Chancery: Traditional | UK Bar

5 Stone Buildings is one of the pre-eminent traditional chancery sets in London and is notable for its strength and depth. A source says that the set has "an impressive depth of knowledge and experience in relation to a whole range of chancery matters”. Its barristers are highly sought after in the higher courts and continue to be instructed in high-profile and complex disputes, such as Guest v Guest, a Supreme Court case that provided crucial guidance on the approach to relief in proprietary estoppel. “5 Stone Buildings is the go-to set for high-value and complex trust and probate work”, concludes a source, who continues: “They have an excellent range of expertise from juniors to silks. 5 Stone really have strength in depth in this area: they are the go-to set for inheritance disputes.”

Serle Court has an impressive reputation in the market for its handling of high-value Chancery work. Multiple barristers at the chambers have continued to be involved in the largest ever Bermudian trust dispute, Wong v Grand View PTC & Ors, which relates to five Bermudian purpose trusts containing assets worth over USD15 billion. Other recent major cases handled include SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Ltd v B & Ors, a trust restructuring matter valued at nearly USD1 billion, and Equity Trust (Jersey) Ltd v Halabi,ITG Ltd v Fort Trustees Ltd, a landmark dispute before the Privy Council on the law of insolvent trusts. “Serle Court is a first choice for the juiciest pieces of Chancery litigation”, remarks an interviewee, adding: “There is nothing you can throw at them that they can't find a way through.” Another source appreciates the approach taken by barristers throughout the set: “I have always found their case analysis, commercial judgement and responsiveness to be excellent.”

Ten Old Square remains a premier set for handling trusts, probate and estates matters. The bench strength at the set is highlighted as a particular asset, with one interviewee commenting: “The set has a strong set of barristers who between them are able to advise on the full range of chancery matters.” An impressed source echoes this, adding: “They are truly a specialist set for this sort of work, and a 'go-to' for high-value or complicated trust or probate litigation. Within that team they certainly have breadth of knowledge.” Barristers at the set have been involved in several high-profile matters recently, including the Del-Curto v Del-Curto matter, an international case concerning whether Italian forced estate succession rights could be enforced in England. Other matters handled include Gorbachev v Guriev, a case concerning two Russian billionaires, and Dawson-Damer v Grampian Trust Co Ltd, a large breach of trust claim in Bermuda.

Wilberforce Chambers has an impressive group of barristers who handle complex disputes surrounding trusts and estates, and demonstrate multi-jurisdictional knowledge of the law. “Undoubtedly a leading chambers for complex trusts issues, it is very strong across the board and has great people from baby juniors to leading silks”, comments a source. Members of the set appeared in a number of significant matters of late, including Byers v Saudi National Bank, a Supreme Court knowing receipt constructive trust case. Other matters undertaken include National Westminster Bank plc v Ludlow Trustees Ltd and Coutts & Co v Ludlow Trust Co Ltd, a case concerning the largest ever transfer of trusteeships, from NatWest, RBS and Coutts to a new trustee company.As one interviewee said: “All the counsel here handle matters with ease, and provide prompt and practical advice. The set offers expertise in all relevant areas and can assist with the most complex, multi-faceted disputes.”

XXIV Old Buildings is an established and highly respected traditional chancery chambers. “It has some of the very top contentious trust specialists in the field, who regularly advise on the most complex international matters”, comments one source. Another states that “the set's members are able to get to grips with factually difficult cases quickly and act promptly to protect our clients' interests”. Chambers is noted for its depth of expertise in offshore matters and its ability to tackle complex commercial cases. Recently, its members have been acting in the high-profile Wong v Grandview matter, which concerns a major Bermudian trust dispute. They have also appeared in Goodrich v AB (Project Bear), a matter concerning the impact of human rights on the interpretation of trust instruments.

The strong team of silks and juniors at New Square Chambersregularly handles a wide array of traditional chancery matters, including trusts, wills, estates and probate matters. Members often appear in the Court of Appeal, and recently acted in Sangha v Sangha, a case looking at revocation clauses and due execution of wills, which concerned the succession to an English estate worth £11 million. Other individuals at the set appeared in Re Bala (Deceased), a matter concerning the severely disabled daughter of a London property magnate, which is now one of the leading authorities on competing 1975 Act claims. “New Square Chambers has a fantastic collection of experienced private client practitioners”, comments one market insider, who continues: “I have always found them to be clear and commercial.”

Radcliffe Chambers has a large group of respected traditional chancery practitioners. “This chambers is extremely well known and respected within this area of work and is experienced in dealing with extremely complicated and legally technical matters. Radcliffe has barristers available at every level of call”, says an interviewee. Individuals here are particularly notable for their work on wills and probate matters, and continue to act in Clitheroe v Bond, a contentious probate claim that is significant due to its analysis of the continuing application of the Banks test. Other matters handled include AG v Zedra Fiduciary Services, a case concerning what to do with National Fund, a charity set up by an anonymous donor in 1928 with the aim of accumulating the income of the fund until it was large enough to extinguish the National Debt.