We advise personal representatives, trustees and fiduciaries on the administration of estates and the creation and ongoing management of onshore and offshore trusts. We provide expert advice on fiduciary and professional duties and the wide range of issues that can arise in both contentious and non-contentious contexts.

The role of a trustee or other fiduciary should never be taken lightly. Those acting in these capacities are bound by strict duties to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries, preserving and maintaining trust and estate assets. Trustees are also required to take a proactive approach — particularly in discretionary trusts — evaluating investment decisions and the merits of restructuring a trust where necessary before making distributions to beneficiaries.

Working alongside our Private Client team, our Trusts and Estates Disputes team helps trustees and other fiduciaries navigate the exercise of their duties in what can be challenging circumstances, whether in modest domestic arrangements or complex, high-value private wealth disputes with international and offshore dimensions. We have particular expertise in advising on fiduciary duties in contested situations.

Acting for the managing trustees of a UK based retirement benefit scheme worth between £50 – £80m (due to fluctuating equities) with the funds seized by the US Government. Averting proceedings in the High Court and appointing a New York law firm who succeeded in the release of the funds after explaining to the US District Attorney the niceties under UK trust law of distinguishing between the obligations of trustees and rights of beneficiaries. United States of America v Vilar and Tanaka;
Acting for a Swiss fiduciary and advising on disclosure and other obligations for trustees acting in multiple trusts.