Expertise

Jemma advises on a broad range of trust related actions, including complex restructurings involving offshore parties and entities. She has experience dealing with cases involving the UK, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Hong Kong.

Jemma assists with the resolution of estate related issues, including executor-beneficiary disputes, challenges to the validity of wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and cross-border succession issues.

Jemma also has experience dealing with issues relating to loss of mental capacity and Court of Protection proceedings.

Experience

• Acting in a reported case for the litigation friend of a legitimated child in relation to a proposed appointment for her benefit, in which anonymity was obtained.
• Acting for beneficiaries of Gibraltar trusts in relation to a proposed restructuring of their beneficial interests.
• Advising adult beneficiaries of high value Bermudian trusts on an application by a corporate trustee in connection with a proposed restructuring in a reported case in Bermuda.
• Advising the trustee of a Cayman structure in relation to claims brought against it by the Libyan Investment Authority.
• Assisting with representing one of the parties in what is considered to be the largest (by value) claim in Bermudian legal history, which went to trial for 19 weeks during 2021.

Recognition

Jemma was recognised as one of eprivateclient’s Top 35 Under 35 private client practitioners in 2019 and has been consistently listed as a Rising Star in Contentious Trusts and Probate in The Legal 500 rankings. She is described as, “a future star”, “a very safe pair of hands”, “a talented associate who combines pragmatism with a detailed knowledge of trusts and probate law” and “a very engaged, knowledgeable associate, keeping everyone else on their toes – someone you want on your side”.

Career

Jemma read Law at Queen Mary University, London and graduated the Legal Practice Course with distinction from BPP Law School in Holborn in 2011. Jemma joined Stewarts from Wedlake Bell in 2021.

Accreditations and Memberships

• eprivateclient’s Top 35 Under 35, 2019
• Legal 500 Rising Star in Contentious Trusts and Probate
• Member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Solicitors (ACTAPS)

Publications and Media

• “How to avoid the pitfalls of the ‘modern family’ in wills and trusts”, Thought Leaders 4 Next Gen Wealth Magazine, August 2022
• “Remote witnessing of Wills – what could possibly go wrong?”, Entitlement Winter 2020/21 edition, November 2020.

Personal

Jemma enjoys yoga, cooking and hosting dinner parties with friends.