Leo is an Associate in the firm's Private Wealth Disputes team. He specialises in disputes related to wills, trusts and estates, and advises beneficiaries, trustees, executors and administrators on complex contentious issues. His work comprises both domestic and offshore matters. He also has experience in appellate litigation, having assisted the successful appellant in one of the leading cases on the requirements to prove that a will was obtained as a result of undue influence and/or fraud.
Key Experience
- Acted for the claimant/appellant in the case of Rea v Rea [2024] EWCA Civ 169, successfully defending counterclaims to set aside the testatrix’s will for undue influence, fraudulent calumny, testamentary capacity, and lack of knowledge and approval.
- Acted on a family business dispute concerning the beneficial ownership of land. The case involved establishing a constructive trust under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.
- Advised a beneficiary of an estate on an application for her appointment as a sole administrator of the estate where other equally entitled beneficiaries were also applying to become administrator.
- Acted for the sole beneficiary and administrator of an estate on a proprietary estoppel and constructive trust claim brought by the partner of the deceased.
- Advised unmarried individuals on separation, and bringing and defending claims for beneficial interests in the former home of the parties.
Career History
Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Solicitor, Britton and Time Solicitors
Trainee Solicitor, Britton and Time Solicitors
Paralegal, Britton and Time Solicitors
University of Law, Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship
Uniuversity of Sussex, Law with Internal Relations LLB