Clifford Chance LLP routinely handles complex disputes across onshore and offshore jurisdictions, and is supported by the firm’s practitioners globally. Maxine Mossman advises trustees, global trust companies, and high-net-worth individuals on complex trust disputes, including breach of trust, knowing receipt, inheritance, and trust asset ownership claims across England and major offshore jurisdictions. Lindsay Bickerton has been key in cross-border succession and inheritance disputes, Nicole Buncher leads the team’s private wealth offering in the Middle East, and Emily Elliott handles complex trust, governance, and unfair prejudice disputes, including multi-jurisdictional trust litigation. Charles Joseph has been active in international trust disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- An excellent top-flight team with enormous international reach.
- A leader in the field with excellent strength in depth.
- Emily Elliott is just brilliant – operating way ahead of her level of PQE, she wins the trust of her clients and is super smart, commercial, and great to work with. You want her on your team. Angus Maudslay is brilliant with numbers, on top of the detail, unbelievably hardworking, and totally dependable.
- The practice is recognized for being highly responsive, practical, and straightforward to work with, particularly on complex or time-sensitive matters. I value the team’s strong judgment, calm execution, and ability to coordinate seamlessly across jurisdictions and practice areas without overcomplicating issues. Advice is clear and commercially grounded, with senior lawyers closely involved where it matters and teams staffed efficiently. A low-friction working style.
- Laura Hasson - Sharp as a tack. Maxine Mossman's - Fantastic client focus. Jeremy Kosky - The doyen of international contentious trusts.
- There's a great breadth and depth to the team. They are solutions-driven and will think laterally when the occasion requires.
Key clients
- ING Bank
- Butterfield Trust
- Sackler family
- Lord Stanley Fink
Work highlights
Advised the Sackler Family on the settlement of multiple US legal claims against the family and their Jersey law trusts.
Advised ING Bank on a High Court claim for payment of €70m under a performance bond.
Advised Dr Michael Lynch on long-running proceedings in the UK and the US brought by Hewlett Packard and the DoJ.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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.
Other key lawyers
Maxine Mossman; Lindsay Bickerton; Nicole Buncher; Emily Elliott; Charles Joseph