Christopher Edwards
Partner
"He's very much one of the leading lights in Guernsey"
Overview
Overview
I am a Partner in the Guernsey Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice.
I specialise in complex commercial and trust litigation, and provide advice to a range of financial institutions and fiduciaries, particularly in multi-jurisdictional cross borders disputes.
Having obtained diplomas in compliance and anti-money laundering, my focus is also often on addressing regulatory and compliance matters, both on a standalone basis (including enforcement proceedings and contentious advisory support, where my judgment is keenly sort after) and as an adjunct to my existing caseload, where I provide a joined up holistic solution to all of my clients needs.
In recent years I have also developed considerable expertise in relation to cross border assistance in tax and money laundering issues. I am often the first port of call for my clients’ most sensitive and important challenges.
Work Highlights
Acted for HSBC in relation to a complex, multi-jurisdictional trust dispute alleging tax and exchange control fraud.
Acting for Garnet Investments and Tommy Suharto in relation to attempts by the Government of Indonesia to pursue civil and criminal claims against substantial funds held in Guernsey, and in respect of a claim against a Guernsey bank for mis-selling and negligence.
Acted for a local trust company in relation to a substantial trust where the human beneficiaries were all deceased. Following mediation, competing claims to the trust fund were settled and the settlement was approved by the Royal Court of Guernsey. Now assisting the trustee in responding to claims made by HMRC.
Worked on House of Lords and Royal Court of Guernsey decisions on the extraterritorial application of criminal restraint orders.
Achieved decisions in England and Guernsey setting out the test to be applied in considering whether to discharge criminal restraint orders.
Achieved a decision of the English Court of Appeal in relation to Article 27 of the OECD Model Tax Convention and assistance in relation to recovery of tax claims.
Placed the Propinvest Group into administration and acting for the administrators in pursuing civil claims against former directors.
Acted for a bank/custodian in interpleader proceedings following an alleged Ponzi scheme, including decisions as to recognition of foreign receivers and intervention by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Secured approval of a scheme of arrangement in respect of the business of the Channel Island Stock Exchange.
Acted for several leading banks, insurers and fiduciaries in relation to regulatory investigations and enforcement action undertaken by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
Assisted in responding to Tax Information Exchange Agreement requests emanating from the likes of India, Australia, Switzerland and the USA.
Professional qualifications
2005
1997
Industry recognition
Legal 500 UK 2026
Named as a Recommended Lawyer in Dispute Resolution.
Chambers and Partners UK 2026
Ranked Band 1 in Offshore: Dispute Resolution.
Chambers and Partners High Net Worth 2025
Ranked in Offshore: Trusts.
Legal 500 UK 2024
Named as a Recommended Lawyer in Dispute Resolution.
Chambers and Partners High Net Worth 2023
Ranked in Offshore: Trusts.
Chambers and Partners UK 2023
Ranked in Offshore: Dispute Resolution.
Chambers and Partners High Net Worth 2022
Ranked in Offshore: Trusts.
Legal 500 2022
Named as a Recommended Lawyer.