Leslie is one of the country’s foremost chancery barristers with experience of appearing in front of the highest courts in wills and trusts cases. He has over 30 years’ experience of conducting contentious probate litigation, comprising:
- Disputes as to the validity of wills
- Proper administration of estates and will trusts
- Forfeiture of rights on death, and relief from forfeiture
- Inheritance Act claims
- Claims in respect of estates arising from informal agreements and proprietary estoppel
Leslie has recently been identified as the only QC ranked as a leading professional adviser to the Private Wealth market (outside London), where he is featured in the High Net Worth Guide 2021.
Leslie has a superb reputation for his handling of complex chancery matters, including proprietary estoppel, Inheritance Act 1975 cases and trusts disputes. ‘If you were looking for a leader in the chancery world, he is a go-to,’ states a solicitor, and another source says that ‘for all things chancery he is an absolute standout.’ ‘Leslie is a very strong all rounder,’ observes a commentator, adding: ‘He is excellent with lay clients, explaining things patiently with appropriate empathy, his written advice is clear and comprehensive and watching him in full flight in court can be majestic to behold.’ ”
CHAMBERS UK, 2021 HIGH NET WORTH FEEDBACK
He has appeared in a number of high profile proprietary estoppel cases including Davies v Davies (2014 and 2016) (the ‘Cowshed Cinderella’ case, both at trial and on appeal twice); McDonald v Rose (2017) a £5 million claim against substantial family business; Habberfield v Habberfield (2018) (representing the claimant at trial who was awarded £1.15 million from her parents, and recently (2019) successfully defending the award on appeal in the Court of Appeal) and Gee v Gee (2018) (where he represented the successful claimant at trial).
Amongst the higher profile cases Leslie has been involved in is Re Challen (2020), where relief from forfeiture was obtained for a wife convicted of her husband’s manslaughter after being subject to years of his coercive control; and the Barry Pring litigation, which concerned a claim for forfeiture of the interest of the wife of a man who died in unusual circumstances in Ukraine.
He has also lectured on these topics to both regional firms and at local Law Societies.
Appointments:
- Member of the Editorial Board of The Conveyancer and Property Lawyer
Professional memberships:
- Chancery Bar Association
- PEBA
- Property Bar Association
Qualifications & awards:
- MA (Oxon), Hardwicke and Jenkins Scholar of Lincolns Inn (1982)
