Overseen by the ‘innovative’ Matthew Evans, the ’incredibly knowledgeable’ team at Hugh James is ‘uniquely experienced in handling a broad range of estates’. The ’extremely knowledgeable’ Eleanor Evans heads up the trusts and administration department and acts for financial institutions and trust corporations across a range of mandates, from commoditised probate applications, to multimillion-pound estates with overseas assets, business or agricultural property and contentious aspects. Austin Gill is also very skilled at administering estates as well as advising on estate planning matters, and Catrin Wigley heads up the estates planning sub group, receiving instructions from high-net-worth clients. Roman Kubiak leads on contentious trusts and probate matters, and Gareth Wisdom focuses on will writing mandates.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team is incredibly knowledgeable, and uniquely experienced in handling a broad range of estates.'
  • 'It is an approachable and friendly team.'
  • 'Matthew Evans is an innovative individual actively seeking out new working methods and approaches to improve efficiency, and to ensure services meet current client requirements.'
  • 'Eleanor Evans is extremely knowledgeable across a broad array of matters and supports and develops a large team.'
  • 'Austin Gill places clients' interests at heart of what he does and pursues good outcomes.'

Work highlights

Acted for a high street bank's trust corporation to administer a multimillion-pound estate with a dated will, 52 individual legatees, 20 charity beneficiaries, and complex tax and beneficiary tracing issues.
Advised executors of a Northern Ireland estate to clarify a legacy for historic-mathematical studies, securing a court-approved division of the residuary estate.
Advised Hugh James Trust Corporation as replacement professional representative in a contentious probate claim.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Eleanor Evans

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Austin Gill

Practice head

Matthew Evans

Other key lawyers

Roman Kubiak; Eleanor Evans; Gareth Wisdom; Catrin Wigley; Alun Jones; Samantha Roberts; Austin Gill; Ceri Webster; Kirsten Franklin; Lianne Jones