Stephen is a partner in the trust, estate and inheritance disputes team.
He advises a range of clients (private individuals, beneficiaries, trustees, executors, deputies, attorneys and charities) in relation to trust, succession/inheritance and Court of Protection disputes, often involving international and crossborder issues.He regularly advises on challenges to the validity of wills, 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.
He has particular expertise in proceedings before the Court of Protection, where he frequently acts for both applicants and respondents in applications for statutory wills, lifetime gifts, contested registrations of powers of attorney, deputyships and health and welfare decisions. Stephen regularly advises in relation to investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian.
Stephen has spent time at the Official Solicitor's Department on secondment.
Recent recognition
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.