James Fagan

He regularly appears in complex applications and trials in the High Court and County Court, having acted as sole advocate in both interim hearings and full trials. His cross-examination has been judicially described as “effective and forensic.” James is dual qualified and was called to the Bar of England in 2019 and Wales and the Bar […]
Video: Testamentary capacity and will-making in other jurisdictions
Grand View Private Trust Co Ltd v Wong, Wen Young & Ors

The Bermudian Court of Appeal has handed down a landmark judgment in Grand View Private Trust Co Ltd v Wong, Wen Young & Ors, reversing the decision of the Bermudian Supreme Court and rejecting any limitation on the exercise of trustees’ powers to add and remove beneficiaries by reference to the so-called “substratum” of the trust. In the […]
Natalie Pratt

Natalie specialises in injunction proceedings (including against persons unknown and in the context of protests) and contempt applications, as well as property litigation. In particular, Natalie appeared in Teledyne UK Limited v Gao & Ors [2025] EWHC 2050 (KB), MBR Acres Ltd & Ors v Curtin [2025] EWHC 331 (KB), Thurrock Council & Anr v Adams & Ors [2024] EWHC 2576 (KB) and [2024] EWHC 2750 (KB), Arla Foods Limited & Anr v Persons Unknown & Ors [2025] 7 WLUK 442 and [2024] EWHC […]
Challenging suspicious wills – Paper by Charles Holbech

There are a number of classic features common to probate claims where the validity of a will is challenged. A testator typically executes a new will in favour of one or more family members (often to the exclusion of others). The new will represents a significant departure from the terms of previous wills, which had […]
The definition of “grandchild” in US inheritance disputes – Article by Josh Lewison

Josh Lewison discussed the definition of “grandchild” in US inheritance disputes in an article for STEP Journal. You can read the article here. This article was originally published as Josh Lewison, ‘What’s in a word?’, STEP Journal (Vol27 Iss9), pp.57-59, and is reproduced with the kind permission of STEP Journal.
Claiming an interest in someone else’s property (Sandford v Oliver) – Article by Matthew Mills

Matthew Mills’ article on Sandford v Oliver, a constructive trust decision involving a family home, was recently published by Lexis PSL Private Client. You can read his analysis here. This article was first published on Lexis® PSL Private Client on 23 September 2019. Click for a free trial of Lexis®PSL.
Charles Holbech’s talk for the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association London Conference 2019

Charles Holbech gave a wills and probate negligence update at the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association London Conference on 9 October 2019. The text of that update is available here.
Paul Burton

He has extensive trial advocacy experience and his cases frequently start with urgent pre-emptive remedies. His practice encompasses drafting and advisory work and he regularly works with domestic and international lawyers, and other professionals, to assist in the drafting of complex documents. In addition to his court practice, Paul represents parties before a number of […]
Tainted Gifts – Article by Josh Lewison

Josh Lewison analyses the approaches available to charity trustees when they encounter tainted gifts, in an article recently published by Trusts and Estates Law & Tax Journal. You can read the full article here. This article was first published in Trusts and Estates Law & Tax Journal and is also available on lawjournals.co.uk.