Mediation has a strikingly high success rate – recent statistics indicate that 92% of mediations settle on the day or shortly afterwards. It delivers bespoke outcomes and is quick, affordable, informal, and flexible.
- Client Quotes
“St Johns has a very strong Chancery team and excellent clerks. Their barristers are expert, approachable, down to earth and offer London expertise at regional rates.”
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What we offer in wills and trust disputes
Contentious probate and trusts disputes continue to increase in number and St John’s Chambers offers a range of trained mediators who are experienced in mediating every kind of contentious probate and trusts disputes. Our mediators are happy to and have conducted mediations in person, remotely (by video and telephone), by hybrid means, both nationally and internationally.
Our expertise
Our mediators have an excellent understanding of the legal basis of contentious probate and trust disputes and have appeared in a number of the leading and recent cases, such as Hughes v Pritchard (weight of evidence of will draftsman in testamentary capacity cases), Larsen v Annan (adult children 1975 Act claims), Oliver v Oliver (undue influence), and Legg v Burton (mutual wills). They are also familiar with the needs of the parties and their advisors in the different environment of a mediation rather than a courtroom.
Our mediators bring empathy and understanding to difficult personal and legal disagreements and use their skills to facilitate constructive discussions between the parties towards a compromise that everyone can agree on. Mediations can be undertaken in evaluative or facilitative styles as appropriate.
Why mediation
Contentious probate and trusts disputes particularly lend themselves to mediation for many reasons. Usually there is a limited fund which is the object of the dispute which can be rapidly depleted by the parties’ legal costs. Often there are personal dynamics which are better resolved by agreement rather than being affected by the court imposing a decision. And the process is usually quicker than it takes to reach a trial and judgment.
The court and judges are keener than ever to ensure that the parties have explored ADR before reaching trial. The most recent updates to the Civil Procedure Rules will give the court the power to penalise parties in costs if they do not attend an ADR appointment without justification, including mediation.
Testimonials
- Alex Troup KC: “Patient and persuasive. Thorough knowledge of the issues. Keeping his sense of humour. Spent sufficient time with each party listening to their point of view and then towards the end being bullish with parties in order to achieve a settlement on the day.”
- Adam Boyle: “Adam’s kind and sensitive approach was fantastic. He successfully navigated the parties to reach an amicable conclusion despite the odds being stacked against him. I would definitely utilise Adam’s services in the future.”
- John Dickinson: “Thank you very much again, especially on behalf of ….. for your exemplary conduct of …. mediation. Your calm and friendly efficiency, in our difficult circumstances, made us feel welcome, ensured that the proceedings were conducted with promptness, efficiency and confidentiality, and we’re grateful that this contributed to a satisfactory compromise within the time you’d allocated (just!).
Our mediation facilities
Our mediators are happy to travel to other venues, but Chambers regularly hosts mediations in our own suite of rooms for no additional charge. We have excellent, modern and fully equipped, scalable conference facilities. Our main conference room can comfortably house up to 24 people and we offer a number of smaller rooms to suit varying sizes of mediation teams. Video conferencing is available along with high speed WiFi, and all necessary catering and refreshments can be provided.
Our clerks offer efficient administrative support to ensure that your mediation is handled smoothly from start to finish.
Arranging a mediation – next steps
Our mediators charge a fixed fee for mediating, whether for a whole day, or for longer or shorter sessions. You will find that our rates are highly competitive. Please contact our clerks to discuss fees.
Our mediators are always pleased to talk informally about potential or upcoming mediations, and are well placed to offer guidance on sensitive issues such as process design, engagement and preparation. Do get in touch if you would welcome a conversation and we will arrange for one of our team to talk to you.
Once a mediation is booked we will provide a timetable for the preparation and exchange of paperwork. In appropriate cases our mediators will offer a pre-mediation online meeting with each team separately (without additional charge); usually this will take place shortly before the mediation.
Contact
For further information or to discuss a suitable mediator for your dispute, please contact Robert Bocock.
Wills & Trusts Mediation Team
Directory Quotes
St John’s Chambers is highly esteemed on the Western Circuit for its expertise in traditional and commercial chancery work. They are the leading chambers for contentious probate matters.”
Excellent chancery and probate team stands out on the Western Circuit, with members offering a wide range of expertise.”
Highly esteemed on the Western Circuit for its expertise in traditional and commercial chancery work. ‘Consistently provide well-balanced, clear and commercially-minded advice.'”
One of the main strengths of the chambers is the communication skills of the clerks, which ensure that expectations are managed and that levels of service are met.”
St John’s Chambers is highly esteemed on the Western Circuit for its expertise in traditional and commercial chancery work. The set is ‘very capable with a specialist, expert team of barristers who are all helpful and skilled and keep their knowledge well updated.’ “
The set’s clerks are very helpful, prompt to reply and very easy to work with. They are swift in responding to instructing solicitors and act as a sensible, seamless and proactive conduit between the barristers and their instructing solicitors.”
St John’s Chambers is an excellent contentious trust and probate set with ‘a very strong Chancery team’, housing members who rival London counsel in ability and experience.”
St John’s Chambers is highly esteemed on the Western Circuit for its expertise in traditional and commercial chancery work. ‘There is a real depth in their chancery practice,’ says one source. The set assists with contentious will and trusts disputes, property disputes and Court of Protection matters, as well as professional negligence claims. It is also well known for its expertise on high-value agricultural land disputes. Sources say it is ‘an approachable and effective set, with individuals who are knowledgeable and invariably keen to support.’ “
The clerks are really helpful, always come back to you and genuinely show interest in the case. ‘They have a friendly clerking team, which makes it easier to get work sent across to them and hearings and other matters booked in the relevant barristers’ diaries.’ “
St John’s Chambers is “a standout chambers for chancery work.” The barristers are held in extremely high regard on the Western Circuit for both their traditional and commercial chancery expertise. The set is able to handle everything from complex property litigation and trusts disputes, to professional negligence claims. Members are frequently instructed in cases concerning valuable agricultural land. One source enthuses: ‘I cannot recommend the chambers and individual counsel enough. They are friendly, accessible and build a phenomenal rapport with instructing solicitors and the client. The language used in their advice is clear and understandable, which is welcomed and praised by clients.’ “
The clerking service is amazing. They are very quick to respond and very proactive. ‘The clerks at St John’s are excellent. They respond to emails extremely promptly and are on the ball when it comes to fee estimates and turnaround times.’ “
Home to a large team of commercial practitioners who are instructed in a wide range of cases including professional negligence and breach of contract claims. The set also reports a substantial increase in the number of wills and trusts-related instructions received in the past year, with the set being praised by solicitors as ‘the go-to chambers outside London’ for this area of work.”
Resources
Client Quotes
“The go-to set for traditional chancery work, both in the South West and arguably nationally: they give London a run for their money: London quality, without London fees.”
“St John’s Chambers are a regional set with a number of experienced Chancery barristers and mediators. They are well known and respected on the western circuit. Although a regional set, they have a wealth of experience on par with London sets.”
“St Johns has a very strong Chancery team and excellent clerks. Their barristers are expert, approachable, down to earth and offer London expertise at regional rates.”
Seminars & Events
- Past Event
Beneficial interests in property: TOLATA and more
Venue: St John's Chambers - Past Event
STEP contentious probate seminar
Location: St John's Chambers, 101 Victoria Street, Bristol - Past Event
Vulnerable testators and will writing
Venue: Howden
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