Sandra Duerden

Partner

""She is an excellent advocate – able to deal with complex matters with a lot of skill and agility and to handle high-pressure scenarios with great calm and resilience""

Chambers and Partners UK

Overview

Overview

I’m a Partner and an Advocate in our Guernsey Litigation practice, with over 15 years’ experience at Mourant.

I specialise in commercial litigation and contentious trusts disputes. I have a particular interest in commercial or trust disputes involving private international law aspects and cross-border disputes (particularly those which raise issues of jurisdiction and enforcement of foreign judgments). I also advise on insolvency and regulatory/compliance matters.

In addition to my contentious work, I have a strong expertise in intellectual property law and am recognised as one of the few Guernsey intellectual property law specialists.

I’ve advised clients in infringement disputes involving trademarks and copyrights, and regularly provide practical guidance for individuals and companies on aspects of Guernsey intellectual property laws.

I’m fluent in English and French, and I have a good knowledge of German and Lingala.

Work Highlights

Acted for a corporate trustee in a contested Public Trustee v Cooper application regarding the decision to divide a multi-million dollar trust fund between two sides of a family.

Advised on challenges to the validity of Guernsey trusts against allegations of sham in foreign forced heirship claims.

Acting in estates’ disputes and applications for the removal of trustees or personal representatives.

Acted for a professional executor in defending costs claims arising out of hostile proceedings by the beneficiaries, which included a claim for repayment of the executor’s fees to the estate.

Successfully defended an emergency injunction sought on one hour notice by beneficiaries to stop the trustee of an EBT exercising its voting rights at the employer’s AGM that morning.

Running local and cross-border recovery and enforcement actions, including acting for regulated lenders in saisie proceedings and enforcing foreign judgments against Guernsey assets.

Represented liquidators and administrators in court procedures, including compulsory liquidation application, directions application, discharge of orders.

“An excellent trusts litigator.”

Legal 500 UK 2027

“Sandra Duerden is always across the details and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the facts.”

Legal 500 UK 2027

“She is an excellent advocate – able to deal with complex matters with a lot of skill and agility and to handle high-pressure scenarios with great calm and resilience.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2027

“Very capable and good at running litigation. She pays a lot of attention to details; she doesn’t miss anything.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2027

“Sandra demonstrated great commercial awareness and fully understood our business. We cannot fault the level of service received, and she showed a high level of understanding of the issues faced by our business.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2027

“Exceptional lawyer.”

Legal 500 UK 2025

“Exceptional.”

Legal 500 UK 2024

“Strong communication skills and responsiveness.”

Legal 500 UK 2024

Memberships

Contentious Trusts Association (ConTrA)

The Guernsey International Legal Association

INSOL International

The Guernsey IP Commercial Group

Guernsey Registered Image Rights Agent, Patent Agent and Trade Mark Agent

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