Private client

AFR Advocates has represented defendants in many of the more high profile cases seen before the Guernsey Courts in recent times, ranging from homicide, importation of drugs and possession of counterfeit money. AFR has also represented clients across the whole spectrum of criminal matters concerning adults, young offenders and juveniles. Each case to the team at AFR is important; and they ensure that clients fully understand the process they are going through, their options and likely outcome.

AFR represents major banks, businesses and private individuals in assisting with debt recovery. AFR is able to advise you on the most cost effective way to recover outstanding monies owed.

Where an individual is unable to manage his or her own affairs through infirmity (of mind or body), it is necessary for a person or persons to be appointed by the Royal Court of Guernsey as a guardian to do so. Such an application to the Court must be supported by close relatives (or friends) of the infirm person, together with appropriate medical evidence.

An individual’s rights to work in Guernsey and occupy housing, known as "local market" housing, are regulated under the Housing (Control of Occupation) (Guernsey) Law, 1994, as amended. Unless you are a "qualified" resident or hold a housing licence, you will need to live in specified types of accommodation, generally termed “open market”.

Guernsey has its own specialised laws of inheritance which make it important for individuals who live in Guernsey or own real estate in the Bailiwick (land and buildings) to take legal advice on whether or not they need to make a will. Recent changes to Guernsey inheritance laws mean that many married couples with children who were advised (Several years ago) that they did not need to make wills, may now need to consider making such wills.

When a person dies with movable assets in Guernsey’s jurisdiction, it is usually necessary for their will to be submitted to the Ecclesiastical Court of the Bailiwick of Guernsey so that a Grant of Probate can be obtained. This allows the executor of the will to gather in and distribute the deceased’s assets. If a couple own all of their assets in joint names, it will not usually be necessary to apply for probate until the death of the second person as all joint assets automatically vest in the name of the survivor.