Walkers' Private Trusts Group advises on most aspects of international trust work.
Fixed Interest and Discretionary Trusts
Our Group regularly advises settlors and trustees on the establishment and other aspects of all forms of fixed interest and discretionary trusts, including the rights and obligations of trustees, beneficiaries and protectors. Our Group is also often instructed in the preparation of standard trust deeds for these and other types of trusts by professional trustees.
STAR, VISTA and Jersey Purpose Trusts
STAR, VISTA and purpose trusts are increasingly now used in private trust structures leading to a noticeable broadening in the types of assets that can be held within such structures, including not just family businesses but also non-traditional assets such as aircraft, yachts and artworks. Our Group has been at the forefront of these developments.
Reserved Powers Trusts
The British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, and Jersey have all enacted specific trust law provisions providing for the reservation of powers to the settlor and others thus striking a balance between the desirability of maintaining a degree of control whilst maintaining the integrity of the trust. Such trusts have proved very popular with both settlors and trustees alike.
Asset Protection Trusts
In an increasingly litigious world, sensible high net worth families are often looking to establish “nest egg” structures to lessen the impact of some rainy day event. Our Group advises on all issues relating to such structures within an holistic approach to international estate planning generally.
Private Trust Companies
Members of our Group have played a leading role in the development of private trust company laws and regulations in the BVI and Cayman Islands and the Group has in depth experience of the establishment and operation of private trust companies, often in the context of highly complex overall structures.
Wills and Estates
Our Group has substantial experience in preparing wills and codicils and in applying for grants of probate and letters of administration where a deceased person leaves assets in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands or Jersey. We are also frequently asked to advise on issues of succession law, often involving complex issues of private international law where cross-border issues are involved.
Regulatory
Our Group advises on the regulatory laws and regulations of each of the BVI, Cayman Islands and Jersey, including as to the operation of anti-money laundering laws and the regulation of trust companies.
Trust Disputes
Working closely with the Global Trusts Disputes Group, our Group has substantial experience of advising trustees, beneficiaries, protectors and enforcers in connection with both potential disputes and trusts litigation. Both Groups have been involved in many of the most substantial and complex international trusts disputes.