WELCOME
Ashton & Co is a specialist Guernsey law practice providing expert counsel in taxation, trusts, white-collar crime, and commercial affairs.
Our firm is founded on the extensive, multi-jurisdictional experience of our principal, Advocate Raymond Ashton, a respected author, lecturer, and Chartered Accountant.
EXPERTISE
Dr Raymond Ashton
Guernsey Advocate and Notary Public
A Guernsey native, Dr. Raymond Ashton has built a distinguished legal career. His expertise is recognised across the islands and beyond, as a member of the English, Irish, and Jersey Bars.
Fluent in Dutch, French, and German, his international perspective is a significant asset. While dedicated to his practice, he remains a passionate Manchester City supporter—a loyalty deeply connected to his own family’s Guernsey story.
SERVICES
Ashton & Co is a specialist Guernsey law practice
providing expert counsel in taxation, trusts,
white-collar crime, and commercial affairs.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
The central tenet of the various specialist services provided by Ashton & Co is undoubtedly that of forensic accounting.
UNRAVELLING FRAUD & FINANCIAL CRIME
The ability to ‘follow the money’ and to understand its use is integral of defence in tax investigations, fraud and financial crime, especially money laundering and confiscation proceedings and legal advice is essential at the earliest possible stage.
The role of forensic accounting in criminal and civil court proceedings is key.
Raymond Ashton has been involved in many such cases and has a deep understanding of forensic accounting, when business and personal finances are investigated to reveal discrepancies and hidden assets.
MAXIMUM ASSET PROTECTION
Longstanding, historical trust structures and offshore special purpose vehicles have often been incorporated with the true purpose of protection of high net worth individuals and families, and with the attention of tax investigators firmly focused on these areas, the investigation and understanding of the use of these structures is essential to defend attacks and ensure maximum protection of assets.
SUPPORTING TAKEOVERS & MERGERS
Likewise, in cases of business takeovers and mergers, when business valuation requirement reach a critical stage for the benefit of exiting a business, forensic accounting skills are essential to identify true values and successful outcomes. Commercial dispute resolution needs expert understanding and assessment and Raymond’s expertise and support of clients in these areas is well known.
Small business owners and high net worth individuals and families alike can rest assured seeking professional services and advice from Ashton & Co.
TAX INVESTIGATION & ENQUIRIES
Tax evasion is now major business for HMRC which makes sense when every pound counts. Non-reporting of global income for UK residents, and certain areas of investment proceeds, for example, property profits in the UK for non-residents, are areas which comes under special scrutiny and will inevitably continue to be so. international jurisdictions.
PROMPT & PROFESSIONAL
An HMRC tax investigation can be daunting even for experienced businessmen and women, investors and family tax offices. The news that financial affairs, current or historic, are being looked at or worst, allegations of tax evasion have reached serious proportions, is particularly unwelcome.
Loopholes and sloppy HMRC tax investigations are coming to an end and good legal advice, at the earliest opportunity, as well as tax advice itself is essential.
TRUST & FIDUCIARY
Guernsey’s popularity as an historic location for establishing family and business trusts is well known and there are numerous trust and fiduciary companies located on the island. Many are Channel Islands based companies with associations and parent companies in other international jurisdictions.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Trusts have been in existence in Britain from the Middle Ages when knights departing for the crusades used them to protect their interests and look after their wives and children.
These objectives have been no less a priority for families and individuals in more recent times, commonly being used in Wills and frequently wrapped around life assurance policies.
NEW LEGISLATION
However, trusts are controversial and politicians of all colours have made promises to prevent them from being used as vehicles for tax avoidance. As with other asset owning structures, trusts are best managed by professionals who understand the compliance requirements of record keeping and filing returns, keeping up with new legislation and other anti-avoidance crackdowns.
The 2017 BBC exposure of the ‘Paradise Papers’ comprising some 13.4 million documents which appeared to highlight the world of offshore finance and included examples of using trusts connected to tax evasion was the latest onslaught against companies and trusts registered offshore. Many of these were historic arrangements set up with the perfectly legal aim of managing and protecting family assets for future generations but the named parties of many have led to investigations where it is essential to obtain legal advice at the earlier opportunity.
Raymond Ashton is a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists and also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and is therefore well versed to advise on matters of trust and family law.
FINANCIAL CRIME – INTERNATIONAL & CROSS BORDER WORK
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 creates a number of separate criminal offences of money laundering, which include obtaining, hiding, converting and removing criminal property. These can be very serious offences indeed and carry a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.
