The Practitioner’s Forum on Trusts in Divorce

Abby is a Partner in the Family and Divorce team who specialises in matters involving all aspects of private family law and in particular complex financial issues and private children cases.

Abby is recognised in Chambers UK, Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Legal 500 UK and Spear’s Family Law Index. She was shortlisted as Woman of the Year - Rising Star in the Powerwomen Awards.

Abby is a member of the Founding Committee for Thought Leaders4 HNW Divorce Next Generation committee and has spoken at and chaired numerous ThoughtLeaders4 events. 

After reading English Literature at The University of Manchester, Abby went on to complete the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course in Bloomsbury. Abby was a paralegal at a magic circle firm in their Mergers and Acquisitions team before commencing her training contract with a Lincoln’s Inn firm in 2008 and qualifying into their Family Team in 2010. Abby joined Kingsley Napley in 2012 and was made partner in 2020. 

Jessica is a private client partner specialising in risk and disputes in relation to trusts and estates.

Jessica has accrued extensive trust litigation experience both in England and offshore. Her cases have included both seeking and defending the removal of trustees, protectors and executors; rectification and variation of trusts; setting aside and defending trusts on the basis of sham allegations; challenging trustees’ decisions and advising trustees on making decisions in contentious circumstances; challenging trustees’ fees; claims for breach of fiduciary duty; and associated professional negligence proceedings against tax and legal advisors. 

Equally, Jessica frequently advises on probate and estate disputes, including invalidity claims, capacity and construction issues, as well as claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975.

Jessica has also built up particular expertise in advising trustees and beneficiaries on issues of trust law in the context of divorce proceedings – both in relation to proceedings in the Family Division and in the corresponding offshore trust jurisdictions. 

Marcus Dearle is senior partner of specialist family law boutique law firm, Miles Preston, in London, and a 26-year veteran of Withers in London and Hong Kong. He spearheaded the launch of Withers’ family law team in Hong Kong and was office managing director of Withers’ Singapore and Hong Kong offices. He has over 34 years of experience acting in complex domestic and international family law cases.

In addition to being admitted in England & Wales, he uniquely practises Hong Kong family law from London. He is also admitted, but not practising in, the BVI.

Marcus is recognised as a leading trusts and divorce litigation practitioner advising HNW and UHNW clients in the ALM | LAW.COM Private Client Global Elite directory: the directory is entirely reliant on peer nominations.

He is the immediate past Chair of the International Bar Association, Family Law Committee, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

Marcus acted for the corporate trustee of an offshore Guernsey trust in a major and complex divorce and trust case which went to trial in the High Court in London in 2001, and then to the Court of Appeal in 2008: Judge v Judge [2008] EWCA Civ 1458. Lord Justice Wilson in the Court of Appeal found that the trustee had, ‘adopted a stance not only properly defensive of the interests of the trust, but also both neutral as between the husband and the wife and essentially helpful to the court.’

During the 11 years he was based in Hong Kong Marcus led the family law teams acting in a number of groundbreaking international family law cases that went to the Hong Kong Court of Appeal and/or Court of Final Appeal, including the Florence Tsang case TCWF v LKKS [2014] HKEC 1593 (the largest Hong Kong divorce case), and the landmark divorce and trust, Court of Final Appeal, case of Otto Poon [2014] HKEC 1174, when he acted for the professional trustee, HSBC International Trustee Limited – a case involving a Jersey trust which the Financial Times reported as having ‘Rattled the Trust Industry’ in Hong Kong.

He also acted successfully for the financially stronger US husband in LCYP v JEK [2019] HKCFI 1588, which is now the leading PNA case in Hong Kong.

He has very recently successfully represented Sir Frederick Barclay in defending him against three sets of committal proceedings in the London High Court: see Barclay v Barclay [2022] EWHC 2026 and Barclay v Barclay [2023] EWFC 164.

He wrote the chapter on Divorce and Trusts in Sweet & Maxwell’s 2010 publication ‘Family Law and Practice in Hong Kong’ and in the 2nd (2014) and 3rd (2018) editions.

