Tiffany Scott KC

Trusts, probate and estates: contentious

Tiffany is a member of STEP and she deals with all aspects of trusts and probate work – contentious and non-contentious, offshore, onshore and multi-jurisdictional. She has been recommended as a leading name in this field (including for her offshore work) by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for many years.

Much of her casework in this field is confidential. Her general areas of practice include:

• contentious trust litigation between beneficiaries and trustees
• disputes involving attacking or defending trusts and trust assets
• disputes involving trusts in divorce proceedings including consideration of when a nuptial settlement has arisen and of when trust assets might be a financial resource
• disputes involving construction of wills and contentious probate
• claims for the appointment and removal of trustees and executors
• claims for provision under the Inheritance Act 1975
• rectification of wills and trusts
• applications under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958
• applications under the Trustee Act 1925 for enlargement of trustees’ administrative powers
• approval of compromises on behalf of minor children
• Re Beddoe applications

Examples of casework:

• Acting for trustees of a €40 million Guernsey trust in ongoing proceedings concerning their purported removal by the Monegasque-appointed guardian of the settlor in favour of Monegasque trustees, including a challenge to the validity of the trust on grounds of undue influence and lack of capacity, forced heirship, freezing of trust assets in Switzerland and consideration of the Guernsey firewall legislation and conflicts of laws.
• Advising and acting for beneficiary of a Jersey trust established by Kuwaiti patriarch to sit outside Sharia law which would otherwise apply to the distribution of his assets. Advice as to the effect of various loans made to the patriarch from the trust without security, and whether the trustees could enforce repayment of the loans from his Kuwaiti assets after his death; also including allegations of breach of trust against the Jersey trustee.
• Advising and acting for administrator of estate of her French spouse as to issues arising from proceedings in Thailand challenging the validity of her marriage, and criminal and civil proceedings in Switzerland, allegations of improperly and dishonestly obtaining a grant of administration of the estate in the BVI, advice as to actions to be taken in Hong Kong, Singapore and BVI to obtain information about the assets in the estate and as to a potential challenge to the trust structure in BVI and to appointment as administrator.
• Advising and acting for spouse trustee of a trust of very valuable assets that was put in place under a divorce settlement and from which the other spouse was to benefit, with the beneficiaries of his estate now challenging how the trust has been administered; breach of trust proceedings ongoing in the High Court.
• Acting for beneficiaries of various BVI trusts worth £200 million established by a renowned figure in the sporting world in ongoing dispute involving questions of validity of removal of trustees and application by trustees to Court for blessing as to division of the trust assets on winding up, and threatened (late) application under the 1975 Act.
• Acting for trustee of multimillion-pound trust in High Court proceedings arising out of a divorce, brought by a beneficiary for disclosure of trust documents and information and for an account of dealings with the trust fund, and ongoing advice as to terms of various indemnities to be provided by the parties.
• Acting for minor and unborn beneficiaries of three dynastic English settlements established by landed gentry ancestors worth £400 million in proceedings under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958 seeking an extension of the perpetuity period and modernisation of the trust instruments, in which an anonymity order was granted on an interim and on a final basis.
• Acting for Isle of Man beneficiary of a Jersey trust in ongoing Jersey proceedings brought by settlor/beneficiary alleging her improper exclusion from the trust, the improper appointment of the beneficiary, seeking to have trustee removed for maladministration including questions of the weight to be given to wishes where settlor is not the economic settlor.
