Michael Adkins

Michael Adkins 

Partner | Guernsey | BVI

  • Michael is a dynamic litigator with a strong presence in the regulatory space.
    Chambers UK 2023
  • Very experienced and extremely capable; my go-to advocate on the island.
    Legal 500
  • Technically very good and a useful lead into the Guernsey insolvency market.
    Legal 500
  • Michael has a strong presence in the regulatory and director advisory space. He’s a skilled operator with a loyal client list.
  • Michael provides good commercial advice and is clear in his thinking.
    Chambers UK 2023
  • Michael Adkins: exceptional lawyer; commercially focused and technically excellent.
    Legal 500 2022
  • A very experienced and commercial lawyer.
  • Michael Adkins is a fighter who knows his stuff on insolvency matters.
    Legal 500
  • Michael is very sensible, pragmatic, knowledgeable and approachable. He is great on regulatory and financial services matters in particular.
    Chambers UK 2024

Michael is a litigation lawyer, specialising in insolvency, regulatory/ public law, 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, 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.

"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."

In 2019, Michael was appointed to a four year term as Chairman of the Complaints Panel of the Administrative Decision Review Board.

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)

Education: BA/LLB (Deakin, 2003); LLM (Melbourne, 2007); Certificat d’Etudes Juridiques Françaises et Normandes (Caen, 2011)

Awards/directories

Ranked as a Leading Partner in Legal 500 and in band 2 in Chambers and Partners UK Guide.

Memberships

  • ARIES
  • Insol
  • R3
  • IBA (Insolvency)
  • RISA BVI (Associate)
  • The International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators

 

 

Legal 500: UK Leading Partner
Chambers Ranking In UK
*Business Assistant
Samantha Davison

Samantha Davison

 
My services
Banking regulation
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In the current climate of increasing regulation we understand the pressures on our clients, both from local regulators as well as international organisations. Our team of dedicated risk and regulatory professionals are on hand to assist. We act for a number of leading clearing and private banks located in our jurisdictions.

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.

Contentious banking and finance
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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.

Contentious regulatory
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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.

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Corporate disputes
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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.

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Corporate governance
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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.

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Data protection
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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.

Debt recovery and enforcement
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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.

Insolvency
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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.

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Regulatory
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Our multi-disciplinary approach to providing risk and regulatory consultancy services ensures that every aspect of our clients' business is covered. By drawing on the skills and experience of a highly experienced team of lawyers with expertise from across the firm, we are able to deal with all legal compliance issues that could affect your business, whether contentious or non-contentious. The assistance we are able to provide ranges from strategic matters to specific operational issues.

Collas Crill's market-leading fraud, financial and white collar crime practice sits within our regulatory practice. Uniquely offering a mix of both civil and criminal fraud litigation experience, from internal investigations, to injunctions, to defence and enforcement, the team can lead clients through the most challenging of circumstances.

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Restructuring
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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.

Utility licensing and regulation
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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.

Middle East and North Africa
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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.

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Dispute resolution
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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.

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Insolvency and restructuring
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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.

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Directors' duties
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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.

Regulatory obligations
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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.

Breach of directors' duties
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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.

Directors' disputes
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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.

Statutory demands
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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.

Winding up applications
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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.

Foreign officeholders
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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.

Officeholder claims
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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.

Directors' disqualification
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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.

8 Apr 2025

The Guernsey anti-money laundering regime through the lens of human rights caselaw

Background The starting point, in Guernsey, is that every person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their property[1]. This right is not absolute but any infringement by the State must be proportionate and for a lawful reason. The Disclosure Law[2]...

9 Jan 2025

Financial crime suspicions in Guernsey: A real bat-tle of wits

Collas Crill assisted its clients in securing the release of over GBP 100 million, informally held at financial institutions as a result of Guernsey's anti-money laundering regime, in 2024 alone. The regime is placing a significant burden upon those cust...

18 Oct 2024

Collas Crill builds on strong rankings in 2025 Chambers UK Guide

Collas Crill's Guernsey and Jersey teams have upheld the firm's rankings across all practice areas in the 2025 Chambers UK Guide, with a notable promotion to Band 3 for Jersey's corporate and finance team. There were some firsts for individuals with Davi...

8 Oct 2024

Sanctions reporting: Episode I - The phantom menace

The Sanctions (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2018 (the Sanctions Law) and the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2011 (the Laws) have been around for some time, so most of us are aware of our obligation to make a report to the Policy and ...

4 Oct 2024

Collas Crill maintains strong rankings in Legal 500 UK 2025 Guide

Collas Crill's Guernsey and Jersey teams have maintained a strong set of rankings in this year's Legal 500 UK directory. The firm is consistently listed in Tier 1 or 2 across its key practice areas and has received a plethora of industry endorsements on ...

30 Jul 2024

Jakob International Inc v HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA, Guernsey Branch

Partner Michael Adkins and Senior Associates Quentin Bregg and Amy Davies recently acted in the long-running dispute of Jakob International Inc v HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA, Guernsey Branch and in doing so, were able to successfully prove to the satis...

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