He lectures widely at international conferences and has been interviewed on international TV news networks, including by the BBC and CNN. He is a regular contributor to the international press and specialist publications, including the London Times, Family Law, International Family Law Journal and STEP Journal.

He was shortlisted as International Family Lawyer of the Year at the Lexis Nexis Family Law Awards 2018.

Joanna is a partner in Farrer & Co's Contentious Trusts and Estates team. She advises trustees, beneficiaries and charities on the full range of onshore and offshore contentious trusts and estates matters.

Clients come to Joanna for assistance with probate claims, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, constructive trust claims, proprietary estoppel claims and breach of trust claims. She has particular experience of defending the validity of trusts against third party attacks on grounds such as sham. She also advises on professional negligence claims against trustees, lawyers and accountants where there is a trust or estates angle.

Her offshore work has seen her advise in relation to proceedings in Jersey, Switzerland, Nevis, the Cayman Islands, BVI, Cyprus, Italy and Denmark.

Claire-Marie is the lead Partner for the Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team in London.

She specialises in private client disputes and litigation, specifically those concerning trust, estate and succession disputes. Claire-Marie’s clients include private individuals, trustees, executors, administrators, protectors and beneficiaries.

She deals with all manner of disputes both in the UK and internationally, including claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, will disputes, and claims in respect of beneficial interests in property.

Claire-Marie was named in Citywealth’s list of Top 10 Powerwomen Trust Litigators 2020 and Top 100 Trust Litigators and Polymaths in May 2020. She’s also ranked in Legal Week’s Private Client Global Elite Directory as ‘One to Watch.’ 

James is a Group Partner in Private Client and Trusts team. He joined Collas Crill in January 2024. James is an English barrister and Jersey Advocate and has a busy practice with a particular focus on contentious and non-contentious trust work. 

He advises, undertakes drafting work, and acts for beneficiaries, trustees and other power-holders in relation to breach of trust claims, asset tracing/recovery and claims for secondary liability against accessories, issues concerning trust administration, the appointment and removal of trustees and the exercise of powers, applications to court for directions, the variation and rectification of trusts and the disclosure of information to beneficiaries and third parties, jurisdiction disputes and the enforcement of foreign judgments against trustees and beneficiaries and issues concerning trustees’ rights of indemnity, fees and legal cost.

James also advises in relation to a broad range of contentious commercial and company law disputes. He is named as a Rising Star in Legal 500 UK 2023 and ranked in Chambers UK and Global 2023.

Jenny McKeown is a leading contentious trusts specialist and is the head of Stephenson Harwood's global employment, pensions, immigration and private wealth practice group. Jenny has acted on a number of high profile claims and trust disputes both onshore and offshore. Her experience ranges from advising on technical areas of rectification and construction of trust documentation to applications for disclosure of information and seeking to hold trustees to account. Jenny has particular expertise in professional negligence claims against trustee advisors and representing trustees in fraud proceedings. She acts for trustees, beneficiaries, financial services firms, financial institutions, insurers and private individuals.

Nick is a partner in Ogier's Jersey Dispute Resolution team specialising in contentious restructuring, contentious trusts matters and cross-border commercial litigation. He leads the Jersey Dispute Resolution team and co-chairs the firm's global Regulatory Group.

Nick joined Ogier in 2007, having previously practised in England with Clifford Chance.  He was admitted as a Jersey Advocate in 2010, and became a Partner in 2013. He is recognised by Chambers UK and Legal 500 for dispute resolution, with clients consistently highlighting the commercial and practical nature of his advice.

Nick has a broad experience of complex and often multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation. His practice and recent experience includes contentious and semi-contentious trust work, contentious regulatory and enforcement matters, contentious restructuring and insolvency and corporate and fund litigation.

