Tony Cockayne
Partner
Michelmores offers the complete package, with a strong London and regional presence and with all the other resources in terms of expertise and experience which you could want. They frequently work for large charities as well as private individuals, giving them great insight into the full range of issues and concerns which a dispute of this nature can throw up.
Legal 500 2025
Michelmores is a really strong presence in this area. Tony Cockayne is an excellent team leader; he is unflappable, full of energy and has a real sense of when a point is worth pushing and when to pull back.
Legal 500 2024
Every member of their team is happy to take time to explain any complexities of a case and to assist with all matters, large or small.
Legal 500 2024
The depth and breadth of the team is excellent at all levels and there is really strong leadership and tactical oversight from the partners, who are not afraid to get stuck into the detail.
Chambers UK 2023
Our cross-departmental team covers all aspects of trust disputes.
We act for offshore and onshore fiduciaries (both individuals and institutional), intermediaries, family offices and high net worth families and individuals.
The team brings together expertise of trusts, tax and private wealth lawyers with highly experienced litigators.
We work with trustees based in (and beneficiaries with structures in) many jurisdictions including the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands.
Areas of Work
Recent Experience
Acting for trustees in bringing a significant seven figure claim against former advisers in connection with UK tax advice and negligent drafting
Acting for a UK domiciled client and trust beneficiary, defending a multi-million dollar tracing claim brought by a third party based in Kazakhstan against the trust assets. The case spanned multiple jurisdictions including Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Jersey and the Isle of Man, and involved working closely with local lawyers in various countries
Applying for a deed to be set aside on the basis of a causative mistake
Acting for the litigation friend of a minor in a substantial dispute over the estate of the minor’s late father. The dispute spans multiple jurisdictions including Belgium, the BVI and Switzerland and involves complex conflict of law issues
Providing expert evidence as to UK tax in connection with a Jersey court Hastings Bass application
Acting for trustees in connection with a beneficiary’s UK divorce proceedings including advising as to disclosure and whether the settlement could be nuptial
Defending a trustee in a multi-million dollar cross border dispute over alleged unlawful transfers of shares from the trust fund
Investigating and removing an investment manager on behalf of a hedge fund following breaches of fiduciary duty.
Assisting trustees with a non-court resolution of potential trustee conflicts of interests including agreeing a multi-trust conflicts of interest policy.
Acting for the beneficiary of a Jersey trust in a professional negligence and breach of trust claim against a trustee for the almost total loss of the trust fund.
Acting for a Liechtenstein foundation in a dispute with the settlor’s wife over an interest in a substantial property in London held through an offshore company.
