Stephenson Harwood

Employment, Pensions, Private Wealth, Immigration, Contentious Trusts and Corporate Tax

Maria is a private wealth and pensions disputes specialist, guiding trustees, beneficiaries, and individuals through complex, high-value litigation and mediation.

She has extensive experience representing for onshore/offshore trustees, beneficiaries of large-scale trust structures, private individuals in probate claims, as well as acting for/against legal and tax advisors (and their PI Insurers) on professional negligence claims.

Her private wealth practice covers a wide range of issues, including breach of trust claims, disclosure and distribution matters, and domestic probate disputes involving the validity of wills. She also has experience advising on the removal of conflicted executors and offshore trustees, and disputes between co-executors. Her pensions practice covers high value applications relating to rectification, construction, as well as professional negligence claims.

Maria is known for her ability to navigate complex, high-value disputes and deliver bespoke solutions for her clients. Clients turn to Maria for her ability to chart a clear course through intricate disputes and deliver tailored solutions, whether in court or through mediation. Her approach is thorough, responsive, and practical, ensuring clients can move forward with confidence, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Maria’s notable work includes acting in landmark pensions litigation such as the Honda Group-UK Pension Scheme Trustee Ltd v Mercer Ltd and the BT Pension Scheme Trustees case, as well as achieving successful outcomes in mediation in trusts and probate claims. She is recognised for her thorough, responsive, and clear advice, and is ranked in Chambers UK and recommended by Legal 500 for her work in pensions litigation and private wealth disputes and has been short-listed as a "Rising Star" in the STEP Private Client Awards (Worldwide).