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Professional Biography

Alison leads the contentious trust and estate team advising a range of clients (private individuals, trustees, other fiduciaries and beneficiaries) on succession, probate and trust disputes. Many of the disputes have international and cross-border aspects involving jurisdictions such as Cyprus, Belgium, Russia, Canada and BVI. They range from domicile and administration disputes, to will challenges, breach of trust claims and applications for the removal of trustees and executors. Alison also has extensive experience in advising on claims under the Inheritance (Family and Dependants) Act 1975, applications to rectify or vary wills and professional negligence issues in relation to trusts and estates.

What is your favorite restaurant to take a client or colleague to?

If I tell you I'll have to kill you.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Everyone makes mistakes – own them and learn from them.

What was your first job?

Working as a waitress at a racecourse in Johannesburg – good for tips (of both kinds).

What is the book you recommend to everyone?

Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang or I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes.

What changes do you expect to see in your practice over the next year?

I expect to see an increase in disputes involving international issues as well as capacity issues.