Stacey is a Partner in the family team. She advises UK and international clients on matters involving all aspects of family law, in particular complex financial issues and private children cases.  Stacey is also a mediator and works with couples to help them resolve practical and legal issues arising from their separation without the need to attend court.
 

Stacey is named as an Associate to Watch in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth 2022 and a Rising Star in the Legal 500 2023.  She was shortlisted as Associate of the Year in the Family Awards 2020.  Stacey has a breadth of experience in advising clients on cross border issues, and has spoken at several conferences about the impact of Brexit on family law matters.  She was a member of the historical Brexit Working Party to the Resolution International Committee and Property, Tax and Pensions Committee, a group of lawyers formed to consider the impact Brexit will have on family legislation in England & Wales.  In 2022 she was the runner up for the International Academy of Family Lawyers’ Young Lawyer’s Award.  She works closely with Kingsley Napley’s immigration team to support clients where family and immigration issues need to be considered in tandem.

Stacey takes a holistic approach to her cases, and frequently works with other experts such as therapists, coaches and financial experts to ensure clients have the support they need.  Her goal is to achieve the best outcome for the client to ensure they can move forward with their lives in a positive manner.

As a mediator Stacey is named as a Next Generation in The Legal 500 2023.  She takes a compassionate approach to her cases, and frequently works with other experts in a collaborative manner (for example IFAs, accountants, therapists and solicitors) as part of the mediation process where this is beneficial to the clients. 

Simon is highly regarded by both clients and his peers, he brings his considerable expertise to bear to help separating couples resolve issues in a constructive manner. He has a particular strength in complex financial cases, often involving trusts, family businesses and assets in more than one jurisdiction.

Working closely with colleagues in the private wealth sector to provide a seamless service to high net worth individuals and their families, Simon is able to advise on the family law aspects of wealth protection, including prenuptial and cohabitation agreements. He has a thriving children law practice and has assisted parents in all aspects of the law relating to children. He has a specialist interest in the cross-border movement of children and frequently provides guidance on international surrogacy and applications for parental orders.

Simon is an elected member of the national committee of Resolution, the leading membership organisation for specialist family lawyers, and is the organisation’s treasurer.

Simon is recognised as a 'Next Generation Partner' in The Legal 500 2023 edition and is ranked in the Chambers UK and HNW guides for his work on sophisticated financial cases, many with a trust-related, family business or multi-jurisdictional element. He is recognised as a 'Recommended Lawyer' in the Spear's 500 2022 directory.

Christopher has been described as “the go-to silk for financial cases with trust elements.” He has appeared in many of the leading cases in this area, such as Charalambous v Charalambous, Ben Hashem v Shayif, A v A & St George Trustees and Prest v Petrodel. He has spoken on this subject, and on wider issues concerning assets held in the names of third parties nationally and internationally, and has written or co-written numerous publications on the topic. His non-contentious work substantially comprises providing trustees with advice on adopting policies to avoid becoming embroiled in matrimonial litigation, including the use of pre- and post-nuptial agreements.

More generally, Christopher is often instructed in high net worth cases with international elements and/or complex asset holding structures, in particular where valuation, disclosure or enforcement issues are to the fore or where pre-post nuptial agreements are featured. He frequently receives instructions from related overseas jurisdictions including Hong Kong and the Caribbean in relation to both English and overseas proceedings and has appeared in the Channel Islands, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man on a number of occasions.

Christopher also has particular knowledge and experience of cohabitation cases and related Schedule 1 issues. He appeared in a number of important Court of Appeal cases in this field such as Oxley v Hiscock and Prazic v Prazic. Christopher accepts instructions to act as a private FDR judge both in England.

Harry took silk in 2020 having been the leading finance junior for many years. In 2018 he was awarded Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year, by Chambers & Partners. He previously won it in 2013 and was shortlisted in 2012. No other barrister has ever been nominated three times and won the award twice.

