Lloyd is a litigation lawyer specialising in probate and estate disputes with particular expertise in the agricultural sector. His practice covers mediating and resolving contentious trust, estate and probate disputes, advising on professional negligence claims against executors and trustees, and advising on Court of Protection disputes across a broad range of issues.
Lloyd represents professional trustees, lay trustees, beneficiaries, fiduciaries and their advisers in addition to charities and HNW individuals.
Lloyd is a very measured, bright and clever litigator.
Chambers HNW Testimonial
Lloyd has excellent client relations and understands the practice area well.
Private Wealth Disputes client
Junor is very good; he has a very calm sense about him, such that you know you are in trusted hands.
Private Wealth Disputes client
Lloyd is a pleasure to work with. He is very practical but combines this with sophisticated legal analysis.
Chambers HNW Testimonial
He is an excellent trusts and estates lawyer. His compendious knowledge is reassuring to clients during emotionally trying times.
Chambers HNW Testimonial
I have been particularly impressed by Lloyd Junor. I found him to have real expertise in the subject matter of the disputes we worked on together, coupled with a practical and client-focused approach to litigation.
The Legal 500 Testimonial
Expertise
- Will disputes
- Trust disputes
- Proprietary estoppel and constructive trusts
- Rectification and construction claims
- Inheritance Act claims
- Attorney and LPA disputes
- Professional negligence claims
- Court of Protection disputes
- Agricultural and disputes linked to farms
Experience
High Net Worth
- Acted for a Dubai VHNW individual alleged to have breached his fiduciary duties in respect of a non-UK estate, in which domestic and Sharia Law principles applied. Secured a worldwide settlement of claims in the client’s favour.
- Acted for the attorneys of a businessman in respect of a negligence claim concerning a failed multi-million-pound Isle of Man tax-savings scheme.
- Acted for a client in a proprietary estoppel claim concerning the gift of shares in a substantial family company.
- Acted for a beneficiary of a substantial family trust (c.£20m) which concerned claims for damages in negligence against advisers to the trustees, and which included complex tax issues. The matter was resolved upon a successful application for rectification in the High Court, securing the client’s interests.
- Advised on a matter concerning the demand for disclosure of English wills to Swiss authorities.
- Advised family members of a wealthy businessman on securing their interests under a will and avoiding any potential challenge to the gifts under it by a former partner.
Rectification and Construction
- Acted for the principal defendant in Brooke v Purton [2014] EWHC 547 (Ch) – the first reported decision on construction and rectification of a will following the Supreme Court ruling in Marley v Rawlings, securing the client’s interests in the trusts under the will.
- Acted for an executor concerning the interpretation of the terms of a gift under the will to various charities, made problematic by a missing letter of wishes, and which necessitated Counsel’s advice on the construction and potential rectification of its terms.
- Acted for the executors of the estate of a wealthy businessman who had left gifts of his business interests to his housekeeper which were incapable of being put into effect. The matter concerned the proper construction of its terms, and the issues were successfully resolved by negotiation.
Will Validity
- Acted for defendant beneficiaries, all US citizens, in relation to a claim to challenge the validity of the deceased’s last will on grounds of testamentary incapacity, want of knowledge and approval and undue influence. The challenge by the deceased’s stepchildren was successfully compromised before the issue of proceedings.
- Acted on a will validity dispute concerning a Sussex farm valued c.£6m – settled by mediation and secured the client beneficiaries’ interests under the will.
- Acted for beneficiaries in a claim to challenge the validity of a will involving allegations of fraud, forgery and dishonest conspiracy which was successfully settled before proceedings were issued.
- Acted for the executor of a c. £1.2m estate, to recover misappropriated assets held by the deceased’s attorney (when acting under an LPA ) and in respect of which such funds had been mixed with the attorney’s funds/assets, securing the recovery of the funds.
Inheritance Act Claims
- Acted in a 1975 Act claim on behalf of children, via their litigation friend in proceedings in the High Court Family Division. The claim concerned the recovery of assets that were moved out of the deceased’s estate shortly before his death. The claim also included a novel issue as to the interplay with the insolvency legislation. The estate was an estimated £2–3m and substantial provision was secured for the children’s needs.
