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Stephen is the European Regional Division Leader for the trust, estates and inheritance disputes team and the family team, and a partner in the trust, estate and inheritance disputes team. He also co-heads the Withers' mental capacity and vulnerable persons team.
Stephen advises a range of clients (private individuals, beneficiaries, trustees, executors, deputies, attorneys and charities) in relation to disputes, often involving international and cross-border issues, about succession / inheritance, capacity and trusts.Stephen has particular expertise advising on situations concerning lack of capacity and vulnerable adults, regularly acting for applicants and respondents in the Court of Protection. The importance of these issues, both in the UK and elsewhwere, is highlighted in Stephen's article for Tatler. Stephen also regularly advises in relation to investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian.
In his trusts and succession work, Stephen advises on challenges to the validity of documents (including wills), beneficiary disputes, issues of construction and rectification of wills and deeds, constructive trust and proprietary estoppel claims, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and professional negligence claims involving estate planning, trust and succession issues.
Stephen has spent time at the Official Solicitor's Department on secondment.
Directories describe Stephen as "clever and tenacious" and "a strong combination of iron fist and velvet glove."
Recent recognition
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Me in a minute
I think that in many ways being a cyclist is like being a litigator.
I love cycling. Since I joined Withers over 15 years ago I have cycled to work virtually every day. Cycling in London can be great fun but you have to have your wits about you. It is not just a case of plodding along, you need to not only use your eyes and ears, you must have a strong sense of direction. It is not only about your current position, but looking ahead and anticipating what might happen. You need to be able to react quickly and decisively.I think that in many ways being a cyclist is like being a litigator. It is vital you appreciate all angles, not just what is in front of you. Anticipation is everything. It is not just about the next move, it is about the next two or three moves. How can you achieve your desired outcome and deal with the various obstacles in your way? Finding even the narrowest of opportunities can make all the difference to where you want to get to.