Harry specializes in complex divorce, financial remedies and claims for provision for unmarried parents under Children Act 1989 Schedule 1. His cases usually involve high and ultra-high net worth individuals (including up to £3bn). He has particular experience with complex corporate, trust, tax and business valuation issues, in the UK and overseas. He represents individuals, trusts, trustees and companies and has advised on overseas divorces including in Jersey, Guernsey, Cayman, Gibraltar, Hong Kong and Isle of Man. He also advises commercial funders of litigation.

He is instructed to advise on pre-nuptial agreements including with international dimensions. He is qualified and experienced arbitrator and regularly is called upon to preside over private FDRs. Harry has been instructed as an expert witness on English law in foreign proceedings.

James is a leading family lawyer and advises on all issues arising from relationship breakdown, specialising in difficult or complex cases. These commonly involve international issues, offshore assets and trusts, business interests or hidden assets, and the construction of sophisticated financial settlements. He often advises trustees, intervenors and family offices in relation to divorce proceedings. James has considerable experience of cross-border work, in particular Anglo-French cases. He is also experienced in pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements both international and domestic. He is committed to resolving disputes in a constructive way wherever possible and to that end is trained as a Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer. He is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a member of the Franco-British Lawyers Society.

James is admitted to practise in England and Wales.

Emma advises beneficiaries, trustees, and other fiduciaries on trust disputes both onshore and in numerous offshore jurisdictions. Emma also specialises in probate disputes, including when conflicts of private international law arise, and disputes overseen by the Court of Protection. Emma is recognised by Chambers High Net Worth as an ‘Up and Coming’ Partner, by The Legal 500 as a 'Next Generation Partner’, by Private Client Global Elite as ‘One to Watch’ and by Spear’s as one of the ‘Top Recommended 2021, Contentious Trust Lawyers’.

Emma regularly advises where there is friction between beneficiaries and fiduciaries and also to facilitate separation of beneficial interests, assisting with associated court applications both on- and off-shore.

Emma advises on succession issues and the validity of wills, including issues of capacity and advises where conflicts of private international law arise. She also assists with claims made under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

Emma also has experience in relation to the affairs of those who have lost capacity and associated applications in the Court of Protection.

Andrew has significant experience of trust-related matters (both offshore and onshore) and is one of the go-to barristers for ‘big money’ divorce cases involving trust or company related issues.  He was first instructed in the seminal case of Charman and has since acted in many of the leading cases in this area.  Andrew acts for divorcing parties, trustees, companies and other third parties, whether on his own or as part of a team of advisers on the highest value and most important matrimonial cases. The 2023 edition of Chambers & Partners says that Andrew is "a real team player, he is exceptionally pleasant and really smart. He cuts through issues really quickly and is a brilliant leader", “whose advocacy is excellent” and “Andrew is a proactive silk who maintains an excellent grip throughout his cases.  In court he’s very calm and measured even in the fraught context of an acrimonious divorce hearing”.

Jennifer is a partner in the divorce and family team at Withers, specialising in legal issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship.

She is recognised as a Rising Star in the Legal 500 UK 2023 which said of her 'In an oustanding firm, she is the one to watch.' Jennifer's practice encompasses financial remedy cases (both for married couples and unmarried couples), disputes about how children should spend their time, relocation cases and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Many of her cases have an international dimension or involve trust interests or complex corporate structures, and clients come from many walks of life - often they are high-net worth individuals and sometimes in the public eye, wishing to stay out of in. Jennifer works with her clients sensitively and pragmatically to reach a settlment swiftly and amicably. She gives focussed no-nonsense advice, but is not afriad to fight tenaciously for her clients.

Chris Pocock specialises in divorce and matrimonial finance in disputes between high net worth parties. He has a wealth of experience dealing with complexities involving corporate and other businesses and/or complex remuneration packages, as well as with cases involving offshore and onshore trust and other asset-holding structures. Many, if not most, of his cases involve international and cross-border aspects, either substantively or in relation to enforcement.

