Hugh James provides a ‘Rolls-Royce service’ to claimants and defendants, including banks, professional executors, trustees, high-net-worth individuals and charities, across a variety of trusts and probate disputes. ’Top-notch’ team head Roman Kubiak, who splits his time between Cardiff and London, handles high-profile cases involving cross-border issues. Matthew Evans also handles disputes work as part of his overarching private client expertise, with particular expertise in representing agriculture sector claimants and defendants in relation to proprietary estoppel cases. The arrival of ‘excellent’ solicitor-advocate John Davies from Howells Solicitors adds further experience to the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They provide a Rolls-Royce service.'
- 'The team has a wide range of expertise, covering the full range of contentious trusts and estates and contentious Court of Protection work. It has a niche specialism too in care home fee disputes for elderly and vulnerable clients.'
- 'They know their stuff and are formidable opponents with a realistic approach.'
- 'Roman Kubiak - is the go to partner at Hugh James where you have a complex case requiring a brain which can pick the facts, consider the law, put the case back together and nail the other side for the result you deserve.'
- 'Roman Kubiak - a top-notch solicitor who works incredibly hard and achieves fantastic results for his clients.'
- 'John Davies is excellent.'
Key clients
- Hugh James Trust Corporation
Work highlights
Advised the Hugh James Trust Corporation on finalising the administration of an estate, against which a removed executor continued to make baseless claims against the estate over several years.
Acted for the primary residuary beneficiary of an international estate in a cross-border probate dispute, defending claims over the validity and scope of dual wills and negotiating a settlement regarding domicile and inheritance tax liability.
Advised a deputy on preparing a statutory will for an individual with highly-complex needs, balancing significant tax planning with care costs, while addressing potential disputes over the individual’s wishes to exclude estranged relatives from inheritance.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
John Davies
Practice head
Roman Kubiak
Other key lawyers
Matthew Evans; John Davies