- Acted for the spouse in a claim against her late husband’s estate (c.£2.5m), to secure housing provision and assets for her needs. The husband’s estate included French assets and business assets in England. Proceedings were issued in the High Court Family Division and successfully concluded by negotiated settlement.
- Acted for the claimant in a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 against the estate of her former partner, who died suddenly during the Covid lockdowns. The client’s claim was made as the long-time cohabitee or dependent of the deceased. Proceedings were issued in the High Court Family Division and later successfully settled, securing provision for the client’s needs.
Trust Disputes/Agricultural Estates
- Acted for a trust corporation in a multi-party dispute regarding their beneficial interest in a c.£2.5m farm. The claim concerned allegations of breach of trust and a claim for an account. The claim was ultimately settled, achieving recovery of the client’s interest.
- Acted on a will validity dispute concerning a Sussex farm valued c.£6m, settled by mediation and secured the client beneficiaries’ interests under the will.
- Acted for a farming couple of a c.£3m farm in a proprietary estoppel and constructive trust claim against them, securing a settlement on a nuisance basis of the claim at mediation.
- Acted for the co-owner of a £3–£4m farm with his brother, with a complex history of inheritance and use (and misuse) of farm assets, which involved issues surrounding company law as well as farm business tenancies, rights of access and the development value of part of the farm, which required significant third-party expert advice. The matter included consideration of proceedings under TOLATA 1996 for an order for sale of the farm and directions as to the proceeds of sale.
- Acted for the trustee and beneficiary of a c.£3m farm held in trust. The matter concerned a dispute regarding the co-trustee’s (who is also a life tenant) occupation and use of the farm and failure to properly manage the farm assets as regards agricultural tenancies, grazing licences and the development of farm property. Advised the client trustee on their obligations in relation to securing the trust assets and on an application to have the co-trustee and life tenant removed for breach of duty.
- Acted for a Guernsey resident beneficiary concerning a breach of trust claim and removal of trustees in respect of property held in the UK, ensuring the trust property was secured and sold for the beneficiary.
- Acted for the trustees of a £6m family settlement of a farm, in respect of a challenge to the trustees’ exercise of their dispositive powers to make a distribution of trust assets.
Court of Protection
- Acted for a Deputy in proceedings brought against her brother to recover misappropriated assets and which concluded by settlement under the terms of a statutory will.
- Acted for an attorney in defending claims against her incapacitated husband which involved claims by his brother to property, based on constructive trust and/or mistake and forgery of the trust deeds. The matter was also in the First-tier Property Tribunal and was resolved by complete withdrawal of the claim in favour of the client following a negotiated settlement.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recommended by Chambers HNW (2018-2024) for South: Private Wealth Disputes
“A highly regarded trusts and estates practitioner, praised for his knowledge as well as client skills.”
Chambers HNW 2024
“Lloyd has excellent client relations and understands the practice area well.”
Chambers HNW 2023
“Lloyd Junor is very good; he has a very calm sense about him, such that you know you are in trusted hands.”
Chambers HNW 2023
“Lloyd Junor is really good with strategic decision-making and can discern what is important for clients.”
Chambers HNW 2023
“He is very good, he understands the technical issues and gives very sensible advice.”
Chambers HNW 2021
Lloyd Junor “is clearly a highly respected individual within the contentious trust and probate field.”
Chambers HNW 2021
“Lloyd is very precise and technical in his approach.”
Chambers HNW 2021
“He has a commercial, pragmatic approach – he sees what will achieve the best outcome for the client.”
Chambers HNW 2020
Recommended by The Legal 500 (2021-2023) for Contentious Trusts & Probate
“He is very good, he understands the technical issues and gives very sensible advice”
The Legal 500 2023
“Lloyd is very precise and technical in his approach.”
The Legal 500 2021
“Lloyd is a very able, measured and technically accomplished practitioner.”
The Legal 500 2020
Member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)
Member of STEP Special Interest Group for Contentious Trusts.
Career
Lloyd qualified as a solicitor in 1997. Prior to joining Keystone Law, he worked at the following firms:
- Adams & Remers LLP
- Thomas Eggar LLP (now part of Irwin Mitchell)
- Bircham Dyson Bell LLP (now BDB Pitmans)