The Legal 500

201 BISHOPSGATE, LONDON, EC2R 3AB, ENGLAND

What we say about the firm's legal practice in London

Corporate and commercial

Within Partnership, Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP is a first tier firm,

Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP’s professional services practice delivers advice in a manner ‘that is engaging and responsive and that puts other firms to shame’. The ‘practical and client-focused’ Richard Turnor leads a team that is ‘at the cutting edge’ of partnership issues affecting the professional services industry and other sectors such as financial services. Litigation partners Jenny McKeown and Helena Berman both joined from HR consultancy Mercer in 2010.

Private client

Within Charities and not-for-profit , tier 5

Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP has a diverse client list including a significant portfolio of clients incorporated by Royal Charter, and high-net-worth individuals, whom the team advise on cross-border charitable giving. The ‘experienced’ Ceris Gardner heads the team, and Robert Bulling is noted for his expertise in dealing with bodies governed by Royal Charter. The team provides ‘wise, useful, pragmatic and articulate’ advice.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, tier 4

Niche practice Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP recruited Jenny McKeown and Helena Berman from Mercers to boost its contentious practice. The firm continues to advise the three oldest children of Lord Palumbo in their claim for his removal as trustee.

Within Heritage property, Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP is a second tier firm,

The highly experienced Ceris Gardner heads the heritage property practice at Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP, which is part of the firm’s comprehensive private client offering. The team advises charities, private individuals and galleries on loans, tax and related matters, and has also been lobbying for a revival of gift aid for heritage property.

Within Overview,

The legal market is in an interesting state of flux, with a trend for breakaway boutiques. Harcus Sinclair set the ball rolling back in 2002, followed by Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP, which split from Allen & Overy LLP in 2009. In 2010, four private client partners left Lawrence Graham LLP to establish Berkeley Law; and a trio of partners from Payne Hicks Beach left to establish New Quadrant Partners LLP.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP is a second tier firm,

Boutique firm Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP is a quality outfit that continues to grow, taking on three new solicitors in 2010. The team handles sophisticated trust and tax planning for international and domestic clients, and includes luminaries Clare Maurice, Arabella Saker, Richard Turnor, Jennifer Chambers, and Emma-Jane Weider, and rising star Tessa Hulton.


Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • COUNCIL TAX

    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
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  • QUEEN’S SPEECH

    Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.
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  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
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  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
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  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
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  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
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  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
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  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
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  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue:
  • Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

    A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.