There are ‘brilliant partners’ at Withers LLP who are ’backed by top-quality associates and trainees. Everyone at Withers is intelligent and personable.’ Stephen Richards and Julia Abrey co-head the ‘excellent team’, which acts for the families and appointed representatives of older and vulnerable people. It regularly acts for trustees, executors, charities, and other professional groups. In addition, the team is recommended for its work on disabled trusts, and for its advice on advance decisions to refuse medical treatment. The team has particular strength in advising on cross-border mental capacity issues. Natasha Stourton is another known name for her advice on a broad array of Court of Protection matters, such as lifetime gifts, statutory wills, and powers of attorney. Alice Tomlin acts for charities, private individuals, and institutions on all aspects of contentious trust and succession disputes, with a particular focus on Court of Protection matters. Paul Hewitt is another leading name in the department.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Having Stephen Richards and Alice Tomlin in your corner gives you the confidence that every detail will be addressed and you won't be out thought by the other side.’
‘The CoP team have a well-deserved reputation as experts in the sector and a niche in complex cross-border mental capacity matters. Julia Abrey is the specialists' specialist: her expertise and enthusiasm are impressive and she is a great and engaging public speaker.’
‘Stephen Richards is an excellent solicitor and litigator. He is calm and unflappable, providing clear and measured advice to clients, even in very difficult and challenging circumstances and is excellent at identifying a clear strategy for a case.'
- 'Stephen Richards and Natasha Stourton demonstrated their ability to formulate a clear strategy and provide strategic and commercial advice to their client.’
‘One of the few firms able to take on the really big cases, but give the same attention and service down to the smallest cases. As adept at acting for HNW families and national charities as they are in small family disputes.’
‘Stephen Richards is perhaps first amongst a small handful of lawyers who know how, can, and do take on really big Court of Protection litigation. He is great at pivoting from the strategic big-picture to the micro and tactical. He has a real feel for how a judge will see a case. Hugely dedicated.'
- 'Alice Tomlin is very bright and extremely diligent - she understands the area extremely well and has a great eye for detail. She is extremely client responsive.’
‘Sensational team with real depth and skill. Stephen Richards is a standout individual in the team. Julia Abrey is excellent.’
Key clients
- GP Hinduja and Family
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
Stephen Richards; Julia Abrey
Other key lawyers
Paul Hewitt; Natasha Stourton; Alice Tomlin