Paul Hewitt

Paul is a partner in the trust, estate and inheritance disputes team as well as being the firm's global chairperson.

Paul specialises in all types of trust and probate disputes, including applications to remove trustees and executors, the construction and rectification of wills and trusts, and validity claims.

He has been appointed as litigation friend both in the UK and offshore, as well as administrator in a number of contentious UK estates.

Notable cases include representing His Exalted Highness Nizam VIII of Hyderabad in his successful dispute with Pakistan and India over funds held on trust since 1947, and success in the longest probate trial to date of Bond v Webster.

Paul also advises on contentious Court of Protection matters involving those unable to manage their own affairs. These include statutory will applications and disputes over the appointment or conduct of attorneys and deputies.

He also advises on professional negligence claims arising out of trust and estate administration, and failed estate and tax planning.

Paul has a special interest in forfeiture and suicide/ deaths at Dignitas, with cases including Macmillan Cancer Support v Hayes and Withers Trust Corporation v Estate of Goodman.

He heads the firm's work for charities and not-for-profit organisations on legacy income with Stephen Richards. He took over the role as Withers' chairperson in July 2025