Michael is a litigation lawyer, specialising in fraud, white collar and financial crime, regulatory/ public law, and trust and other financial services disputes.
He is a qualified Guernsey Advocate and BVI Attorney and maintains an active litigation practice in both jurisdictions, having previously acted as head of litigation and managing partner of the firm's BVI office.
Experience
Michael qualified in 2004 with ASIC, Australia's financial services and corporate regulator. Since joining Collas Crill in 2009, Michael has taken a leading role in a number of significant and high profile matters, including advising the liquidators of Landsbanki Guernsey Limited in relation to all aspects of the liquidation of the £120 million Guernsey subsidiary of the failed Icelandic Bank, responding to freezing injunctions brought in respect of a $4 billion claim brought by a sovereign stat, and Sark Electricity Limited in its challenge to the implementation of pricing regulation. Michael is frequently instructed for individuals and companies in disputes with regulatory bodies and state agencies.
Recent cases include: Hofgren v GFSC [2025] GCA093 (Guernsey Court of Appeal); Fidelity Management Limited v His Majesty's Comptroller [2024] GCA041 (Guernsey Court of Appeal); In re the M Trusts [2023] GCA084 (Guernsey Court of Appeal)
In 2025, Michael was reappointed for a further four year term as Chairman of the Complaints Panel of the Administrative Decision Review Board, a Guernsey statutory body hearing complaints in relation to a range of administration decisions.
Background
Michael commenced with ASIC as a Graduate Trainee in 2002, before qualifying as a Barrister and Solicitor in Victoria in 2004. During his seven years in ASIC's Enforcement Directorate, Michael advised on and led a number of nationally significant investigations.
Joining Collas Day (as it then was) in 2009, Michael qualified as a Guernsey Advocate and became a Partner of Collas Crill in 2014.
Qualification: Victoria/Australia (2004); England & Wales (2014) (Higher Rights (Civil) - 2019); Guernsey (2014); BVI (2020)
Ranked as a Leading Partner in Legal 500 UK (Dispute resolution; and Regulatory and white-collar crime) and by Chambers and Partners UK (Band 2), and Chambers Global (BVI expertise based abroad).
Michael has been recognised as one of the world's leading practitioners in the Lexology Index: Asset Recovery 2025.
Memberships
ARIES
Insol
R3
IBA (Insolvency)
RISA BVI (Associate)
The International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators
"I genuinely love what I do. On every matter I look to take the time to really understand a client's situation, so I can give them the legal and strategic advice they need to best achieve their goals. There is no better outcome for me than being able to help a client see through the fog of a complex dispute and help deliver clear and effective solutions."
Michael is a dynamic litigator with a strong presence in the regulatory space.
Chambers UK 2023
Michael is a brilliant advocate and is really impressive in court. He is very calm under pressure.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Michael is very sensible, pragmatic, knowledgeable and approachable. He is great on regulatory and financial services matters in particular.
Chambers UK 2024
He is very good at planning and highlighting potential risks. We receive wise recommendations from him, which enables us to speed up the progress of our cases.
Chambers Global (2026)
Michael Adkins: exceptional lawyer; commercially focused and technically excellent.
Legal 500 2022
A very experienced and commercial lawyer.
Michael Adkins is very knowledgeable and a valuable part of the team.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Michael Adkins is a hugely accomplished lawyer with an encyclopaedic knowledge of regulatory law across a number of offshore jurisdictions. He thinks hard about his cases, is willing to innovate, and is adept at spotting the winning points. Michael is also hugely personable and a delight to work with even under the pressure of litigation.
Legal 500 (UK) 2026
Very experienced and extremely capable; my go-to advocate on the island.
Legal 500
Michael Adkins is hands on and practical, and well as technically a very capable partner; all in all, a safe pair of hands.
Legal 500 (UK) 2026
Michael has a strong presence in the regulatory and director advisory space. He’s a skilled operator with a loyal client list.
Michael Adkins is a fighter who knows his stuff on insolvency matters.
Legal 500
Michael provides good commercial advice and is clear in his thinking.
Chambers UK 2023
Technically very good and a useful lead into the Guernsey insolvency market.
Legal 500
Expertise
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.
Our dispute resolution specialists collaborate seamlessly with our corporate, banking and finance teams across jurisdictions to advise on litigation, restructuring and risk and regulatory matters. We provide a global perspective, working closely with our clients to ensure that they are best placed to respond to customer issues, fraud risks, rapidly changing market conditions and regulatory demands.
In regulatory disputes there are often fine lines between the usual wrangling with the regulator and something more serious – by matching our mix of experienced contentious and non-contentious lawyers to the particular problem at hand, we achieve better and more efficient outcomes.
As regulatory experts in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey we frequently act on contentious matters and can leverage our experience to help clients achieve the highest regulatory standards and avoid common pitfalls.
We combine pragmatic risk assessment with rigorous legal advice and compliance guidance to reduce exposure and protect reputation, while drawing on our cross-jurisdictional knowledge to design remediation strategies, negotiate with regulators and, where necessary, litigate effectively.
