Sinclair Gibson LLP

The firm

Sinclair Gibson is a specialist London-based practice focused on the needs of private clients, family offices and their advisers. From its offices in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the firm advises domestic and international clients across three complementary practice areas: private client, litigation and family law.

Established in 2019, the firm was founded with a clear focus on delivering highly personalised advice through experienced, partner-led teams. Rejecting the increasingly segmented approach adopted by many larger practices, Sinclair Gibson is structured to provide direct access to senior lawyers with extensive experience across a range of interrelated disciplines.

A distinguishing feature of the firm is its ability to draw together expertise from multiple practice areas to address the increasingly complex legal, commercial and personal issues faced by its clients. Many of the firm's practitioners possess experience beyond traditional departmental boundaries, enabling matters to be managed through integrated teams tailored to clients' specific requirements.

The firm is recognised for combining technical excellence with pragmatic, commercially focused advice. Its emphasis on long-term relationships, independent thinking and responsive service has enabled Sinclair Gibson to build a loyal client base of individuals, families, fiduciaries and advisers seeking trusted counsel across all aspects of private wealth, succession and family-related matters.

Types of work undertaken: 

Private Client

The private client practice sits at the heart of Sinclair Gibson and advises UK-based and international families, landed estates, entrepreneurs and fiduciaries on the preservation, structuring and succession of family wealth.

The team combines significant expertise in domestic wealth and succession planning with a strong international practice advising on cross-border estate and trust matters. Clients benefit from deep technical knowledge across trusts, taxation, estate planning and wealth-holding structures, reflecting the increasingly sophisticated requirements of globally connected families.

The group is led by Lucy Gibson and Eleanor Walsh, supported by the vastly experienced Keith Bruce-Smith in and partners Angela White, Oliver Bishop, Hazel Power and Charles Richardson, together with a growing team of associate solicitors. Several members of the team act as professional trustees, fiduciaries and non-executive directors, providing valuable practical insight into the governance and management of family wealth structures and private businesses.

Litigation

The litigation practice is led by Henry Hickman with support from partner Amy Williams who plays a central role in the continued growth and success of the team. The department is widely recognised for its expertise in trust, probate and succession disputes, frequently acting in complex, high-value domestic and international matters.

Supported by a strong bench of highly capable associates, the team advises beneficiaries, trustees, protectors, executors, family offices and private individuals across the full spectrum of contentious private wealth disputes. Its practice encompasses trust and estate litigation, professional negligence claims, Court of Protection proceedings and Privy Council agency work.

Recent work has included a growing number of claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, together with disputes involving substantial art collections, heritage assets and other valuable chattels. The team's depth of experience, collaborative approach and talented associate cohort enable it to deliver effective advice and representation across a diverse range of complex and sensitive disputes.

Family

Led by Kathryn Peat, the family team advises high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals on complex financial and children-related matters, often involving substantial assets and international considerations.

The department is particularly recognised for its expertise in high-value financial remedy proceedings, nuptial agreements and private children cases, including matters involving cross-border jurisdictional issues. The team also advises on disputes between unmarried couples and the preparation of cohabitation agreements.

A significant proportion of the practice has an international dimension. The team regularly advises clients with offshore assets, trust structures and overseas business interests, as well as on international relocation and children matters. Clients benefit from close collaboration with the firm's private client specialists, providing a fully integrated approach to complex family wealth issues.