Private Client: Guernsey - 5th Annual Edition

Jennifer acts for a wide range of international and UK-based families, individuals and trustees, advising on estate planning, wealth structuring and trust issues. She is committed to working with families, and those that advise them and their often complex structures, to achieve successful succession between generations.

A significant part of Jennifer's practice is advising UK and offshore trustees on their duties and decision-making, and providing UK tax advice in connection with complex trust structures.  She helps trustees and families with the creation, management and reorganisation of structures with a focus on ensuring successful transfer of wealth between generations.  She is frequently involved in providing succession advice in a broad sense, including working with families in relation to good governance and philanthropic concerns.    

A large number of the families she looks after are multi-national and typically own properties, businesses and hold investment across a number of countries.  Jennifer assists families and individuals who are non-UK domiciled in relation to pre-arrival planning and pre-deemed domicile planning.  She also has experience of acting for individuals involved in the literary and entertainment worlds, and the particular issues that arise in connection with their estates, both in terms of lifetime planning and after their death.

Jennifer has extensive experience in acting for large landed estates.  She works with estate owning families and trustees, with a key focus on managing succession.  She works collaboratively with property and other colleagues to provide forward-looking commercial advice, and regularly assists with complex inheritance tax issues, trust restructuring, and helping resolve trustee-beneficiary issues for large estates.  She particularly enjoys working as a team with other professionals involved with landed estates, working together to find proactive solutions for families who want to see their inherited wealth prosper for future generations.

Her experience of trust matters and advice to trustees and families means she is frequently involved in aspects of UK and offshore trust litigation and non-contentious applications to court, and works closely with the firm's contentious trusts and estates team.  She has particular experience in acting as independent administrator or trustee following a probate or trust dispute.

Clients look to Jennifer as a trusted adviser and appreciate her sensitive and thoughtful approach to complex family matters, including difficult issues such as capacity, family breakdown and reputation concerns, as well as her technical expertise.

Ben is a Guernsey Advocate and Partner of Collas Crill's Private Client and Trusts team.

His practice is focussed on contentious and semi-contentious trust work, advising both trustees and beneficiaries and appearing in the Royal Court in Guernsey on those matters.

He has a particular interest in the issues around the succession to wealth by the next generation. Recent highlights include: acting for the beneficiary of a trust in a proposed restructuring of an UHNW family's wealth following a dispute with their trustee. Planning for the splintering-off of our client's interests, and negotiating the necessary protections; acting for the corporate trustee of a discretionary trust settled for the benefit of the Settlor's children. The Settlor was domiciled in a jurisdiction in which Sharia law would have applied on succession. The trust imported aspects of Sharia law, while also providing for the settlor's daughters. A family dispute resulted in various challenges relating to the trust; acting for the corporate trustee of a trust during the course of a significant family dispute. The aim was to divide the assets of the trust against a lack of any agreement between the beneficiaries as to how that should be done.

Kerrie is a Director at HIGHVERN, an independent fiduciary services provider, and part of the senior team in its pan-island Private Wealth department. She is qualified as a Guernsey Advocate and has practised as a senior lawyer in in the trusts and private client teams of several leading offshore law firms. Prior to joining HIGHVERN in November 2022, she ran her own boutique private wealth legal practice for two years, specialising in legal services for fiduciaries and private clients. Kerrie has extensive experience of advising on complex, high-value structures, including trusts, foundations and corporate entities, set up by HNWIs and entrepreneurs.

At HIGHVERN, Kerrie uses her industry experience and knowledge, and her technical skills, in working with clients and their advisers to set up and administer robust structures, tailored to each individual client’s specific circumstances and requirements.

Kerrie sits on the Guernsey Association of Trustees’ Executive Committee and leads the association’s Technical Committee, regularly contributing to industry consultations on changes to legislation and regulation affecting Guernsey’s fiduciary sector.

Waqar is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution department, focusing on the resolution of complex tax matters. He acts for high net worth individuals and corporate clients across all sectors in respect of HMRC disputes and investigations across the full range of taxes. This typically includes VAT disputes, employment tax matters (including 'IR35'/off-payroll working), customs/excise duty issues, tax fraud investigations, and more recently, National Minimum Wage enquiries.

Waqar is known for his commercial approach to matters involving HMRC and has a strong track record of helping clients settle without the need for a court or tribunal hearing, particularly through the effective use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (i.e. mediation) with HMRC. He also has considerable experience in judicial reviews and group litigation orders and has led high profile matters at all levels from the Tax Tribunal through to the Supreme Court (including referrals to the Court of Justice of the European Union).

