Stephen Richards

Practice Areas

Stephen focuses on advising on trust, succession and capacity disputes both cross-border and domestically.

He is described as "clever and tenacious" and "a strong combination of iron fist and velvet glove." Stephen's reported cases include Morley-Clarke v Brooks concerning the cross border capitalisation of a life interest and acting in the Berezovsky estate (Gorbunova v Estate of Boris Berezovsky & ors) as well as Re. MN, a leading Court of Protection decision on enforcement of foreign orders between California and England. Stephen co-ordinates multi-jurisdictional litigation and dispute resolution, resolving matters away from the public glare wherever possible. He has particular expertise on issues concerning capacity, undue influence and financial abuse.

He regularly acts for individuals, beneficiaries, trustees, charities (both national and international) executors and other fiduciaries (including deputies and attorneys).

Stephen acted for the successful applicants in the first case before the Isle of Man to successfully rely on the equitable doctrine of mistake, which resulted in significant transfers into Trust being set aside (Smith & Other v Athol Administration & Others).

Professional Memberships

The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

Publications

Stephen is a contributor to Probate Disputes and Remedies and Inheritance Act Claims