Alastair is a Partner and Head of both the Dispute Resolution and Charity Team.
He has over 25 years of experience dealing with contentious trusts and probate issues on behalf of executors, trustees, beneficiaries and charities and is regularly instructed in complex and high value disputes. A recognised leader in his area, Alastair has a proven track record of resolving trust and probate issues to the benefit of his clients both at trial and through alternative dispute resolution. His work often includes issues of foreign law and jurisdiction.
Alastair has been recognised as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 for many years.
Inheritance Disputes Experience
Alastair advises on all areas arising from disputes over trusts and probate including the validity of wills, fraud and misappropriation of assets, issues of interpretation and rectification of wills and deeds, constructive trust and proprietary claims. Alistair also acts for all claimant categories under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and in Court of Protection matters.
Charity Law Experience
Alastair’s recognised expertise in his highly specialist areas means that he is often instructed by national and international charities and other not for profit organisations involved in disputes relating to probate and Court of Protection issues, Will challenges, trust and succession issues.
Work Highlights
- Securing a settlement for an international Charity concerning will challenge brought by the deceaseds estranged daughter.
- Concluding a dispute for a well-known Charity concerning a statutory will application in the Court of Protection.
- Acting for multiple beneficiaries in proceedings to remove a lay executor. Alastair was able to prove fraudulent activities by the lay executor and recovered costs and estate monies from the lay executor.
- Bringing multiple claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 for all categories of claimants and defendants in multi million pound estates and obtaining settlement without the need to issue proceedings.
- Acting for three beneficiaries in defending a Proprietary Estoppel claim brought by a family member concerning the family farm.
- Acting for a number of charities in defending a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
- Successfully obtaining judgment against an executrix for fraudulent activity against two residual beneficiaries.
- Bringing an action challenging a will on the grounds of fraud
- Multiple actions seeking the removal of Executors (both professional and lay) from their role as executors of estates
- Acting for Partners in a Partnership dispute concerning to a multi-million family business
- Acting for individuals in a complex land dispute concerning High Court injunctive proceedings and a rectification claim.
- Acting for parties in proceedings for the removal of Attorneys appointed under Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Defending actions against Local Authorities concerning historic trust arrangements
- Acting in proceedings for parties proving will in solemn form
- Acting for a party an action in the High Court for Undue Influence and Fraudulent Calumny
- Acting in the Hudman v Morris [2021] EWHC 1400 (Ch) (01 June 2021) case
- Acting in relation to rectification of a will Harte, Re [2015] EWHC 2351 (Ch) (15 July 2015) (bailii.org
- Acting in a relation to a defective Deeds of Appointments affecting multiple settlements English & Ors v Keats & Ors [2018] EWHC 673 (Ch) (28 March 2018) (bailii.org)