Profile description
Family law – Finance and Property
Paul’s main area of practice is in this field and 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 the course of his career at the Bar. Most of his cases feature at least one of the following factors:
- Family businesses
- Inherited wealth
- Trusts of Land (TOLATA)
- Family trusts
- Overseas assets (business and property)
- Intervening third party interests
- Maintenance
- 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, disputes about contact arrangements, and disputes about 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 on child arrangements
- Removal from the jurisdiction
- Applications to relocate overseas
- Wardship
- Abduction and complex international issues
- Child Maintenance Tribunals (incl. Appeal)
Insolvency
Paul advises and represents clients in relation to all aspects of insolvency and bankruptcy law, whether that be applications being made within insolvency proceedings or other matters such as applications for administration order, to set aside statutory demands, to restrain winding up petitions or 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). Paul 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.
Property and Chancery
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 the following core areas:
- 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, and disrepair and dilapidations claims
Paul has a most thorough knowledge of all issues relating to trusts instruments, and equitable doctrine of trusts that are 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 having an approachable and helpful style and is happy to discuss any matter pre-instruction.
Company and Commercial
Paul has a substantial and long-standing commercial practice, appearing regularly on contentious and high-value claims in the County Court and High Court on behalf of both professional and private clients alike. His work in this area includes disputes involving commerical contracts, shareholders, company directors and partnerships.
Paul 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 both the merits of potential claims and the best strategy to adopt in the on-going 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 and reliable tactical support when a fight is necessary.
Paul 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.
Wills, Probate & Inheritance
Paul’s practice in this field covers the following 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)
Paul is bilingual in English and Italian and is particularly interested in cross-border disputes, especially those of an Anglo-Italian nature.
Languages
A fluent Italian speaker, Paul has previously worked in-house for law firms in both Italy and England and brings with him a wealth of knowledge gained in a wide range of cases.
Paul is on the committee of the British Italian Law Association and has spoken on English law issues in Italy on a number of occasions, as well as assisting the author of an Italian language book on the English system of civil courts.
Memberships
Paul is also a member of the Family Law Bar Association and the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association. Paul is accredited to undertake public access work, including conduct of litigation. Paul Dipré is the Director, Head of Legal Practice and Head of Finance and Administration of Paul Dipre Barrister Limited through which his professional services are provided.
Personal
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.
