The powerhouse private wealth disputes team at Payne Hicks Beach LLP continues to cover the full spectrum of contentious trusts and estates work. Co-head Richard Manyon is a skilled litigator, well-known for handling complex, high-value international disputes and advising ultra-high-net-worth clients across major onshore and offshore jurisdictions. Co-leader Jessica Henson is adept in complex multi-jurisdictional trust, estate, and shareholder disputes for high-value clients. Rosamond McDowell is active in both contentious and non-contentious issues, Robert Brodrick has significant contentious trusts expertise, particularly in trust variation and rectification matters, and Dominic Crossley has been key in shareholder and partnership disputes. Clementine Dowley is knowledgeable in trust, corporate, and fraud-related matters, including asset tracing and inheritance disputes, while Charlotte Henshall advises high-net-worth clients on cross-border trust disputes and substantial Inheritance Act claims. Sean Knight and Rosie Sells are also key contributors to the practice.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The team is utterly dedicated to securing the best outcome for the client. Their litigation knowledge and strategizing is the best I have seen. They also have very good experience in contentious disputes and therefore know exactly what evidence is required to achieve the best outcome, and they will leave no stone unturned in getting that for the client. The acid test - as a senior silk working in the field, I instructed the team on my own behalf, and they are the only firm I recommend to other potential clients.
- Really strong team punching above its weight in terms of its size and the cases they are working on. Impressive stuff.
- Clementine Dowley is a star. She is brilliant and friendly but not afraid to be firm when required. I would trust her with anything. Matthew Franks is quickly becoming a brilliant associate. He is a lawyer with a hugely important future ahead of him. Technically precise but also imaginative, his work is fantastic.
- Probably the best and most approachable team in the area today.
- Payne Hicks Beach's contentious team combines deep private client knowledge with first-rate litigation ability. They are among the magic circle for this specialist work. Instructions are thorough, clients are deeply understood and well advised, and the team is genuinely collaborative with counsel.
- Jess Henson is an impressive practitioner — clear-thinking, technically strong, and thoroughly prepared. She inspires confidence in clients and counsel alike. She is a pleasure to work with.
- Clementine Dowley takes a practical and sensible approach to trust disputes and clearly "knows her stuff".
- The team at PHB is now firmly established in the top tier and has been involved in some of the biggest cases in London and overseas.
- Jessica Henson has a rare combination of qualities that set her apart from the competition. She is exceptionally clever and tenacious, but also charming. Clementine Dowley is never phased by difficult issues and thinks creatively to resolve them. Rosie Sells is a superb associate with a great future.
- Jessica Henson is a class act. She knows the law inside out but also how best to manage a case to achieve the very best outcome for her client by the most efficient route. She is also a lovely person to work with. Richard Manyon is a force of nature. He stands up for his client no matter how difficult the case. He is someone you do not want to be against. He is a great strategic thinker. Emily Peacock is a star of the future. Amazingly efficient, Emily adds real value.
Key clients
- Lonsdale Family Trustees
- Estate of Reeves
Work highlights
Advised on international trustee removal proceedings involving multi-billion dollar trust structure with month long trial in June 2026.
Advised on powerholder capacity issues involving a multi-billion dollar trust structure with a trial in November 2026.
Advised on a complex multi-billion dollar trusts and divorce matter.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
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Next Generation Partners
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Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Richard Manyon; Jessica Henson
Other key lawyers
Rosamond McDowell; Robert Brodrick; Dominic Crossley; Clementine Dowley; Charlotte Henshall; Sean Knight; Rosie Sells