Shakespeare Martineau LLP regularly acts for professional trustees, trust corporations, charities and private individuals, with many claims exceeding £4m in value. A particular area of strength lies in complex trust disputes involving both onshore and offshore elements. The team is also experienced in will validity challenges, Inheritance Act claims and partnership disputes involving family businesses and farming interests. John Tunnard maintains a broad practice encompassing Court of Protection disputes involving financial abuse, undue influence and capacity issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- A strong contentious probate team with key individuals such as Andrew Wilkinson and John Tunnard being the shining stars within the team.
- Extremely personable and technically bright, John Tunnard is certainly one to watch and is a great asset to the team.
- John Tunnard, Partner in the Bristol team, is confident as an advocate, as well as an accomplished advisor.
- The Trusts & Estates Disputes Team is a strong contender in the field, being led by Andrew Wilkinson, who is ably supported by his experienced and skillful team members.
- John Tunnard stands out for his proactive approach and strong client focus. He is consistently engaged with the details of a matter, receptive to advice, and quick to act on it where appropriate. He combines intelligence with a high level of technical knowledge, ensuring that matters are handled both thoughtfully and efficiently.
- The team is distinguished by its reliability, client focus, and depth of expertise. Work is consistently delivered on time and to a high standard, with a clear emphasis on meeting client objectives. The lawyers demonstrate strong technical knowledge while remaining pragmatic in their approach. Compared to other firms, the team stands out for its responsiveness and ability to manage matters efficiently without compromising on quality.
- John Tunnard has been exceptional in the level of expertise he has afforded us. We have particularly appreciated his speedy response to any queries we have and his clarity in explaining or clarifying matters.
- John Tunnard is first-rate - very clever, brilliant with clients.
- A national firm with an excellent reputation. Packed full of top-notch lawyers with genuine expertise in this area.
- Shakespeare has some of the best contentious trust lawyers in England, let alone Bristol, and is priced competitively for the sheer quality of what it offers.
Key clients
- Earl of Yarmouth
- Battersea Cats & Dogs Home
- Marders Yard LTD
- P Thorne & Son Pension Scheme
Work highlights
Acting for the Earl of Yarmouth in a long-running dispute between the Earl, his family and the Trustees of three Trusts.
Acting for Battersea Cats and Dogs Home in their capacity as executors in a matter concerning the construction and interpretation of a Will in an estate worth £4 million.
Acting for Battersea Cats and Dogs Home in their capacity as executors and beneficiaries in a matter relating to an estate with over 200 rare classic cars and national property portfolio.
Practice head
Andrew Wilkinson
Other key lawyers
John Tunnard; Meg Edwards