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About
Provided by Alexander Learmonth KC
Practice Areas
Appointed to silk in 2021, Alexander Learmonth KC has a busy practice and an enviable reputation as a leading figure at the Chancery Bar.
His principal areas of practice are succession and trusts, both at home and abroad, having appeared in many major cases, at every level of court, including the first probate case ever to reach the Supreme Court, Marley v Rawlings.
He has particular expertise in relation to the law of mental capacity, both domestically in the Court of Protection and in the High Court, and abroad.
Alexander is also a recognised expert in the law of property, ranked by the Legal 500 for ‘Property Litigation’ and ‘Agriculture’, with several Court of Appeal decisions to his name.
He also regularly handles professional negligence claims (for claimants, professionals and insurers) arising in related fields, and has experience in dealing with the trust, property and succession issues arising in the context of Family proceedings.
Alexander won ‘Advocate of the Year’ at the prestigious STEP Private Client Awards 2020, having previously been named ‘Contentious Barrister of the Year by ACTAPS in 2015, and shortlisted for Chancery Junior of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2019. He then served as one of the Presiding Judges for the STEP Private Client Awards 2021 and 2022.
He is a certified mediator (IMI), having completed a CMC-accredited course in 2020. He is a great believer in mediation and other forms of ADR as a tool for resolving of succession disputes and brings his expertise to bear both when acting as mediator and when representing a party to a mediation to encourage mutually acceptable solutions.
Career
Called to the Bar in 2000; Appointed as Queen's Counsel in 2021.
Professional Appointments:
Chairman of the Young Barristers’ Committee for 2009; Bar Council from 2007-2009 and 2013-2014, sitting on Professional Practice Committee, providing guidance to the Bar on issues of professional ethics.
Alexander is also the Deputy Chancellor for the Diocese of Derby.
He also appeared as an expert commentator on ‘Inheritance Wars: Who gets the money?’ on Channel 5.
Professional Memberships
CBA – Chancery Bar Association (committee)
STEP – Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (full member)
ACTAPS – Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists
BBA – Barristers’ Benevolent Association (committee)
Ecclesiastical Judges Association
Publications
Alexander is editor of leading Sweet & Maxwell textbooks: ‘Theobald on Wills‘ and ‘Williams, Mortimer & Sunnucks on Executors, Administrators and Probate‘.
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Alexander Learmonth KC is recognised as a major presence at the Bar for his experience in trusts and succession matters. His practice encompasses significant offshore work and he often acts for trustees, beneficiaries and charities in high-value disputes.
Alexander Learmonth KC is an exceptionally well-known silk who is recognised for both his advisory and litigation expertise, and is regularly instructed in cases concerning disputed wills and trusts. He is particularly noted for his strong trial advocacy.
Alexander Learmonth KC is an active Court of Protection barrister who handles a number of complex cases related to property and affairs. He is adept at handling statutory wills and gift applications.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Alexander builds a good rapport with clients and delivers complex advice in an accessible way. He is a team player, who really rolls his sleeves up."
"Alex is easy to deal with and navigates complex technical issues in a straightforward way."
"He is a very technically adept barrister, who presents well. His reputation is one that commands respect."
"He is academic and very insightful on big cases."
"He's someone whom you can have confidence in, especially if you're faced with a complex matter. You can always pick up the phone, call him and feel comfortable and confident in his advice."
"Alexander is technically very bright and is able to advise on the most complex matters. He is user-friendly and easy to deal with."
"He is highly intelligent and excellent with clients."
"Alexander is great company and really hard-working. He's bright, articulate and very helpful."
"Alexander builds a good rapport with clients and delivers complex advice in an accessible way. He is a team player, who really rolls his sleeves up."
"Alex is easy to deal with and navigates complex technical issues in a straightforward way."
"He is a very technically adept barrister, who presents well. His reputation is one that commands respect."
"He is academic and very insightful on big cases."
"He's someone whom you can have confidence in, especially if you're faced with a complex matter. You can always pick up the phone, call him and feel comfortable and confident in his advice."
"Alexander is technically very bright and is able to advise on the most complex matters. He is user-friendly and easy to deal with."
"He is highly intelligent and excellent with clients."
"Alexander is great company and really hard-working. He's bright, articulate and very helpful."
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