Paul Dipré General Information An advocate with over 20 years of experience, Paul specialises in financial remedies for matrimonial finance and associated general commercial and real property disputes, especially contractual and insolvency matters. He has a thorough knowledge of all issues relating to trust instruments and equitable doctrine of trusts relevant to matrimonial finance, property disputes and contentious probate. Paul likes to get involved at an early stage whenever possible and help clients with advice, drafting and advocacy throughout proceedings as required. He enjoys a reputation for being approachable and helpful and is happy to discuss any matter pre-instruction. Paul is accredited to undertake public access work, including the conduct of litigation. He is the Director, Head of Legal Practice and Head of Finance and Administration of Paul Dipré Barrister Limited, through which his professional services are provided. Areas of law Family Law – Finance and Property Family Law – Children Commercial Property Wills, Probate & Inheritance Insolvency Credit Hire Family Law – Finance and Property Paul’s main area of practice is in this field. His expertise covers financial remedies on divorce or dissolution, cohabitation/co-owner disputes under TOLATA and financial provision for children under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. Paul has been instructed to advise and represent many high net worth clients throughout his career at the bar. Most of his cases feature at least one of the following factors: Family businesses Inherited wealth Trusts of Land Family trusts Overseas assets (business and property) Intervening third-party interests Variation applications Enforcement Non-compliance with disclosure Family Law – Children Paul represents clients at all stages of private law children disputes. He regularly represents parents and guardians in disputes about the living arrangements for children, contact arrangements, and the exercise of parental responsibility. Paul has specific experience of proceedings involving: Intractable disputes Fact-finding hearings Domestic violence and abuse Mental health and substance abuse issues impacting child arrangements Removal from the jurisdiction Wardship Abduction and complex international issues Paul is bilingual in English and Italian and is particularly interested in cross-border disputes, especially those of an Anglo-Italian nature. Commercial Paul has a substantial and long-standing commercial practice, appearing regularly in contentious and high-value claims in the County Court and High Court on behalf of both professional and private clients. He is frequently instructed at an early stage to advise clients and to draft pleadings. He is content to advise either in conference or in writing on the merits of potential claims and the best strategy to adopt in the ongoing management of litigation. Sensitive to the cost implications of litigious proceedings, Paul will seek resolution by negotiation where appropriate but can also be relied upon to provide sound tactical support when a fight is necessary. He is accomplished and experienced on his feet in court, capable of striking a balance between robust advocacy and persuasive negotiation subject to the approach demanded by the circumstances in a case. Property Paul is an experienced and enthusiastic property law barrister with expertise in a range of areas. While the core of his practice lies in real property, Paul applies his expertise to all aspects of property law. His property practice covers: Real Property: all types of constructive and resulting trusts, proprietary estoppel claims, easements, rights of way, boundaries, adverse possession Commercial leases: including termination and renewal, break clauses, service charge disputes, rent and rent review, disrepair and dilapidations claims Wills, Probate & Inheritance Paul’s practice in this field covers these principal areas: Contentious probate: dealing with, upholding or challenging the validity of wills under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Administration of estates: covering all issues relating to the administration of estates, whether contentious or non-contentious, including the removal of executors, the construction of wills, identity of beneficiaries and ascertainment of assets Trusts: Construction of deeds of trust, powers and duties of trustees and Trusts of Land, or TOLATA (including proprietary estoppel claims) Insolvency Paul advises and represents clients in all aspects of insolvency and bankruptcy law, whether that be applications being made within insolvency proceedings or other matters such as: applications for administration orders applications to set aside statutory demands applications to restrain winding-up petitions applications to restrain advertisement of petitions Paul also deals with the full range of transaction avoidance work (e.g. transactions defrauding creditors, preferences, transactions at undervalue). He has been instructed on behalf of debtors, creditors, companies, directors and insolvency practitioners, providing focused advocacy and advice on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious insolvency law and procedure. Paul regularly appears on insolvency matters in the High Court (the Companies Court and the Bankruptcy Division) and in County Courts across the country. Credit Hire Paul has knowledge and experience of the principles of credit hire law and is willing to take instructions on that basis. Memberships Committee Member of the British Italian Law Association Member of the Family Law Bar Association Member of the London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association Languages A fluent Italian speaker, Paul has previously worked in-house for law firms in both Italy and England and brings a wealth of knowledge gained in a wide range of cases. He has spoken on English law issues in Italy on several occasions and assisted the author of an Italian language book on the English system of civil courts. Personal Interests Paul previously worked in the London financial markets and is a freeman of the City. He is married, and when not working, enjoys walking and orienteering in the Alps, reading and the Arts.