5 Stone Buildings is ‘an outstanding set with incredible strength in depth across the board’ for ‘complex and high-value trust and estate disputes’. In Hinduja v Hinduja, Henry Legge KC acted for the now-deceased head of the family, SP Hinduja, in a long-running dispute between members of the family, described as the UK's richest, which established the Hinduja Group. Penelope Reed KC acted as leading counsel for Leigh White in Gladstone v White, a case involving a proprietary estoppel claim by a woman allegedly treated like a daughter of by the owner of a stately home, a relatively unusual case applying proprietary estoppel outside of the context of a family farm. Tracey Angus KC, who is ‘thorough in her advice and always extremely responsive and very perceptive’, recently acted for the defendant in Taj v Ali, a case involving a trust dispute over the estate of a deceased with assets in England and the Isle of Man, and involving allegations of forgery. Hugh Cumber represents a widow in an Inheritance Act claim after she was provided with the entire state on a life interest basis, but received no capital provision.
Private wealth and probate in
London Bar
5 Stone Buildings
Les références
‘Paul Jennings is superb.’
‘Paul Jennings is excellent to deal with and always understands market forces.’
‘Dan Coote is a fantastic clerk. He is direct, always on top of the diaries and is efficient.’
Principaux dossiers
Serle Court
Serle Court is a ‘very efficient and responsive set’, with a ‘large and highly regarded team specialising in contentious trusts and probate’. Jonathan Adkin KC is handling a complex multi-billion dollar probate application before the High Court relating to a foreign estate. ‘Formidable barrister’ Richard Wilson KC, known for ‘his exceptional ability to identify the core issues of a case’, and James Weale, who is ‘very responsive and robust in court’, are two key individuals who regularly represent clients before courts in all kind of contentious trust claim both at national and international level. ‘First-rate junior’ Sparsh Garg acted for the claimant in Morina v Scherbakova, a case of a grant of probate and declaration of succession regarding the estate and will trust of a deceased Russian businessman.
Les références
‘Charlie Payne is fast, efficient and responsive.’
‘Charlotte Davidson and Daniel Wheeler are stand-out people. Charlotte Davidson as business development co-ordinator understands the market, and Dan understands what solicitors need and works hard to collaborate.’
‘Charlie Payne and Nick Hockney are the best at what they do – offering access to the set, flexibility and responsiveness whenever required and managing with humour and charm.’
Principaux dossiers
Wilberforce Chambers
Wilberforce Chambers has ‘an unrivalled team of senior and junior counsel to provide the appropriate level of expert assistance with the various complex and sophisticated aspects of the matter’. Gilead Cooper KC is highly regarded for his excellent track record in handling contentious property and trust matters and is noted for his ‘ability to produce clear opinions’. Brian Green KC successfully represented the Saudi National Bank before the Supreme Court in Byers v Saudi National Bank, a constructive trust dispute involving the issue of whether a continuing proprietary interest is a condition of bringing a claim in knowing receipt. Robert Ham KC is known for ‘giving excellent advice to clients and turning matters around quickly and effectively’ and has longstanding experience of handling contentious and non-contentious trusts and private client law matters. Simon Atkinson recently successfully acted for the defendant in Asturion Fondation v HRH Aljawharah Bint Ibrahim Abdulaziz Alibrahi, a complex case involving Liechtenstein, English and Sharia Law, a dispute over who is entitled to a high-value property in Hampstead.
Les références
‘Nicholas Luckman and Frazer Geddes provide great service, and both are very responsive.’
‘Nicholas Luckman is always very responsive and helpful.’
‘Nicholas Luckman is friendly and knowledgeable.’
Principaux dossiers
XXIV Old Buildings
XXIV Old Buildings is ‘the leading set for domestic and international contentious trust, probate and commercial disputes’. Elspeth Talbot Rice KC is heavily involved in complex and high-value contentious trust matters, including applications for addition and removal of beneficiaries, removal or substitute trustee and restructuring of the trusts. ‘A real intellectual giant of the chancery Bar’, Adam Cloherty KC, is currently acting for the beneficiary in a case concerning the structuring of trusts holding several UK companies, in a dispute over control of the structure. On the junior end, Daniel Warents garners praise for his ‘skilful and slick cross-examination’, and Elizabeth Weaver regularly acts for trustees, executors and beneficiaries and is known for ‘spotting the critical points for development in any case’.
Les références
‘James Ladbrook is extremely helpful and proactive.’
‘The clerks are user-friendly and always helpful. Tommie Drury, in particular, always brings a lot of enthusiasm and energy to his work.’
