Private Wealth Disputes
We are a market leading Private Wealth Disputes team ranked in the top tier by both Chambers HNW and Legal 500.
We provide bespoke strategic advice alongside a comprehensive dispute resolution and litigation practice. Our expertise is trusted consistently by high net worth individuals, professional trustees and other fiduciaries as well as private banks to take robust steps to protect their legal rights and deliver practical solutions.
What we do:
International trust disputes
- Acting for professional trustees, protectors, beneficiaries, legal guardians in offshore litigation;
- Experience with key international trust jurisdictions including: Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong and Liechtenstein.
- Advice to offshore trustees in connection with UK matrimonial proceedings.
International estate disputes
- Coordinating strategy across multiple jurisdictions and advising on succession and conflicts of laws.
Bespoke strategic advice
- Corporate governance for businesses held in trust.
- Decision making by trustees under pressure from hostile beneficiaries.
- Lobbying trustees on behalf of beneficiaries.
- Litigation risk advice for ownership structures and transactions.
- Crisis management and special situations.
Domestic litigation and dispute resolution
- Challenges to English wills.
- Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family Dependants) Act 1975.
- Court of Protection applications.
- Unfair prejudice claims.
- Professional negligence claims.
Where we work
From our base in London we work with best in class overseas counsel to deliver seamless international legal advice to our clients. Our team meet with clients and conduct negotiations with counterparties on their behalves both domestically and internationally. The team speak at leading international private wealth conferences around the world, including STEP, Legal Week, the Cambridge Forum, the Contentious Trusts Association and Fresh Perspectives.
Recent highlights
Public Trustee v Cooper applications: Applications to offshore courts concerning the restructuring of trusts holding significant trading businesses (+$1bn)
Unfair prejudice proceedings: Acting in High Court proceedings in relation to a UK business held by family trusts (settled confidentially)
African business dispute: A trust dispute concerning trading businesses in Africa working closely with the commercial management team and financiers (+$1.5bn)
Privy Council: Acting as Privy Council agent in a high profile trust dispute on appeal from the Jersey Court of Appeal
Matrimonial dispute: Advice to an offshore trustee in relation to disclosure in high profile financial remedy proceedings in the high court
(PQ and anor v RS and ors [2019] EWHC 1643 (Ch): Acting as litigation friend for two minor beneficiaries in connection with the blessing of the trustees’ decision to include their sibling as a beneficiary of substantial trusts
Cowan v Foreman & Ors [2019] EWHC 349 (Fam): Advising in a number of claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
Recommended reading
As more families consider passing on wealth during their lifetime, striking the right balance between supporting loved ones and maintaining your own financial security is essential. In The Telegraph, Private Client & Tax Partner Clare Stirzaker discusses the importance of factoring in retirement, future care and healthcare costs, and inflation before making significant lifetime gifts.
Read more 11 Aug 2026 Why more US UHNW individuals are considering relocation to the UKWhy more US UHNW individuals are considering relocation to the UK. As tax, political and economic considerations become increasingly important for US ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals, a growing number are exploring opportunities to live, invest and structure their affairs internationally.
Read more 06 Aug 2026 Could owning a home abroad affect the SDLT payable on a UK property purchase?Could owning a home abroad affect the SDLT payable on a UK property purchase? In recent articles for Taxation and PrimeResi, Private Wealth Associate, Will Timbrell explores how overseas property held through structures such as Delaware LLCs and French SCIs can impact whether the additional 5% SDLT surcharge applies, and why understanding how those assets are held is crucial when assessing the SDLT position before committing to a purchase.
Read more 21 Jul 2026 The evolving role of family officesPrivate Wealth Partner, Kyra Motley comments in TheWealthNet and eprivateclient on the importance of coordinating advice for ultra-high net worth families with interests across multiple jurisdictions. The article explores how the role of family offices is evolving beyond traditional tax and investment considerations, with increasing focus on stability, cybersecurity, healthcare, education and cross-border planning.
Read more