Private Wealth Disputes

We advise on the full range of contentious trust matters, including applications for disclosure, breach of trust claims and requests to remove trustees.

These claims often involve seeking directions from the court and complex issues relating to the payment of trustee fees. We manage issues relating to protectors and trustees and challenges to the implementation of settlor’s wishes. 

Our team is experienced in resolving disputes between trustees, protectors, and beneficiaries, as well as defending the validity of trusts under attack by third parties. We also have experience in worldwide asset-tracing and freezing order applications, along with other injunctions to recover wrongfully dissipated trust assets.

Our experience also extends to offshore foundations and disputes involving Council Members.

We act for family members in the many personal and sensitive disputes that can arise in a family context. These include contentious probate, division of trust assets, potentially fraudulent wills and claims by or against trustees and executors across multiple jurisdictions.

We also assist in complex divorce scenarios, representing trustees in offshore jurisdictions and advising on multi-jurisdictional financial settlements arising out of divorce proceedings.

We have additional experience in supporting clients in family business disputes, including shareholder conflicts and family governance arrangements.

We represent trustees, settlors, beneficiaries, private individuals, accountants and other third parties in claims involving negligent, legal, investment, tax or fiduciary advice, particularly where significant cross-border elements are involved.

We have extensive experience of the complex issues surrounding applications to set aside transactions based on principles of mistake, Hastings Bass and rectification, to avoid unintended tax consequences in both on and offshore jurisdictions.

We represent individuals, trustees, and fiduciaries in HMRC investigations, often involving international tax issues and significant potential liabilities. Our team guides clients throughout the process, from early engagement and voluntary disclosure to litigation, delivering strategic, calm, and informed support to achieve the most favourable resolution possible.

We advise clients on disputes involving exceptional, high value assets, such as art collections, yachts, private aircraft, and other bespoke or illiquid holdings. These matters often involve complex issues relating to ownership, provenance, title, contractual terms and valuation, and may span multiple jurisdictions.