Member Profile
Robert Christie
Partner | Bedell Cristin
Office Location: British Virgin Islands
Jurisdiction
British Virgin Islands, Jersey
Top Specialisms
Commercial Litigation
Dispute Resolution or Arbitration
Trusts: Contentious
Connect
Professional Biography
Robert is a Jersey Advocate, and English and BVI barrister, specialising in trusts, company, commercial and insolvency litigation. Robert has extensive experience of acting for and advising clients in high-value commercial matters in particular involving breach of trust claims, directors’ breach of duty claims, trust disclosure and other administrative proceedings in relation to trusts, enforcement of foreign orders in relation to trusts, actions to remove trustees and protectors, unfair prejudice claims, freezing injunctions and insolvency procedures. He has acted for beneficiaries, shareholders and other individuals in disputes with larger institutions such as trust companies, banks and other lenders. He is experienced in obtaining litigation funding where necessary for impecunious clients. Robert also acts for some major trust companies, and advises trustees and directors on their duties, including in insolvency situations. Robert is a graduate of Oxford University and was called to the English bar in 2006, practising at Radcliffe Chambers in Lincoln’s Inn. Between 2012 and 2015 he worked for a major offshore law firm in BVI. Robert has advised on a broad range of trust, company, commercial, fraud and asset-tracing and insolvency matters and appeared regularly in interim applications, trials and appeals in the County Court, High Court, English Court of Appeal, BVI Commercial Court and Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. Robert’s Caribbean experience means that he is regularly instructed in international litigation which involves a number of offshore centres.
Question : What drew you to specialise in private client law/ wealth advisory?
Answer: The interesting legal issues thrown up by private wealth disputes on a regular basis.
Question : For lawyers entering private client law, what are key skills you think are essential?
Answer: A limitless supply of patience for the challenging positions other family members seem to adopt on a reliable basis (it's never one's own client being challenging, of course).
Question : With the evolving landscape of the private client world, what are recent trends or shifts you are excited to explore?
Answer: A perceived (by me at least) rise in lawyer-approved behaviour by businessmen, in recent years, which is at or beyond the limits which the courts tend to find acceptable.
Question : Where is your favourite place to take a peer for a cocktail or coffee?
Answer: Sarastro, if the friend in question has a sense of humour.