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Private Wealth Disputes Legal Services
Each family has its own unique dynamic and when conflicts arise, they are rarely driven by financial considerations alone.
We specialise in handling all varieties of domestic and international disputes for families and private wealth professionals. We tailor our advice and work hard to achieve practical, long-term solutions that meet your needs.
We act for private individuals, family businesses, trustees (both individuals and trust companies) and other fiduciaries, such as executors, protectors, deputies and attorneys. We also have particular experience acting for charities in relation to disputes that arise over testamentary gifts. Our priority is building a strong relationship with you and ensuring we work in partnership alongside you.
A large proportion of our work for our clients involves assets located in multiple jurisdictions, often held in private wealth structures offshore. We are able to draw on the firm’s international expertise in succession, trust, tax and divorce law matters. We also regularly work in collaboration with our clients’ other professional advisers throughout the world, advising on English law issues and co-ordinating worldwide litigation.
Our private wealth disputes law expertise
Many of our practitioners are recognised as leading experts in their field, with particular expertise in:
- Domestic and international trust disputes
- Wills and succession disputes
- Disputes over trust assets on divorce
- Professional negligence claims concerning the administration of trusts and estates
- Court of Protection and mental capacity issues
- Disputes over works of art and cultural assets
- Worldwide asset-tracing and recovery, injunctions and freezing orders
- Tax related disputes
We have expertise in resolving disputes over works of art and cultural assets whether for private owners, trusts, charities, governments, museums, dealers, auction houses, artists’ estates, artists or creators.
We also specialise in handling disputes and investigations for our clients across all areas of tax. This includes not only HMRC disclosures and enquiries, but also litigation before the courts and tribunals, advising on the scope of HMRC’s powers, remedying unsuccessful planning and tax-related professional negligence.
International Private Wealth Disputes
As private wealth becomes more global and family dynamics more complex, disputes will inevitably arise.
Meet our private wealth dispute lawyers
Industry recognition for our immigration lawyers
They are among the very best contentious trusts and probate teams in the field. They have quality at all levels. Associates at CRS are the equivalent of partners in many firms.
The Charles Russell Speechlys contentious trusts and probate practice team is one of the go-to London firms to work with. They are experienced, commercial and pragmatic in their approach."
Charles Russell Speechlys and its lawyers have demonstrated a very strong level of expertise and have helped us enormously. Everyone within the team seems well informed and cognisant of what is happening at any given time."
Charles Russell Speechlys is a leading player in this field, with a large team able to handle large pieces of international litigation."
Family law and trusts
A series of videos in which experts from our Family, Private Wealth Disputes and Tax, Trusts and Succession teams discuss the relationship between trusts and family proceedings.
Our awards
Related pages
Tax Disputes & Investigations
Handling disputes and investigations for you across all areas of tax.
Art & Luxury
Our specialist lawyers help collectors, creators and curators protect the value of the objects they love.
Family
We help you plan for the future, for your relationship and your children. Our approach is humane, sophisticated and pragmatic.
Reputation Management
Our team of experienced media dispute specialists is highly attuned to advising private individuals on ‘reputation management’ issues.
Charities & Philanthropy
Charities come in all shapes and sizes, we know your strengths and limits and can help you to grow and evolve.
Private Wealth
We enable people to make the most of their wealth now and in the future. No other private wealth law firm has the scale, reach and breadth of services.
What's important to you is important to us. Let's talk
If you would like to speak to a member of our Dispute Resolution team or to find out more about how we work, please get in touch.
More private wealth disputes articles
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Tamasin Perkins writes for IFA Magazine on risks arising from the intersection of family wealth and commercial lending
Tamasin Perkins
In the Press
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Conway v Conway: Proprietary Estoppel, Family Promises and the Limits of Informality
Maddie Dunn
Insights
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Marcus Yorke-Long comments in Spears on the mediation of family wealth disputes
Marcus Yorke-Long
In the Press
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Peter Smith writes for TL4 Middle East Magazine on the rise of arbitration in private wealth disputes
Peter Smith
In the Press
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Agricultural law review 2025/2026: Key cases and legislation in 2025 and what’s ahead in 2026
Maddie Dunn
Insights
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Agricultural policy review 2025: Key changes and what to expect in 2026
Maddie Dunn
Insights
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New Cryptoasset Reporting Framework (CARF) implemented - how might it affect you?
Vadim Romanoff
Quick Reads
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Cobden v Cobden: the Court of Appeal revisits exceptional circumstances and “proprietary estoppel-ish” equity on dissolution of a farming partnership
Cora Hardy
Insights
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Peace on Earth (or at least the Estate): Managing Family Farming Business Disputes Effectively
Karin Mouhon
Insights
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Promises and probate: when is “detriment” worth the family farm and what happens when a promise is only relied on for a defined period?
Matthew Clark
Insights
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LIIARC Tax Investigations Uncovered: Legal Tactics, Courtroom Trends & Strategic Remedies
Caroline Greenwell
Events
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Amendments to the Non-Contentious Probate Rules in force from today
Jessie Davies
Quick Reads
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Maile v Maile – Assurances and Detriment Under the Microscope in Family Farm Claims
Maddie Dunn
Insights
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The Daily Telegraph quotes Tamasin Perkins on the rise in families challenging ‘invalid’ wills
Tamasin Perkins
In the Press
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Fireworks, livestock, and liability: what risks and duties do farmers and event organisers need to be aware of?
Maddie Dunn
Insights
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Old Michaelmas: Where Folklore Meets Fields, Fairs and Fine Print
Maddie Dunn
Insights
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Resolving cross-border trust disputes via arbitration and mediation
Thomas R. Snider
Insights
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Tamasin Perkins and Thomas Snider write for Trust Quarterly Review on the role of arbitration and mediation in resolving cross-border trust disputes
Tamasin Perkins
In the Press
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Planting Trees Today for Tomorrow’s Farms: New guidance, what a "Mast Year" is and why that matters in 2025
Maddie Dunn
Insights