Guernsey: Family Law

We have all seen the newspaper articles where a divorcing spouse (or in some cases a willing family member ) is accused of 'hiding' money in an offshore trust to avoid including those funds as part...

It is no secret that the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (the Law) is in need of review and reform. Various attempts have been made to encourage reform by both practitioners...

It is no secret that the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (the Law) is in need of review and reform. Various attempts have been made to encourage reform by both practitioners and the Justice Minister...

Divorce and financial remedy proceedings are frequently characterised by a lack of trust between parties.

We have all seen the newspaper articles where a divorcing spouse (or in some cases a willing family member ) is accused of 'hiding' money in an offshore trust to avoid including those funds as part...

Divorce proceedings often entail complex negotiations over assets.

This article follows on from our earlier discussion on issues clients may need to consider before passing assets to their intended heirs. Here, we highlight some offshore tools that can assist clients in bringing their...

In Al Thani v Al Thani, the UK Privy Council ("the Privy Council") was asked to consider whether British Virgin Islands (BVI) company legislation treats the shares in a company registered in the BVI as immovable property and, therefore, subject to the laws of the BVI in determining the validity of a testamentary instrument for effecting the transmission of those shares on the death of the owner.

Each family's circumstances will ultimately determine the nature and extent of these transfers, and any general comments on this topic must be taken as such. It is important to note...