Track record
Mercy killing and relief from forfeiture
In 2023, Paul and Alexandra Dix acted for Withers Trust Corporation in the estate of Adrian Berry, securing full relief from the forfeiture rule in the light of the tragic circumstances. Mr Berry had assisted in the death of his terminally ill wife, before taking his own life. As a result of the relief granted, Mr Berry's estate receives the benefit of his wife's estate, such that all their assets pass to their intended charity, free of inheritance tax. Click here to read the judgment and here to read our briefing note.
Out of depth executor removed
In Klein v Adler and Klein, Alexandra and Paul Hewitt acted for the successful claimant, Mrs Klein, in an action to replace the executor with an independent administrator, the Deputy Master holding that there had been a ‘real failure to progress the administration’ resulting in part from her lack of modern technological ability which served to emphasise why she was ‘not a suitable person to carry through the administration of the estate’.
Widow allowed to bring claim record-breaking 26 years out of time
Alexandra, along with Paul Hewitt acted for Mrs Bhusate in her claim for financial provision from her late husband’s estate more than 25 years after her husband passed away. Despite the lengthy delay (the previous record of just under six years was set in 1993) Chief Master Marsh ordered that Mrs Bhusate’s claim should be allowed to proceed. Click here to see his judgment. In January 2020, reported at [2020] WTLR 691, the High Court upheld Chief Master Marsh's decision (the appeal judgment is here) meaning Mrs Bhusate's claim could proceed. Shortly after the defendant stepchildren conceded the claim. Click here to read our briefing note.
Claim to have been treated as a child
In Wells v Chorus Law and Others [2018], Alexandra and Paul Hewitt acted for the successful defendants in the first 'child of a single parent family' 1975 Act claim following amendments to the legislation in 2014. The Judge agreed that the deceased had never treated the claimant (his former neighbour, twenty years his junior) as part of his family. She was therefore refused permission to bring a financial provision claim. Click to read our briefing note on the case.
Succession dispute
Alexandra, along with Stephen Richards, acted for the successful claimants in Tish v Olley & Others [2018], where the judge agreed with their interpretation of the will. Click here to read our briefing note on the case and here for the judgment.
Talks
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'Charities - how they should respond to 1975 Act Claims; & Defining persons treated as a child of family: lessons from the Family Division and their application to the single parent family in Wells v Chorus Law', ACTAPS Annual Seminar - April 2019