Court of Protection: Property & Affairs

David Rees KC is an expert in matters that concern incapacity and elderly clients. He is noted for his unusual expertise in international and cross-border Court of Protection work that challenges the court's jurisdiction, and for handling cases that analyse orders made by foreign courts. He is sought after for high-profile cases with substantial damages, particularly by the Official Solicitor.

"David is absolutely a star. Everything there is to know, he knows; the phrase 'encyclopaedic knowledge' doesn't do him justice!"

"David's known nickname is Mr Court of Protection - he has more experience than anyone else and is the best known silk for this work."

"David is without doubt the leading counsel for Court of Protection work."

Ruth Hughes is instructed most frequently by the Official Solicitor and handles cases involving statutory will applications, deputyships and divorce, among other things. She is well known for her work in cross-jurisdictional property and affairs matters, and has handled international matters arising under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. She is additionally instructed in high-value cases with a significant personal welfare element.

"Ruth is an amazing academic who will go to the ends of the earth for the most obscure point of law."

"It is an absolute pleasure to instruct Ruth. She engages quickly with the issues and is keen to ensure that she understands the wider implications of an outcome."

"She is the queen of court of protection work."

"She has excellent advocacy and her drafting is super."

Barbara Rich is a top-class Court of Protection barrister who has great experience in high-value, complex cases. She is also an expert on probate, the validity of wills and the administration of estates and trusts. She has additional expertise in dispute resolution.

"She is so knowledgeable and experienced."

Mark Baxter is an active Court of Protection barrister who handles a number of complex cases as part of his wide chancery practice. He has broad spectrum experience including disputed deputyships, contested statutory wills and trusts.

"Mark puts forward a very persuasive and sympathetic case."

Penelope Reed KC is a top-class silk whose extensive chancery experience informs her excellent Court of Protection practice. She has been involved in numerous high-value, complex applications in the Court of Protection. She is instructed by an impressively diverse client base encompassing charities, vulnerable individuals and families.

"Penelope is very highly respected, very approachable and involved in high-profile cases."

Tracey Angus KC has a broad practice that encompasses contentious probate, trusts and all sides of Court of Protection work, including health and welfare as well as property and affairs. She is instructed by a broad range of clients, including charities, individuals and the Official Solicitor. She brings her forensic grasp of trust law to assist in cases of negligence.

"Tracey's advice and guidance is invaluable."

Alexander Drapkin is an impressive junior with broad experience in the Court of Protection encompassing statutory will applications, attorneyship disputes and the exercise of trust powers. He is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor to intervene in the affairs of incapacitated individuals.

"Alexander is a pleasure to work with. He is happy to give clear and pragmatic guidance. He is a confident advocate and appears to have the confidence of the court."

"He is efficient, practical and an innovative thinker."

Sarah Haren KC's broad chancery practice encompasses both non-contentious and contentious work, and she is experienced in probate, inheritance claims and trusts matters. Haren has received instructions from a range of sources, including the Official Solicitor. She is also frequently called upon to act in disputed property, gift and statutory will applications.

"Sarah is an all-rounder. She is technically thorough, her analysis is outstanding and she is calm, empathetic and clear."

William East is well known for the breadth of his experience in chancery matters and is frequently involved in cases concerning statutory wills and contested deputyships, some of which are highly complex and involve challenging clients. He is often sought out to act in cases involving financial negligence.

"William's immediate grasp of the complex matter and its background, and his subsequent assessment of merit and strategy was very impressive."

"He is a clear, calm and considered adviser. He is good at taking a collaborative approach and reducing the temperature in highly charged, contentious proceedings."

Eliza Eagling is a talented junior barrister who is frequently instructed in cases relating to contentious trusts, undue influence and inheritance disputes. She acts for a broad range of clients, including the Official Solicitor, family members and professional deputies.

"She is very diligent and engaging, and comes off as having more expertise than her years."

"Eliza is super. She is efficient and great at drafting."

Hugh Cumber is a well-known junior barrister who is regularly instructed in both contentious and non-contentious cases. He represents a broad range of clients including individuals and the Official Solicitor.

"Hugh provides excellent, technical advice."

Jordan Holland has a thriving Court of Protection practice and receives a significant number of his cases from the Official Solicitor. He is active in a variety of Court of Protection matters, ranging from statutory will applications to disputes over deputyships. He offers pragmatic advice regarding the management of both domestic and international assets.

"Jordan is exceedingly bright and quick. He is a fearless negotiator and advocate who is not afraid to stand his ground in the face of an aggressive opponent."

"He is absolutely super; an excellent advocate. He is brilliant with tricky dynamics."

Mathew Roper is an active Court of Protection practitioner experienced in acting on a range of matters relating to financial deputyships and statutory wills. He has represented deputies, the Public Guardian and Official Solicitor.

"He is technically excellent and strong on his feet."

Michael O'Sullivan is a noted junior with a wealth of experience in Court of Protection applications who is also adept at handling trusts and probate matters. He is also well known for his professional negligence practice and is often instructed in complex and high-value disputes, including those concerning large landed estates.

"Michael is extremely good - very experienced and a great advocate."