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Index of tables

  1. Private client: trusts and probate – Leading Sets
  2. Private client: trusts and probate – Leading Silks
  3. Private client: trusts and probate – New Silks
  4. Private client: trusts and probate – Leading Juniors

Private client: trusts and probate – New Silks

Private client: trusts and probate – Leading Juniors

Wilberforce Chambers is noted for its traditional Chancery expertise. Michael Furness QC, the ‘exceptionally bright and hardworkingBrian Green QC and Robert Ham QC (‘simply one of the best in his field’) recently acted in a high-profile offshore trust matter in Bermuda. Clients also highlight John Martin QC, who is ‘absolutely outstanding on his feet’. Recommended juniors include Emily Campbell, who is ‘one of the most able and intelligent juniors’; Judith Bryant, who has ‘very solid technical experience’; and Daniel Hochberg, who has ‘an excellent Chancery brain’. The ‘brilliantJonathan Hilliard is also recommended, as are Mark Studer and Clare Stanley, who is ‘very good at cutting through complicated issues’.

Clients of New Square Chambers can call on the ‘technically brilliantNicholas Le Poidevin QC, as well as a raft of able juniors including Lynton Tucker, who is ‘top drawer on almost every level’, and Mark Hubbard, who is ‘one of the finest minds of his generation’. James Brightwell has ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law of trusts’, Charles Holbech is ‘thorough and approachable’, Alexander Learmonth is ‘intellectually and technically remarkable’, and Rodney Stewart Smith is ‘an exceptional Chancery counsel with a broad range of expertise’.

Radcliffe Chambers’ wide pool of talent is ‘excellent at dealing with will and trust disputes and Court of Protection work’. At silk level, Peter Crampin QC is ‘knowledgeable, well prepared and impressive in conference’ and Robert Pearce QC is ‘highly experienced’. Thomas Dumont is ‘an extremely capable senior junior’, and Hedley Marten’s Chancery knowledge is ‘second to none’. Piers Feltham has ‘an exceptional knowledge of all Chancery matters and is a go-to counsel for complex probate disputes’.

The ‘well-runSerle Court is noted for its ‘exceptionally high-quality clerks’. Leading silks include ‘intellectual powerhouseAlan Boyle QC, Frank Hinks QC, who is ‘a natural repository for any high-end instructions relating to trust fortunes’, and the ‘tenacious and determinedElizabeth Jones QC. ‘Highly persuasive appellate advocatePhilip Jones QC acted in the high-profile Spread Trustee v Hutcheson case, and alongside the ‘extremely ableWilliam Henderson in Pitt v Holt and re Futter. Jonathan Adkin is ‘an outstanding practitioner’ and Andrew Francisalways imparts his knowledge in a practical and caring way’. Dakis Hagen and Giles Richardsonhave built up considerable international trusts experience’.

5 Stone Buildings is ‘a very well-established Chancery set with an impressive cross-section of counsel’. Mark Herbert QC’s ‘depth of knowledge and experience is a tremendous asset’, Shân Warnock-Smith QC has ‘wide experience of international trust litigation’, and Christopher Tidmarsh QC is ‘very approachable, analytical and user friendly’. Tracey Angus QC and Henry Legge QC, who has ‘that gravitas that reassures solicitors and clients’, recently took silk. David Rees, who is ‘an intelligent and strategic thinker’, and the ‘eloquent’ and ‘extremely diligentBarbara Rich are both recommended for their Court of Protection expertise. Michael O’Sullivan is ‘an excellent barrister who turns matters round quickly, efficiently and with the minimum of fuss’; and Leon Sartin is ‘authoritative in the way he engages with novel problems’. Charlotte Edge is a busy up-and-coming junior.

Ten Old Square has a strong track record in both onshore and offshore matters. Francis Barlow QC is ‘an immensely reassuring presence’, and Simon Taube QC is ‘outstanding’. Recommended juniors include Richard Wallington, who is ‘the first port of call for interpretation of oddly worded wills or trusts’; and Susannah Meadway, who is ‘knowledgeable, clear and responsive’.

At XXIV Old Buildings, the ‘incisive, insightful, charming and very user-friendlyAlan Steinfeld QC; David Brownbill QC, who is ‘a true specialist in his field’; and the ‘very commercial and user-friendlyStephen Moverley Smith QC are recommended. Other recommended silks include ‘absolute starElspeth Talbot Rice QC, and Francis Tregear QC, who is ‘an academic heavyweight’. Also recommended are Michael King, whose ‘technical ability is complemented by his pragmatism and affability’; John Stephens, who is ‘excellent to work with’; the ‘tremendously experiencedElizabeth Weaver, who is ‘authoritative, yet refreshingly approachable and practical’; Amanda Harington, whose ‘commitment knows no bounds’; and Bajul Shah, who has ‘a fierce intellect studded with a good dose of common sense’. Up-and-coming juniors include Nicole Langlois, Edward Cumming and Adam Cloherty.

At Maitland Chambers, the ‘first-classChristopher McCall QC continues to be a leading light in the private client sphere, and Catherine Newman QC has a ‘formidable intellect’.

3 Stone BuildingsGilead Cooper QC is ‘fast becoming one of the most sought-after senior Chancery practitioners’, and Andrew Child is ‘astute, thorough, practical and user friendly’. Constance McDonnell, Fenner Moeran and Richard Wilson are ‘extremely reliable’.

Other notable practitioners include 9 Stone BuildingsDavid Rowell, who is ‘highly intellectual with a deep understanding of trusts and probate’.

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