Leon Sartin

"a very positive, talented guy"

"He is clearly bright and very analytical. He makes complex things appear straightforward."

Chambers UK (2013) Tax: Private Client

"bright and creative"

"quick to respond and is a pleasure to instruct."

Chambers UK (2013) Chancery:Traditional

"admired for his "considerable depth of knowledge and application," as well as his willingness to "think beyond the remit of his instructions."

Chambers UK (2012) Chancery:Traditional

"held in high regard by peers for his broad chancery practice, which has a particular focus on trusts, probate, tax and estate planning. Solicitors value him as he "offers good advice at an honest price."

Chambers UK (2012) Tax:Private Client

"a frequent visitor to the court, and someone whose advocacy is considered as impressive as his writing."

Chambers UK (2012) Court of Protection: Property & Affairs

"He has built a following based on his 'analytically rigorous' approach and far-reaching grasp of trust law"

"His 'user-friendly style' extends to matters of estate planning, probate and property disputes and he is marked out by many as a future silk"

Chambers UK (2011) Chancery : Traditional

"He enters the rankings this year [for Tax:Private Client] due to market praise for his expertise on trusts, tax and estate planning, inheritance and family provision matters"

Chambers UK (2011) Tax:Private Client

“His commitment to his client's cause is duly noted”

'personable, practical and accommodating'

Chambers UK (2010)

'one of the best prospects in the field'

The Legal 500 (Private Client: Trusts and Probate)

Practice

Leon Sartin has a practice covering all areas of Chancery work, with an emphasis on trusts, pensions, probate, tax and estate planning, inheritance and family provision, real property and landlord and tenant and related professional negligence. He regularly advises on capital taxation and is experienced in drafting trust documentation. His work includes contentious disputes of all kinds involving trusts, estates, patients of the Court of Protection, real property and landlord and tenant.

Professional Reputation

Leon has been recommended as a Leading Junior for Tax:Private Client in Chambers UK (2011) and has maintained his place as a Leading Junior for Chancery:Traditional for the last 5 years. He is also named as a Leading Junior by the Legal 500 and Legal Experts for his Private Client:Personal Tax, Trust and Probate work.

Notable Cases

Leon's reported cases include:

• Hughes & ors v Bourne & ors [2012] EWHC 2232 (Ch) (a power of appropriation had been validly exercised with the consequence that beneficiaries were entitled, under the rule in Saunders v Vautier, to direct the trustees how to deal with the trust's shareholding)
• Lilleyman v Lilleyman [2012] EWHC 821 (Ch) [2012] 2 FCR 171:  [2012] WTLR 1007 (“big money-short marriage” Inheritance Act claim), [2012] EWHC 1056 (Ch) (costs) [2012] WTLR 1033

• In the matter of the Wedgwood Museum Trust Ltd (in administration), Young & ors v Attorney-General & ors [2011] EWHC 3782 (Ch) [2012] Pens LR 175, [2012] WTLR 913 (ownership dispute over museum collection)

• Fine v Fine, 21/5/12 (rectification of deed of appointment)

• Maskell v Denham & UBS Pension Trustees [2010] LTL AC9200991 (spousal by-pass trust set aside on grounds of mistake)

• Franks v Sinclair [2007] WTLR 439) (probate action in which plea of want of knowledge and approval was successfully raised);
• Clarke v Brothwood [2006]All ER (D) 207; EWHC (Ch) 2939 (rectification of will);
• Mausner v Mincher [2006] EWHC (Ch) 1283 (costs of probate action);
• Re F [2004] 3 All ER 277 (registration of enduring power of attorney);
• Elvidge v Coulson, The Times, 27 August 2003 (distribution of assets of friendly society).

Professional Memberships

Leon is a member of Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP),the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS), and the Chancery Bar Association.

Publications and Lecturing

Leon is co-author with James Kessler QC of the 11th edition of Drafting Trusts and Will Trusts. He lectures regularly on tax, trusts, wills and probate.