Stephen Richards > Withers LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile
Withers LLP Offices
20 Old Bailey
LONDON
EC4M 7AN
England
- Firm Profile
- Go to...
Stephen Richards
Work Department
Trust, estate and inheritance disputes team, with a special focus on Court of Protection matters.
Position
Partner.
Stephen heads the trust and succession disputes team at Withersworldwide. He advises a range of clients (individuals, beneficiaries, trustees, fiduciaries, executors and charities) in relation to trust, succession, inheritance and Court of Protection disputes and investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian. The majority of Stephen’s cases involve cross-border issues as highlighted by Re MN, the first reported Court of Protection cross-border welfare dispute. Stephen advised in the long running litigation concerning the estate of the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky.
He regularly advises on bringing and defending claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Families & Dependants) Act 1975 and challenging/defending wills alongside other succession disputes. Stephen also advises international, national and local charities/not for profit organisations on defending their legacy income.
Memberships
Stephen is a member of The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).
Lawyer Rankings
London > Private client > Court of protection
(Hall of Fame)The court of protection team at Withers LLP is ‘vastly experienced and has acted in some of the highest profile cases. It traverses this sometimes-idiosyncratic jurisdiction expertly and secures excellent results for its often HNW clients.’ As well as acting for families and appointed representatives of older and vulnerable people, it regularly acts for trustees, executors, charities and other professional groups. Julia Abrey has a particular interest in cross-border mental capacity issues. Stephen Richards also garners considerable praise for his expertise in elder law matters. Paul Hewitt specialises in all types of trust and probate disputes, and routinely advises on contentious court of protection matters. Natasha Stourton covers issues such as statutory wills, lifetime gifts and contested registrations. Senior associate Alice Tomlin is another key figure who covers a range of contentious trust and succession disputes, and has a particular focus on court of protection matters. The team also excels at advising on disabled trusts, and advance decisions to refuse medical treatment.
London > Private client > Contentious trusts and probate
(Leading individuals)Withers LLP ’has a great team across all levels. The partners that we work with are excellent and the associates/senior associates are top notch.’ Led by Suzanne Todd, the ‘knowledgeable and hardworking’ team ‘gets brilliant results for clients’ in the context of international trust disputes, UK and international succession disputes, as well as elder law/court of protection issues. It also garners considerable praise for its expertise in charity legacy disputes, and for its international expertise. Paul Hewitt has an ‘exceptional reputation’ for his particular interest in representing families with connections to the sub-continent. Senior Counsel Dawn Goodman has a wealth of experience in trust and succession disputes. Steven Kempster has a substantial offshore trusts practice, and also handles cases relating to charities. Stephen Richards advises clients both in the UK and internationally on disputes concerning inheritance and trusts, and often directs litigation in multiple jurisdictions. Natasha Stourton, Sarah Aughwane and Alice Tomlin are among the other key names to note.
Lawyer Rankings
- Contentious trusts and probate London > Private client
- Court of protection London > Private client
- Hall of Fame London > Private client > Court of protection
- Leading individuals London > Private client > Contentious trusts and probate
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Private client > Agriculture and estates
- Private client > Charities and not-for-profit
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market
- Private client > Contentious trusts and probate
- Private client > Court of protection
- Private client > Family
- Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail
- Real estate > Property litigation
- Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate
- Employment > Senior executives
Firm Rankings
- Private client > Art and cultural property
- Private client > Family: mediation
- Corporate and commercial > M&A: Smaller Deals, £10m-£100m
- Dispute resolution > Public international law
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management
- Real estate > Residential property
- Dispute resolution > International arbitration
- Corporate and commercial > Venture capital
- Public sector > Education: institutions
- Public sector > Education: schools
- Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: civil
- Employment > Immigration
- Insurance > Professional negligence
- Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates)
- Employment > Employers
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals)