Trust Disputes Lawyers

"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

"Very talented litigators, with the ability to grasp the essence of issues as they arise."

Legal 500 2023

"A regional firm that can go head-to-head with the biggest City commercial disputes teams."

Legal 500 2023

"Michelmores has 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 2023

"Michelmores punches above its weight in the market, easily outstripping some of the larger firms in expertise. The highly knowledgeable and skilled team … should always be in a client’s list of go-to firms when litigation is on the horizon"

Legal 500 2023

"The Michelmores contentious trusts team is a hands-on, high quality team, who are dedicated to achieving the best results for clients. The team is extremely efficient and very pleasant to deal with. You want the Michelmores team on your side."

Legal 500 2022

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.

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.