‘The clerking team is great and led by Paul Horsfield, who is always a safe pair of hands. James Ladbrook, Tommie Drury and Perry Brown all deserve mention for their unfailingly helpful demeanour. They are service-oriented and helpful.’
Principaux dossiers
New Square Chambers
New Square Chambers is ‘a first-rate and go-to set’, regularly assisting clients with a wide range of contentious and non-contentious trust matters. Nicholas Le Poidevin KC, whose ‘written advice in particular is first-rate’, has longstanding experience of handling cases involving breach of trust reorganisation and variation of trusts. ‘An exceptional advocate’, Alexander Learmonth KC successfully acted for Sandy Sangha in a second appeal before the Court of Appeal in Sangha v Sangha, a case involving the scope of a revocation clause and the requirements for the due execution of a will under section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Aidan Briggs is currently representing a party in Marcus v Marcus, a trust dispute between brothers involving family business assets across various jurisdictions, and is known for his ‘exemplary advocacy’.
Les références
‘The clerks are outstanding, particularly Nathan Hitchman.’
‘The clerks are faultless in their attitude, helpfulness and professionalism, especially Michelle Greene and Nathan Hitchman.’
‘Cameron Grant is very good and very responsive.’
Principaux dossiers
Radcliffe Chambers
Radcliffe Chambers has ‘an extremely strong breadth of counsel, from up and coming juniors to silks contesting trust and estate work’. Thomas Dumont KC and Edward Hicks represented adult children who overturned gifts of £650,000 in their late father's will, the father having lost testamentary practice during the drafting of a will. Hicks also acted for the widow of the deceased in a case where a solicitor executor sought to have her removed as co-executor on the basis of an alleged conflict of interest, on the grounds that she has a potential Inheritance Act claim (the estate going directly to the children under the will), while Josh Lewison secured summary judgment for a group of cancer charities, defending a challenge by a woman to her late father's will on the challenge the grounds of fraud, undue influence and lack of capacity.
Les références
‘The clerks are great. John Clark is always extremely responsive and spot on with his knowledge of the specific areas his barristers excel in.’
‘John Clark is a credit to the set – an outstanding clerk who is proactive and well versed in the procedure unique to private wealth disputes work.’
‘The clerks are good, especially Justin Allen is efficient and knowledgeable.’
Principaux dossiers
Ten Old Square
Ten Old Square is ‘a leading set on private wealth and probate matters’. The ‘intellectually rigorous’ Simon Taube KC is currently assisting the trustees of Cadogan Trusts with the appointments of altered beneficial trusts, replacement trustees and applications to vary the trusts. Georgia Bedworth, who is ‘excellent at complex trust problems, particularly with property issues’, recently acted for the trustees in Cloke v Carington, a case concerning the extension of the perpetuity and accumulation period under the Variation of Trusts Act. Susannah Meadway is ‘an intellectual powerhouse’ and highly recommended.
Les références
‘Marc Schofield is the stand-out clerk, quiet, calm, assured and utterly professional.’
‘Keith Plowman is very helpful.’
‘Marc Schofield has excellent communication, matter management and recommendations to the best barrister for a particular matter.’
Principaux dossiers
Gatehouse Chambers
Gatehouse Chambers is ‘a strong chancery set with a big private client team at all levels of strength in depth’. Brie Stevens-Hoare KC recently acted for the claimant in Pidsley & Pidsley v Spencer, challenging a will which is alleged to have had the signatures of its witnesses procured by fraud on the part of the deceased’s stepdaughter. Charlotte John is ‘incredibly thorough and leaves no stone unturned’ and is representing the claimant in Ellis v Care, a probate and proprietary estoppel dispute in which the brother of the deceased farmer questioned the capacity of his brother to make the will.
Les références
‘The clerks and practice managers at Gatehouse Chambers are a delight to deal with, in particular, James Duncan-Hartill and Patrick Sarson.’
‘The clerks are second to none. Clerks of note include Patrick Sarson.’
‘Gatehouse Chambers is a friendly and efficient set. It has a strong field of counsel who can assist and a range of experience levels.’
Principaux dossiers
Selborne Chambers
Selborne Chambers has ‘a wide range of top quality barristers across most dispute areas’. Ian Clarke KC recently acted for the defendant in Henchley v Thompson, a long-running claim against trustees concerning a trust which was allegedly mismanaged from the 1970s onwards. George Woodhead represented the defendants before the High Court in Islam v Islam and Islam, a matter involving allegations of undue influence and forgery over the trust of six properties and is known for his ‘sharp mind allied to a robust and well-judged courtroom style’. Lydia Pemberton is representing a defendant in a case in which the claimant alleges that the will of his late mother is invalid due to forgery involving a struck-off solicitor who was imprisoned for contempt of court in connected proceedings.