Chris is ‘a skilled advocate (2020 Legal 500); ‘Very commercial, sensible and pragmatic in his advice”. “He’s excellent in cases where the detail is important.” (Chambers & Partners 2020)’

Rachel advises ultra high net worth individuals and families, trustees and family offices on wealth preservation, specialising in succession and UK tax matters, typically with an international and cross-border focus.

Rachel has particular experience in advising clients with links to the US, and a significant part of her practice involves a US dimension. Rachel regularly assists clients with HMRC enquiries and voluntary disclosures, including for US-connected private clients who may be subject to US tax audits.

Rachel's practice includes advising on asset holdings structures, such as trusts, corporate entities and foundations. She has significant experience working alongside offshore intermediaries in the ongoing operation and fiscal implications for such structures.

Rachel has been recognised by the Chambers High Net Worth directory as 'Up and Coming' for Private Wealth Law and is listed as a Rising Leader in the Private Client Global Elite directory. Sources quoted by Chambers describe Rachel as "very impressive", "very commercial" and as having "a very kind and thoughtful way with clients." In the Legal 500 directory, sources describe Rachel as "a real rising star with a particular focus on US/UK tax matters" and as having "the highly valued ability to distil the key information and advise on it clearly and concisely."

Elizabeth is a director at Family Law in Partnership. She specialises in all areas of family law and has a particular focus in advising HNW and UHNW individuals on complex cross jurisdictional issues of family, matrimonial and trusts law.

Elizabeth’s work includes divorce, contested financial remedy cases and asset protection, often involving international aspects. Elizabeth also advises on complicated private Children Act cases and Pre and Post Marital Agreements with both domestic and international aspects. Elizabeth’s clients include husbands and wives, cohabitants and sometimes children. They come from a range of backgrounds and include entrepreneurs, City professionals and various high profile individuals and their spouses and partners. She often prepares Pre and Post Marital Agreements using the collaborative process including those agreements which have an international aspect.

Elizabeth is ranked as a leading expert in family/matrimonial law by all the leading legal directories with Legal 500 UK 2024 remarking that Elizabeth is “at the top of her game” and Chambers HNW 2023 noting: “Hicks is one of the great family lawyers of her generation”.

The Legal 500 UK has ranked Elizabeth in its Hall of Fame of Leading Individuals in family law for many years with recent comments including: “Elizabeth Hicks is at the top of her game. Fiercely loyal to, and protective of, her clients, they feel supported and extremely well represented as a result. She is not afraid to stand her ground and delivers results time after time”. Earlier editions note: “Elizabeth Hicks is a true star of her generation….a standout practitioner. She is the whole package, technically good, has warmth in abundance and is completely committed to her clients.” 

Elizabeth has been named as a Top Recommended Family Lawyer in The Spear’s 500 Guide for many years. The 2023 edition of UK Best Lawyers has also named Elizabeth as ‘Lawyer of the Year 2023′.

Elizabeth is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and has been actively involved in arranging a number of their Education programmes. She is a member of Resolution, the Creative Divorces Collaborative Pod and the London Welsh Lawyers Association.

Elizabeth is a native English and Welsh speaker, and is proficient in French. She is a trained Mental Health First Aider.

Nick Holland focuses his practice on international contentious trusts and estates and acts primarily for wealthy families, individuals, institutional trustees, protectors and enforcers in disputes involving offshore trusts. Nick is also often involved in non-contentious international private wealth matters where he brings his extensive knowledge of offshore trusts and jurisdictions as well as potentially litigious outcomes to bear on the difficulties faced by international wealthy families.

Nick is qualified as a lawyer in England and Wales, the Cayman Islands, British Columbia and Ontario; and has played a key role in litigation in the Cayman Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, British Virgin Islands, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. A Canadian expatriate in London, Nick often advises Canadian individuals and institutions on matters of UK law either himself or where appropriate in conjunction with other members of McDermott’s prestigious private wealth or tax teams.

