Azeam Akram

He has particular expertise in contentious probate, including contested wills, Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims, executor and trustee disputes, cross-border estate disputes and trust litigation.

Azeam acts in High Court litigation as well as alternative dispute resolution, helping clients resolve sensitive family and inheritance disputes through negotiation and mediation wherever possible, while providing robust representation when court proceedings are required. He is particularly experienced in advising high-net-worth individuals and international families on complex and high-value estate disputes.

Clients value Azeam’s combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking and pragmatic approach to dispute resolution. He understands that inheritance disputes are often highly personal and emotionally challenging, and works closely with clients to achieve commercial and practical outcomes while protecting long-term family relationships wherever possible.

He has acted in numerous complex, high-value disputes involving family businesses, trusts, landed estates, charities and international assets.

His practice covers the full spectrum of private wealth litigation, including:

• Contentious probate and probate litigation
• Challenging or defending the validity of wills
• Inheritance Act 1975 claims
• Executor and trustee disputes
• Trust litigation and breach of trust claims
• Cross-border inheritance and estate disputes
• Charity and religious organisation disputes
• Property and co-ownership disputes
• Professional negligence claims arising from wills, trusts and probate matters

Professional memberships

Azeam is recognised as a leading practitioner in contentious probate and private wealth litigation.

He is:

• A member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)
• Recognised for his expertise in complex inheritance and trust disputes

Azeam was also a long-standing member of the Law Society’s Wills and Equity Committee.

He has acted on a number of high-profile cases, including:

• Claim against Swiss trustee for negligence, multiple breaches of trust, unlawful loans to selected capital beneficiaries without authority, and subsequent action for the removal of trustee
• Application involving Beddoe proceedings
• Application against executors of a will trust to account (including a challenge to the costs incurred by the executors)
• Application under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958
• Claim for professional negligence against firm of solicitors relating to conveyancing transaction
• Representation to trustees to balance the interest of income and capital beneficiaries
• Representation where Bona Vancatia claim on deceased’s estate
• Advice on breach of trust case against former director regarding misappropriation of funds, conflict of interest and loss due to negligence
• Co-ownership dispute involving property and business assets
• Application to set-aside a transaction on account of undue influence, mistake and misrepresentation
• Application under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
• Validity of a will, revocation of letters of wishes and validity of a foreign marriage
• Application for the sale of property
• Defence of an application for possession on grounds of an unregulated mortgage
• Application to account against property manager where skimming fraud alleged
• Application for an injunction to declare right of way
• Advice relating to mutual wills
• Application for Norwich Pharmacal Order where mandate fraud alleged
• Representations against voidance of building insurance

If you are involved in a contentious probate matter, inheritance dispute or trust litigation, Azeam can provide strategic advice from the earliest stages of a dispute through to trial where necessary.

Insights, Publications and Articles

Trusts and Estates Law & Tax Journal November 2019 #171 – Executors: Duties to maintaining the estate, as well as to beneficiaries Azeam Akram, Jo Summers
Co-authored a practice note on Shariah Inheritance Law with Jo Summers for The Law Society.