Les références
‘Oliver Ventura is excellent and a real asset to chambers.’
‘Oliver Ventura is the rising star at this set.’
‘The clerks at the set are fantastic. Richard Sheehan is always ready to help at short notice and provide availability quickly and efficiently.’
Principaux dossiers
5 Stone Buildings
Les références
‘Paul Jennings is superb.’
‘Paul Jennings is excellent to deal with and always understands market forces.’
‘Dan Coote is a fantastic clerk. He is direct, always on top of the diaries and is efficient.’
Principaux dossiers
Serle Court
Serle Court is a ‘very efficient and responsive set’, with a ‘large and highly regarded team specialising in contentious trusts and probate’. Jonathan Adkin KC is handling a complex multi-billion dollar probate application before the High Court relating to a foreign estate. ‘Formidable barrister’ Richard Wilson KC, known for ‘his exceptional ability to identify the core issues of a case’, and James Weale, who is ‘very responsive and robust in court’, are two key individuals who regularly represent clients before courts in all kind of contentious trust claim both at national and international level. ‘First-rate junior’ Sparsh Garg acted for the claimant in Morina v Scherbakova, a case of a grant of probate and declaration of succession regarding the estate and will trust of a deceased Russian businessman.
Les références
‘Charlie Payne is fast, efficient and responsive.’
‘Charlotte Davidson and Daniel Wheeler are stand-out people. Charlotte Davidson as business development co-ordinator understands the market, and Dan understands what solicitors need and works hard to collaborate.’
‘Charlie Payne and Nick Hockney are the best at what they do – offering access to the set, flexibility and responsiveness whenever required and managing with humour and charm.’
Principaux dossiers
Wilberforce Chambers
Wilberforce Chambers has ‘an unrivalled team of senior and junior counsel to provide the appropriate level of expert assistance with the various complex and sophisticated aspects of the matter’. Gilead Cooper KC is highly regarded for his excellent track record in handling contentious property and trust matters and is noted for his ‘ability to produce clear opinions’. Brian Green KC successfully represented the Saudi National Bank before the Supreme Court in Byers v Saudi National Bank, a constructive trust dispute involving the issue of whether a continuing proprietary interest is a condition of bringing a claim in knowing receipt. Robert Ham KC is known for ‘giving excellent advice to clients and turning matters around quickly and effectively’ and has longstanding experience of handling contentious and non-contentious trusts and private client law matters. Simon Atkinson recently successfully acted for the defendant in Asturion Fondation v HRH Aljawharah Bint Ibrahim Abdulaziz Alibrahi, a complex case involving Liechtenstein, English and Sharia Law, a dispute over who is entitled to a high-value property in Hampstead.
Les références
‘Nicholas Luckman and Frazer Geddes provide great service, and both are very responsive.’
‘Nicholas Luckman is always very responsive and helpful.’
‘Nicholas Luckman is friendly and knowledgeable.’
Principaux dossiers
XXIV Old Buildings
XXIV Old Buildings is ‘the leading set for domestic and international contentious trust, probate and commercial disputes’. Elspeth Talbot Rice KC is heavily involved in complex and high-value contentious trust matters, including applications for addition and removal of beneficiaries, removal or substitute trustee and restructuring of the trusts. ‘A real intellectual giant of the chancery Bar’, Adam Cloherty KC, is currently acting for the beneficiary in a case concerning the structuring of trusts holding several UK companies, in a dispute over control of the structure. On the junior end, Daniel Warents garners praise for his ‘skilful and slick cross-examination’, and Elizabeth Weaver regularly acts for trustees, executors and beneficiaries and is known for ‘spotting the critical points for development in any case’.
Les références
‘James Ladbrook is extremely helpful and proactive.’
‘The clerks are user-friendly and always helpful. Tommie Drury, in particular, always brings a lot of enthusiasm and energy to his work.’
‘The clerking team is great and led by Paul Horsfield, who is always a safe pair of hands. James Ladbrook, Tommie Drury and Perry Brown all deserve mention for their unfailingly helpful demeanour. They are service-oriented and helpful.’