• Advising as to the provisions and restructuring of, and potential attacks on, a family trust of substantial business assets established under the law of the Abu Dhabi Global Market and under the guidance of a Sharia scholar.
• Acting for recipient of a gift of shares in a Guernsey company in ongoing proceedings by the donor to set aside the gift on grounds of undue influence alternatively alleging the existence of a trust.
• Advising as to enforceability of a cohabitation agreement on the breakdown of a relationship, including questions of proprietary estoppel and constructive trusts.
• Acting for and against potential claimants in numerous contentious probate proceedings seeking to set aside wills on grounds of testamentary incapacity, undue influence and want of knowledge and approval.
• Acting for beneficiaries under an English will in a dispute as to the proper implementation of an option to purchase land in the testator’s estate.
• Acting in various complex and high value 1975 Act proceedings.
• Acting for the executor of a settlor/trustee in ongoing claim brought by beneficiaries of a substantial trust for an account against the estate and the current trustee and a trustee de son tort, alleging misappropriation of assets.
• Acting for Cayman Islands attorneys in a claim arising out of alleged negligent handling of complex trust litigation.
• Advising trustees of a family trust of valuable land as to how to impose a “clawback” provision on beneficiaries to whom they have made distributions in order to share in the profits of future development.
• Representing minor and unborn beneficiaries in various different and ongoing applications to vary trusts to introduce a power to accumulate income and to extend the perpetuity period.
• Acting for the trustee of an overseas retirement benefit scheme with only one member, holding assets of around £60 million, as to issues that arise on the divorce of the member where his wife is challenging the exercise of the trustees’ powers and seeking information about the scheme.
• TP v PRBP [2018] EWHC 2433 (Fam) – acting for trustees of a £400 million trust in divorce proceedings where the wife claimed that assets to which the husband is entitled under the trust should be brought into account on the divorce.
• Labrouche v Frey (Re Olga Martin Montis) [2016] EWHC 268 (Ch) – acting for Marquesa Soledad Cabeza de Vaca in long-running litigation brought by her son culminating in 6 week trial alleging wrongful distribution of £20 million of trust assets and excessive fee- taking by the trustees, arising out of the conversion of a Liechtenstein establishment to a foundation.
• Skillings v Kibby [2016] EWHC 3165 – acting for successful beneficiaries under a will in a 5 day taking of an account; an account was obtained on the footing of wilful default following misapplication of estate assets; included cross-examination on the questions whether an Old Masters painting was sold at an undervalue and whether excessive fees were paid to non-professional Permission to appeal was refused after a 2 day hearing.
• Acting for the Hayward family in long-running litigation in the Bahamas in relation to the family trusts of the late Sir Jack Hayward which own half the Grand Bahama Port Authority – involving injunctions to restrain distribution of trust assets and the exercise of powers of appointment; setting aside trustee resolutions removing the family as beneficiaries; seeking the appointment of a judicial trustee; and an inquiry as to whether a trustee procured the removal of its co-trustees in breach of duty.
• Advising invalidly appointed trustees how to retire and obtain payment of their fees and expenses from the trust fund; applying to court to authorise payment of fees and to ratify the actions the trustees had taken while invalidly appointed.
• Appearing before the Court of Protection on contested applications for the appointment of a deputy and appointment of a litigation friend.
• Acting for a professional interim receiver appointed under the Mental Health Act 1983 on a claim by a disappointed beneficiary for allegedly negligent failure to procure a statutory will.

