Steven Kempster > Withers LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Withers LLP
20 Old Bailey
LONDON
EC4M 7AN
England

Living Wage

Work Department

Trust, estate and succession disputes team.

Position

Partner. 

Steven specialises in the resolution of disputes relating to trusts and estates in a UK and international context, in particular where cross-border issues and conflicts of law are involved.  Recent cases have involved disputes in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Switzerland, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cayman Islands and Bermuda.  He also advises on dispute resolution where UK charities are involved. Steven has also accepted appointment by the relevant courts to act as a representative party looking after the interests of children and unborn beneficiaries in trusts and estates disputes.  He also has particular expertise in guiding clients through alternative dispute resolution processes, including mediation, early neutral evaluation and the evolving use of arbitration in trusts disputes.

Career

Trained and qualified, Herbert Smith LLP, London, 1998 to 2008

Partner at Taylor Wessing LLP, London, 2008 to 2014

Partner at Withers LLP, London, 2014 to present.

Publications

Editor and contributing author to ‘International Trust Disputes’, published by Oxford University Press 2013 (first edition) and 2020 (second edition).

Memberships

STEP (elected as committee member for Contentious Trusts Steering Group); and

Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Private client > Contentious trusts and probate

(Hall of Fame)

Steven KempsterWithers LLP

Withers LLPhas 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.