Member Profile
James Lister
Partner, Head of Private Wealth Disputes | Stevens & Bolton
Office Location: England and Wales
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Top Specialisms
Dispute Resolution or Arbitration
Estates: Contentious
Trusts: Contentious
Connect
Professional Biography
James specialises in private wealth disputes, dealing with trust, estate and succession matters within the UK and internationally. James also deals with disputes where trusts and private wealth issues are involved in wider commercial disputes, such as fraud and asset recovery. James advises on claims by or involving estates and trusts, most commonly involving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. He acts for executors, trustees and beneficiaries, and also specialises in advising on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. James also has a substantial practice advising on claims overlapping the trusts and family court jurisdictions, dealing with trustees and beneficiaries who have become involved in divorce proceedings and on issues arising from the enforcement and implementation of ancillary relief orders made in divorce proceedings.
Question : What drew you to specialise in private client law/ wealth advisory?
Answer: Working with people is always the highlight - I find it much easier to engage with the human side of our work.
Question : For lawyers entering private client law, what are key skills you think are essential?
Answer: EQ and people skills are everything. You can be the best technical lawyer in the world, but if you can't understand where your client is at and why they feel the way they do, you're nowhere.
Question : With the evolving landscape of the private client world, what are recent trends or shifts you are excited to explore?
Answer: The regulatory and legal framework around assisted dying and the ongoing law commission work into predatory marriage signals potentially colossal change for our area.
Question : Where is your favourite place to take a peer for a cocktail or coffee?
Answer: Indigo at One Aldwych. Sensational cocktails.