Download Trusts, probate and estates: contentious CV

Civil fraud and asset recovery

Tiffany’s practice encompasses a range of complex civil fraud proceedings and asset recovery litigation, often with an international element, in which she can bring to bear her considerable technical experience and expertise in relation to attacking and defending trust structures and in dealing with proprietary and equitable interests. She has advised and represented clients in various dishonest assistance, deceit, breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment claims over her many years in practice, involving restitutionary remedies and change of position defences, including acting for Credit Agricole Indosuez in the Niru Battery Manufacturing v Milestone Trading & Ors litigation, both at first instance and in the Court of Appeal, acting for Vivian Imerman in a high-profile dispute with Robert Tchenguiz regarding the breakdown of a joint venture, and acting for the Duke of Norfolk in Fitzalan-Howard v Hibbert, a dishonest assistance claim arising out of the demise of Erinaceous Group.

Her work in this field includes heavy interim applications for freezing and proprietary injunctions, disclosure orders, orders for service out of the jurisdiction and jurisdiction challenges and contempt proceedings.

Examples of casework:

• Invest Bank PSC v El-Husseini & Ors (2021-2024) – acting for Swiss trustees of a family trust in ongoing proceedings brought by a UAE bank seeking to enforce judgments obtained in the UAE and in support of Canadian proceedings pursuant to 25 Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 and to challenge transfers of substantial assets on the grounds of retention of beneficial ownership and as transactions defrauding creditors under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986. Over the years this case has involved various heavy interim applications for freezing and disclosure orders, jurisdiction challenges, a trial of preliminary issues, and finally a 4 week trial in July 2024. Judgment is awaited.
• The Family (Holdings) Ltd v Ammar (2021-2024) – acting for Claimant companies in multi-jurisdictional litigation (England, Cayman Islands and France) by a Group of companies providing opportunities for investment in start-up ventures against a former director and shareholder (and his corporate vehicles) for fraudulent misappropriation of substantial funds. Claims in deceit, unlawful means conspiracy, breach of contract, breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty, dishonest assistance, and knowing receipt. Over the years this case has involved various heavy interim applications including for freezing and disclosure orders, unless orders, and a contempt application. Final hearing for assessment of quantum in October 2024.
• Settle Safe Ltd v Eurofunding Ltd & Anr (2020-2022) – acting for a Canadian online payment services provider in ongoing claim against a payment processor for fraudulently disposing of merchant funds, involving dishonest assistance in a breach of trust, procuring breach of contract and unlawful means conspiracy. This case involved various heavy interim applications for interim and final proprietary and freezing injunctions and disclosure orders and a contempt application.
• Foglia v The Family Officer Ltd & Ors (2019-2021) [2021] EWHC 650 (Comm) – acting for defendants in proceedings for knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and unjust enrichment following misappropriation of substantial funds from Cayman bank account held by an Italian fiduciary nominee. Various heavy interim applications including for proprietary and freezing injunctions and disclosure orders under CPR 25.1(1)(g) and Norwich Pharmacal jurisdiction, followed by summary judgment and post-judgment freezing orders.
• Latchworth Ltd v HSBC Bank PLC (2019-2021) – acting for HSBC in proceedings alleging dishonest assistance in a breach of trust and negligence following misappropriation of substantial trust assets by a customer of the bank.
• Ahmad v Owadally (2018-2020) – acting for parties to a joint venture found guilty of money laundering offences, on appeal against decisions reached on the taking of an account of profits of the joint venture including issues of whether money found to have been the proceeds of crime should be brought into account.
• (Ongoing) – advising and representing administrator of estate of her French spouse as to issues arising from proceedings in Thailand challenging the validity of her marriage, and criminal and civil proceedings in Switzerland, allegations of improperly and dishonestly obtaining a grant of administration of the estate in the BVI, advice as to actions to be taken in Hong Kong, Singapore and BVI to obtain information about the assets in the estate and as to a potential challenge to the trust structure in BVI and to appointment as administrator.
• Advising a lender as to liability for procuring a breach of contract and unlawful means conspiracy arising from implementation of a proposal to remove valuable assets from an operational company upon the disposal of a well-known London hotel.
• Representing a barrister in a claim relating to alleged negligent advice regarding compliance with local authority enforcement notices, and alleged negligent conduct of criminal litigation under POCA.
• Luitpold Immobilienverwaltung v Huber & Grothe – acting for claimant in proceedings against judgment debtors to provide information about their assets and in contested committal proceedings.
• Axle Holdings Ltd v Letter – acting for claimant in claim for fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of warranty against vendors of shares in luxury vehicle company with a sale price of $52 million.
• Vocational Health Services v BMI Healthcare – acting for BMI in claim by a consortium of doctors in relation to a failed joint venture alleging conspiracy.

Download Civil fraud and asset recovery CV

Commercial disputes

Tiffany has been recommended in this field by Chambers & Partners and Chambers Global for many years as a silk with a depth of experience in commercial chancery matters. She is “fierce when you need her to be fierce, just brilliant in Court and her legal mind is incredible”, “very assured, highly realistic and someone who can mange client expectations in difficult circumstances”. She is a “brilliant self-assured advocate who is a real asset to any team.”

She has experience in ‘business’ litigation of all kinds, onshore and offshore and multi-jurisdictional, including civil fraud and asset recovery, fund and partnership disputes, shareholder disputes, including s994 petitions, claims against fiduciaries, and claims arising out of insolvency.

Examples of casework:

