05 July 2022 - Article
Stephen Richards
Partner
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.
Track record
Admissions
Publications
Memberships
Talks
Stephen Richards, along with Alexandra Dix, acted for the successful claimant 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.
Stephen, together with Ceri Vokes and Olivia Turner, set aside a previous transfer of shares into an Isle of Man trust structure, which mistakenly resulted in adverse tax consequences. Working with Isle of Man advocates we also advised on making the relevant arrangements for minor and unborn beneficiaries. Read the Judgment here.
Stephen together with Paul Hewitt acted for the charity in RSPCA v Sharp & Others [2010] in which the Court of Appeal unanimously upheld the RSPCA’s case that its benefactor, the late George Mason, had intended his estate to pass free of inheritance tax. Click here to read our summary of the case and click here read the Judgment.
England and Wales, 2004
‘Finance and Law for the Older Client’, Legal Capacity chapter in Tolley’s
The Institute of Legacy Management
‘Probate Disputes and Remedies’, Court of Protection chapter in Jordans
Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists
Charity Law Association
‘Court of Protection update’, Simon Gore - June 2017
‘Deputyship masterclass’, 39 Essex Chambers Court of Protection conference - June 2017
Global Family Office’s Successful Succession seminar - November 2014
Me in a minute
I think that in many ways being a cyclist is like being a litigator.
Education
Languages
- English