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Deborah is a senior associate in the trust, estate and inheritance disputes team.
Deborah has over 10 years' experience advising clients on trust and estate litigation. Her experience encompasses challenges to the validity of wills and trusts (particularly where mental capacity is an issue), the removal of trustees and protectors, Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims and proprietary estoppel claims.Deborah is a member of the firm's Elder Law Team and advises on contentious Court of Protection matters, including statutory wills, lifetime gifts and applications concerning attorneys and deputies (such as investigations into the conduct of attorneys and applications for their removal/replacement).
Deborah regularly advises charity clients on some of their most challenging and high value legacy disputes.
With a proven track record of handling significant and complex cases, including Bond v Webster & Others (successfully overturning a professionally drafted will) and High Commissioner for Pakistan in the United Kingdom v Prince Muffakham Jah and Others (acting for His Exalted Highness Nizam VIII of Hyderabad in a dispute with India and Pakistan over £35 million frozen at NatWest Bank for over 70 years) Deborah brings a wealth of experience and a nuanced understanding of both domestic and international estates. Her work frequently has an international, multi-jurisdictional element and she has recently advised clients in matters involving England, Singapore, California, Florida, France, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Deborah also has specific expertise in advising on estates involving the application of the forfeiture rule.
Deborah co-authors (with Dawn Goodman) the chapter on 'Authority to Trustees to Incur Costs of Litigation' in Tolley's Administration of Trusts. She is also a member of ConTra (the Contentious Trusts Association), ACTAPS (the Association of Contentious Trusts Professionals) and London Solicitors Litigation Association.
Deborah also has specific expertise in advising on estates involving the application of the forfeiture rule.
Deborah co-authors (with Dawn Goodman) the chapter on 'Authority to Trustees to Incur Costs of Litigation' in Tolley's Administration of Trusts. She is also a member of ConTra (the Contentious Trusts Association), ACTAPS (the Association of Contentious Trusts Professionals) and London Solicitors Litigation Association.