Stephen Richards

Trust, estate and inheritance disputes team, with a special focus on Court of Protection matters.

Partner. 

Stephen heads the trust and succession disputes team at Withersworldwide.  He advises a range of clients (individuals, beneficiaries, trustees, fiduciaries, executors and charities) in relation to trust, succession, inheritance and Court of Protection disputes and investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian.  The majority of Stephen's cases involve cross-border issues as highlighted by Re MN, the first reported Court of Protection cross-border welfare dispute.  Stephen advised in the long running litigation concerning the estate of the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky.

He regularly advises on bringing and defending claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Families & Dependants) Act 1975 and challenging/defending wills alongside other succession disputes.  Stephen also advises international, national and local charities/not for profit organisations on defending their legacy income.