Department profile
5 Stone Buildings

Court of Protection: Property & Affairs

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits


5 Stone Buildings

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Court of Protection: Property & Affairs - All Circuits

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

5 Stone Buildings is frequently referred to by instructing solicitors as the premier set for property and affairs matters due to its "range of excellent barristers who are able to confidently handle complex and sophisticated matters." Members are recognised for their expert handling of lasting powers of attorney disputes, deputyship-related matters and complex statutory will and gift applications, and are regularly involved in leading test cases. The team routinely receives instructions from leading private client firms, as well as the Public Guardian and the Official Solicitor.

Paul Jennings is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are excellent, they find the right person for the job, matching the right level of experience and always presenting alternatives for you.

    Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are exceptional and always respond quickly to my enquiries.

    Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Great level of service from the clerks.

    Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks clearly have the knack for matching the matter to the appropriate member.

    Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsDavid Rees
    Star IndividualsDavid Rees

    David Rees

    David Rees KC is an expert in matters that concern incapacity and elderly clients. He is noted for his unusual expertise in international and cross-border Court of Protection work that challenges the court's jurisdiction, and for handling cases that analyse orders made by foreign courts. He is sought after for high-profile cases with substantial damages, particularly by the Official Solicitor.

    • David is without doubt the leading counsel for Court of Protection work. He is an exceptional advocate and has immense technical knowledge and ability.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
    • He remains king of the COP - very well respected and excellent advocacy.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Alexander Drapkin
    Band 1Alexander Drapkin

    Alexander Drapkin

    Alexander Drapkin is an impressive junior with broad experience in the Court of Protection encompassing statutory will applications, attorneyship disputes and the exercise of trust powers. He is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor to intervene in the affairs of incapacitated individuals.

    • Alexander Drapkin is incredibly clever, analytical and rigorous in his advice. I always think of him first for complex issues.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Barbara Rich
    Band 1Barbara Rich

    Barbara Rich

    Barbara Rich is a top-class Court of Protection barrister who has great experience in high-value, complex cases. She is also an expert on probate, the validity of wills and the administration of estates and trusts. She has additional expertise in dispute resolution.

    • She is a pioneer in the field.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Mark Baxter
    Band 1Mark Baxter

    Mark Baxter

    Mark Baxter is an active Court of Protection barrister who handles a number of complex cases as part of his wide chancery practice. He has broad spectrum experience including disputed deputyships, contested statutory wills and trusts.

    • Mark has been really excellent - very responsive and pragmatic.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Penelope Reed
    Band 1Penelope Reed

    Penelope Reed

    Penelope Reed KC is a top-class silk whose extensive chancery experience informs her excellent Court of Protection practice. She has been involved in numerous high-value, complex applications in the Court of Protection. She is instructed by an impressively diverse client base encompassing charities, vulnerable individuals and families.

    • Penelope has an excellent reputation.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Tracey Angus
    Band 1Tracey Angus

    Tracey Angus

    Tracey Angus KC has a broad practice that encompasses contentious probate, trusts and all sides of Court of Protection work, including health and welfare as well as property and affairs. She is instructed by a broad range of clients, including charities, individuals and the Official Solicitor. She brings her forensic grasp of trust law to assist in cases of negligence.

  • Band 2Jordan Holland
    Band 2Jordan Holland

    Jordan Holland

    Jordan Holland has a thriving Court of Protection practice and receives a significant number of his cases from the Official Solicitor. He is active in a variety of Court of Protection matters, ranging from statutory will applications to disputes over deputyships. He offers pragmatic advice regarding the management of both domestic and international assets.

    • Jordan is exceptionally insightful dealing with difficult dynamics, he has got exceptional knowledge of the law.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Sarah Haren
    Band 2Sarah Haren

    Sarah Haren

    Sarah Haren KC's broad chancery practice encompasses both non-contentious and contentious work, and she is experienced in probate, inheritance claims and trusts matters. Haren has received instructions from a range of sources, including the Official Solicitor. She is also frequently called upon to act in disputed property, gift and statutory will applications.

    • Sarah Haren is brilliant. She thinks about the bigger picture, is really reliable and super smart.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2William East
    Band 2William East

    William East

    William East is well known for the breadth of his experience in chancery matters and is frequently involved in cases concerning statutory wills and contested deputyships, some of which are highly complex and involve challenging clients. He is often sought out to act in cases involving financial negligence.

    • William is an excellent barrister. He is confident on his feet and provides thoughtful advice in complex matters.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
    • Extremely knowledgeable and commercially aware. He is invaluable.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Eliza Eagling
    Band 3Eliza Eagling

    Eliza Eagling

    Eliza Eagling is a talented junior barrister who is frequently instructed in cases relating to contentious trusts, undue influence and inheritance disputes. She acts for a broad range of clients, including the Official Solicitor, family members and professional deputies.

    • Eliza is excellent and very responsive. She is very well-versed in the area and knows both sides of the equation.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
    • Eliza is very on top of the detail and responsive.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Hugh Cumber
    Band 3Hugh Cumber

    Hugh Cumber

    Hugh Cumber is a well-known junior barrister who is regularly instructed in both contentious and non-contentious cases. He represents a broad range of clients including individuals and the Official Solicitor.

    • Hugh is able to adapt very quickly to changing information and consequent instructions both in and outside of hearings. He was very sensitive to the difficulties of the case.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
    • Very attentive and hard-working.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Mathew Roper
    Band 3Mathew Roper

    Mathew Roper

    Mathew Roper is an active Court of Protection practitioner experienced in acting on a range of matters relating to financial deputyships and statutory wills. He has represented deputies, the Public Guardian and Official Solicitor.

    • His advice and advocacy was second to none.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
    • Matthew is clever and thoughtful in terms of his preparation and advocacy.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Michael O'Sullivan
    Band 3Michael O'Sullivan

    Michael O'Sullivan

    Michael O'Sullivan is a noted junior with a wealth of experience in Court of Protection applications who is also adept at handling trusts and probate matters. He is also well known for his professional negligence practice and is often instructed in complex and high-value disputes, including those concerning large landed estates.

    • Michael is very good technically and not frightened of giving tough advice.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksRuth Hughes
    New SilksRuth Hughes

    Ruth Hughes

    Ruth Hughes KC is instructed most frequently by the Official Solicitor and handles cases involving statutory will applications, deputyships and divorce, among other things. She is well known for her work in cross-jurisdictional property and affairs matters, and has handled international matters arising under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. She is additionally instructed in high-value cases with a significant personal welfare element.

    • A class act in this field of work.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar
    • Ruth is excellent.

      Court of Protection: Property & Affairs respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 5 Stone Buildings (14)

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