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David Jeffery

Of Counsel

Legal

Guernsey | BVI

David  Jeffery

David has more than 15 years' experience of general litigation, with a particular focus on contentious wills and estates, as well as high value personal injury and complex medical negligence actions.

David advises on all aspects of contentious wills and estates matters, including claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Guernsey) Law, 2011, challenges to the validity of a Will on the grounds of undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity and want of knowledge and approval, and also contested executorship applications.

His personal injury and medical negligence practice sees him accept instructions from both Plaintiffs and Defendants, and has represented some of the largest insurers in the UK. He has a particular focus on high-value RTAs, complex brain injury and birth defect/traumatic birth cases.

David is also admitted as solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the territory of the Virgin Islands, where he has been heavily involved in providing assistance to our BVI team in a number of significant medical negligence cases being litigated in the BVI High Court.

Experience

  • Obtained significant damages for multiple Plaintiffs injured in RTAs on Guernsey's roads
  • Won six-figure damages for a Plaintiff following a lifting type accident at work
  • Obtained damages in excess of £500,000 for a labourer who sustained brain injuries following a fall from height at work
  • Successfully litigated the first case to come before the Royal Court of Guernsey alleging 'undue influence' in respect of a lifetime transfer [see Hitchins v Hill, 2011]
  • Defended a widow against allegation of undue influence and lack of capacity concerning her late husband's Will

David is one of Collas Crill's most experienced 'mediators', having appeared for clients at mediation many times, in multiple jurisdictions, in both contested probate and medical negligence actions.

Background

David graduated from the University of Nottingham Trent and completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guildford. He went on to train with leading regional firm, Thomson Snell & Passmore, qualifying as a solicitor of England and Wales in 2004. During his training, David undertook extended seats in the firm's complex medical negligence and brain injury team.

David is also admitted as solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the territory of the Virgin Islands.

In his spare time, David is an avid golfer playing off a handicap of +2. He is a Past Captain and Past President of his golf club.

Memberships

APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers)

 

*admitted in England and Wales, and British Virgin Islands

"A lawyer who knows how to win."

Expertise

Arbitration is increasingly being used as a cost-effective, confidential and efficient alternative to court litigation for solving commercial, construction and more frequently trust disputes. The global enforceability of arbitral awards and the successful adoption of virtual technology by most arbitration institutions makes it an attractive option for resolving disputes. 

Our dedicated arbitration lawyers bring deep, cross-border experience in both international arbitration and mediation, combining strategic judgment with practical commercial awareness to work alongside and quickly determine the best approach for a successful conclusion. They are skilled at:

  • Assessing forum suitability
  • Managing complex stakeholder relationships
  • Shaping dispute resolution strategies that reflect clients’ broader business objectives

With offices in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey and London as well as a strong track record across a wide range of sectors, our arbitration lawyers can advise you on every aspect of international arbitration, adapting their approach to each dispute while offering clear, commercially rooted guidance aimed at achieving durable, cost-effective outcomes.

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Our experienced team represent clients in a range of private, contractual and commercial real estate disputes.

Widely regarded as the preferred advisors for numerous high-net-worth individuals and families, we regularly assist in navigating disputes related to private matters, property (including boundary disputes), trusts, and family issues. 

Our real estate disputes lawyers combine specialist real estate litigation experience with commercial pragmatism to deliver tailored strategies across negotiation, mediation and court proceedings. They provide measured advice on risk, costs and likely outcomes, and protect client interests through proactive case management and evidence gathering, working closely with commercial, tax, trust and family law specialists where disputes intersect.

With offices in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey, our real estate disputes team’s practical focus is on achieving durable resolutions that preserve value and client relationships.

Additionally, our arbitration specialists are increasingly being used as a cost-effective, confidential and efficient alternative to court litigation in resolving commercial and construction disputes.

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We provide fast, cost-effective and sensitive advice on all types of will-related disputes during what is often an extremely upsetting and distressing time for those concerned. We regularly act on multi-party actions for both plaintiffs and defendants.

Managing wealth, asset preservation, planning for succession and inheritance, and writing wills can be a complex and difficult experience. It's important to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your family and/or successors are taken care of.

There may be alternative ways that you wish to dispose of your estate, for charitable and philanthropic reasons or to look after those who are unable to care for themselves.

Whatever you choose, it is important to seek the right advice to ensure your wishes are preserved. At Collas Crill we have experts in a number of jurisdictions to assist with wills, succession planning, inheritance matters and probate.

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As the global legal and regulatory landscape becomes ever more complex, managing wealth across generations, succession planning and transferring control of assets has never been more challenging. That's why it's important to work with lawyers who can offer solutions that are tailored to your unique circumstances.

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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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We advise both plaintiffs and defendants on personal injury and clinical negligence claims on and have represented some of the largest insurers in the UK.

News and insights

Collas Crill announces 18 promotions across its offices

Collas Crill has made a number of promotions across its Channel Islands and Cayman offices. The firm has promoted Alex Price to Group Partner and Ben Le P...

Life and careers 16/01/2026
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Undue influence will overturned

A pair of mutual Wills drafted by a couple in 1998 have been overturned by the High Court of England and Wales following a claim of undue influence by one...

Insight 04/04/2023
  • Guernsey
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Challenging inheritance claims

In a recent UK inheritance claim case (Fennessy v Turner & anr [2022] WTLR 1295), an adult child won an inheritance claim against his mother's estate....

Insight 17/03/2023
  • Guernsey
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Contentious probate case summary

Claim In the case of Mundil-Williams v Williams [2021] John Williams was a divorced Welsh farmer with four sons. In 2014, he executed a Will (2014 Will). ...

Insight 09/06/2021
  • Guernsey
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A question of domicile

The judge was recently asked to determine the domicile of the late Mr Neil Corner (deceased) following his death in Guernsey in 2017. By his will, Mr Corn...

Insight 29/03/2021
  • Guernsey
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Settling the 'score'

A recent decision of the Court of Appeal serves to provide employers with a useful reminder of the importance of the duties that they owe to their employe...

Insight 07/06/2019
  • Guernsey
  • London
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Personal injury claim changes

In a recent meeting of the States of Guernsey, the assembly was asked to consider the content of a new Policy Letter regarding the method of payment of da...

Insight 08/04/2019
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Keeping your will up to date

Failure to keep your Will up-to-date could significantly increase the chances of your testamentary wishes being subject to legal challenge by disgruntled ...

Insight 06/12/2018
  • Guernsey
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Beryl St Clare Le Marquand

The Guernsey Royal Court has handed down what is considered to be the first recorded judgment in Guernsey relating to the registration of a photocopy rath...

Insight 06/04/2018
  • Guernsey
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Promises, promise

The case of Habberfield v Habberfield [2018] EWHC 317 Ch is another example of a growing trend of cases in which claimants (disappointed beneficiaries) ar...

Insight 05/04/2018
  • Guernsey
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Mistakes: What next?

Given the favourable tax regimes in play across the Channel Islands, it is not surprising that incorrect tax advice is a common feature in what is becomin...

Insight 10/03/2016
  • Guernsey
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AFR Executors (Guernsey) Limited

Acted in defending proceedings seeking to set aside a settlement agreement in order to conclude a long standing dispute between the parties concerning the...

Deals and cases 09/09/2015
  • Guernsey
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Hitchens v Hill

Collas Crill represented three siblings in proceedings against their estranged sister, challenging a purported transfer of their mother's 100% beneficial ...

Deals and cases 20/05/2015
  • Guernsey
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