Leonard v Leonard [2024] EWHC 321(ChD)

Constance McDonnell KC and George Vare, assisted by Anneliese Mondschein, acted on behalf of the successful Claimants in this contested probate claim (instructed by Bernadette Baker, Kate Harris, and Anna Lambert of Birketts LLP).

The Claimants successfully argued that the Deceased neither had testamentary capacity at the time of executing a purported final will, nor knew and approved of its contents. The comprehensive judgment of Mrs Justice Joanna Smith DBE will no doubt be of interest to practitioners in this field, in particular as regards the court’s approach to medical expert evidence in such cases, and the operation of limbs 1 and 4 of Banks v Goodfellow.

Please click here to view the judgment.

Related Barristers

Constance McDonnell KC

Call: 2000
Silk: 2019

George Vare

Call: 2020

Since joining chambers in 2024 on the successful completion of pupillage, Anneliese has enjoyed acting led and as sole counsel in matters both domestic and offshore. She has a particular interest in matters involving trusts, private clients, contracts and commercial arrangements, matrimonial finance, intellectual property, and art and cultural property.

Anneliese is identified as a ‘Rising Star’ in the Legal 500, and as ‘Up and Coming’ in Chambers & Partners’ High Net Worth Guide and UK Bar directories.

Well-publicised matters in which Anneliese has been involved include the Jersey Heritage Trust’s claim against artist Christopher Levine (led by Stephanie Wickenden, for the claimant), Ant and Dec’s successful application for a Norwich Pharmacal order against a respondent art dealer (led by Harry Martin, for the applicants), a trademark dispute arising out of a “Dragon’s Den” invention (led by Michael Edenborough), and the will validity dispute Leonard v Leonard [2024] EWHC 321(ChD) (as a pupil).

Prior to joining Chambers, Anneliese was a fine art specialist at international auction houses. She holds an MBA alongside her legal and undergraduate qualifications and is bilingual in French.