International Trust Disputes | Jersey-Based Trust Lawyers

At Sinels Advocates, we are specialists in resolving complex trust disputes. Based in Jersey in the Channel Islands, we assist clients across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and beyond with serious legal issues involving trusts, trustees, and breaches of fiduciary duty.

Whether you're a trust beneficiary concerned about mismanagement of assets, a family member contesting a trust, or a business party involved in a breach of fiduciary responsibility, our team can provide expert legal advice tailored to your situation. We bring clarity, strategy and experience to even the most difficult cases.

For confidential advice on International trust disputes, please complete the form and a senior lawyer will be in touch shortly.

Trust Litigation from a Jersey-Based Legal Team

Our firm has decades of experience handling trust litigation and fiduciary disputes in Jersey and internationally. We frequently act on cases where family dynamics, wealth structures or commercial trusts break down. That might include trustee misconduct, delayed distributions, hidden accounts, or disputed amendments to trust documents.

With deep knowledge of Jersey trust law and experience managing cross-border proceedings, we are uniquely positioned to help clients whose trust arrangements span multiple jurisdictions.

When a Breach of Trust Occurs

Breaches of trust may involve improper handling of assets, conflicts of interest, unauthorised transactions or failure to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. In many cases, disputes arise because a trustee fails to provide clear financial records or has not acted with honesty or care.

We investigate these issues quickly and discreetly. Where possible, we try to resolve matters through negotiation or private settlement. However, if litigation is necessary, our team will guide you through the court process with strategic focus.

Acting for Beneficiaries and Trustees

We represent both claimants and defendants in trust disputes. For beneficiaries, that may mean seeking removal of a trustee, recovery of assets, or compensation for losses. For trustees, we provide robust defence against breach of duty claims and work to protect reputational and financial interests.

In each case, we tailor our approach to the specific goals and pressures involved. Our team understands the sensitivities around family trusts, business holdings and international wealth management, and we act with confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Cross-Border Trust Disputes

Many trust disputes involve overseas elements. The settlor may reside in one country, the trustee in another, and the assets held in multiple jurisdictions. Sinels Advocates is experienced in coordinating with foreign counsel, understanding jurisdictional risks, and enforcing judgments across borders.

We act on behalf of individuals, families, fiduciaries and corporate entities involved in cross-border litigation relating to Jersey-based trusts and offshore assets.

Why Choose Sinels for Trust Disputes?

Clients choose us for our ability to deliver results in high-stakes legal disputes. Our team has handled a wide range of fiduciary litigation, including actions for breach of duty, trust mismanagement, contested trustee appointments, and disputed distributions.

Unlike larger firms, we offer a direct, personal approach. You deal with the same legal team throughout. We respond quickly, communicate clearly and keep your objectives front and centre.

We are also entirely independent, meaning our loyalty is always to the client – not to intermediaries, financial advisors or institutions.

Get Expert Trust Dispute Help

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does breach of trust mean?

A breach of trust occurs when a trustee fails to fulfil their legal duties as set out in the trust deed or by law. This can involve misusing trust property, acting in their own interests instead of the beneficiaries’ interests, or failing to manage the trust with reasonable care and skill.

What is a breach of trust case?

A breach of trust case is a legal action brought by a beneficiary (or co-trustee) against a trustee for failing to act properly in their role. These cases may involve claims of mismanagement, fraud, unauthorised asset use, or other fiduciary failures.

What constitutes breach of trust?

Breach of trust can occur through acts of negligence, dishonesty, conflict of interest, or by failing to follow the instructions in the trust document. Common examples include failing to distribute funds fairly, not keeping accurate accounts, or favouring one beneficiary over another without reason.

How to prove breach of trust?

To prove breach of trust, you need to show that the trustee owed a duty, that this duty was breached, and that the breach caused harm to the trust or its beneficiaries. Evidence might include financial records, witness statements, legal documents, or expert reports.

Start Your Enquiry Today

If you are facing a trust dispute or concerned about a possible breach of fiduciary duty, reach out to us in confidence. Use the enquiry form on this page to provide a brief overview of your situation. We respond to all messages within one working day.

You do not need to be in Jersey to use our services. We work remotely with clients in the globally in the USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia (including UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Dubai and Hong Kong) offering the same level of expert service, no matter where you are.

Protect your position. Get strategic legal advice from one of Jersey’s leading trust litigation firms, call us on +44 (0)1534 620500 or click here to message us and see how we can help you.

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International Trust Dispute Lawyers

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