Elizabeth Couch
Partner † | Guernsey
Private Client and Trusts
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Elizabeth cares deeply for her clients, has a huge work ethic and thinks creatively about solutions for her cases.
Legal 500 2022 -
Elizabeth is very tactically astute and a fine technical lawyer.
Legal 500 2022
Overview
Elizabeth is a Guernsey Advocate and joined Collas Crill in January 2021 as Partner of the Private Client and Trusts team.
Elizabeth is a highly regarded family law practitioner in Guernsey. She specialises in all areas of family law and has extensive experience in all matters relating to family breakdown, divorce and cohabitation. She has a particular focus in advising high-net-worth clients in complex ancillary relief matters and private law children cases, which can involve cross-jurisdictional issues. Her clients include husbands and wives, cohabitants and children.
Experience
Elizabeth was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2003 and practised at 4 Paper Buildings, London, a leading chambers of specialist family law barristers until 2012 when she returned to Guernsey.
Elizabeth qualified as a Guernsey Advocate in 2016 and appears regularly before the Royal Court of Guernsey. In 2020 Elizabeth represented the wife before the Guernsey Court of Appeal in Q v Q [2020] GCA016.
Prior to joining Collas Crill in January 2021, Elizabeth was a Partner at Browns Advocates, Guernsey.
Background
Elizabeth is a patron of the Guernsey Health Improvement Commission. She enjoys boating, sea swimming and running on the cliffs.
Memberships
Resolution
Family Law Bar Association
Inner Temple
† not a member of Collas Crill LLP in Guernsey
The role of a modern trustee has never been more complex. Trustees must satisfy the needs and desires of their beneficiaries, manage complex assets and navigate an ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape.
We know that trustees can need assistance and advice on how best to satisfy their duties and to meet their legal and regulatory obligations. We understand and have a great deal of experience in working with trustees to get ahead of any potentially difficult situation and resolve it in a way that minimises risk and conflict.
Changing your name in Guernsey is relatively straightforward but usually requires a brief Court attendance. We can guide you smoothly through the process.
When managing a divorce or separation, the welfare of the children is paramount. With this in mind, we will help you through the legal process with a sensitive and yet practical approach.
Child Law - the basics
Flow chart of applications relating to children
Different types of Court order
Family Proceedings Advisory Service
International relocation
Child abduction and how to prevent it
Domestic abuse and violence
The Child, Youth and Community Tribunal
Grandparents' rights
Adoption
Common questions
There is no such thing as 'common law marriage', nor are there any specific rules relating to cohabitation. On separation, the issues can become complex requiring expert guidance.
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, we frequently act on contentious matters and can leverage our experience to help clients achieve the highest regulatory standards and avoid common pitfalls.
We provide practical advice in plain English on all aspects of divorce and separation. We will guide you through the legal process as quickly, painlessly and cost effectively as possible.
Divorce - the basics
Grounds for divorce
Same sex marriage and divorce
Defended divorce
Flow chart of an undefended divorce
Alternatives to divorce
Ten practical tips for getting divorced
Common questions
Our team has extensive expertise in all areas of family law and is known for providing a personalised, responsive service to clients.
Read moreFinancial issues can be one of the more challenging aspects of divorce and separation. We provide robust, cost-effective advice on the various options available to separating parties.
Options at a glance
Finances - the basics
Flow chart of a financial application
Different types of Court order
How the Court decides who gets what
Financial dispute resolution hearings
Alternatives to Court
Common questions
On the breakdown of a marriage or relationship, either party or children may need protection. The law aims to provide immediate protection for those who need it, and if you find yourself in this position then it is essential that you act quickly. We offer expert advice and guidance in this area.
In an ever-shrinking world, disputes involving international family law are becoming more and more common. We offer specialist legal advice in this area.
Judicial separations are unique to Guernsey and present a quick and cost effective way of securing an agreement in relation to children and finances. We will advise and guide you smoothly through the process.
While prenuptial agreements are not legally binding, they are becoming an increasingly common feature of modern-day marriage. We offer expert advice and guidance in this area.
This article first appeared in issue 29 of En Voyage magazine Cohabiting couples are the fastest growing family model in the UK. According to the Census 2021, the proportion of people in a co-habiting relationship (not a marriage or civil partnership) ha...
A recent study by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee has found that the number of cohabiting couples in England and Wales is rising, with around 3.6 million cohabiting couples in 2021 compared to 1.5 million in 1996. The study also set ...
In times of ever-increasing property prices, parental contributions towards house purchases are becoming increasingly common. According to recent research by Legal & General, the "Bank of Mum & Dad" is now one of the UK's top ten largest lenders ...
This article was first published in Aurigny's inflight magazine, En Voyage, in October 2022. Click here to view the publication, this article is on page 75. As Covid restrictions and quarantines continue to lift, holiday planning has bounced back and f...
This article was originally published in issue 24 of En Voyage magazine. Click here to view the publication in full - see page 101. What's in a name? There are many reasons why a person may wish to change their name. Upon the breakdown of a marriage, peo...
No Fault Divorce – Matrimonial Causes (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2022 The States of Guernsey has published legislation introducing what is commonly known as "no fault divorce", as well as other practical and procedural changes to the divorce process. ...
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