Andrew O'Keeffe > Wedlake Bell LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Wedlake Bell LLP Offices

Wedlake Bell LLP
71 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET
LONDON
EC4V 4AY
England
Visit website 020 7395 3000 020 7395 3100

Andrew O'Keeffe

Andrew O'Keeffe photo
+44 (0)20 7395 3009 aokeeffe@wedlakebell.com View profile View profile

Work Department

Private Client

Position

Andrew advises on a wide range of contentious trust and probate matters with particular expertise in disputes concerning the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, where he has acted for spouses, partners, both adult and minor children as well as dependants. He has also acted for and advised executors in relation to such claims.

Andrew is regularly asked to advise on issues regarding the validity of Wills including issues relating to testamentary capacity, lack of knowledge and approval, undue influence, fraud as well as lack of due execution and revocation.

He also has considerable experience in disputes relating to the administration of both trusts and estates where he has advised trustees, executors and beneficiaries on matters such as allegations of breach of trust, actions for an account and disclosure of trust documents. He has also acted in claims relating to the removal of personal representatives or trustees.

Andrew also undertakes Court of Protection work and has a particular interest in the professional negligence side of contentious trust and probate matters.

Career

Andrew joined Wedlake Bell LLP in November 2015 from Wilson Solicitors LLP where he was a partner. He is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and has been since 2006. He is listed in the Legal 500 (2015) where he is described as “thorough and commercial”. He is also recognised as a Prominent Figure in the field of contentious trusts in the Citywealth Leaders List for 2015.

Andrew has been widely quoted in national and regional newspapers on subjects such as the recent landmark ruling that DNA evidence should be used to settle disputes of hereditary titles in The Telegraph and The National.

Andrew qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and has a degree in Social Sciences from Hatfield Polytechnic.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Private client > Contentious trusts and probate

(Leading individuals)

Andrew O’Keeffe – Wedlake Bell LLP

The private client disputes team at Wedlake Bell LLP, advises on the full range of contentious issues facing HNW individuals in the UK and abroad. Under the leadership of Caroline Miller (who has a ‘very good reputation in the market’). It has handled matters over the past year with a collective value of over £506.8m. Clients include wealthy individuals, families, executors, trustees and beneficiaries. Andrew O’Keeffe has particular expertise in disputes concerning the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Oliver Embley and Ann Stanyer are both recommended.

London > Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate

(Leading individuals)

Andrew O’Keeffe – Wedlake Bell LLP

Wedlake Bell LLP fields a ‘strong team’, which covers the full range of issues facing UHNW and HNW individuals in the UK and overseas. Its UK and internationally focused team provides excellent advice to families and private business owners. The group is well placed to advise on numerous complex, cross-jurisdictional matters involving tax and tax regularisation, corporate and contentious issues as well as complicated trust structures. Other areas of expertise include providing tax planning advice for UK and international private collectors, charities and landed estates. In addition, it frequently acts for artists and galleries with heritage assets and other collectibles. Camilla Wallace, Jenny Cutts and Matthew Braithwaite are the practice heads. Andrew O’Keeffe excels in a broad range of contentious matters.

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