James Lister

Partner at Stevens & Bolton

Speaker

James is Head of Private Wealth Disputes. He joined Stevens & Bolton in 2017, having trained and qualified at a Top 50 firm. He became a partner in 2019. James acts predominately for private clients or for those who advise private clients, such as corporate trustees, private banks and other law firms.

James advises on claims by or involving estates and trusts, most commonly involving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. He acts for executors, trustees and beneficiaries, and also specialises in advising on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

James also has a substantial practice advising on claims overlapping the trusts and family court jurisdictions, dealing with trustees and beneficiaries who have become involved in divorce proceedings and on issues arising from the enforcement and implementation of ancillary relief orders made in divorce proceedings.

James is recommended as a “Contentious Trusts Lawyer” in Spears 500 2025, is listed in Legal Week’s Private Client Excellence Directory 2024, and in the Citywealth “Top 100 International Private Client Litigation Lawyers 2023”. He is ranked as a “Star Individual” in Chambers HNW and as a “Next Generation Partner” in Legal 500. James is a co-chair of ConTrA, the Contentious Trusts Association.