Oliver Riley - Family & Divorce

Oliver is a private family, trusts and estates barrister, and offers advice, drafting and advocacy services within his areas of specialism. Oliver is also a qualified mediator.

He is regularly instructed on behalf of both applicants and respondents at all stages of the financial remedies process, and in respect of applications brought under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. He appears in applications pursued under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989, particularly where these applications proceed alongside ongoing disputes in respect of finances. Oliver also has considerable experience in cases involving the proposed relocation of children, both within and outside the jurisdiction.

Oliver has a particular interest in trust disputes and is regularly instructed on behalf of claimants and defendants in disputes over property ownership under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. Given his extensive experience with cases involving financial remedies, he is frequently involved in intervenor disputes over the beneficial ownership of property as a preliminary issue within family proceedings. He also accepts instructions in estate disputes, most frequently in relation to proprietary estoppel, contested wills and claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Oliver is an affiliate member of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Oliver completed his pupillage at 5 Pump Court in London and joined St John’s following the successful completion of a third six pupillage under the supervision of Zoë Saunders. While continuing to practise from Chambers in Bristol, Oliver has recently relocated with his family to Cardigan in West Wales; consequently he is keen to develop relationships with practitioners in the West and South West Wales areas.