In relation to probate matters, we handle UK inheritance claims, will validity disputes (including issues of testamentary capacity and undue influence), and professional negligence claims involving estate administration and portfolio mismanagement.

Examples of recent cases include:

• Advising the partner and two children of a deceased, wealthy Russian businessman in proceedings involving hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of assets in England, Belgium, Switzerland, Russia, Singapore and the BVI.
• Advising the executors of the estate of a deceased leaving his estate to a minor. The deceased had been advised negligently by a solicitor at a well-known firm who had recommended highly speculative investments in transactions where he also acted for the undisclosed counterparty. The case settled at mediation.
• Representing the widow of a £600 million estate. Her complaint concerned the disappearance of assets before the death of her husband. She asserted a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 against members of the family who had received lifetime gifts. The case settled.
• Advising the widow of a Lebanese domiciled but UK resident high net worth individual on a contested estate matter including claims in negligence and for the removal of the trustees. The case involves a Jersey trust, an English trust (with English solicitor trustees) and a UK firm of financial advisers.
• Advising defendant beneficiaries of an estate in relation to a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 by the deceased’s widow, including on novel issues relating to the effect of a pre-nuptial agreement on such a claim.
• Advising on a potential application for directions that an executor (who was also a beneficiary) should not be allowed to fund what was essentially a personal claim from estate funds.