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Trusts and Probate Overview

Chambers is leading set for both contentious and non-contentious trusts and probate work. Within the jurisdiction, the set has a very strong domestic profile, encompassing trusts and probate litigation and advice, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975 and charities work.

Chambers also has a pre-eminent reputation for offshore trusts litigation and allied work. Members of chambers act in significant cases across the Caribbean and in other jurisdictions including Bermuda, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Lichtenstein, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Our clients include a wide range of City, West End, national and provincial firms of solicitors on-shore and many leading offshore, domestic and foreign law firms in relation to our international work, as well as major institutional trustees. Members are well used, in consequence, to working within multi-national, multi-jurisdictional and indeed multi-disciplinary teams on large matters.

In 2011 Serle Court was awarded the Chambers of the Year award at the STEP Private Client Awards. The judges said “Serle Court has appeared, with honours, in probably the most significant private client cases not just of the last 12 months but of the last several years”.

Chambers & Partners 2017

SILKS

Alan Boyle QC
Head of chambers and a barrister with long experience of handling trust and probate litigation. He has specific expertise in handling the trusts elements of high-value divorce cases.
Strengths: "Never ceases to impress, and when he gets his teeth into a case he is unstoppable. He really throws his all into his clients' cases and is meticulous in his preparation."

Frank Hinks QC
Handles contentious and non-contentious matters in a variety of jurisdictions, and has advised several high-profile figures.
Strengths: "He's learned and highly responsive, with a quick turnaround time when it comes to the papers. The man is utterly reliable and very bright."

Richard Wilson QC
Handles a large trusts practice and is active worldwide. He has appeared in high-level trusts cases in the Channel Islands, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands.
Strengths: "A demolition ball in court. He's one of the true trial barristers, who is always game for the fight."
Recent work: Acted in Fielden v Christie-Miller, appearing for the trustees of the Swyncombe Settlement defending a claim brought against them for proprietary estoppel by a beneficiary.

JUNIORS

Dakis Hagen
Has a truly international practice and handles cases of great value and complexity. He is an expert in both the trusts elements of divorce and in professional negligence matters relating to trust structuring.
Strengths: "Particularly strong on complex, technical points. He has proved himself time and again to be exceptionally hard working and accessible."
Recent work: Advised a trustee in a £100 million claim relating to an alleged major breach of trust.

William Henderson
Advises a wide range of clients in domestic and international trust disputes, and is experienced in both contentious and non-contentious cases. He is also an expert on trusts-related professional negligence claims.
Strengths: "When he stands up, judges and opponents really listen. His views are held in great esteem."

Giles Richardson
Handles both advisory and litigious trust matters, and is active both in the UK and offshore.
Strengths: "One of the lead experts in Jersey trust matters, and a barrister whose work rate is phenomenal."
Recent work: Acted in Fiduciare v Investec Trustees, appearing for successor trustees in proceedings against former trustees alleging negligent investment in hedge funds.

Legal 500 2016

At Serle Court, ‘the level of service is very high, and the clerks are always able to provide objective advice about alternative counsel when the first choice is not available’. Members are involved in blockbuster trust disputes in Hong Kong, BVI and the UK.

David Blayney QC - ‘Brilliant for offshore trusts advice’

Dominic Dowley QC - ‘He has the ability to persuade a judge and is very user-friendly.’

Elizabeth Jones QC - ‘Very thorough and tough.’

Jonathan Adkin QC - 'Very effective in trusts disputes.'

John Machell QC - ‘Approachable and very sensible.’

Alan Boyle QC - ‘Very good for large-scale trust litigation.’

Frank Hinks QC - ‘He has a seat at the top table of Chancery silks, and is strong on contentious matters as well as advisory work’

Philip Jones QC - ‘Very good’

Prof Jonathan Harris QC - ‘Recommended for cases involving restructuring of offshore trusts.’

Richard Wilson QC - 'At the top of his game.'

Andrew Francis - ‘Recommended for his Inheritance Act knowledge’

Constance McDonnell - 'Recommended for her knowledge of 1975 Act claims'