Ian Robbins’ principal area of practice is matrimonial finance applications. This includes high value cases with complex financial structures, non disclosure, trusts [on and offshore], company/business assets, pre-nuptial agreements, third party intervention, and international jurisdiction and enforcement.

In addition to matrimonial finance his practice includes Inheritance Act applications, cases involving disputes between cohabitees, applications pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Children Act, Court of Protection work in respect of property and finance and contentious probate.

Ian has experience of Inheritance Act work in the High Court and the Chancery Division. He also lectures on the subject to both Family Law and Private Client groups in Solicitors Firms.

Key cases

C v C

Family finance application – net assets £14 million – dispute in relation of how to deal with business valued at £12 million in which the parties were shareholders – whether there was a quasi partnership and if so whether there should be a minority discount in valuing the shares – constructing most tax efficient manner in which to transfer shares.

B v B

Family finance application – setting aside order for non-disclosure – business valued at £300,000 at FDR – sold 3 months later for £12 million – whether SJE was misled – at what point does the duty of full and frank disclosure cease if circumstances change after an agreement but before the order is sealed by the court.
Drafting agreement in family finance case where the parties have assets and business in France and Kuwait.
Statutory Will – value of estate £8 million – beneficiaries in England and Germany – proceedings in the Court of Protection.
Chancery division – claim by ‘adult child’ in respect of will of father which excluded the party as a beneficiary – estate left to Wife [stepmother] of the Claimant.

S v S

Chancery Division – Claim in respect of the breach of terms of banking mandate – claim value £250,000.

Further information

  • Middle Temple
  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Winner of the Joseph Jackson Memorial Prize for Family Law
  • Bar Human Rights Committee [1991 – 2000]
  • Matrimonial and Family Finance
  • Drafting Pre Nuptial agreements
  • Applications for relief pursuant to the Inheritance [Provision for Family and Dependants] Act 1975
  • Schedule 1 of the Children Act
  • TOLATA claims
  • Probate
  • Court of Protection [finance and property]
  • Family related Chancery work