Nick is co-Chair of the annual highly respected ALM/LegalWeek Global Elite International Trusts and Estates Forum. He chaired the International Trust & Private Client: Isle of Man conferences in 2017 and 2018. He was chair of the Private Client Summer School program held at Cambridge University in 2018 and 2019. He is often asked to speak on International trusts disputes and has done so in amongst other places New York, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Toronto, Chicago, New York, Jersey, Guernsey, Provence, the Isle of Man, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. He sits on the Consulting Editorial Board for LexisPrivateClient PSL. He is a co-author of “Contentious Trust Matters in the United Kingdom and Offshore Jurisdictions” in International Estate Planning. (New York: LexisNexis, 2019)

Nick is recognised as leading lawyer in the world’s most eminent legal guides and directories including Chambers High Net Worth, Chambers UK, and Legal 500. CityWealth ranked him as one of the top 100 trust litigators internationally in 2020.

Professor Jonathan Harris KC (Hon.) practises in all core areas of commercial and chancery litigation. He has a pre-eminent reputation in the field of private international law and specialises in cross-border disputes (particularly disputes raising issues of jurisdiction, arbitration, anti-suit injunctions, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and choice of law- both under the European legislation and the common law rules). He also specialises in offshore litigation. He has also drafted firewall and asset protection legislation for a number of offshore jurisdictions (including BVI and Gibraltar).

Jonathan is joint general editor (with Lord Collins of Mapesbury) of the leading work Dicey, Morris and Collins, The Conflict of Laws (and is also responsible for eleven chapters).

Jonathan was instructed for the successful appellant in the Privy Council in Hutcheson v Spread Trustees, a case concerning trustee exemption clauses in Guernsey.  He was also instructed for the successful respondent in the landmark Supreme Court case of Granatino v Radmacher on pre-nuptial agreements.

He has been instructed in landmark offshore cases including Charman v Charman and Mubarak v Mubarak.

Jonathan also regularly provides expert opinions on English law for foreign proceedings as well as on the law of offshore jurisdictions.

Jonathan is a member of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Private International Law.  He was legal advisor to the Ministry of Justice in negotiations on the EU Succession Regulation.  He gave evidence to the House of Lords EU Select Committee on the implications of Brexit for cross-border dispute resolution.

He is author of The Hague Trusts Convention and co-author of International Sale of Goods in the Conflict of Laws. He has also contributed to two editions of Underhill and Hayton, Law of Trusts and Trustees and to Benjamin’s Sale of Goods (8th edition). He is co-editor of the Journal of Private International Law, joint general editor of the Oxford Private International Law Series and an editorial board member of Trusts and Trustees. He is a member of STEP and honorary member of ACTAPS.

Jonathan also holds the position of Professor of International Commercial Law at King’s College, London on a part-time basis; and is Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford and Harris Manchester College, Oxford.  He has previously been Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore and Visiting Professorial Fellow at the University of New South Wales, Australia. 

Mark focuses on divorce and family law, in particular international cases and those involving trusts. He also deals with pre-nuptial and pre-civil partnership agreements.

Mark also acts in international children’s cases, including relocation cases. His Court of Appeal case of K v K helped to shape the law on relocation. In S v S, Mark achieved relocation but also change of primary carer for the children.

Mark was ranked one of the top ten UK family lawyers in Spear’s Wealth Managements’ Family law index 2017, 2018, and 2019 and was described as “without doubt the best technician in London”.

He was also ranked in The Lawyer’s ‘Hot 100 lawyers’ under Family and Private Client and is listed among the Top 10 Family & Matrimonial Lawyers in Citywealth’s Leaders List and Spear’s Family Law Index’s ‘Top Flight Family Lawyers’. Mark is also listed in Tatler Address Book’s Advisory as one of the leading family lawyers in their trusted network of influential and elite private client experts with “gilt-edged” expertise.

Mark is the co-author of three leading textbooks on family law: International Trust and Divorce Litigation (Third Edition), Same Sex Marriage and Civil Partnership – The New Law, and Model Letters for Family Lawyers, all published by Jordans. Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division, in a review of International Trust and Divorce Litigation said “This is a book which needs to be in the bookcase and in the briefcase of everyone involved on a divorce case with a trust element”.

