Craig Swart
Partner
Craig Swart TEP is an Advocate of the Royal Court of Jersey and a partner of the firm. He is also a qualified South African attorney (non-practising) and English Solicitor (also non-practising). Craig joined Dickinson Gleeson in January 2014. Craig advises trustees, directors, fiduciaries, settlors and beneficiaries in relation to a wide range of non-contentious and contentious matters involving trusts, companies, foundations and partnerships. He also has extensive insolvency and asset tracking experience.
About Craig
Craig acted for the defendants in the long running Consolidated Resources Armenia v Global Gold Consolidated Resources Limited and two others ([2015] JCA061 and [2015] JRC233A); an unfair prejudice action where the plaintiff, CRA, tried unsuccessfully to side-step an arbitration agreement. He also continues to act for the incoming trustee in the ongoing proceedings concerning the “Z Trusts” [2015](2) JLR 175, [2018] JRC119, two trusts that are “insolvent” and which face a multitude of claims; and separately Craig Swart acts for the outgoing trustee of the Tchenguiz Discretionary Trust, [2017] JRC178A, [2019] JRC110A, [2019] JRC118, [2019] JRC177, [2019] JRC250, [2020] JRC063, and [2020] JRC104.
Craig has for many years been ranked in leading directories including Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and the IFC Citywealth Leaders List. Craig has variously been described as being “an expert in what he does” and “incredibly tenacious, very solution-driven and very pragmatic” and “very good at non contentious trust work.” Market sources say that his “drafting is very good” And he is furthermore described as “very accessible… He’s efficient in suggesting a way forward in a no nonsense type manner.“
What They Say About Craig
2020 - 2021
Leading Individual
“James Dickinson is well regarded for his broad commercial practice where he possesses particular capabilities on contentious trust and asset recovery cases. “He works extraordinarily hard and goes the extra mile.”
Chambers & Partners
Ranked in the following lists:-
- Leaders List
- Top 20 lawyers for 2020
- Top 100 trust litigators and polymaths
- Jersey’s Top 20 Professionals
“Executes, perfect strategies, marshalling insight and style. Organised and inventive.”
Citywealth
Hall of Fame
“James Dickinson is extraordinarily hard working, and very bright. He wants to understand everything and attains a really strong grasp of the factual issues and legal nuances of a case. Not afraid to get stuck in and robust on his feet. Extremely thorough in his preparations and devastatingly effective in court.”
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Top Recommended 2020, Offshore
Spears 500
Global Leader
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2019 - 2020
Leading Individual
“James Dickinson is an “excellent advocate” who is sought after for expertise in trusts litigation, asset recovery, estates matters and fraud. He is described by one source as “a clever guy who really thinks outside the box.”
Chambers & Partners
Ranked in the following lists:-
- Leaders List
- Jersey’s Top 20 Professionals
Citywealth
Hall of Fame
‘James Dickinson is a seriously clever chap who comes up with imaginative solutions to the most horrible legal problems.’
‘James Dickinson is able, sensible and very articulate.’
‘James Dickinson works exceptionally hard for his clients. He takes complex litigation in his stride and assembles detailed facts and arguments into a clear and persuasive form.’
‘James Dickinson remains impressively hardworking, focused and committed and continues to offer prompt, high quality and pragmatic legal advice.’
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Global Leader
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2018 - 2019
Leading Individual
“James Dickinson is described by market sources as a “master of complex material” He is frequently called upon to represent clients in trust litigation.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
Leading Individual
“Highly recommended.”
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Global Leader
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2017 - 2018
Leading Individual
“…Impressively hard-working, focused and committed, and offers prompt, high-quality and pragmatic legal advice.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Listed in Summer 2017 Top 50 Editor’s Choice List
“He demonstrates keen awareness of his clients’ priorities in relation to their cases and provides them with robust and perceptive strategic advice.”
Citywealth
Leading Individual
‘Works phenomenally hard for his clients and is a real bruiser in court.’
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Global Leader
The “impressive” James Dickinson is popular with clients, who say: “He stands out in Jersey as a first-rate litigator. He is fastidious about the details of his cases and considers issues from every angle.”
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2016 - 2017
Leading Individual
“The “ferociously bright” James Dickinson is highlighted by market sources for his “extraordinarily hard-working” nature. He offers particular expertise in contentious trust and estate matters, with additional strengths in insolvency, fraud and company disputes.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
“James thrives on complex heavy cases. He always acquires a comprehensive command of his cases and is an insightful tactician. His strong and incisive advice always benefits clients.”
Citywealth
Leading Individual
“…collaborative and a superb tactician.”
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Global Leader
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2015 - 2016
Leading Individual
“Very thorough and concerned both about checking the fine detail as well as making sure we see the bigger picture. His written work is excellent and he is an effective advocate. As a client you know that he is willing to go the extra mile for you.”James Dickinson is a Partner of Dickinson Gleeson and an Advocate of the Royal Court of Jersey.
James has lived and worked in Jersey for the last 15 years. During that time James has acted for clients involved in some of the largest and most complex proceedings to come before the Royal Court.
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
“James is a shrewd tactician and forms a perceptive and insightful strategic view of the overall case.”
Citywealth
Leading Individual
“…collaborative and a superb tactician.”
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
2014 - 2015
Leading Individual
“Impressively hard-working, measured, focused, creative, and ready to set new standards,”
“He does not take things at face value, and will always seek to improve a situation for the benefit of his client.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
Leading Individual
“Highly intelligent, very commercial and excellent with strategy.”
Legal 500
2013 - 2014
“Excellent contentious trusts expertise…”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
“…measured, astute and tactically first rate.”
Legal 500
2012 - 2013
“A clear-thinking analytical lawyer.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
“Identifies the relevant legal principles quickly.”
Legal 500
2011 - 2012
“Incredibly hard-working.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
“He gains the confidence of demanding clients in large-scale litigation.”
Legal 500
2008 - 2009
Litigation Associate to Watch
“Peers remark: “He has had some very difficult cases, which he has handled very very well.”
Chambers & Partners
2007 - 2008
Litigation Associate to Watch
“Thorough and professional.”
Chambers & Partners