Alderney/Sark

The Bailiwick of Guernsey includes not only the island of Guernsey but also two other islands, Alderney and Sark, which are jurisdictions in their own right with their own laws and courts.

Alderney has established itself as a global hub for e-gaming and has its own licensing regime in that regard as well as its own Company law.

Sark's unique history and constitution raise interesting and difficult legal challenges regarding many aspects of life from administrative law to property transactions.

Collas Crill's experienced Guernsey team regularly advises on the laws of both Alderney and Sark, in addition to Guernsey. Our experience includes:

  • advising the world's largest online gaming software supplier on the acquisition and regulation of an Alderney-licensed gaming company;
  • completing the first ever conveyance of part of a tenement in Sark, following changes to Sark's ancient property laws;
  • advising Blue Islands on Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney law aspects of a restructuring and loan facility;
  • acting as expert witnesses on matters of local law;
  • advising the former owners of Sark Electricity Limited on regulatory and legislative matters including appeals against decisions of the Sark Electricity Price Control Commissioner;
  • advising on Alderney e-gaming regulation and licensing applications;
  • advising renewable energy businesses in respect of seabed leases and energy generation regulations; and
  • preparing wills to deal with Alderney and Sark property.
Services
Commercial real estate
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Our commercial property team includes some of the most highly regarded offshore commercial property lawyers. We are recognised and cited for our experience, commercial approach, exceptional service standards and ability to deliver in a fast and efficient manner. Across Guernsey, Jersey and the Cayman Islands we have been involved in many of the most significant commercial property transactions of the last decade. We handle all aspects of commercial freehold and leasehold real estate, acting for both landlord and tenant, buyer and seller. We have the experience to guide you through every stage of a transaction with absolute confidence.

Competition and regulatory pricing
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It is important for businesses to understand what constitutes a dominant market position in order to avoid becoming involved in anti-competitive practices, especially during mergers and acquisitions. Penalties can be significant and directors may be disqualified, or worse. In addition to regularly gaining merger approvals, our commercial team also advises a number of major businesses on the practical effect of the competition regimes on their businesses.

E-gaming and e-business
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E-gaming and e-commerce have become increasingly important sectors to the economy, having grown exponentially in recent years. Collas Crill has a particular specialism in e-gaming. The opportunities are huge, but the legislative and regulatory issues facing the industry require close attention. Our specialists can advise and assist companies and other organisations on the issues in setting up and managing online businesses as well as managing the risks to succeed in a global market.

Estate planning, wills and inheritance
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Planning for the future is something that people often don't like to think about but it is one of the most important things that you should do during your lifetime. Whether you need simple wills put in place or more complex estate structuring, our experienced and approachable team can help you organise and plan your affairs for the immediate and longer term future. We work hard to guide you through any issues of concern to ensure that you reach a position where you feel reassured that you are clear as to what will happen to your assets, and those you leave behind, in the future.

Planning services (Channel Islands)
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Collas Crill has a proven track record on planning matters, from initial advice through to successful planning appeals. Our aim is to make the planning process as simple as possible, bearing in mind at all times our clients' primary goal.

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Probate and estate administration
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When executors, family or friends of a deceased need to get access to assets held by their loved one, they may be asked to produce a document commonly referred to as a 'grant of probate'. A grant of probate means that an individual is given the right, by the relevant court, to deal with a deceased's estate. The deceased may have left a will or may have died intestate (without a will). It might be the case that probate has already been obtained in another jurisdiction and that a separate grant of probate needs to be obtained in Guernsey or Jersey. This can be an unfamiliar and stressful process. At Collas Crill we have many years' experience in making these types of applications. We are able to assist in simply obtaining the grant of probate, can arrange release and payment of the Channel Island assets to the relevant person, or deal with the full administration of an estate depending on your requirements.

Residential real estate
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Property law can be a complex, daunting and emotional experience for many individual buyers and sellers. Feeling an emotional tie to your new or prospective property, your 'home', is inevitable. When buying or selling property you need a strong, dependable team that knows the market inside and out. We offer top quality advice and successfully anticipate the unique challenges and opportunities you are likely to face. We believe that communication and responsiveness is the key to a stress-free experience which is why we're always on hand to listen, offer assistance and pick up the phone to keep you informed at every stage of a transaction.

Utilities
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We work with a number of local utilities assisting them with their work with regulators and pricing control commissioners as well as advising on the effects of proposed changes in legislation, commercial contracts and corporate governance.

8 Mar 2021

Property history made in Sark

Collas Crill completed the first conveyance of part of a tenement in Sark on Friday 5 March, following recent changes to Sark's ancient property laws. The long-awaited Land Reform (Sark) Law, 2019, (Law), came in to force on 1 February 2021 bringing wit...

27 Jan 2021

Changes coming to Sark property law

1 February 2021 is set to be a massive day for Sark and its people with the coming into force of the long-awaited Land Reform (Sark) Law, 2019, (the "Law"). The Law will bring sweeping changes to the principles of land ownership in Sark – principles whic...

10 Jul 2020

Blue Islands £10 million loan

Collas Crill has acted for Blue Islands on its £10 million loan facility with the States of Jersey, safeguarding essential lifeline travel connections for the Channel Islands. The loan secures the Channel Islands' air connectivity with the United Kingdo...

1 May 2020

Lasting powers of attorney

Clients often ask whether they are able to put in place a lasting power of attorney so that chosen individuals could manage their affairs for them, should they become unable to do so. For a number of years the Bailiwick of Guernsey has been looking to u...

24 Jul 2019

The Alderney Gambling Law review

Collas Crill has again collaborated with several major international law firms for the fourth edition of the multi-jurisdictional legal reference book, The Gambling Law Review. Published by The Law Reviews, group partner Wayne Atkinson who specialises in...

30 Nov 2018

Sark Electricity settlement

Collas Crill’s ongoing work with Sark Electricity Limited has resulted in the Sark Electricity Price Control Commissioner agreeing to a Court order setting aside his earlier decisions concerning the reduction of electricity prices on Sark. Successful 11t...

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