Chris Hutley-Hurst

Chris is a Guernsey Advocate, with more than 20 years' experience in private practice in Guernsey, London and New York.

He specialises in financial services regulation, digital assets and corporate tax. He heads up the Channel Islands Regulatory and Risk Advisory Group.

Chris advises on Guernsey regulatory matters, covering fintech, digital assets, financial services, licensing regimes, consumer lending, data protection and GDPR, beneficial ownership and anti-money laundering. He advises various financial services businesses, including banks, payment providers, CSPs, fund administrators and asset managers.

Having worked as a tax lawyer previously, he has a unique experience in international tax matters, including VAT and GST. He advises on Guernsey and Jersey corporate tax (including Pillar 2), economic substance requirements, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), and the OECD's Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), together with other initiatives.

Chris is recognised as a Highly Regarded Practitioner by the ITR World Tax Guide, and as a Next Generation Partner by the Legal 500. Chris is the author of the Bloomberg Tax Guide Guernsey chapter. Chris is also a board member for the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce.

Chris Hutley-Hurst has been our main contact and has been outstanding. He is involved in policy development with the regulator as part of local industry boards. Chris can speak to regulators, government officials, the civil service and other parts of the industry. He is therefore able to contextualise advice and make it commercial through actions as well as in the advice itself.

Legal 500

Experience and recent work

Chris previously spent six years working with another leading law firm in Guernsey. Before that he worked in the London offices of two leading US law firms for 12 years: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, and Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP.

Qualifications

Admitted in:

Guernsey
England and Wales

2026 - Chambers & Partners UK - Corporate & Finance including Investment Funds - Band 4:

"Chris is a great addition to our team and is always available to support us when needed."
"Chris is really valuable to the strategic development of our business."
"Chris is the first name I call when I need a sounding board for legal advice. He's my number one."

2026 - Legal 500 - Corporate and M&A - Band 1:

"Chris Hutley-Hurst is an incredible lawyer and his depth of knowledge is invaluable to us. He is able to help us with a huge range of fund related queries and requests and is our one-stop-shop for anything legal-related across our funds, no matter the circumstances. He is a pleasure to work with and adds a huge amount to our offering."
"Chris Hutley-Hurst has been our main contact and has been outstanding. He is involved in policy development with the regulator as part of local industry boards. Chris can speak to regulators, government officials, the civil service and other parts of the industry. He is therefore able to contextualise advice and make it commercial through actions as well as in the advice itself.’

2026 - Legal 500 - Investment Funds - Next Generation Partners: "Chris Hutley-Hurst is an incredible lawyer and his depth of knowledge is invaluable to us. He is able to help us with a huge range of fund related queries and requests and is our one-stop-shop for anything legal-related across our funds, no matter the circumstances. He is a pleasure to work with and adds a huge amount to our offering."

2024 - Legal 500 - Next Gen Partner, Investment Funds - "Chris Hutley-Hurst is, in my mind, hands down the best funds lawyer in Guernsey. He offers practical, sensible advice, he understands the commerciality of the situations where he is advising. He's particularly good with new promoters launching their first fund."

2024 - IFLR100 - Highly Regarded, Investment Funds

2022 - Legal 500 - "I have dealt with most of the top tier, and magic circle law firms in London. I have also dealt with smaller boutique firms across the UK, her territories and those in the EU. I would say that the personable attitude of Walkers really stands out. They are human: they are very approachable, pragmatic and get the job done. Very well. I would also say that their re-assurance, guidance, and advice is well delivered and very comprehensive. It gives clarity, when it matters. Because it matters. I would, in particular say that my personal dealings with Chris Hutley-Hurst have been a real pleasure. I enjoy working with him, and his wider team."

Team Members