Find the right fraud lawyers in Guernsey for your case

Local specifics

How fraud law works in Guernsey

Guernsey is a Crown Dependency with its own legislature, courts, and body of law. Fraud matters are handled by Advocates of the Royal Court, who are subject to distinct qualification and discipline regimes. The prescription periods for bringing claims are strict and may extinguish your right of action entirely.

Court structure

Civil fraud cases are typically brought in the Royal Court, which is the Bailiwick’s principal superior court. The Ordinary Court exercises general civil jurisdiction with a judge and Jurats (lay judges of fact). The Magistrate’s Court handles smaller claims up to £10,000. Appeals go to the Guernsey Court of Appeal and ultimately to the Privy Council.

Who can represent you

Only Advocates of the Royal Court have full rights of audience in Guernsey. They are a fused profession, acting as both solicitor and barrister. Admission requires qualification in England, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, a French law certificate, and passing Guernsey Bar exams. Advocates are officers of the Royal Court and subject to disciplinary oversight.

Time limits (prescription)

Guernsey law applies ‘prescription’, which extinguishes the right of action rather than merely barring the remedy. This is a substantive law rule, not procedural. For fraud claims, relevant periods include 6 years for contractual and tort claims, and 3 years for breach of trust from the date of knowledge. Missing a deadline can be fatal.

Costs and legal aid

Court fees are set by Rules and are relatively modest (e.g., £313 for a hearing up to one hour). Advocates bill hourly, but recoverable rates are capped at £351 per hour. Legal aid is available for individuals who pass means and merits tests, but not for companies. Contingency fees are prohibited; third-party funding is permitted.

Trust and financial fraud

Guernsey is a major financial centre, so trust and fiduciary disputes are common. Breach of trust claims are subject to a 3-year prescription from knowledge. English case law is persuasive but not binding, and Guernsey’s customary law may affect remedies. Specialist Advocates understand these cross-border and trust-related complexities.

Enforcement and saisie

If you obtain a judgment, enforcement against land follows the customary procedure known as saisie, dealt with by the Royal Court sitting en Plaids d’Heritage. Money judgments are enforced by HM Sheriff, who can use methods such as arrest of wages. Prescription periods apply to enforcement: 6 years for judgments after trial or consent, 3 years for default judgments.

Key time limit — Criminal Law

Criminal proceedings – appeal against conviction or sentence — 28 days from conviction or from the pronouncement of sentence to file the notice of appeal with the Registrar of the Court of Appeal. Appeals from the Royal Court in criminal matters go to the Criminal Division of the Guernsey Court of Appeal under the Court of Appeal (Guernsey) Law, 1961 and the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) (Guernsey) Rules, 1964. A notice of appeal, with brief grounds of appeal, must be filed with the Registrar of the Court of Appeal within 28 days of conviction or of the pronouncement of sentence. An appeal against sentence only, and an appeal against conviction on a question of fact or on other sufficient grounds, requires leave, which is sought from the court that imposed the sentence or, in the case of conviction, from the Court of Appeal; where the appeal raises a question of law alone no leave is required. Appeals from decisions of the Magistrate’s Court in criminal matters are dealt with by the Royal Court under the Magistrate’s Court (Criminal Appeals) (Guernsey) Law, 1988, and are not heard by the Court of Appeal, whereas civil appeals from the Magistrate’s Court are governed by section 18 of the Magistrate’s Court (Guernsey) Law, 2008. A further appeal from the Court of Appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council requires special leave.

Data verified from official Guernsey sources and e-Justice as of February 2026.

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