The ‘superb team’ at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is ’absolutely at the top of the tree’. It is praised by clients for its ‘enormous expertise and experience, and there are few big, high-profile cases it is not involved with’. Graeme Kleiner sits at the helm of the group and has been described as an ’excellent litigator’ who is ‘great on the big-ticket cases’. The group has a stellar reputation in the UK and internationally. The team also works in tandem on some of the largest international divorce cases involving attacks on trusts, asset tracing, and fraud matters. There is a particular focus on attracting high-value cross-border disputes work, often involving multiple jurisdictions. Ziva Robertson is a solicitor-advocate who advises clients on cross-jurisdictional litigation, while Tamasin Perkins is a known name for her work with elderly clients, international Court of Protection cases, and capacity work. Oliver Auld, Duncan Elson, and Tom Watts are all highly regarded. Edward Birell was promoted to the partnership in May 2024.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Graeme Kleiner is known everywhere. Thomas Watts is a really great associate who will really go somewhere.’
‘Graeme Kleiner is highly experienced and tactically adroit. Tamasin Perkins is extremely client focused and inspires confidence in her clients. Oliver Auld is an excellent lawyer and litigator. Tom Watts is an impressive member of the team.’
‘Duncan Elson has enormous experience, he really fights his client's corner. Graeme Kleiner is hugely experienced, a superb lawyer, excellent with clients and knows when to fight and when to settle. Tamasin Perkins is also excellent with clients and has enormous experience. There are some excellent associates such as Tom Watts.’
‘Graeme Kleiner is always moving the case forward with great communication skills, keeps the clients informed every step of the way, and can summarise complicated things in a very simple and understandable way.’
‘The CRS contentious trusts and probate practice team is one of the go-to London firms to work with. They are experienced, commercial and pragmatic in their approach.’
‘Ziva Robertson has vast experience and is a standout partner at CRS for her trust and estate litigation work. Given her offshore experience in the Cayman Islands, she is well placed to advise on cross-border matters, especially with an offshore connection.'
- 'Sarah Moore is clearly an up-and-coming senior associate in the CRS team who is a pleasure to work with and on the path to becoming a leading trust litigation lawyer. Very responsive, knowledgeable and commercial in her approach.’
‘Jessie Davies is an exceptional associate, with a strong grasp of litigation procedure, a calm energy around clients and an intelligent approach to litigating. She is an asset to CRS and a real star.'
Work highlights
- Representing a farming family successfully in bringing claims for proprietary estoppel, unjust enrichment, and professional negligence in relation to development of farming land and declarations of trust.
- Acting for a defendant in High Court proceedings concerning claims relating to a Grade I listed property in Buckinghamshire designed by Sir John Soane with Grade II listed Capability Brown grounds, worth approximately £15m.
- Acting for the Claimants in High Court proceedings in relation to a promise to make wills and the subsequent succession of 40% of the shares in a family company, which operates a number of cafes, restaurants, and kiosks across various locations in central London.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Ziva Robertson
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Duncan Elson
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Tom Watts
Practice head
Graeme Kleiner
Other key lawyers
Ziva Robertson; Duncan Elson; Oliver Auld; Tamasin Perkins; Tom Watts; Edward Birell; Sarah Moore; Jessie Davies