How can practitioners best navigate the uncertainty, conflict, inconsistency and tactical maneuvering that arise in cross-border capacity disputes, where the issue increasingly becomes less about whether a decision was understood and more about who controls the narrative of that decision after the fact? When a clinical question evolves into litigation strategy and forum shopping, is capacity being weaponized in private wealth disputes? How should courts and advisers approach the intersection of cultural and family dynamics with allegations of undue influence: are modern legal tests culturally biased, or is culture too often invoked as a shield for financial abuse? Are lawyers and trustees doing enough to protect against future capacity challenges, and can drafting techniques meaningfully reduce capacity risk? Finally, what practical steps can trustees take when a capacity dispute threatens to escalate into a multi-front risk event involving litigation, governance, reputation and family politics?

This session will explore the treatment of trusts in the context of international divorce proceedings, including the challenges that arise when family wealth structures intersect with competing legal systems, jurisdictions and matrimonial claims. The discussion is likely to examine how courts approach trust assets in cross-border disputes, the role of trustees and advisers when divorce proceedings involve offshore structures, and the practical and strategic issues that can emerge around disclosure, control, enforcement and asset protection. The session may also consider evolving judicial attitudes, forum selection and the broader implications for private wealth planning and governance.

This session will explore the growing intersection between private client transparency obligations and cyber security risk, examining how increased regulatory scrutiny, disclosure requirements and digital data sharing are reshaping the private wealth landscape. The discussion is likely to consider the vulnerabilities faced by high-net-worth individuals, family offices, trustees and advisers in an environment of heightened cyber threats, reputational exposure and cross-border information exchange. Topics may include data protection, cyber attacks targeting private wealth structures, crisis management and the practical steps advisers and fiduciaries can take to strengthen governance, confidentiality and operational resilience.

This session will provide an overview of recent key cases and litigation developments shaping the private wealth and trust disputes landscape. The discussion is likely to examine significant judicial decisions across multiple jurisdictions, emerging litigation trends and the practical implications for trustees, advisers, fiduciaries and private clients. 

This session will explore the role of family agreement and communication in effective succession planning, particularly in the context of complex family wealth and cross-generational transitions. The discussion is likely to consider how differing expectations, governance structures, cultural dynamics and family relationships can influence the success or failure of succession arrangements.