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. 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.’

  • ‘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.’

  • 'Elizabeth Doherty has razor intellect and is incredibly personable.'

  • '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.'

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Other key lawyers

Jonathan Arr, Elizabeth Doherty, Jacob Ward, Emma Cohen