private client & trusts, Guernsey

Guernsey is a leading international fiduciary centre with 50 years' experience of supplying trust and corporate services. Our Guernsey Private Client & Trusts group advises on the full range of core trust matters, including the creation, variation and dissolution of trust structures as well as their general administration. We provide contentious and non-contentious trust services to high net worth individuals, corporate clients and charities. We also advise on regulatory matters and Shari'ah- compliant trust structures.

Our team advises trustees, beneficiaries and settlors in regard to their rights, powers and/or duties, but also other parties who are relevant to trusts, such as protectors and enforcers.

Our lawyers regularly speak at trust conferences locally and internationally, and have also been involved in undertaking pro bono charitable work, including the establishment of a new local charity for supporting victims of crime in Guernsey.

Guernsey modernised its tried and tested trusts legislation in 2008. Some of the main changes included the introduction of purpose trusts; the removal of limits on the length of a trust’s duration - allowing perpetual trusts; and abolishing the liability of directors of corporate trustees, particularly as a way to encourage greater use of private trust companies (PTCs).

Guernsey purpose trusts are increasingly being used as part of sophisticated international planning exercises. We have also seen increasing interest and demand for Guernsey private trust companies, driven mainly by the demands of the family to have greater control within the structure. In addition, Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme, and more recently Qualifying Non UK Pension Scheme are exceptionally popular.

We work closely with the Litigation & Insolvency group, and have the support of a specialist trust litigation practice to call on in all contentious aspects of our trust work where our clients may find themselves in unexpected or unintended difficulties.

Appleby also provides the full range of Private Client & Trust management and administration services through Appleby Trust (Guernsey) Limited, regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.