Guillaume advises individuals and fiduciaries in relation to disputes arising from their commercial and trust relationships. Whilst the value of such contentious matters often mean that they are hotly contested, Guillaume works hand-in-hand with clients to navigate these choppy waters to reach their desired destination whilst limiting protracted and costly litigation. Guillaume also assists clients consider funding and insurance options to limit their legal costs and their potential exposure to adverse costs orders.

Guillaume’s principal areas of expertise include dealing with allegations of breaches of fiduciary duty, contractual disputes, enforcement of foreign judgments and associated freezing and disclosure orders.

Guillaume has been involved in a range of innovative Jersey cases including

• securing an interim freezing order over a trust in aid of proceedings brought by a non-beneficiary before overcoming the ‘firewall provisions’ of the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984 to obtain directions in Jersey giving substantial effect to an English order setting aside the trust, giving our client access to assets previously held in that trust to settle her divorce claim ([2015] JRC 267A);
• securing one of Jersey’s first statutory Hastings-Bass and mistake cases allowing steps taken within a trust to be unwound to avoid their crippling tax consequences ([2016] JRC 048); and
• establishing that a common intention constructive trust may (as a matter of Jersey law) arise in relation to a loan account to a Jersey company in order to secure our client’s interest in that valuable asset ([2017] JRC108).
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Guillaume is also regularly instructed in relation to probate and employment law matters.

Guillaume’s clients appreciate the fact that they can obtain specialist legal input in direct contact with him as the lawyer responsible for their matter from the start and all the way through any Court hearings if necessary. He helps clients obtain objective in depth advice at the earliest possible stage so they can make informed decisions about how the matter should progress and whether compromised solutions may be available.

As matters progress Guillaume guides clients in a pragmatic and commercial manner, working alongside them to demystify the Court process and find solutions to reach their desired outcome whilst limiting the scope of their litigation and therefore its impact on them in terms of stress and resources.

By keeping our team lean as the matter develops we can work efficiently as part of the client’s own team and minimising duplication across multiple fee earners in order to limit legal costs as far as possible.

Prior to joining Dickinson Gleeson, Guillaume worked for Jersey’s Attorney General within the Jersey Law Officers’ Department, providing advice to Ministers of the States of Jersey and governmental departments in relation to a range of issues including human rights law, European law, constitutional law and as to statutory interpretation. He also worked as a legal adviser to the States of Jersey Police making numerous court appearances as a prosecutor.

Guillaume graduated with an LLB English and French Law from King’s College London and a Maitrise en droit (French law degree) from La Sorbonne, Paris. Guillaume is also a native French speaker.

Guillaume was described as “responsive, considered and pragmatic” (Legal 500, 2018), “a future star” and “a very understated but very intelligent legal mind” (Legal 500, 2020). 

To arrange a confidential discussion about your situation, email Guillaume at guillaume.staal@dgadvocates.com.

Client testimonials

 “I have been working with Guillaume Staal who has been very impressive. He understands the issues which need to be considered, is clear and concise in his drafting and is a real team player. He also works well with clients and provides clear advice.” Legal 500

“We have found Guillaume to be extremely proactive in his dealings with our firm. Explains matters in a manner that is easy to understand as at times legal language can at the best of times be difficult to understand and comprehend. Guillaume has also been upfront and transparent on the fee charging arrangements.” Jean-Luc Piazza, Oak Group (Jersey) Limited

“Guillaume assisted us with a long running and difficult matter. He remained patient and professional throughout the life of the matter and, steadily, guided us toward a commercially sensible outcome. We would be happy to work with Guillaume again and are grateful to him for his efforts to resolve this highly frustrating claim.” Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP

“Mr Staal’s attention to detail and wealth of knowledge is in my opinion second to none. As a client of Mr Staal it has been noted that despite his work load, he has the ability to make you feel like you are his only client. He has impeccable communication skills, making sure that we are kept up to date at every stage of work he is engaged in. Overall our dealings with Mr Staal have been professional managed but retain that personal touch when it is required.” David Mahé, CtJ Consultants Limited

“Guillaume Staal has worked tirelessly and professionally over the past three years to guide us through the complexities of this on-going case. Strengths have included Guillaume’s ability to assimilate the detail of the case, to explain and illuminate applicable law and practice (particularly where evolving contentious trust law has come into play), to develop pragmatic strategies which are responsive to the demands of both the case and the participants, to provide incisive advice and alternative perspectives on case-related issues as they arise, to prepare the ground for ADR and to handle the demands of the interlocutory phase with evident skill and expertise. Dickinson Gleeson were recommended to us for their contentious trust capabilities in Jersey and Guillaume has exceeded our high expectations with the depth of his knowledge and understanding.” Private client.