Mark is a regular commentator on family law issues in the press and TV, having appeared on BBC News and Radio 4’s Today programme. He regularly lectures in England and in offshore jurisdictions on a broad range of family law issues, especially trusts on divorce and pre-nuptial agreements, and was the European Chapter President of the International Academy of Family Lawyers between 2014 and 2016.

Alexander qualified in 1995 and took Silk in 2017. 

Alexander’s practice is primarily in high value financial remedy claims.  His objective is to achieve the right result as early as possible on the path of litigation and he adopts a strategy to achieve that end.  In negotiation he is detailed in his analysis and resolute in pursuing the right settlement.

Needless to say, there are those cases that do require a final hearing.  In such cases, Alexander comes into his own.  The strategy outlined at the outset of the litigation will have identified the issues upon which the case would be decided and Alexander ensures that the team has addressed each of those issues with care.   The trial is where the original strategy fulfils the assessments made by Alexander at the very start of the case.  Accordingly, in a results based profession, Alexander achieves the required result.

Oliver advises trustees, protectors, high-net-worth individuals, charities and beneficiaries in a broad range of domestic and offshore trust and estates disputes, including claims relating to breach of trust, sham, mistake and challenges to trusts on divorce or insolvency. He also advises on trustees’ applications for rectification, directions or construction issues, variation of trusts applications and applications for the removal of trustees.

Oliver is a member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate and regularly writes for legal publications specialising in trust and estate matters. He co-authors the trust litigation chapter in the STEP-approved loose-leaf Planning and Administration of Offshore and Onshore Trusts and is a member of the ‘LexisNexis panel of Private Client experts’.

Nicola is a Partner in the firm's Private Wealth Disputes team. She specialises in trust and estate litigation for high and ultra-high net worth individuals and families, often involving complex capacity issues.

Nicola has particular expertise in claims for breach of trust, inter-family disputes in relation to the administration of estates and constructive trusts, Will disputes and setting aside transactions by reason of mental incapacity and undue influence. Her cases regularly involve multiple jurisdictions and recovering money held offshore.

She has enormous strength across the whole spectrum of Court of Protection work, with particular emphasis on contentious financial applications concerning the estates and businesses of those who may have lost capacity to manage them, financial abuse, gift and statutory Will disputes and the removal of attorneys and deputies.

She is particularly skilful and experienced at dealing with the dynamics of family disputes and adept at untangling the most difficult and challenging of cases.

Priya is a family law specialist. She deals with the full range of private family law matters but has a particular interest in divorces involving complex business structures, trusts and pensions, frequently with an international element, and a breadth of experience in Anglo-US divorces.

Priya is committed to finding a clear and direct pathway for her clients to navigate their family matter whilst remaining sensitive to the issues at hand, keeping the family and any children front and centre. Priya advises clients outside of the court process, to reach a practical and amicable resolution in a cost-effective and child-focussed way, but where there is no other choice but to instigate court proceedings, she has extensive litigation experience within all levels of the family court system.

Priya is a qualified mediator and uses this forum, where appropriate, for couples to navigate their separation together in a safe and harmonious way. Priya’s family mediation practice is an additional offering to Sheridans’ dispute resolution practice.

Priya is an Accredited Specialist member of Resolution and sits on Resolution’s Standards Committee. She also sits on Resolution’s Specialist Accreditation Committee, of which she is an Assessor. 

Priya has consistently been ranked and recommended in Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner, and she achieved individual recognition in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth 2022.

Priya was lead solicitor for the wife in XZ v YZ [2022] EWFC 49 (20 May 2022), Gallagher v Gallagher (No 1) (Reporting Restrictions) [2022] EWFC 52 and Gallagher v Gallagher (No 2) (Financial Remedies) [2022] EWFC 53.

Siena Gold advises individuals and the family offices, trustees and financial institutions representing them on personal asset holding structures, cross-border tax, succession planning, family governance, and philanthropy.

