About
Provided by Payne Hicks Beach LLP
Trust law and probate disputes are becoming increasingly international with greater scope for disagreement.
As one of the leading firms in the country in this area Payne Hicks Beach is able to unlock difficult inheritance and Trust disputes. Sometimes the disagreement is between trustees and beneficiaries, but often complex issues are involved such as rights governed by multi-national jurisdictions asserted over the same property.
Our work includes:
- Handling UK trust and estate disputes and the co-ordination of multi-jurisdictional disputes relating to ownership of assets
- Resolving conflicts between beneficiaries and trustees or executors and between trustees and protectors
- Advising executors when faced with claims by disappointed beneficiaries
- Dealing with defective or unclear wills or trust documents
- Advising trustees on their duties and obligations to individuals and authorities
- Advising beneficiaries on the enforcement of their rights
- Obtaining court directions for trustees in both hostile and non-contentious circumstances.
In disputes of this nature, resolving the conflict with the minimum of time and expense is essential as is having an expertise in this complicated area of the law. We always explore ways to resolve problems and examine all alternatives before resorting to litigation.
Chambers Review
Payne Hicks Beach is a firm that has "really made a dent in the last couple of years" on trusts litigation, a market peer acknowledges. The practice covers the full spectrum of contentious trusts and estates. Partners handle cross-border litigation concerning breach of trust claims and have taken the lead on landmark decisions at the High Court in a trust and estoppel context.
"Payne Hicks Beach now have some of the best young partners in the private client world," says an interviewee. A barrister adds: "I think they are very good, they are on the up and pushing on."
Notable Practitioners
Charlotte Henshall is an associate at the firm, assisting in contentious trusts and estates matters. She helps to represent trustees, protectors and beneficiaries in breach of trust issues and 1975 Act claims. A dispute resolution expert enthuses: "Charlotte is everything that you would want at the level she is. She is on top of everything and knows all of the documents and processes very well. I am sure that she has a very bright future ahead."
Richard Manyon's practice encompasses contentious trusts and estates. He represents high net worth clients both domestically and abroad on breach of fiduciary duty claims, will validity challenges and Inheritance Act work. Manyon maintains a strong reputation, as confirmed by sources. One says he is "at the top of his game," owing to his "infectious personality" that makes him very popular with clients. Another interviewee adds: "Richard brings great experience and really good judgement to matters. He is a really good person to have on your side in tricky cases."
Jessica Henson is "multi-talented in handling contentious, non-contentious work, as well as crossover between divorce and trusts work," an interviewee acknowledges. She is described as someone who is "always adding strings to her bow," contributes heavily to industry events and associations and is regarded as "one of the best private client partners in London" by a peer. A barrister adds that "Jess has everything - tactical vision, client skills and is all over the detail."
Ranked Individuals at
Payne Hicks Beach LLP
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Payne Hicks Beach LLP
Andrew Willan
Ane Vernon
Charles Ovenden
Charlotte Henshall
Clare Hetherington
Clarissa Ferguson
Dean Ryan
Emily Hewlett
Emily Stoneham
Emma Harris
Frederick Bjørn
James Bacon
Klara Kronbergs
Matthew Spring
Melissa Ellis
Michael Parkinson
Rebecca Moseley
Head of Department
Scott Goldstein