FIRST CLASS DEFENCES
TAX EVASION AND MONEY LAUNDERING
Financial crimes cover a wide sphere of charges from theft and fraud, tax evasion, forgery and counterfeit to money laundering.
It’s not a surprise that Raymond Ashton’s major caseloads over his career focus largely two of these areas – tax evasion and money laundering, with book publications and articles dealing with both.
Raymond has been involved in a number of cases with an international spread so he has many contacts and colleagues in different jurisdictions thus providing a one-stop destination for clients needing advice relating to these areas.
TACKLING INTERNATIONAL CRIME
The UK Treasury’s most recent statement (May 2020) on cross-border information sharing is an indication that tackling international crime, is an increasing priority and one becoming rapidly within reach to reduce crime and increase revenues.
Individuals and companies may easily be vulnerable to charges so it is imperative that any potentially suspicious activities are met with legal advice as early as possible, to allay future charges.
BUSINESS MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
Buying a business, merging with another company or business or selling up to retire can be complex transactions which need, amongst the practicalities, tax advice on the best route. international jurisdictions.
ENSURING THE RIGHT APPROACH
Buying a business rather than acquiring the shares may seem more attractive to a buyer because the buyer can select which of the assets are attractive and which of the seller’s liabilities it is prepared to take on. Conversely, most sellers prefer to sell shares due to the tax benefits.
As many companies struggle to maintain profit margins, whether due to regulatory requirements or the after-effects of COVID19, economies of scale can attract mergers with like-minded organisations and it is essential for participating parties to obtain early advice to achieve maximum outcomes.
PRESERVING THE BENEFITS
Small but profitable business owners may wish to sell their companies and retire to pastures new. Timing is often an important factor in maximising returns and preserving the benefits of their hard work.
Whether acquiring, merging or disposing of business assets, Raymond Ashton has had many years experience of advising business owners small or large.
IRECONSTRUCTION & REORGANSATION
Tax evasion is now major business for HMRC which makes sense when every pound counts. Non-reporting of global income for UK residents, and certain areas of investment proceeds, for example, property profits in the UK for nonresidents, are areas which comes under special scrutiny and will inevitably continue to be so. international jurisdictions.
FINDING THE RIGHT ADVICE
This will not always be because they are inefficient by any means but because trading volumes will be insufficient to cover fixed costs, such as rents and arguably wages.
The implications are such that a creditor may be able to put the company into liquidation.
Sound legal advice is recommended with help pulling together the cash flow statements and assessing the balance sheet.
The legal requirements of a director of a company are onerous and become more so when trading conditions start to point towards this action.
INSOLVENCY & RESTRUCTURING
Raymond Ashton’s publication of Directors Duties and Responsibilities provides useful help for all individuals undertaking this role, and essential reading where insolvency is on the horizon.
REGULATION
Regulation has found its way into most professional activities in recent years and whilst prevention is always better than cure, inevitably oversights can happen.
If you or your business is faced with a regulatory inspection or worse, Ashton & Co will help you through every step of the way, fiercely defending your reputation and protecting the future of your business.
ENSURING THE RIGHT APPROACH
We have a long established reputation for securing successful outcomes for business including enforcement negotiations, applications and appeals, helping you re-establish relationships with your regulators and repair damage done after the issue has been resolved.
CONTACT
+44(0)1481 753300
enquiries@raymondashton.com
Ashton & Co
Ground Floor, Channel House, Forest Lane,
St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2NF
Ashton & Co is a specialist Guernsey
law practice providing expert
counsel in taxation, trusts, white-collar
crime, and commercial affairs.
Dr. Raymond Ashton
PUBLICATIONS
We believe that sharing our expertise is fundamental to our practice.
We warmly invite you to contact us if you wish to acquire any of our publications.
Tax Investigation – A Handbook
Dr Raymond Ashton is the author of several texts on tax and trusts, including the ‘Guernsey Law of Trusts’ and numerous articles published in academic and professional journals.
Ashton on Company Law
Dr. Raymond Ashton (2024)
Authors often relish a second edition of their books in order to cover up the mistakes of the first edition. This is no exception but in this case the third edition has expanded to cover the wider aspects of company law.
NEWS & INSIGHTS
Keep up to date with the most recent news and insights.
This weekend in the media there have been very generous tributes at Leeds United for Terry Yorath known by his team-mates as Taff.
The Bradford Fire is one of a number of footballing tragedies which have had a major impact on football and society generally.
Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the BBC’s ‘go-to economist’ will visit the island on 28thNovember 2024 for a free talk analysing the UK Government’s Autumn Budget.