Gerald Wilson

Call: 1989

gwilson@36family.co.uk

Contact Clerks:

Telephone: 020 7421 8019

Email: clerks@36family.co.uk

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Barrister

Areas of Experience:

Cohabitee Disputes (TOLATA)
Family Finance
Inheritance Disputes
International
Modern Families and Fertility Law
Probate
Schedule 1 Children Act Disputes
Trusts
Private Client
Public Access
International Movement of Children

Practice Profile

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

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.

Testimonials

"Gerald has a wealth of legal knowledge and experience, which he brings to bear in giving particular gravitas to his advocacy. He is a fine lawyer who presents his client's case with real charm."

Legal 500 2024

"Gerald has a great client manner and is able to put vulnerable clients at ease. He is able to explain complex legal issues in plain English and has always been willing to work closely with those instructing him to help strategise effectively and ensure the very best outcome for the client."

Chambers & Partners 2024

"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 and Partners 2023

""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 and Partners 2022

""He has really deep, technical knowledge. You can expect him to spot points that will pass others by. He sees cases differently.""

Chambers and Partners 2022

"“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

"“Gerald is exceptionally strong with tax issues, and he puts clients at ease, explaining each case at the right level of complexity for each client.”"

Legal 500 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 (Family)

Legal 500 2020 (Family)

""Has huge insight and intellect."
“Very thorough in his preparation with great attention to detail.”"

Legal 500 2015

"“Calm under pressure and good at dealing with vulnerable people.”"

Legal 500 2014

"“Responsive, easy to work with and good on technically complicated cases.”"

Chambers UK 2020

Work Undertaken

Financial Remedies

TOLATA

Schedule 1 Children Act

Inheritance Act

Probate (contested)

Modern families

Surrogacy and parentage

Child arrangements and relocation

Appointments & Memberships

Family Law Bar Association, Resolution, UK Family Law Institute

Notable Cases

SA v FA [2022] EWFC 115.

Couple habitually resident for 14 years in in UAE. Wife, a South African, maintained domicile of choice in England & Wales. English husband failed to establish a domicile of choice in UAE. Forum conveniens for divorce was new Family Court for Non-Muslims in Abu Dhabi. Stay of English proceedings.

X v Y v St Bartholomew's Hospital Centre for Reproductive Medicine (Assisted Reproduction: Parent) [2015] EWFC 13

On the 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)

On the duties of disclosure of a solicitor executor in contested proceedings; injunction to restrain use of confidential material disclosed in breach of legal advice privilege.

O'Farrell v O'Farrell [2012] EWHC 123 (QB)

Enforcement of foreign maintenance; freezing orders; third party debt orders against the Crown.

Re R (a child) [2010] EWCA Civ 303

On change of residence following application without notice, lesbian mother.

Sutton v Mishcon de Reya & Gawor & Co [2004] 1 FLR 837

Which established the enforceability of same sex cohabitation agreements.

Robinson v Fernsby [2003] EWCA Civ 1820 [2004] WTLR 257

On the reconsideration of judgments after circulation; Robinson v Bird [2003] W&TR 529 on inter vivos gifts and Inheritance Act claims.

Y v Y (unreported) [2003]

Transfer of tenancy between same sex partners - government agreed to amend FLA 1996 to avoid a declaration of incompatibility under HRA 1998.

Le Foe v Le Foe & Woolwich plc [2001] 2 FLR 970

On quantum in constructive trusts.

Gereis v Yacoub [1997] 1 FLR 854

On the validity of a purely religious marriage.

Publications

Co-author: Same Sex Marriage and Civil Partnerships: the New Law (Jordan 2014)

Contributor: The International Family Law Practice (Jordan 2021).