Our collaborative approach ensures clients receive clear, actionable legal advice that balances regulatory obligations with commercial realities, delivers timely, proportionate solutions and supports remediation plans, helping prevent escalation into more serious enforcement action and preserve business continuity.
Our dispute resolution specialists collaborate seamlessly with our corporate advisory and banking teams across jurisdictions to advise multinational corporations, trust companies, banks, funds, insurers, governments and directors.
We provide a global perspective, working closely with our clients to ensure that they are best placed to respond to customer issues, fraud risks, rapidly changing market conditions and regulatory demands.
Thanks to the depth of our experience and the resources of our team, we've acted on some of the largest pieces of litigation brought against directors offshore.
We're well placed to deal with the 'bet the farm' proceedings that can occur in these type of disputes and have represented parties involved in intra-company disputes, including executive, non-executive and independent directors, majority and minority shareholders, companies and liquidators. We understand that shareholder disputes are often not black and white and our team finds innovative and commercial alternatives to those which the Court may offer – taking a collaborative approach with our clients to ensure that the right result is achieved.
Good corporate governance and a sound understanding of directors duties is critical. Regardless of size, establishing a best practice approach should be fundamental to all boards.
The board of directors are responsible for ensuring the company achieves its objectives and the corporate governance framework they adhere to should underpin their accountability to the company and its members. We advise company boards at all stages in the corporate lifecycle, in solvent and insolvent scenarios.
We have also acted on some of the largest pieces of litigation brought against directors offshore.
Data is the most valuable asset for many of our clients and data protection is a growing facet of offshore business. We have advised a number of institutional clients on their commercial obligations in terms of data security and data protection and regularly provide advice on contract terms in this difficult area. We also have significant experience in using the full range of legal remedies available to obtain access to data and information held, and so are ideally placed to advise clients on either side of the data protection equation.
When customers or clients do not pay on time, we provide timely and effective advice on recovering debts and enforcing judgments. We help businesses, service providers, lenders and borrowers – including banks, funds, directors, and insolvency practitioners – recover commercial debt swiftly and strategically.
Our services cover court proceedings, arrets, saisies, statutory demands, insolvency proceedings, désastre, realisation, dégrèvement, and enforcement of security interests. We conduct thorough security reviews and advise on pre-emptive measures, ensuring prompt, decisive action with discretion to minimise reputational risk.
For financially distressed companies in need of restructuring and reorganisation, or for those where the opportunity to do so has passed or failed, we work to achieve the most beneficial outcome in these difficult situations.
At whatever stage we are engaged, our involvement will assist in identifying the ongoing risks facing a client and to enable that client to continue to identify and effectively manage deteriorating relationships with creditors, financiers, investors or other interested parties.
It is a fact of life that all regulated businesses today face ever increasing pressure in the areas of compliance, regulation and risk management. Not only are our businesses required to comply with regulations and laws imposed within each jurisdiction, we need to be alert to impending changes in the UK, EU and elsewhere which could have an impact on the way we operate.
Restructuring takes many forms, and we have broad experience in reshaping businesses to the changing needs and demands of the market. The team possesses a hands-on and comprehensive grasp of the intricate challenges that may emerge in restructuring scenarios, whether involving mergers, acquisitions, reorganisations or recapitalisation activities.
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.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world. With diversifying markets and governments keen to enact strategies and legislation to bring further innovation, MENA is primed for further transformation and growth.
The demand for professional advisers who understand this rapidly changing environment and the opportunities and challenges it brings has never been higher or more important.
Regional clients with worldwide investments as well as international clients conducting business in the area trust Collas Crill to guide them through their business dealings and wealth planning, with expertise in Shariah-compliant products allied with decades of experience using traditional structures to meet the needs of clients wherever their focus lies.
The Middle East is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world. With diversifying markets and governments keen to enact strategies and legislation to bring further innovation, the region is primed for further transformation and growth.
The demand for professional advisers who understand this rapidly changing environment and the opportunities and challenges it brings has never been higher or more important.
Regional clients with worldwide investments as well as international clients conducting business in the area trust Collas Crill to guide them through their business dealings and wealth planning, with expertise in Shariah-compliant products allied with decades of experience using traditional structures to meet the needs of clients wherever their focus lies.
We live in an increasingly contentious world. When your business is involved in any kind of legal dispute it's crucial to work with lawyers who are hands-on, cost-effective and flexible enough to respond quickly and intuitively to your unique situation and needs.
Our multi-jurisdictional team brings a wealth of experience from a range of diverse backgrounds to give quick, accurate, commercial advice. We work across dispute resolution, restructuring, recovery and insolvency matters to ensure that clients get the full benefit of our know-how and experience across the world.
Directors are legally obliged to act in good faith, exercise independent judgment, and promote the best interests of the company.
Our offshore regulatory lawyers regularly provide expert legal guidance to directors as to their duties in offshore jurisdictions and corporate governance frameworks, as failure to comply with these expected duties potentially results in significant personal liability for directors.
