DWF has a comprehensive contentious trusts and probate offering, enabling the team to advise trustee companies, private banks, and charitable trusts on a wide range of complex trusts and probate issues. The practice group is collectively led by a trio of experienced individuals: Daniel Williams, Ian Sydenham, and Paul Maddock. Williams has significant experience in high-value and international probate disputes relating to will validity and Inheritance Act claims, Sydenham specialises in advising high-net-worth individuals, as well as corporate entities, and Liverpool-based Maddock advises on the rectification and removal of executor claims. Other key members of the team include Chris Gee and Shaun Johnson, and their practices encompass all areas of trusts and probate work.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Paul Maddock continues to be a standout litigator who always manages a remarkable balance of calm, sympathy, and determination in all those challenging moments. His skills and reputation are commensurate with lawyers who have been in practice significantly longer than he has. He has an excellent combination of legal knowledge, commercial astuteness, and client care skills to provide each client with the entire service to an impeccable standard.
- There is a wealth of experience within the DWF Contentious Trusts and Probate practice, which provides expert advice and guidance on every point within this area. Every member of the team is extremely knowledgeable both in respect of the substantive law and the practicalities of contentious work and litigation, and they are able to provide clear, accurate, and highly effective advice to clients.
- Dan Williams is a superb tactician.
- This is an excellent regional dispute resolution team. I highly recommend them.
- Chris Gee is a star. He knows the law, he thinks strategically to further the client's case, and he is a pleasure to work with.
- Paul Maddock is the individual I work with at DWF and he has a growing reputation for institutional clients who trust his knowledge of the sector implicitly and see him as a calm and steady pair of hands for technical disputes.
Key clients
- Lloyds Bank plc
- ARAG Legal Expenses Insurer
- Arch Diocese of Birmingham
- Allianz Legal Protection
Work highlights
Advising a beneficiary and executor on an inheritance act claim brought by the deceased's wife in respect of an estate worth c.£10m, which, due to the terms of the deceased's will, is to be left to a discretionary trust.
Advising a disinherited child of the deceased on a validity claim due to capacity and undue influence issues, where the deceased was taken out the country to live in Spain by a controlling third party.
Representing a trustee regarding the constitutional rules governing a 100-year discretionary trust in which the members have attempted to wind down the trust and discharge the trust assets to an associated charity.
Lawyers
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.
Practice head
Daniel Williams; Ian Sydenham; Paul Maddock
Other key lawyers
Chris Gee; Shaun Johnson