Chancery: Traditional - London (Bar)
Band 2
What the Team is Known For
New Square Chambers is known for its "counsel of formidable intellect". The strong team of silks and juniors at the set regularly handles a wide array of traditional chancery matters, including trusts, wills, estates and probate cases. "They offer a strong mix of senior and junior barristers with the right skills and availability to meet diverse needs effectively," says a source. New Square Chambers' barristers are instructed in high-profile and complex disputes, including acting for John Magnier and family in a claim in the Irish High Court to enforce an oral agreement to buy the Barne Estate from a Jersey trust for EUR15 million.
Michelle Green is the senior clerk.
Strengths
The clerks at New Square Chambers are friendly, helpful, and deal with matters quickly and efficiently.
The clerks at New Square Chambers really go above and beyond. There is always availability to support, and the team accommodates deadlines and required dates for meetings.
The clerking at New Square Chambers is really good. The clerks are very quick to respond and try to make it work, or else provide a range of three to five alternatives at different seniorities and costings. They are very good at understanding what the case is about and finding the right counsel.
Notable practitioners
Nicholas Le Poidevin KC is a distinguished silk who enjoys a commanding reputation at the chancery Bar, and is regularly sought after for cases concerning contentious trusts and disputed wills. His experience in offshore disputes is well established, and he is particularly noted for his expertise in Jersey and Guernsey matters.
He’s the only person who can handle the more complex structures we work on, and always has the last word. He turns his mind to the long, complex history and interwoven issues across jurisdictions and can arrive at creative solutions. Also, he thinks on his feet very well on complex trusts. He is genuinely incredible.
He is first class. He is a chancery silk of choice, one of a fairly select group of senior traditional chancery silks. He is very learned and knows his stuff. He is a superb draftsman and wise, with a very good turnaround time and a responsive approach.
He's one of the few barristers who know their way around administration and trusts. Many are aggressive and want to win the case, but he actually knows the underlying law, one of the very few. I can't think of anyone else with his depth of knowledge.
Aidan Briggs is a rising star whose varied practice earns him wide praise. He handles matters, many of which are fact-heavy and complex, across the full breadth of traditional chancery, including those relating to trusts, wills and estates.
Aidan is brilliant. He is a top-quality chancery barrister. Aidan is one of those who is just as good on his feet as on the papers. He is a brilliant adviser as well as trial advocate. He is an expert.
Aidan is a very accomplished and experienced barrister who has been effective with contentious trusts and probate matters.
Aidan is brilliant, a go-to barrister. He is always my first port of call.
Alexander Learmonth KC is an exceptionally well-known silk who is recognised for both his advisory and litigation expertise, and is regularly instructed in cases concerning disputed wills and trusts. He is particularly noted for his strong trial advocacy.
Alexander is very helpful and I'd recommend him.
Alexander is good – he's positive and has a good rapport with the client. He gets things across quickly.
He is a leading silk for a reason!
Mark Hubbard is noted for his strong offshore expertise within a broader traditional chancery practice. He is regularly trusted with high-value cases, and frequently handles trusts, estates and probate matters.
Mark Hubbard was excellent as counsel, assisting us behind the scenes and working on the various different aspects. He is brilliant to work with and always available at short notice when needed. Mark is very personable, great with clients and technically brilliant.
Mark Hubbard is exceptional. His technical background in trust is why we go to him. He has a granular, detailed view on matters like this, and he is very particular in how he drafts and advocates. The judges are meticulous so he's very useful, especially when it is a difficult matter.
Hermione Williams brings offshore and broader international expertise to a wide range of commercial and traditional chancery matters. She acts on contentious and non-contentious matters relating to trusts, wills, gifts and estates.
Hermione is very good and very passionate about her clients. She has a commercial approach.
James McKean's practice focuses on contentious trust and estate matters. His cases include disputed wills, contested estate administrations and Inheritance Act claims.
James is superb. He is easy to work with, extremely knowledgeable in contentious probate matters in particular, and has huge amounts of trial experience.
We have been very impressed with James overall. He is great with clients and opponents alike. He is very approachable and a safe pair of hands.
James is a great all-rounder. He is wonderful with clients and provides good value for money, with a good sense of humour to boot.
James gives a good level of service; he is friendly and accessible in his advice. He has successfully represented us in many applications and hearings. He is also very willing to assist and provide guidance in ad hoc queries, which is appreciated. He is excellent at viewing the big picture and at considering how to approach smaller matters in the context of the wider matter and the overall goal for the client.
James Saunders has a broad chancery practice covering breach of trust disputes, executor and trustee removals, probate, as well as major offshore trust matters.
James has technical excellence and provides a pragmatic approach. He is good with clients and has an extremely strong work ethic. James has a great future ahead of him.
James is one of the best barristers I've ever used, one of the good up-and-comers, a future silk.
Millie Rai is a respected and rising chancery and private wealth barrister with a particular focus on contentious probate, estates and property litigation. Her cases include breach of settlement agreements, professional misconduct and multiple contested probate disputes.
Millie is a great barrister. She is to the point and efficient. All the work she has produced and acted on has been excellent.
Millie is an outstanding junior barrister. She is able to advise on complex technical matters and present this in a way which is client-friendly and easy to digest. She is not afraid to give advice that clients may not wish to hear, and does so sensitively. She is an excellent advocate, both at hearings and at mediations. She is a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to instructing her on many further matters in the future.
Millie Rai puts clients at ease with her calm and friendly manner, but more importantly in the confidence she exuded in her grasp of the case and the relevant law.
Millie has been key in assisting on contentious probate matters with timely advice which is clear and succinct. She is very approachable, always responds in a timely manner, and charges reasonable fees for the quality of advice provided.