Waqar has been regularly recognised in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as 'one to watch' and a 'rising star'. He was listed in AccountancyAge's '35 under 35' in 2019 and regularly contributes to Tax Journal, Taxation, and other similar publications. Waqar is also the annual webinar presenter of the key tax cases of the year for Lexis and an active member of the VAT Practitioners Group. Waqar is a qualified member of the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT).

Morag is a Barrister and Partner in the Tax team, specialising in litigation and the settlement of disputes.

She is experienced in helping clients find bespoke legal solutions to the most complex tax problems, and acts for clients from all over the world – including household names in sport, film and TV; international families; and other prominent individuals.

Prior to entering private practice, Morag spent time at the independent Bar, the Big Four and in-house at an investment management firm. Her deep understanding of tax and litigation procedure, coupled with her extensive experience in advising on the lawfulness of HMRC’s decisions ensures that she is able to develop strategic solutions that both assist and protect clients.

Morag offers a wide range of private client litigation and contentious tax services ranging from tribunal litigation and complex tax investigations, to cases of suspected fraud, settlement of marketed tax avoidance schemes, conduct/fairness proceedings against HMRC, and claims where incorrect tax advice has been given.

She is known for her inter-disciplinary approach to tax, which often includes working with other experts and specialists, leveraging insights from different areas of law – securing good outcomes for clients both in and out of the courtroom.

In addition to contentious work, Morag is also able to advise clients on their business interests and any possible tax risks when structuring their affairs around the world and regularly advises on the tax consequences of living or working abroad, the purchase and movement of luxury assets, and the tax implications of divorce for international couples.

Maya is a partner in the private client and tax team.

She is a US qualified lawyer in the private client and tax practice group in London. Her practice involves a wide range of matters including US tax, trust and estate planning for US and international families, with particular experience assisting clients with complex multi-jurisdictional issues.
 

Maya has extensive experience assisting clients regarding their US tax compliance and frequently assists them with various IRS US voluntary disclosure programs. She also regularly advises individuals, trusts and trustees, and other entities regarding their Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and Common Reporting Standard (CRS) classifications and obligations.

Maya also advises both public charities and private foundations (US and non-US) on various US tax matters, including obtaining and maintaining US tax exemption, operational matters and the structuring of investments and charitable grants.

Alison is a partner and head of the Guernsey Dispute Resolution team.

She is recognised in Legal 500's "Hall of Fame", and by Chambers & Partners. Alison has considerable experience in relation to trust, banking, insolvency and insurance litigation, as well as general corporate disputes.  She appears regularly in front of the Royal Court and Court of Appeal. Alison is a regular speaker at conferences in Guernsey, the UK and internationally, particularly in relation to trust litigation corporate governance and AML issues

Sarah focusses on advising international UK-based wealthy families, including entrepreneurs and investors, on structuring their worldwide assets efficiently. Sarah started her career as a graduate, and has worked for a variety of legal and accounting firms in both the UK and the Channel Islands, before joining Frank Hirth in 2016. She now heads the UK tax team at EY Frank Hirth.

Sarah has advised wealthy multinational families, entrepreneurs and highly sophisticated investors on structuring their worldwide assets efficiently. She is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP). Sarah is also a qualified Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA). She was named in Spear's 500 Top Private Client Advisers in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

She holds a Law degree (LLB Hons) in Law from UWE Bristol and a master’s degree (LLM) in Public Law from University of Bristol.

Beatrice is a Partner in the Private Wealth team at Stephenson Harwood.

Beatrice's primary focus is on international tax, trusts, tax and estate planning for UK and non-UK resident and UK and non UK domiciled HNW and UHNW clients and their families.

Beatrice has a particular expertise on European issues in general and Italian issues in particular, as she has qualified in Italy and in England and Wales.  Beatrice also has significant experience in advising financial institutions and trustees on international trust and tax matters and structuring and on the ownership, structuring and acquisition of UK and non-UK real estate. Beatrice also specialises in cross-border estate planning issues with a particular focus on all issues arising from Roman Law and Common Law application to clients and their assets.

Simon is highly regarded by both clients and his peers, he brings his considerable expertise to bear to help separating couples resolve issues in a constructive manner. He has a particular strength in complex financial cases, often involving trusts, family businesses and assets in more than one jurisdiction.

