Contentious trusts and probate

Macfarlanes LLP

The ‘Rolls-Royce team’ at Macfarlanes LLP has ’endless experience of big cases.’ It is a go-to firm for high-value and complex disputes for high-net-worth families, individuals, trustees, and family offices. It receives a very steady flow of instructions on disputes involving some of the largest trusts and estates, which often hold prominent businesses, substantial properties, as well as large cash and investment portfolios. It acts for individuals and institutions from around the world. Practice head Charles Lloyd is ‘the doyen of the contentious trusts world. He is completely unflappable and exudes confidence’. Jonathan Arr is a ’superstar’ who is an experienced litigator in England and offshore. Elizabeth Doherty covers a wide range of trust and estates disputes both domestically and internationally. She frequently advises on claims for breach of trust and matters such as Public Trustee v Cooper applications. Jacob Ward is regularly involved in large-scale international mandates.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Quite simply, they have it all. They have superb technical abilities, and clients feel absolute commitment to their cases. They are also fun to work with, relatable, and the quality of work is second-to-none.’
‘Charles Lloyd is just brilliant. Incisive and utterly fearless. Jacob Ward is a standout with fantastic technical knowledge. He is a great communicator and absolutely on top of the detail. I'd have him on my side anytime.'
‘Jonathan Arr has a great team working for him who are all clearly loyal and consistently talented focused and hardworking. Jonathan and his team have helped build a great relationship with our team which makes the challenging and complex environment also enjoyable.’
‘Jonathan Arr as lead partner, supported by Emma Cohen, has been excellent. As well as being great at their jobs they are a pleasure to deal with and have made us feel so well supported in a particularly unpleasant environment.’
‘Charles Lloyd, Jonathan Arr and Elizabeth Doherty offer a unique and diverse team addressing all possible complex trust and probate situations. They are very professional and approachable alike, a true pleasure to work with.’
‘Charles Lloyd is avuncular and yet a master strategist and litigator. Elizabeth Doherty has razor intellect and is incredibly personable.'
‘Charles Lloyd is a senior statesman. Unflappable, wise, calm, and possessed with tremendous judgement. Elizabeth Doherty is smart, energetic, sensible, and with a keen sense of what matters.’
‘Elizabeth Doherty is ultra smart, commercial and client focussed with an excellent eye for strategic issues and a real pleasure to work with.'

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