She has considerable experience assisting internationally mobile individuals on the tax, succession and practical consequences of various personal structures, with a particular specialism in offshore trusts and the arrangements of entrepreneurs.

Siena frequently advises on pre-UK arrival planning and provides ongoing advice to non-domiciled individuals on their international arrangements.

She is also particularly interested in potentially contentious situations and tax investigations, regulatory and transparency issues.

Having recently spent four months living in Beirut learning Arabic, she also enjoys matters with a Middle Eastern connection.

Richard is a talented family law litigator who advises on the full range of issues which arise on relationship breakdown, with a focus on complex financial claims on divorce.

Richard is regularly instructed in HNW and UHNW divorces and is known for his expertise in the financial sector, overseas assets, trusts and complex ownership structures. Richard has a particular specialism in cases involving private equity interests.

Richard is experienced in obtaining emergency injunctions, both to prevent the dissipation of assets and to protect the welfare of a client or their children. Richard also represents clients in challenging child arrangements cases.

Richard is known for his focused and strategic approach to cases, and his determination to achieve a good result for his clients.

In addition to his Family work, Richard has a complementary litigation practice focused on trust and Inheritance Act disputes arising on the breakdown of a relationship.

Sofia trained and qualified in personal tax at PwC before going onto work at Citibank. She holds qualifications with the UKs premier tax institution, The Chartered Institute of Taxation.  She brings all this experience and much more to all of her work and is best placed to provide tax advice on any range of personal tax issues that may arise during a divorce. From one party being under HMRC investigation to capital gains tax positions on multiple property holdings Sofia can provide quick, effective and clear advice.

Tom Deely is a solicitor specialising in trust and estate disputes. He acts for a range of clients on a variety of matters, including succession disputes, will challenges, and trust and administration disputes.

Tom is a Senior Associate in the Trusts and Estates Disputes team. He has extensive experience acting for a wide range of clients, from UHNW individuals to vulnerable clients and protected parties, both as claimants and defendants.

Tom is a confident negotiator with significant experience of solicitor-led mediations and round-table meetings. Tom is a pragmatic and decisive litigator who prides himself on his technical knowledge and his client manner, ensuring that the client's needs are at the forefront of his advice.

Tom is a regular contributor to articles and publications is a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and ConTrA, a network for Contentious Trusts Associates.

Kate is a Partner in the Family team. She specialises in all aspects of family law with a particular emphasis on high value financial disputes, acting for HNW and UHNW individuals often involving complex offshore structures, trusts and business interests. Kate has a reputation for being straight-talking and pragmatic, and always seeks to find a resolution out of court where possible.

Kate also advises on cohabitation disputes and private law children matters, including applications for leave to remove children from the jurisdiction. She is experienced in advising on pre- and post-marital agreements and cohabitation agreements.

Kate is head of the firm's parental alienation group and has a particular interest in high conflict children cases.

Michael is global head of the firm's Financial Services and Regulatory team and has previously acted as Head of Litigation and Managing Partner of the firm's BVI Office.

He is a litigation lawyer, specialising in insolvency, regulatory/ public law, trust and other financial services disputes.

Michael is a qualified Guernsey Advocate and BVI Attorney and maintains an active litigation practice in both jurisdictions.

Rose is a barrister at 5 Stone Buildings. She is an up and coming junior with a busy chancery practice. Rose is described as a “superstar in the making” in Chambers and Partners UK Bar 2024 and is ranked as a Rising Star in Legal 500. She specialises in trusts and estates litigation both onshore and offshore and has a particular interest in matrimonial cases and cases with a matrimonial angle including family provision claims by spouses and litigation concerning family trusts.

Rose’s past and current cases include a high value proprietary estoppel claim concerning a stately home, a spousal 1975 Act claim involving a valuable and complex estate and a substantial offshore trust, a highly contentious offshore trust restructuring, and an offshore dispute concerning the interpretation and validity of a will trust.