Contentious trusts

Our team of specialist Contentious Trust lawyers operate from our London, South Coast, Thames Valley and Cardiff offices. Our Contentious Trust lawyers have considerable expertise in advising on complex trust disputes both in relation to onshore trusts and offshore trusts, involving multi-jurisdictional aspects from jurisdictions including the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, BVI, Gibraltar and Cayman Island trust.

Our Contentious Trust lawyers work in tandem with and draw on the expertise from our Private Client and Tax teams. We advise on both lifetime and post-death trusts assisting beneficiaries and trustees in all aspects of trust disputes. We recognise that this is a highly technical area requiring sensitive handling as disputes are often between family members unfamiliar with trust law.

Arrange a call with one of our experts

Main areas of practice

Our expert contentious trust lawyers are experienced in advising beneficiaries and trustees on all aspects of trust disputes including breach of the fiduciary duties, removal of trustees, the validity, creation and administration of trusts and the winding up of trusts.

Validity of trusts

Our contentious lawyers are experienced in advising on whether a valid trust has been created, the wording and interpretation of the trust deed, the rectification or variation of the trust, or whether it is subject to fraud or a sham.

Beneficiary disputes

Our contentious trust lawyers are able to advise beneficiaries on claims relating to the administration of trusts and their entitlement under it, including claims against trust for breach of duty, claims for the removal of trustees, and claims for an inventory and an account.

Trustee disputes

Our contentious trust lawyers can provide expert advice to trustees. Such advice includes advising trustees in relation to their fiduciary duties, disclosure requests by beneficiaries, and/or requests for an inventory and an account. We can also advise on how to deal with claims against trustees for breach of their fiduciary duties, and/or claims to remove them as trustees. Furthermore, we are able to assist with claims for or against third parties, including claims for Beddoe relief to protect trustees against personal liability for costs.

Our clients

We act for private individuals as settlors, protectors, trustees and/or beneficiaries of local and foreign trusts. We also act for trust corporations and professional trustees and take appointments as professional trustees.

Clarity of thinking, ability to listen to the facts of the case and offer quick informed advice.
- Legal 500, 2026

Blake Morgan's solicitors have very strong technical knowledge. They have the ability to see the wood for the trees.
- Chambers High Net Worth, 2025

Blake Morgan gives clear communications, excellent explanations and its advice is very well tailored to our needs.
- Chambers High Net Worth, 2025

"This firm has a burgeoning reputation in this field, with some impressive practitioners. I have been particularly impressed by their practical and commercial approach to cases."
- Legal 500

The quality of their work is excellent.
- Legal 500

Blake Morgan offer excellent knowledge and are very responsive.
- Chambers & Partners High Net Worth

Highlights

Successfully acting for a beneficiary of a discretionary trust for a clam for disclosure from the trustees and to recover the costs of the claim (Benjamin v Benjamin & Anor [2024] EWHC 215 (Ch)).

Successfully acting for an executor in removing himself and his fellow executor and appointing an independent administrator, in denying his fellow executor of his indemnity from the estate, and in obtaining his costs on an indemnity basis (Leaker v Leaker).

Successfully acting for a residuary beneficiary of an estate at mediation in challenging the last will of his partner, who left the majority of his estate to the testator’s sister two weeks before he died.