Working closely with colleagues in the private wealth sector to provide a seamless service to high net worth individuals and their families, Simon is able to advise on the family law aspects of wealth protection, including prenuptial and cohabitation agreements. He has a thriving children law practice and has assisted parents in all aspects of the law relating to children. He has a specialist interest in the cross-border movement of children and frequently provides guidance on international surrogacy and applications for parental orders.

Simon is an elected member of the national committee of Resolution, the leading membership organisation for specialist family lawyers, and is the organisation’s treasurer.

Simon is recognised as a 'Next Generation Partner' in The Legal 500 2023 edition and is ranked in the Chambers UK and HNW guides for his work on sophisticated financial cases, many with a trust-related, family business or multi-jurisdictional element. He is recognised as a 'Recommended Lawyer' in the Spear's 500 2022 directory.

Catherine is a partner in Ogier’s Private Wealth team in Guernsey advising on a variety of non-contentious as well as contentious matters. A Guernsey Advocate, she advises on a range of private wealth structures including trusts and foundations, working closely with fiduciary service providers and high net worth individuals.

Catherine advises fiduciary service providers, intermediaries and high net worth individuals in relation to a range of private wealth structures from a non-contentious as well as a contentious perspective. She advises on the creation, administration and reorganisation of trusts, foundations and corporate structures as well as regulatory matters and pension and succession advice.  

Catherine has been described by clients as ‘super smart’ and ‘a good lawyer who knows her stuff’ who is ‘extremely calm under pressure and pragmatic in dealing with challenges’ (Chambers UK Guide and Chambers HNW Guide).

Catherine has been named in ePrivateclient’s Top 35 under 35 in the Channel Islands and the UK (2019) and Citywealth’s Top 100 International Powerwomen (2019) and won Woman of the Year - Rising Star – Silver at the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards (2020).

Catherine is a full STEP member and has spoken at a number of STEP lectures both locally and internationally.

Catherine is fluent in Spanish.

Guy Mawson is a Partner in the Family team and has significant experience across the full range of private family law work. In particular, he acts for high net worth individuals regarding financial claims on separation. Such cases often involve multi-jurisdictional issues, trust structures and complex assets. Guy frequently act for clients with a high profile for whom reputation management is a key consideration.

Guy also specialises in sensitive children matters, including those with significant welfare concerns and where serious allegations are made. He has extensive experience advising high net worth individuals on prenuptial agreements, often working closely with family offices and private client advisers.

Kelly Greig joined Blick Rothenberg in 2024, following a long career as a tax lawyer. She is a dual-qualified solicitor (non-practising) and a Chartered Tax Adviser, specialising in international issues affecting private clients.

She primarily advises international high-net-worth individuals and corporate entities on structuring their affairs with a focus on future succession. Kelly holds an Advanced Diploma in International Taxation with a specialism in UK/US tax. With over 19 years of experience in tax advisory work, she has developed particular expertise in succession planning for business owners, the use of offshore structures, and international estate planning. She also acts as an expert witness on tax matters.

Kelly is the current Worldwide Chair of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a global organisation recognised as the gold standard for professionals advising families across generations.

She has a strong interest in tax treaties and frequently provides specialist advice in this area. In addition, she lectures at the International University of Monaco on the International Management of Family Wealth.

Kelly regularly contributes commentary and responses to government consultations on legislative developments and is a frequent speaker at international conferences and debates. She also serves on the advisory board of the International Tax Planning Association.

Monika Byrska is a bilingual solicitor specialising in trust, will and estate disputes. 

Monika advises in all types of private client disputes. This includes: will challenges, Inheritance Act claims, disputes relating to the administration of estates, actions against trustees and personal representatives, promissory estoppel claims, trust disputes between co-owners of a property, and application for directions in administration of trusts and estates. 

As a STEP-qualified practitioner, she is uniquely qualified to assist with both contentious and non-contentious aspects of trust and estate administration. She therefore also represents personal representatives and trustees advising on the administration of trusts and estates, which are complex or entangled in disputes. 

As Monika often meets clients when they are going through their most difficult times, she aims to put them at ease with her straightforward and compassionate approach. She has passion and years of experience in resolving what may seem to be the most impossible disputes over wealth.  

She is bilingual and able to service clients in Polish. With a background in linguistics and interpretation, Monika also has a working knowledge of a couple other European languages.