Radcliffe Chambers frequently handles high-value cases involving disputed trusts with offshore elements in Bermuda, the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, and Gibraltar. The set is home to Thomas Dumont KC, who can claim four decades of expertise in Chancery-related work, and Robert Pearce KC and Piers Feltham, both of whom are involved in the Wang litigation, which concerns questions over the scope of a trustees’ powers, as well as the validity of non-charitable purpose trusts in Bermuda. Marcus Flavin is another key junior at the set with expertise in trusts, the administration of estates, probate, and inheritance work. Flavin is acting for the trustees in the case of P Trust, C v Fenlight Trustees & others, which concerns a large Jersey law trust, a removal claim, and breach of trust allegations. Josh Lewison‘s practice predominantly focuses on the Channel Islands, and he is also active in the BVI.
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Profile
Position
Tom Dumont’s practice falls into the following areas: trusts and estates, property, charities and professional negligence litigation. Tom Dumont is rated a ‘confident, forthright and extremely able advocate with a sound, practical approach to complex problems’ by ’Chambers Guide UK’ for traditional Chancery work. He advises beneficiaries and trustees, ranging from large trust corporations at home and abroad, to family trustees and executors. He advises and lectures (including numerous STEP lectures) on the use of trusts and wills in tax and estate planning. He acts in Probate and Inheritance Act disputes, particularly on behalf of charities, aiming to resolve at the outset those cases which ought not to be fought, but to pursue vigorously those which should be. His charity practice is recommended in ‘Chambers Guide UK’ as ’really excellent’. ‘The Lawyer’ has recommended Tom Dumont as ’first choice when the opposition are unscrupulous’. He has also been instructed in professional negligence cases by most of the well-known firms who act for solicitors and accountants, as well as by insurers direct. His particular expertise lies in claims involving tax and property, as well as fraud (he was one of a handful of barristers on the SIF fraud panel). Tom has been selected by ‘Citywealth’ as one of the ’Prominent Barristers – Trusts’ in its Leaders List 2016 and was the most recent STEP Advocate of the Year.
Career
Called 1979; Gray’s Inn; former lecturer in trusts and tax.
Memberships
Professional Negligence Bar Association; Charity Law Association; STEP; ACTAPS.
Education
St Paul’s School; Trinity Hall, Cambridge (MA Hons); FZSL.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerking is efficient and they are always ready to lend a hand with obtaining court appointments and filing. John Clark has been helpful and, when needed, good at marshalling barristers from Radcliffe and other chambers to get transactions moving.'
- 'Radcliffe Chambers have a well deserved reputation in this field with incredible strength in depth.'
- 'A large set with barristers covering a wide range of expertise, making it some-what of a one-stop shop. Well reputed set amongst Jersey lawyers.'
- 'I have been impressed at the range of coverage of the training programmes provided by Radcliffe Chambers.'
- 'Always efficient and approachable.'