Trusts, probate and estates: non-contentious

Trusts, probate and estates: non-contentious

Wilberforce Chambers has a history of excellence in the field of private client work. Our specialist team of barristers assist private individuals, trustees, and beneficiaries in the range of technical areas listed below:

• Non-contentious litigation such as applications under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958, under section 57 of the Trustee Act 1925, section 48 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985 and applications by trustees or personal representatives for permission to administer on certain footings;
• Drafting of trusts, wills and supplemental documentation such as appointments, advancements,  deeds of variation, indemnities and releases;
• Advice on technical questions relating to trusts and estates such as perpetuities and accumulations, the treatment of income under section 31 of the Trustee Act 1925, uses of statutory and express powers of advancement, the operation of engrafted trusts and questions regarding reversionary interests; and
• The tax treatment of trusts and estates, including inheritance tax and related capital gains tax, income tax and SDLT issues.
• Advising on conflict of laws questions relating to trusts and estates where there is a foreign element.
• Advising, undertaking drafting and appearing in non-contentious proceedings concerning trusts and estates in foreign jurisdictions whose systems of law are based on English law principles, as well as providing UK tax advice in relation to trusts and estates in offshore jurisdictions.

Rankings and recognition

Wilberforce is ranked as a tier 1 set in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for Traditional Chancery and Private Client (Trusts & Probate) work.

Chambers & Partners 2026: ‘An excellent set from front to back’, Wilberforce Chambers appears at all levels of the judicial system, representing clients in leading trust, probate and taxation cases. Brian Green KC currently advises Sheikh Mohammad, the ruler of Dubai, on the English law aspects of his divorce to Princess Haya of Jordan. Clare Stanley KC acted for the Appellant in the Supreme Court case, LA Micro Group (UK) v LA Micro Group Inc, which established that s. 53(1)(c) of the Law of Property Act applied to personal property. In Crescent Gas Corporation v National Iranian Oil Company, Gilead Cooper KC advised on the potential appeal of a claim concerning the beneficial ownership of a commercial property in London. Zoë Barton KC advised the wife of Sheikh in Greig Mitchell & Keneth Krys v Al Jaber, a claim establishing a beneficial interest in a home in London. Nikki Singla KC led in the complex Pavilion v RadcliffesLeBresseur, in which the claimants allege – among other issues – that the private client firm of solicitors acted in breach of its retainer in failing to retire the claimants from three family settlements.

Legal 500 2026: The substantial team based at Wilberforce Chambers is routinely praised for its ability to “understand trusts both from a legal sense and commercially speaking” and to “tailor advice in ways which allows clients to not only understand the legal position, but also how it applies to their specific situation.” Its barristers have considerable experience of handling high-profile trusts matters including those pertaining to the administration of estates, trust issues in matrimonial proceedings and international disputes. Recent highlights include Wong v Grand View Private Trust Company Ltd and ors.

Chambers HNW Awards 2025: Wilberforce wins Set of the Year

Chambers HNW Awards 2025: Elizabeth Houghton wins Star Junior of the Year

Chambers Bar Awards 2023: Wilberforce wins Chancery Set of the Year

The Legal 500 Bar Awards 2022: Wilberforce wins Chancery Set of the Year

Chambers Bar Awards 2022: Clare Stanley KC wins Chancery Silk of the Year

Chambers Bar Awards 2021: Thomas Grant KC wins Chancery Silk of the Year

Chambers High Net Worth Awards 2020: Wilberforce wins of Set of the Year

The Legal 500 Bar Awards 2020: Wilberforce wins Private Client Set of the Year

Chambers Bar Awards 2018: Wilberforce wins Chancery Set of the Year

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