Contentious private client disputes, which often involve challenges to trusts and wills, are becoming increasingly prevalent. These disputes are often international in nature and involve a consideration of complex arrangements which have been established over many years.
Our specialist team has extensive experience on advising on a wide array of private client disputes. We have particular experience advising all parties to trust and estate disputes, including removals of trustees, protectors and personal representatives, Public Trustee v Cooper applications, and breach of trust and fiduciary duty claims. We also have extensive experience advising on probate claims, as well as capacity and charity disputes.
We have developed niche expertise in cases involving allegations of fraud, such as situations where assets have been dissipated by a trusted advisor. In urgent scenarios, we provide critical advice to maximise recovery prospects, often through personal and proprietary freezing injunctions, ancillary disclosure orders and disclosure orders against third parties implicated in the fraud. Where advice on potential criminal remedies is required, we collaborate with leading law firms that specialise in this area.
We pride ourselves on identifying our clients’ objectives at an early stage and crafting strategies that meet those goals efficiently and cost-effectively. Where disputes proceed to trial, we have experience dealing with cases in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court (and Privy Council), as well as equivalent international courts. Our team frequently collaborates with the firm’s renowned private capital group, whose specialists excel in international tax planning and succession matters. Additionally, we maintain an extensive network of contacts with law firms and professionals across all major offshore jurisdictions.
By leveraging our deep expertise and comprehensive network, we ensure that our clients receive the highest standard of advice and support in resolving their complex disputes.
Notable matters
Advising beneficiary of [trust/estate] in respect of the disputed ownership of family assets worth over £200 million.
Advising trustees of lifetime trust and administrators of estate in defending complex estate dispute involving proceedings in the US and England.
Advising trustees defending claims of breach of trust and other fiduciary duties by beneficiaries.
Advising claimant in challenging the wills in respect of an estate worth over £150 million on grounds of lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence.
Advising claimant in asserting a claim of constructive trust over heritage property formerly held in trust.
Advising trustees of an employer financed benefits retirement scheme in connection with claims for breach of trust and negligence by the employer and employee (beneficiary under the Scheme)
Advising trustees of a charitable trust in connection with multiple civil and criminal claims arising in Bermuda, the US, Switzerland the UK from the misuse of the trust assets by the settlor and sole director of the trust
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