Our experienced team advises on fiduciary responsibilities, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance to ensure directors meet their obligations with confidence. Whether you're forming an offshore entity or navigating complex corporate challenges, we can offer trusted, practical solutions tailored to your needs.
Regulation and legal risk management are placing increasing burdens on companies and businesses in terms of time, costs and resources, and the consequences of getting this wrong can be severe. We can assist with all regulatory and compliance issues in Jersey, Guernsey, BVI and Cayman including:
Anti money laundering and proceeds of crime legislation
FATCA and CRS reporting
Licensing
Economic substance
Beneficial ownership
Sanctions
Tax information exchange requests
AIFMD
Additionally we can help with regulator investigations and visits, enforcement and remediation including representation before regulators, tribunals committees and courts. We have an excellent record in defending corporates and their directors and officers in regulatory proceedings.
We advise on all aspects of breaches of directors’ duties, including allegations of mismanagement, conflicts of interest and breach of fiduciary obligations.
Our offshore disputes lawyers work closely with corporate, regulatory and litigation teams to guide shareholders, directors, companies and financial institutions through complex governance disputes. With experience across multiple jurisdictions, we offer strategic, pragmatic advice tailored to high-stakes and reputationally sensitive matters.
Whether acting in regulatory investigations or shareholder actions, our regulatory disputes lawyers help clients respond confidently to legal and commercial risks in an increasingly regulated and scrutinised environment.
Disputes between directors can threaten the stability and governance of a company. We advise boards, individual directors, shareholders and stakeholders in contentious matters involving boardroom deadlock, removal or appointment of directors and conflicts of interest.
Drawing on our corporate, regulatory and dispute resolution expertise, we provide strategic advice in navigating internal power struggles and fiduciary issues. Our cross-border teams work cohesively to resolve disputes efficiently, protect business continuity and mitigate reputational risk.
Whether acting in private companies, joint ventures or complex corporate structures, we help clients manage director-level disputes with clarity and confidence.
As part of our debt recovery and insolvency services, we assist clients in issuing or responding to statutory demands. Whether enforcing payment or defending against genuinely disputed claims, our involvement helps clarify the legal and financial risks, enabling clients to make informed decisions.
We support effective creditor engagement and help manage escalating disputes, preserving options for resolution or further action.
When debt recovery and demands are ineffective, we assist in preparing and lodging creditors' winding-up applications to achieve an orderly conclusion. We have strong relationships with insolvency practitioners in our offshore jurisdictions and beyond.
We also assist shareholders and directors of companies facing cashflow difficulties. Through early engagement with our network of insolvency professionals, we help to find solutions to minimise risks and maximise returns.
Our approach ensures that the process is conducted efficiently and with minimal disruption, helping clients navigate the legal and commercial risks involved. By intervening early, we support clients in managing stakeholder relationships and fulfilling their obligations with clarity and confidence.
We advise officeholders of overseas companies with assets or operations in our offshore jurisdictions on seeking recognition locally. For offshore companies with foreign operations or assets, we advise officeholders in our offshore jurisdictions on applications to issue letters of request for assistance from foreign courts and for recognition in foreign jurisdictions.
Acting in complex cross-border matters, we help navigate foreign legal systems to protect and recover value. Our experience ensures continued stakeholder confidence and compliance with local obligations, while aligning with the broader restructuring or insolvency strategy.
When acting alongside insolvency officeholders, we pursue claims that maximise recoveries for creditors. Our work supports efforts to investigate, assess and, where appropriate, litigate claims against directors, third parties or others connected with the company.
Whether addressing preferences, transactions at an undervalue or transactions defrauding creditors, misfeasance, wrongful trading or fraudulent trading, unlawful distributions or other breaches of duty, our involvement aims to protect the interests of stakeholders and secure the best possible return in complex, high-stakes scenarios.
For directors facing the risk of disqualification in the context of insolvency, we provide clear, strategic advice to manage exposure and regulatory scrutiny. Whether disqualification proceedings are anticipated or already underway, our involvement supports clients in understanding their position, engaging with authorities and pursuing the most favourable resolution.
Successfully navigating the modern global business environment, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise while avoiding legal and regulatory pitfalls, is a challenge for any entrepreneur, business or corporation, during all phases of the corporate life cycle.
Our merger appraisal team has developed a strong reputation as the trusted partner for high value, complex merger appraisals. We have acted for dissenting shareholders in the leading appraisal cases in the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Bermuda.
Clients benefit from the wealth of experience of our integrated practice. The breadth and depth of our multi-jurisdictional team allows us to respond decisively to fast paced and complex merger appraisal litigation and gives our clients unparalleled access to legal developments across the jurisdictions. Our litigation and trial experience is marker-leading. Our team has a depth of experience in complex trial preparation, interlocutory hearings and strategic case management. We have extensive experience working with world-renowned, independent experts and have built strong relationships with 'best-in-class' leading counsel in the appraisal space.
