Hunters Law LLP

hunters-solicitors.co.uk

Alexandra Sarkis

Alexandra qualified with May, May & Merrimans in 1984, becoming a partner in 1987. She was joint head of department at Hunters from 2015 to 2020, and is now a consultant with the firm. Alexandra’s entire career as a qualified solicitor has been devoted to private clients. She is known for her expertise in the fields of estate planning, trusts and Wills, and advises a number of important landed estates, with associated heritage property.

Partner and leading expert in both domestic and international family law. Amy is a well-seasoned lawyer specialising in complex child-related cases with serious welfare considerations, including high-conflict disputes, parental alienation, domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, safeguarding issues, and medical treatment.

Partner with significant experience in divorce and finance cases which often involve complex trust and company arrangements with an international dimension. Amy is regularly instructed to deal with cases of exceptionally high value and complexity, often for high-profile individuals. In addition, she has experience in unusual Children Act work, such as cases where the courts’ inherent jurisdiction is invoked, and where guardians are appointed. She also litigates property disputes between unmarried couples and prepares pre and post nuptial agreements.

Partner in private client department. Charlotte's areas of work include: estate, tax and succession planning including advice as to appropriate structures to hold and pass on wealth, mitigation of capital taxation, planned giving strategies, creation, reorganisation and termination of trusts, wills, administration of estates, post-death planning, powers of attorney and capacity issues.

Partner dealing with a wide range of contentious issues with particular expertise in complex disputes relating to trusts and probate. David also regularly advises on residential and commercial property disputes as well as claims for negligence against professional advisors.

Dominik Opaliński

Partner, dealing with all aspects of charity law, particularly the business of charities, and not-for-profit organisations, specialising in the development of social enterprise schemes for the benefit of communities in the UK and abroad, fundraising campaigns, trustees’ investment powers and fund management. Dominik has extensive knowledge and experience in establishing not-for-profit organisations including charities providing them with practical advice and guidance with a commercial steer.

Partner and head of the family department dealing with all aspects of family law, in particular matrimonial finance, prenuptial agreements, often of very high value, and private law children work.

Ian Layzell-Smith

Partner specialising in commercial and agricultural property work primarily for landed estate clients. Ian has particular experience in dealing with the sale of land for development including the grant of development options and promotion agreements, and also in mines and minerals and the letting of land for renewable energy projects.

James Vernor-Miles

Partner specialising in Property and Landed estates work. He also has extensive experience in acting for Charity Trustees and Commercial Property clients for whom he advises regularly in connection with the sale, lease, purchase and development of land. James advises a number of charities on matters other than property. His clients include professionals, high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, property investors, agricultural land owners and landed estates, private and off-shore trustees, charities, residential property management companies, and professional practices.

Partner in the family department. Jo has broad experience of the complex financial aspects of divorce proceedings, dealing with cases exploring issues of inherited assets, trusts and company law, as well as advising on wealth protection pre-marriage – including pre-nuptial agreements. In addition, she advises on disputes concerning children and on the issues surrounding cohabitation and other forms of family breakdown.

Julia has strong trusts expertise and a particular interest in landed estates and heritage property. She has extensive experience advising on succession planning, trusts, wills, powers of attorney and probates. Her clients include landed estate families, business entrepreneurs and “Middle England” clients, most of whom are UK resident and domiciled, but often with international exposure. She is a trustee of a number of her clients' trusts and charities.

Partner in the private client department specialising in wills, trusts, administration of estates, capital tax planning, powers of attorney and court of protection matters.

Partner in the private client department, specialising in will and trust drafting, tax planning and probate.

Partner and joint head of private client department specialising in tax planning for both UK and non-UK individuals and trusts, will and settlement drafting, post death tax planning and domicile and residence issues.

Partner specialising in wills and estate planning, trusts and related tax issues, and probate.

Partner and head of the private client department, Matthew specialises in wills, trusts, administration of estates, and capital tax planning, as well as mental capacity and Powers of Attorney.

Partner in the family department. Olivia is a talented family lawyer with extensive experience in complex cases, including child abduction, protection, surrogacy, and fertility law. She is also an expert in domestic abuse and coercive control.

Richard Kershaw

Partner specialising in matrimonial and family work, particularly complex financial proceedings and urgent children related-work. Richard's cases are often complex and high in value, and draw on his expertise in trusts, overseas assets and property ownership. He is frequently instructed to obtain injunctions, both financial and for his clients’ personal protection. In addition to his Family work, he has a complementary litigation practice with a primary focus on relationship generated trust and inheritance act disputes.

Vanina Wittenburg

Senior Associate in the private client department specialising in wills, administration of estates, trusts and powers of attorney. Vanina undertakes a wide range of private client work, including drafting wills and trust documents, the preparation and registration of lasting powers of attorney, the preparation of applications for probate, the administration of estates and trusts (including dealing with HMRC in relation to inheritance tax, capital gains tax and income tax), and providing tax and estate planning advice.

Wilfrid Vernor-Miles

Partner in, and joint head of, the private client department specialising in tax and estate planning, trust creation and administration, wills and probate. Wilfrid's practice often involves complex international elements for high value, multi-jurisdictional families and ownership structures. In addition to his wealth structuring and planning work he has a complementary practice in the formation and administration of UK and international charities and charitable trusts.