Speakers

Leslie Samuels QC

Leslie Samuels QC is an exceptional advocate and is held in high esteem for his expertise in children matters, financial remedies cases, and in inheritance and probate disputes. Leslie acts for a wide range of litigants, including relatives and local authorities, in Court of Protection cases involving welfare disputes or where there are financial issues arising from a loss of capacity. He has 30 years of experience as a barrister and took Silk in 2011.

In 2012 he was appointed as a Family Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit. In 2016 he was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge sitting as a s.9 Judge of the Family Division at the Royal Courts of Justice and across the country. He is an ADR qualified mediator and an IFLA trained arbitrator. Within Chambers he is Head of Family and Civil.

Jennifer Lee

Jennifer Lee is a specialist family law practitioner. She is regularly instructed in financial remedy cases involving family businesses, inherited wealth, nuptial agreements, and trusts. Many of her cases also involve foreign assets, tax complications, and cross-jurisdictional issues. She has appeared in high-profile reported cases, most notably in Veluppillai [2015] EWHC 3095 (Fam) (High Court) and in N v N (Afghanistan: Validity of an overseas marriage)[2020] EWFC B55.

Over the years, Jennifer has developed a strong interest in the Court of Protection, particularly where there are overlaps with divorce/financial remedy claims. She has appeared in cases involving applications concerning property and affairs, including those where family proceedings are afoot. She is also instructed in difficult cases concerning personal welfare, deprivation of liberty, and urgent medical treatment.

Jennifer leads the Court of Protection Team in Chambers. She acted for the successful applicant in DB v DW [2015] EWCOP 16, which involved competing P&A deputyship applications.

Jennifer was appointed as a Fee-Paid Judge of the Tax Chamber (FTT) in 2021. She continues to be ranked as a Leading Junior (Tier 1) in The Legal 500, and in Chambers & Partners (UK Bar).”

Julian Reed

Julian Reed practices in the areas of financial provision and civil law, particularly in areas where the disciplines overlap. Julian regularly appears in the Court of Protection and has handled cases before the Care Standards Tribunal. He appeared in RGB v Cwm Taf Health Board & Ors. [2013] EWHC B23 (Court of Protection, Moor J), and in respect of care standards, in Puretruce Health Care Ltd v National Assembly for Wales [2005] EWCST 544(EA-W). His practice also includes claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, contentious probate matters, including disputes over the validity of wills by reason of testator’s incapacity, the effects of undue influence, or the satisfaction of formal requirements.