• Invest Bank PSC v El-Husseini & Ors (2021-2024) – acting for Swiss trustees of a family trust in ongoing proceedings brought by a UAE bank seeking to enforce judgments obtained in the UAE and in support of Canadian proceedings pursuant to 25 Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 and to challenge transfers of substantial assets on the grounds of retention of beneficial ownership and as transactions defrauding creditors under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986. Over the years this case has involved various heavy interim applications for freezing and disclosure orders, jurisdiction challenges, a trial of preliminary issues, and finally a 4 week trial in July 2024. Judgment is awaited.
• The Family (Holdings) Ltd v Ammar (2021-2024) – acting for Claimant companies in multi-jurisdictional litigation (England, Cayman Islands and France) by a Group of companies providing opportunities for investment in start-up ventures against a former director and shareholder (and his corporate vehicles) for fraudulent misappropriation of substantial funds. Claims in deceit, unlawful means conspiracy, breach of contract, breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty, dishonest assistance, and knowing receipt. Over the years this case has involved various heavy interim applications including for freezing and disclosure orders, unless orders, and a contempt application. Final hearing for assessment of quantum in October 2024.
• Holden v Holden (2018-ongoing) [2023] EWHC 3292 (Ch) – acting for successful Claimant in long running partnership dispute, obtaining declarations at split trial as to the existence of a partnership at will and its dissolution and the winding up of the partnership; proceedings ongoing for distribution of partnership assets, Syers order.
• Settle Safe Ltd v Eurofunding Ltd & Anr (2020-2022) – acting for a Canadian online payment services provider in ongoing claim against a payment processor for fraudulently disposing of merchant funds, involving dishonest assistance in a breach of trust, procuring breach of contract and unlawful means conspiracy. This case involved various heavy interim applications for interim and final proprietary and freezing injunctions and disclosure orders, and a contempt application.
• Foglia v The Family Officer Ltd & Ors (2019-2021) [2021] EWHC 650 (Comm) – acting for defendants in proceedings for knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and unjust enrichment following misappropriation of substantial funds from Cayman bank account held by an Italian fiduciary nominee. Various heavy interim applications including for proprietary and freezing injunctions and disclosure orders under CPR 25.1(1)(g) and Norwich Pharmacal jurisdiction, followed by summary judgment and post-judgment freezing orders.
• Latchworth Ltd v HSBC Bank PLC (2019-2021) – acting for HSBC in proceedings alleging dishonest assistance in a breach of trust and negligence following misappropriation of substantial trust assets by a customer of the bank.
• Advising shareholders of BVI company as to meaning and effect of a shareholders’ agreement as to the exercise of voting rights attaching to the shares, and as to breaches of a settlement agreement reached between shareholders relating to the future conduct of the company’s affairs, consideration of remedies of specific performance, amendment / rectification of articles of association, winding up of the company.
• Advising and acting for company forming part of a very complex offshore trust structure for the benefit of Russian beneficiaries, holding substantial properties in England assets of the company are frozen as part of English proceedings attacking the trust structure with restrictions on sale imposed by the Land Registry.
• Advising large well-known engineering consultancy in unfair prejudice proceedings under s996 of the Companies Act 2006 brought by a former employee and shareholder in relation to the company’s decision not to purchase the employee’s shares at an elevated price – raising questions of directors’ duties, interpretation of articles of association.
• Advising and representing administrator of estate of her French spouse as to issues arising from proceedings in Thailand challenging the validity of her marriage, and criminal and civil proceedings in Switzerland, allegations of improperly and dishonestly obtaining a grant of administration of the estate in the BVI, advice as to actions to be taken in Hong Kong, Singapore and BVI to obtain information about the assets in the estate and as to a potential challenge to the trust structure in BVI and to appointment as administrator.
• Advising a lender as to liability for procuring a breach of contract and unlawful means conspiracy arising from implementation of a proposal to remove valuable assets from an operational company upon the disposal of a well-known London hotel.
• Re Dishoom Ltd – acting for the majority shareholders in this complex unfair prejudice petition combined with proceedings seeking specific performance of buy-out provisions in a shareholders’ agreement, alleging breach of a good faith provision.
• Amarenco Solar Ltd v Sustainable Development Capital – providing an opinion to the Irish Court in proceedings for an injunction to restrain a winding up petition, including whether the defendant had substantial grounds to dispute a debt arising under an agreement for the provision of corporate finance services in connection with a renewable energy development project.
• Advising various LLPs in connection with the operation of film finance agreements and as to obtaining an injunction against various banks to prevent payment out of monies that would trigger catastrophic multimillion-pound tax liabilities.
• Advising in a multi-jurisdictional dispute between high net worth individuals as to joint venture and loan agreements relating to the purchase, refurbishment and subsequent operation of a floating oil storage off-loading vessel in Thailand.
• Ahmad v Owadally – acting for parties to a joint venture in appeal against decisions reached on the taking of an account of profits, including issues of whether money found to have been the proceeds of crime should be brought into account.
• Andusia Recovered Fuels Ltd v GBN Services Ltd – claim for damages for non-delivery of recovered fuels, arising out of the closure of a European processing plant alleged to engage force majeure provisions in the contract.
• Luitpold Immobilienverwaltung v Huber & Grothe – acting for claimant in proceedings against judgment debtors to provide information about their assets, successfully seeking committal.
• Axle Holdings v Letter – a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of warranty against the vendors of shares in a luxury vehicle company with a sale price of $52 million.
• Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Ltd v Kamyab – acting for the bank in a claim to recover millions of pounds secured against various properties, where the defendant alleged that the properties had been put into trust.
• Vocational Health Services v BMI Healthcare – a claim by a consortium of doctors against a major healthcare provider in relation to a failed joint venture, alleging conspiracy.
• Garrard v Salter – a dispute arising out of a joint venture/partnership establishing a venture capital business.
• Acting for Flavio Briatore in claim brought by Italian fashion designer regarding alleged joint venture to establish a worldwide fashion couture business under the ‘Billionaire’ trademark.
• Acting for Vivian Imerman in a high-profile dispute with Robert Tchenguiz regarding the breakdown of a joint venture for purchasing and operating Whyte & Mackay, involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, breach of directors’ duties, dishonesty, taking of secret profits and unjust enrichment.

