety of private client and trust issues, including the establishment of Jersey-based family offices, and the structuring of trusts. The group additionally handles litigation concerning assets held in trusts, and the restructuring of trust and other wealth-holding structures. Rajah Abusrewil is the key contact for non-contentious work, overseeing the lifecycle of trusts and family offices for HNW clients, while Nigel Sanders takes the lead on disputes. Further contentious expertise is provided by Richard Holden, whose practice includes restructuring disagreements and commercial disputes concerning companies held in trusts.

Corbett Le Quesne takes instructions from international clients looking to bequeath Jersey-based property in their wills, in addition to handling trust matters where questions over the testator’s capacity have arisen. The team is led by Simon Lofthouse, who specialises in assisting clients organise their estate and tax affairs. Lofthouse is supported in this role by family law experts Barbara Corbett and Nicholas Le Quesne, both of whom have extensive experience acting for HNW clients in divorce and child law proceedings.

Under the leadership of David Dorgan, JTC Law‘s trusts team has assisted HNW clients with the drafting of trust instruments and supported the day-to-day management of trust and charitable structures. Dorgan also has expertise in overseeing transactions concerning trust assets, with particular experience in acting for Middle Eastern clients.