
Chambers Review
5 Stone Buildings is frequently referred to by instructing solicitors as the premier set for property and affairs matters due to its "consistency of specialists at the top of their field." Other sources report: "They are the leader in the field." 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. 5 Stone was recently involved in a statutory will application arising from suspected financial abuse for an estate valued at around £5 million.
"The clerking at 5 Stone is excellent. Senior clerk Paul Jennings runs a tight ship."
"The clerks are efficient."
Notable Practitioners
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 highly responsive. She clearly knows the Court of Protection inside and out."
"Her cross-examination is very good."
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 prompt and responsive. He is extremely knowledgeable, thorough and unflappable."

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.
"Mathew is a very thorough barrister."
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 excellent at managing client expectations, he inspires confidence."
"Jordan is incredibly responsive and engaged. He is very knowledgeable and experienced in the Court of Protection."
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 is brilliant - very clear and technically able. She has a wealth of Court of Protection experience."

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 has the most incredible brain, he gives extremely considered advice."
"He is fantastically erudite and produced a first-class skeleton argument."
"Alexander provides practical advice."
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.
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.
"She is very thorough and very methodical in delivering the case to clients. She is very considered."
"She is a very smooth advocate and on top of the law."
Ruth Hughes 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.
"Ruth stands out due to her emotional intelligence, which is essential in the Court of Protection."
"Ruth has the ear of the court."
"She is a thoughtful and considered advocate."

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. He is further noted for his knowledge of children's rights.
"Mark is extremely personable and very good at distilling the issues for clients."
"Mark is a good, robust, advocate."
"He is very practical."
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.
"Tracey's attention to detail, strategy and advocacy sets her apart."
"Tracey is extremely bright and sharp on her feet."
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.
"Barbara is absolutely brilliant. She is strong on the law and writes beautiful skeleton arguments."
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 knows the Court of Protection inside and out, his technical knowledge is unparalleled."
"David is very smart tactically and good at thinking of strategies."
"Responsive and detailed; David is the go-to barrister for complex Court of Protection work."
Ranked Barristers at
5 Stone Buildings
Silks (KC)
All Circuits
Juniors
All Circuits