Download Commercial disputes CV

Professional liability

Tiffany has a well established reputation in the area of professional liability having been recommended in this field by The Legal 500 for many years, which describes her as “an incisive and bright silk”, “a first-rate advocate” and “very persuasive and adaptable on her feet”. She undertakes a wide variety of professional negligence work, whether acting for claimants or for the insured, in claims against solicitors, barristers, accountants, trustees, surveyors, construction professionals, finance practitioners (including pension advisers) and insurance brokers.

Much of her work in this area is property or trust related but she also has experience of a variety of cases with a financial services element including claims arising out of poor investment advice or mis-selling and other related actions requiring analysis of the performance of investments for the purpose of assessing damages.

Examples of casework:

• Defending a barrister in claim relating to the alleged negligent conduct of litigation in which the underlying claim in unjust enrichment failed.
• Defending a barrister in claim for alleged negligent advice in relation to planning enforcement notices and alleged negligent handling of civil litigation and of criminal proceedings that arose because of  breach of those notices. Succeeded in having claim struck out late 2023 after non-payment of security for costs.
• Advising property developer as to claim for negligence against solicitors who did not advise as to the importance and effect of new insolvency legislation that had been introduced permitting companies to enter into restructuring plans.
• Advising purchasers of substantial industrial development as to issues arising from failure to register the purchase as a result of negligence of conveyancing solicitors, registration taking place in the name of a third party, complex questions whether rectification of the land register available.
• Acting for HSBC in proceedings alleging dishonest assistance in a breach of trust and negligence following misappropriation of substantial trust assets by a customer of the bank.
• Advising and representing claimants in numerous different claims regarding solicitors’ negligence in conveyancing transactions including failure to report onerous lease terms, failure properly to report on terms of a guarantee, failure properly to advise as to terms of sale contracts and rent review clauses, failure to register an option to purchase; and advising and representing clients in associated rectification proceedings.
• Acting for potential claimant in anticipated proceedings against tax advisors for negligent advice in relation to the establishment of LLPs and changes in capital profit- sharing ratios resulting in a tax liability of over £2.5 million.
• Acting for potential defendant solicitors in anticipated group litigation arising out of the release of deposits held as stakeholder on real estate transactions.
• Acting for solicitors in a claim brought by landlord of a leisure park alleging negligent drafting of a lease by failing to include in the calculation of rent the income of subsidiaries and licensees who also operate from the park.
• Acting for Cayman Islands attorneys in a claim arising out of alleged negligent handling of complex trust litigation.
• Representing a firm of investment advisers in proceedings brought by a beneficiary of a trust alleging that negligent financial advice had been provided to the trustees.
• Creative Horizon v Scott Fowler – acting in group litigation for a group of 60 overseas investors who paid deposits for the purchase of flats yet to be built in England, seeking damages from the solicitors who advised and alleging a failure to warn about the risks of the transactions.
• Orientfield Holdings Ltd v Bird & Bird [2017] EWCA Civ 348, and [2015] PNLR 33 – acting for solicitors in a claim alleging negligence in the course of the purchase of a residential property worth £25 million by failing properly to advise the client as to the contents of a “Plansearch”. The case at first instance was listed by The Lawyer as one of the top 20 cases of 2015.
• Pannikov v Taylor Williams Daley & Mishcon de Reya – acting for claimants against building surveyors and real estate transaction lawyers in a claim arising out of alleged negligent advice and drafting in relation to the purchase of a redeveloped property.
• Advising a former director/shareholder in relation to the negligent drafting of an agreement for his exit from the company.
• Acting for the owner of a retail development in a claim against its solicitors for failing to advise it properly as to service of a notice under an agreement for lease.
• Advising solicitor defendants in lost litigation claim involving complex questions of loss of a chance.
• Advising a major institutional investor as to potential solicitors’ negligence proceedings arising out of its investment in a large well-known shopping centre.
• Advising and representing insured clients in various disputes arising out of allegedly negligent conveyancing and drafting of leases, including rectification claims, and negligent property surveys and valuations.

Download Professional liability CV