Trust disputes

Trust disputes arise in a number of contexts, not all of which are actively contentious, including:

• Breach of trust and removal of trustees
• Disputes about trustee powers and duties
• Claims against the validity of a trust, including mistake
• Disclosure of trust documents and accounts
• Applications to vary a trust or for directions of the court
• Disputes between trustees or with beneficiaries
• Third party claims or attacks upon the trust (for example upon the divorce of a beneficiary)
• Negligent legal or tax advice when the trust was set up.

Decisions on whether trustees should get involved in disputes and how they should pursue them carry potentially serious personal cost consequences for trustees. Our team has experience in dealing with disputes in all of the above circumstances and many more.

We also work closely with our specialist Wills, Estate & Tax Planning team, and with our Trust Management experts, and advise on preventative measures that can be taken by clients to try to avoid trust disputes.