Emma advises on all aspects of commercial dispute resolution with a particular focus on contentious and semi-contentious trust matters. She regularly advises corporate trustees and beneficiaries alike on the full spectrum of trust disputes from breach of trust claims to information requests.
In addition to trust matters, Emma regularly assists clients in respect of commercial disputes and contentious risk and regulatory matters, including enforcement action. Emma also has considerable experience acting for Insured parties.
Experience
- Mr C v The Trustee of the VT Trust (Approved Judgment 2 October 2020) - successfully acting for a settlor in applying to set aside a Guernsey discretionary trust on the grounds of mistake and thereby avoiding £1.2m in the UK inheritance taxes. The settlor had received incorrect advice as to the IHT consequences at the time of settlement.
- Successfully opposing a blessing application on behalf of the settlor and principal beneficiary where the trustee was going to pay away 80% of the trust fund in settlement of litigation against the trust to the exclusion of the principal beneficiary.
- Representing a regulated individual director and company in relation to an extended regulatory investigation conducted by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
- Acting for a shareholder of a multinational infrastructure building company in successfully obtaining permission to bring a derivative action against another shareholder in England & Wales for the recovery of a £23m debt. This is understood to be the only time that the Royal Court of Guernsey has granted permission for a derivative action.
Background
Emma first joined Collas Crill as a bursary student while studying at university and went on to train with Collas Crill, qualifying as a Solicitor of England and Wales in September 2017.
During her training contract Emma undertook a one month secondment in our Cayman Dispute Resolution Team working on the liquidation of Platinum Partners and a three month secondment to Berwin Leighton Paisner in London in their corporate dispute resolution team.
Emma read Law at the University of Bristol and went on to complete her Legal Practice Course at City Law School, City University London.
In 2020, Emma completed the STEP Advanced Certificate in Trusts Dispute achieving a Distinction. She was called as Guernsey Advocate in 2022.
Emma is also admitted as solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the territory of the Virgin Islands.
Awards
- Shortlisted for the STEP Private Client Awards, Young Practitioner of the Year 2020/21
- Recognised as an Associate to Watch in Chambers and Partners UK 2022
- Listed by eprivateclient in the 2024 Crown Dependencies NextGen Leaders list
Memberships
- Affiliate member of STEP
- Contentious Trust Association (ConTrA)


"I am a commercially minded dispute resolution lawyer. My aim is to find a solution to a client's issue in as quick and cost-effective way as possible whilst not compromising on what it is the client wants to achieve. "