Natasha is a methodical thinker who prepares thoroughly for trial. On her feet she is fast, but particularly comes into her own in closing arguments.  Her written work is also very thorough but most importantly when working together on a matter, she is always available to talk something over on the phone.”

The Legal 500 2024, Chancery, Probate and Tax

Natasha has extensive experience of wills, trusts and probate matters. This includes: applications for the removal of personal representatives and/or trustees, breaches of trust and of fiduciary duty (including dishonest assistance and knowing receipt), claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, construction and rectification, trusts disputes concerning property interests, devastavit, estate administration disputes, insolvent estates, proprietary estoppel, will validity challenges (formal and substantial validity) and Quistclose trusts.

Natasha has a particular interest in rectification claims, will validity challenges, applications for the removal of executors, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, estate administration disputes and claims concerning disputes over beneficial interests in property i.e. proprietary estoppel, resulting trust and constructive trust matters. She also has considerable experience of claims involving allegations of physical and/or sexual abuse.

Natasha is regularly instructed as sole counsel on matters of significant value from pre-action through to trial or mediation. She is Deputy Head of the Commercial Team and so is well-placed to advise on matters involving an overlap between the commercial sphere and contentious probate. Natasha is often involved in disputes concerning partnerships and insolvency. She is a contributing author to LexisPSL in respect of Restructuring & Insolvency.

Natasha has been published in the Trusts and Estates Law & Tax Journal several times and has also undertaken the ACTAPS professional development course.

Some examples of Natasha’s cases are:

  • Advising on an appeal in respect of a claim for removal of a personal representative who was obstructing estate administration.
  • A construction and rectification claim on the basis of clerical error concerning Section 33(2) of the Wills Act 1837. The law firm which had drafted the will was added for cost purposes and instructed a silk. Also involved allegations regarding sham trusts.
  • A will validity challenge in relation to an estate initially considered to be worth c. £4.5m but which was discovered to be a potentially insolvent estate. Allegations concerned lack of capacity, want of knowledge and approval, undue influence and lack of due execution. Natasha secured orders for indemnity costs from discontinuing claimant in respect of the claim and recovered 100% of the costs in respect of an application for security for costs.
  • Advising on a claim by an estate regarding beneficial interests in a property and whether it constituted partnership property in circumstances where there had been a change of partners.
  • Advising on potentially negligent will drafting as regards charitable gifts and charitable trusts.
  • Advising on indemnity and subrogation in respect of a guarantee provided to an individual who had since died and had been declared bankrupt during her lifetime.
  • An erroneous claim by an estate in respect of the beneficial ownership of property held by a company.
  • A claim under the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 and the Presumption of Death Act 2013 where missing individual had left a suicide note.
  • A claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 in circumstances where eligibility was disputed and the deceased had transferred over £1m to Pakistan with HMRC yet to make a determination as to whether they were failed investments or taxable lifetime gifts.
  • Acting on a complex breach of trust and knowing receipt claim involving 9 parties which was listed for a 10 day trial.
  • A claim by a beneficiary for the removal of personal representatives (Baston v Osment & Fox & others [2021]) whereby Natasha secured an order that the executors pay her client’s costs and an order that both executors (lay and professional) were denied their indemnity from the estate.
  • Appearing in joined trials heard in the Chancery Division of the High Court (Scott v Allen [2019]; Smith, Binns & Clarke v Scott [2020]). Natasha acted for the successful administrator in a claim concerning the presumption of revocation, propounding for a will and an application for his removal. Natasha also represented him in a claim for an account and a declaration as to ownership of property, the main asset being secured in the interim as a result of her application for a freezing injunction in the sum of £625,000.
  • Appearing in Sollis v Leyshon & Leyshon [2018] EWHC 2853 (Ch) – complex trial concerning breach of trust, duress, proprietary estoppel, resulting trusts, unconscionability, undue influence and unjust enrichment.
  • Interpretation of a will involving handwritten amendments and the use of correction fluid in respect of a £1.7m estate.
  • Advising on intimated will validity challenges on the basis of lack of testamentary capacity, lack of knowledge and approval and undue influence.
  • Representing trustees in relation to a vexatious litigant who was appealing numerous orders such that a CRO was obtained.
  • A proprietary estoppel, constructive trust and resulting trust claim where both proprietors had died resulting in two warring estates.
  • A claim involving a tenancy under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 in respect of 123 acres of land, an option agreement granted to a developer and a family will trust.
  • Advising on limitation and procedural issues in respect of an out of time claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
  • Claims based on constructive trusts, proprietary estoppel or resulting trusts (including ToLATA and those which involve Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989).
  • Acting as junior to Leslie Blohm KC in respect of the administration of the estate of a millionaire who died intestate in the Ukraine involving the issue of forfeiture. This case received national press coverage.
  • Advising trustees in respect of loss of historic documents by a renowned landscape architect.

Publications and Podcasts

Cases

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Directory Quotes

Natasha is a fountain of knowledge. She is very astute and is able to look at complex issues and break them down easily to determine the best strategy to meet a client’s needs. Natasha also always provides prompt and clear advice.”

The Legal 500 2024, Commercial Litigation

Natasha Dzameh is a commercial and chancery practitioner handling property, insolvency, wills and trusts disputes. She is regularly instructed in high-value and complex litigation. ‘Natasha’s technical expertise is phenomenal.’ ‘Natasha is excellent. She is really clear in terms of her advocacy, good on her feet and can be really forceful when needed.’”

Chamber UK 2024, Chancery

Natasha is a great go-to counsel for complex matters – very responsive and approachable. ‘Natasha has real technical brilliance, she is skilled at working through tricky cases and finding the best legal route to enable the client to achieve the desired outcome.’ ‘Natasha is excellent with the clients and able to put them at ease.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Chancery

Natasha digests the tricky elements of a case and plans out a robust, yet practical, strategy for resolving issues. She brings clarity and direction to a matter. Her advice is very astute.”

The Legal 500 2023, Chancery, Probate and Tax

Natasha has a great eye for detail and is very determined in her approach. She provides advice in a commercial way.”

LEGAL 500 2022, CHANCERY, PROBATE, AND TAX

Natasha is an absolute ball of energy. She is good in court and fights her case. She is very thorough and she thinks outside the box.”

Chambers UK 2022, Chancery

Her strong legal analysis and keen eye for detail allow her to offer concise and pragmatic advice.”

LEGAL 500 2021, CHANCERY, PROBATE AND TAX

Natasha will look at the bigger picture to provide the clients with clear but rounded advice. ‘She does not just consider one aspect of a case but takes all solutions and pathways into consideration. Always friendly and ready to discuss matters. Very pragmatic and approachable.“

CHAMBERS UK 2021, CHANCERY

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  • Qualifications & awards:

    • LLM International Commercial Law (Distinction), University of Nottingham
    • BVC, BPP
    • LLB Law (Hons), University of Hull
    • Bristol Law Society’s “Barrister of the Year 2017”
    • Istituto di Studi Economici e per l’Occupazione Scholarship
    • Ferens Scholarship

  • Professional memberships:

    • ConTrA
    • COMBAR
    • Chancery Bar Association
    • Professional Negligence Bar Association

  • Natasha Dzameh is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.