Paul Hewitt

Practice Areas

Paul specialises in all forms of domestic and cross-border trust and succession disputes, as well as Court of Protection disputes, financial, and health/ welfare (including the leading cross border welfare decision Re MN).

He is co-author of Probate Disputes and Remedies and of Inheritance Act Claims. Inheritance Act successes include Bhusate v Patel (widow bringing claim 25 years out of time), Cowan v Foreman in the Court of Appeal, and Wells v Chorus Law (neighbour prevented from claiming as 'child of the deceased').

Described as a ‘star litigator’ and ‘a formidable opponent’, Paul represented His Exalted Highness VIII Nizam of Hyderabad in high profile litigation with India and Pakistan over funds held by NatWest since 1948.

High profile cases include two Supreme Court matters, acting for the trustees in the Hastings Bass matter of Futter v Futter applying to set aside the result of incorrect tax advice, and in Hodkin v Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages; and for the successful claimants in Hawes v Burgess and in RSPCA v Sharp (both Court of Appeal decisions).

Paul frequently defends charitable legacy income eg Beasant v Royal Commonwealth Society (construction of nil rate sum), and Royal Society v Robinson (meaning of 'United Kingdom').

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

Professional Memberships

ACTAPS

STEP

CLA