About

Provided by Russell-Cooke

Our trust and estates dispute team has considerable expertise in the full range of trust and probate disputes. We assist individuals, family offices, trustees, trust corporations and charities in resolving contentious matters concerning trusts and estates. These include:

  • applications for directions concerning the administration of an estate or trust (including blessing applications);​challenges to the substantive validity of wills and trust deeds;
  • reasonable financial provision claims (Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975);
  • private international law disputes involving multi-jurisdictional estates and international individuals;
  • domicile disputes;
  • advice on fiduciary duties and the removal of executors and trustees;
  • applications relating to the forfeiture of assets, presumption of death, or burial issues;
  • professional negligence claims in the context of wills, trusts or connected tax advice;
  • property trust claims concerning the beneficial ownership of properties

We also have a great deal of experience in relation to capacity cases, including disputes concerning Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) and applications to the Court of Protection.

We draw on the expertise of our colleagues where estates or trusts encounter issues ranging from corporate matters to planning, charities, philanthropy, reputation management and real estate. We supply a genuinely holistic one stop approach to resolving a dispute.



Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Wealth Disputes - London (Firms)

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Russell-Cooke is involved in significant contentious probate disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions and often advises clients on Inheritance Act claims.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Alison Regan
2
Alison Regan
2
Band 2

Alison Regan heads Russell-Cooke's contentious trust and succession team, regularly advising clients on probate, trust and succession disputes across a range of jurisdictions.

Alison is excellent - very professional, has good client presence and is sensible.

She has an extremely smart and strategic way of thinking and planning. She is also very available for any issue as it comes up.

Alison Regan is well liked and respected. She can switch between a really tough and a really pragmatic approach.

Gareth Ledsham
4
Gareth Ledsham
4
Band 4

Gareth Ledsham handles cross-border litigation concerning administration disputes as part of a comprehensive private client offering. Ledsham is also an expert in Court of Protection matters.

Gareth is a very good litigator. He has very good instincts and sensitive client handling skills.

Gareth has huge experience in ordinary trusts and probate litigation. He is also really good on Court of Protection work.

Gareth Ledsham is very smart and seasoned in this field. I feel very confident being represented by him and his excellent team.

Tom Deely
Tom Deely
Associates to watch
Tom Deely assists with various contentious trust and probate matters such as the administration of estates and domicile-related disputes.

Tom Deely is a very smart thinker and hard researcher.

Tom Deeley is very clever, writes good letters and has good judgement. He is also good at client handling. Clients really love him.

Ranked Individuals at
Russell-Cooke

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

London (Firms)

Private Wealth Disputes

Alison Regan
2
Alison Regan
2
Band 2
Gareth Ledsham
4
Gareth Ledsham
4
Band 4
Tom Deely
Tom Deely
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by Russell-Cooke