Principaux dossiers
New Square Chambers
New Square Chambers is ‘a first-rate and go-to set’, regularly assisting clients with a wide range of contentious and non-contentious trust matters. Nicholas Le Poidevin KC, whose ‘written advice in particular is first-rate’, has longstanding experience of handling cases involving breach of trust reorganisation and variation of trusts. ‘An exceptional advocate’, Alexander Learmonth KC successfully acted for Sandy Sangha in a second appeal before the Court of Appeal in Sangha v Sangha, a case involving the scope of a revocation clause and the requirements for the due execution of a will under section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Aidan Briggs is currently representing a party in Marcus v Marcus, a trust dispute between brothers involving family business assets across various jurisdictions, and is known for his ‘exemplary advocacy’.
Les références
‘The clerks are outstanding, particularly Nathan Hitchman.’
‘The clerks are faultless in their attitude, helpfulness and professionalism, especially Michelle Greene and Nathan Hitchman.’
‘Cameron Grant is very good and very responsive.’
Principaux dossiers
Radcliffe Chambers
Radcliffe Chambers has ‘an extremely strong breadth of counsel, from up and coming juniors to silks contesting trust and estate work’. Thomas Dumont KC and Edward Hicks represented adult children who overturned gifts of £650,000 in their late father's will, the father having lost testamentary practice during the drafting of a will. Hicks also acted for the widow of the deceased in a case where a solicitor executor sought to have her removed as co-executor on the basis of an alleged conflict of interest, on the grounds that she has a potential Inheritance Act claim (the estate going directly to the children under the will), while Josh Lewison secured summary judgment for a group of cancer charities, defending a challenge by a woman to her late father's will on the challenge the grounds of fraud, undue influence and lack of capacity.
Les références
‘The clerks are great. John Clark is always extremely responsive and spot on with his knowledge of the specific areas his barristers excel in.’
‘John Clark is a credit to the set – an outstanding clerk who is proactive and well versed in the procedure unique to private wealth disputes work.’
‘The clerks are good, especially Justin Allen is efficient and knowledgeable.’
Principaux dossiers
Ten Old Square
Ten Old Square is ‘a leading set on private wealth and probate matters’. The ‘intellectually rigorous’ Simon Taube KC is currently assisting the trustees of Cadogan Trusts with the appointments of altered beneficial trusts, replacement trustees and applications to vary the trusts. Georgia Bedworth, who is ‘excellent at complex trust problems, particularly with property issues’, recently acted for the trustees in Cloke v Carington, a case concerning the extension of the perpetuity and accumulation period under the Variation of Trusts Act. Susannah Meadway is ‘an intellectual powerhouse’ and highly recommended.
Les références
‘Marc Schofield is the stand-out clerk, quiet, calm, assured and utterly professional.’
‘Keith Plowman is very helpful.’
‘Marc Schofield has excellent communication, matter management and recommendations to the best barrister for a particular matter.’
Principaux dossiers
Gatehouse Chambers
Gatehouse Chambers is ‘a strong chancery set with a big private client team at all levels of strength in depth’. Brie Stevens-Hoare KC recently acted for the claimant in Pidsley & Pidsley v Spencer, challenging a will which is alleged to have had the signatures of its witnesses procured by fraud on the part of the deceased’s stepdaughter. Charlotte John is ‘incredibly thorough and leaves no stone unturned’ and is representing the claimant in Ellis v Care, a probate and proprietary estoppel dispute in which the brother of the deceased farmer questioned the capacity of his brother to make the will.
Les références
‘The clerks and practice managers at Gatehouse Chambers are a delight to deal with, in particular, James Duncan-Hartill and Patrick Sarson.’
‘The clerks are second to none. Clerks of note include Patrick Sarson.’
‘Gatehouse Chambers is a friendly and efficient set. It has a strong field of counsel who can assist and a range of experience levels.’
Principaux dossiers
Selborne Chambers
Selborne Chambers has ‘a wide range of top quality barristers across most dispute areas’. Ian Clarke KC recently acted for the defendant in Henchley v Thompson, a long-running claim against trustees concerning a trust which was allegedly mismanaged from the 1970s onwards. George Woodhead represented the defendants before the High Court in Islam v Islam and Islam, a matter involving allegations of undue influence and forgery over the trust of six properties and is known for his ‘sharp mind allied to a robust and well-judged courtroom style’. Lydia Pemberton is representing a defendant in a case in which the claimant alleges that the will of his late mother is invalid due to forgery involving a struck-off solicitor who was imprisoned for contempt of court in connected proceedings.
Les références
‘Oliver Ventura is excellent and a real asset to chambers.’
‘Oliver Ventura is the rising star at this set.’
‘The clerks at the set are fantastic. Richard Sheehan is always ready to help at short notice and provide availability quickly and efficiently.’