Gerald Wilson specialises in family and property law, focusing on matrimonial finance, with a particular emphasis on cases involving third parties, creditors, business interests, family trusts and cross-jurisdictional disputes. He also has extensive experience in civil partnership, trusts of land, probate and Inheritance Act claims, claims under Sch.1 of the Children Act and appeals from the CMS.

Gerald regularly appears in both family and civil courts and is happy to guide solicitors unfamiliar with either procedure. He also has significant experience of acting for persons under a disability.

Gerald is recommended as a leading junior in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500.

Key cases & testimonials

SA v FA [2022] EWFC 115. Conflicting claims over domiciles of choice and forum as between England and UAE
X v Y v St Bartholomew’s Hospital [2015] EWFC 13. Acquisition of parental status by an unmarried partner where the child is conceived with donor sperm.

Kousouros v O’Halloran & Aresti [2014] EWHC 2294 (Ch). Duties of confidence and disclosure of a solicitor executor also acting for a party in contested proceedings.

O’Farrell v O’Farrell [2012] EWHC 123 (QB). Enforcement of foreign maintenance; freezing orders; third party debt orders against the Crown

Sutton v Mishcon de Reya & Gawor & Co [2004] 1 FLR 837. Established the enforceability of same sex cohabitation agreements.

Gerald Wilson is a very persuasive advocate with a great eye for detail. He's never fazed by complex issues, from niche tax points to lack of capacity issues and everything in between. You always know Gerald is able to handle whatever the case brings up and will do so in a calm, reassuring way. Chambers UK 2023
There is nothing he does not know, but he is so down-to-earth that he puts anyone at ease. Gerald is unerringly calm, reassuring and authoritative. His personable manner and pragmatic approach make him a firm favourite with clients, opponents and judges alike. He is good at handling complex cases for vulnerable, often elderly clients. Chambers UK 2022
A calming presence and a lawyer who can handle issues of great complexity. He deals well with very demanding and vulnerable clients, and the results he gets are great. Gerald has excellent analytical skills and a good eye for detail.Chambers UK 2021
Is insightful and clever and someone who always exercises good judgment. He is excellent at dealing with clients however demanding or challenging they are. His knowledge is wide and detailed and well beyond the confines of family law so very useful to appoint in cases which are not run of the mill.Legal 500 2021

Areas of expertise

Matrimonial finance, with a particular emphasis on cases involving third parties, creditors, business interests and family trusts. A large part of his practice involves intervener claims in matrimonial disputes.
Trusts of land involving cohabitees, family members and business partners.

Contested probate and Inheritance Act claims.

Financial provision for children, including both claims under Sch.1 Children Act and appeals against CMS assessments to the First Tier and Upper Tribunals.

Financial remedies under Part III MFPA 1984 (after foreign divorce).

Jurisdiction and forum in divorce.

Recognition of foreign marriage, civil partnership and divorce.

Trusts of land over foreign property.

English estates of foreign domiciles.

Parentage following assisted reproduction abroad.

Cross-border enforcement of orders.

Further information

Member of the Family Law Bar Association

Resolution

UK Family Law Institute