Louise Hargreaves

Louise Hargreaves is a highly skilled and experienced dispute resolution specialist with more than two decades of practice in complex trust and commercial litigation. She has represented clients before the Royal Court, Court of Appeal and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Recognised for her incisive, strategic advice and her ability to manage high value, multi-party disputes, Louise excels in achieving favourable outcomes in challenging contentious matters. Her expertise encompasses advising trustees, beneficiaries, directors and financial institutions, specialising in commercial litigation, particularly cases involving contentious trust and fiduciary disputes, financial services businesses, regulatory investigations, as well as administrative applications and appeals with significant public importance.

Background and experience

Louise holds dual qualifications as an Advocate of the Royal Court of Guernsey and as a Solicitor of England and Wales, and is a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). She is known for her collaborative and pragmatic approach, client-focused solutions, and her dedication to upholding professional excellence at every stage of the litigation process.

Caseload exposure (Guernsey)
Louise has substantial experience in trusts and other commercial litigation before Royal Court, Court of Appeal and Judicial Committee of Privy Council. Examples of worked cases include: 

• ITG Ltd and others (Respondents) v Fort Trustees L:itd and another (Appellants) (Guernsey) - JCPC [ 2022] UKPC 36. Privy Council decision concerning the question of whether the assets of an "insolvent" trust be distributed on a pari passu basis: between current and former trustees or between former and current trustees on the basis that their rights rank according to time, and related issues.  
• Rawlinson and Hunter Trustees SA and anther (Appellants) v Investec Trust (Guernsey) Limited and another (Respondents) - JCPC [2018] UKPC 7. Privy Council decision on the interpretation of articles 26 and 32 of the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984 (as amended) concerning whether the liability of a former trustee incurring liabilities "as trustee" is limited to trust assets, creditor claims though trustees by way of subrogation, and a trustee's right to be reimbursed from the trust for all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred in connection with the trust.
• Rawlinson and Hunter Trustees SA and another (Appellants) v Investec Trust (Guernsey) Limited and another (Respondents) - JCPC [2018] UKPC 7. Acting for the former trustees of a family trust in a cross appeal arising from a substantial breach of trust and gross negligence claim for damages in excess of £380 million (allegations against the former trustees included breach of trust for acceptance of investment recommendations without proper enquiry which the former trustee claimed was an abuse of process, and the former trustees' alleged mismanagement of litigation concerning the proceeds of sale of shares in the Somerfield supermarket chain thereby causing a loss to the trust, which the former trustee argued, successfully, had no real prospect of success), including related application to strike out that claim.
• In re Tchenguiz Discretionary Trust / Rawlinson & Hunter SA v ITG Limited. Complex administrative costs proceedings for payment of substantial indemnity costs payable to former trustees from a potentially insolvent trust (Royal Court 54/2015, 49/2017. 50/2017, 51/2017, 11/2017, 12/2017, 11/2017, 3/2018). Contested application concerning the disclosure of documents relating to the administration of a Trust, including privilege challenges. First instance [2022]GRC015; Court of Appeal [2022] GCA092
• Lucille Holdings PTE Ltd v HSBC Management (Guernsey) Ltd & Anor: [2024]GRC006 (successfully succeeding in substantial strike out of claim); [2025] GRC056 (successfully resisting Amendment of Pleadings, strike out, removal of party).

Admitted in:
2024 - Guernsey
1999 - England and Wales (non practising)