United Kingdom - Northern Ireland • Private client
Cleaver Fulton Rankin
The ‘efficient and responsive’ Cleaver Fulton Rankin team is active for high net worth clients in the full range of matters. The group has further expertise in the administration of private and charitable trusts. Team lead Michael Graham is a past chair of the Northern Ireland branch of the society of trust & estate practitioners, and has expertise in tax, the administration of estates, and issues affecting elderly clients. Jonathan Forrester has strength in contentious matters, including proceedings to remove executors, breach of trust claims, and inheritance tax. Timothy Rankin is noted for his expertise in the operation of trusts. Associate director Brid McColgan is a key name.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'I find the Cleaver Fulton Rankin private client team unique in Northern Ireland, with a dedicated team dealing exclusively with private clients wills, trusts, long term care planning and probate.'
- 'I have dealt with Michael Graham, Timothy Rankin and Brid McColgan whom I find very knowledgeable, approachable and conscientious.'
- 'Great team who are always very efficient and responsive with their work. Appear to work well together, covering projects successfully.'
- 'Friendly, efficient and professional.'
- 'CFR are a highly respected large legal practice in NI and have a brilliant reputation. I deal mostly with the private client team, who have extensive knowledge in this area.'
- 'Tim Rankin and indeed Michael Graham are both highly respected as experts in their field and are always able and willing to help with advice for clients on all aspects including trusts, establishment of trusts and inheritance tax.'
- 'Technically competent, easy to deal with and great with clients.'
- 'Michael Graham and Timothy Rankin are excellent ambassadors for the firm and are always quick to respond to any queries raised.'
Key clients
- The Esme Mitchell Trust
- The Blackburn Trust
Work highlights
- Administration of the Esme Mitchell Trust, an NI-based charitable trust worth over £8 million, that makes grants to projects of a cultural or artistic nature.
- Administration of the Blackburn Trust, an NI-based charitable trust worth over £300,000 that awards grants to charitable bodies with a particular interest in the support of the family, including parenting initiatives and work with women and children under 12 living in Northern Ireland.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading individuals
Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Jonathan is the Managing Director of Cleaver Fulton Rankin specialising in real estate litigation, construction disputes, disputes about Wills and Trusts and commercial litigation. Jonathan is especially adept at handling high value class actions in property disputes. Cases have ranged from a multi million pound class action on behalf of 66 residents of a housing development, to acting in a dispute between joint venture partners in connection with a landmark commercial property, which settled for a sum in excess of £100m. He has also developed a strong reputation in the area of probate and trust litigation. In particular, he regularly acts for major charities in proceedings concerning the validity of wills, Inheritance Order claims, construction summonses and rectification proceedings. He has previously been described by Legal 500 interviews as ‘a truly excellent litigator’, who provides ‘excellent litigation advice’. Jonathan is also a keen proponent of alternative dispute resolution and has successfully completed the alternative dispute resolution and mediation training provided by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Jonathan has published several articles on a variety of legal issues in the Northern Irish Press and Business magazines, including the Belfast Telegraph, Business First and the Institute of Legacy Management newsletters. He has also given presentations to numerous local businesses and NICVA.
Next Generation Partners
Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Timothy is a Director in the Private Client department. He specialises in the drafting and administration of wills, trusts and estates as well as dealing with capacity issues such as Controllership and Enduring Powers of Attorney.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Michael Graham