Stephen is a partner in the trust and succession disputes team.

He advises a range of clients (private individuals, beneficiaries, trustees, executors, deputies, attorneys and charities) in relation to trust, succession/inheritance and Court of Protection disputes, often involving international and crossborder issues.

He regularly advises on challenges to the validity of wills, issues of construction and rectification of wills and deeds, constructive trust and proprietary estoppel claims, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and professional negligence claims involving estate planning, trust and succession issues.

He has particular expertise in proceedings before the Court of Protection, where he frequently acts for both applicants and respondents in applications for statutory wills, lifetime gifts, contested registrations of powers of attorney, deputyships and health and welfare decisions. Stephen regularly advises in relation to investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian.

Stephen has spent time at the Official Solicitor’s Department on secondment.