James Russ

Associate

+441223222266

+447884814207

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What can I do for you

James is a solicitor in our specialist estate, trust and will disputes team. He advises clients on a wide range of issues, including:

- Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
- Will and probate disputes
- Claims for undue influence
- Claims in proprietary estoppel
- Applications under the Trusts of Land and Trustees Act 1996
- Trust disputes

He also advises clients in disputes relating to executors, attorneys and trustees.

What do others say

James is listed as a Leading Associate in the Legal 500, and is described as "is an-up and-coming star", "a strong litigator who fights hard to achieve exceptional results for his clients" and "the real thing". He is proud to be part of a team who are described as "'an extremely strong team with a national reputation for excellence" and "who are 'bright and conscientious and genuinely care about their clients"

Supporting your ambitions

Some of James’ recent highlights include:

- Assisting a client in bringing a claim against her deceased husband's estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The claim was settled at mediation, with the client receiving a six figure settlement.
- Successfully defending a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 brought by an adult child. The result allowed our client to retain the vast majority of the estate.
- Assisting a client in enforcing her rights against her late husband's estate in both England and Monaco.
- Advising a charity client in their capacity as the primary beneficiary of a large estate that faced two separate claims against it. Working with the client, a settlement was reached in both claims that preserved the majority of the client's entitlement.
- Working with a professional executor and trustee in their role as executor of a multi-million pound estate which faced claims from at least three different dependents of the deceased.

What else should you know?

James is a member of the Contentious Trusts Association.

Outside of work, he's a keen follower of cricket and is an associate member of the MCC. James also takes an interest in rural affairs, and has been a member of the Farmers Club in London since 2020.

MDN

What our clients say about us

“I think Mills & Reeve are a wonderful firm. The support they have provided to us in a really difficult area has been brilliant, collaborative and commercially minded. The team were absolutely wonderful and a joy to work with. Amazing advice and support and a real collaborative effort with us. I can't thank them enough for getting us through some really tough times and doing so with an amazing can-do attitude.”

“They are friendly, fast, always available and always on top of the game. I tend to judge my legal team against the other side's legal team and never doubt Mills & Reeve is the better of the two.”

“All interactions have been very clear. Responses to questions have always been very swift and unambiguous. Our company, and my family, have used various services in Mills & Reeve with the same level of satisfaction.”

“I value the fact that Mills & Reeve are recognised as a good place to work in the UK Best Companies survey. This aligns with the values of our business and means that Mills & Reeve can share what is required to achieve this status with our business.”

As many clients will testify, too many lawyers deliver the required legal expertise but fail to deliver an outstanding client experience. Which is why we always listen to our clients and constantly ask ourselves what we can do to deliver the results you expect.

You expect a close and attentive working relationship, with a lawyer that is responsive and available when you need them. You also want clear, pragmatic and commercial advice tailored to your needs, and transparency and certainty on costs. We completely agree. That’s why every day, through our culture and approach we are committed to delivering the exceptional results and service our clients expect of us.

Related sectors and services

  • Private client
  • Estate, trust and will disputes
  • Private wealth

Insights from James

30 Jul 2024

Fair reflection, or unduly influenced?

12 Apr 2024

Commentary on Savage v Savage – “More like guidelines than actual rules”