Charles Cooper

Charles qualified and practiced as a Solicitor before being Called to the Bar, and has broad experience of Tax, Trusts, Wills, Contentious Probate and Non-Contentious Probate.

Tax & Estate Planning

He advises on, and litigates in, all aspects of tax and tax planning for individuals and trustees, including Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Income Tax, Stamp Duty Land Tax and VAT, and accepts instructions direct from accountants and tax advisers under the Licensed Access scheme. Typical cases involve:

• Tax planning with trusts, the family home or business
• Residency and domicile
• Offshore trusts
• Post-death rearrangement of estates

Charles is a member of the tax-specialist Revenue Bar Association.

Trusts & Wills

He advises lay and professional clients in relation to technical aspects of trust formation and administration, drafting of wills and trusts, tax issues, foreign assets, and related disputes. He achieved a Distinction in the STEP international Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes and brings experience as trustee of a multi-million-pound charity.

Contentious & Non-Contentious Probate

Charles has a wealth of experience in the administration of complex estates and related disputes, including capacity issues, caveats, validity of wills, undue influence, revocation, construction issues, Inheritance Act claims, proprietary estoppel, removal of executors and trustees, and related professional negligence.

Cases of Note

In the Estate of W Dec’d (2018) – Claim for lack of testamentary capacity and want of knowledge and approval in relation to the Deceased’s last will.

Re L Dec’d (2021) – Application to strike out a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975 on the grounds of unconscionable delay.

Trustees of S Dec’d (2023) – Validity and tax treatment of an offshore trust.

B v. B (2024) – Claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975 for reasonable financial provision from the Deceased’s estate.

Charles makes use of his medical background and previous practice as a Solicitor in his Court of Protection/Mental Health practice. He has a particular interest in mental capacity disputes, and cases involving medical treatment decisions, best-interest decisions and deprivation of liberty.

He has wide experience of representing patients before the Mental Health Tribunal who have had their liberty restricted under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Charles trained originally to be a doctor, transferring to law after completing his clinical years at medical school. He utilises his knowledge and experience in his Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence practice to great effect, and has a particular interest in psychiatric injury, mental capacity and consent.

Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

His practice includes advising on evidence, liability and quantum, and acting for both claimants and defendants in cases including missed diagnoses, needle-stick injuries, and product liability, bringing clarity and compassion to sensitive proceedings.

Charles is a member of the specialist Professional Negligence Bar Association.

Inquests

He is an experienced inquests advocate, representing bereaved families, personal representatives, healthcare providers and insurers, in complex and difficult cases.

Cases of Note

Re P Dec’d (2014) – Inquest where death may have been caused by a hospital-administered paracetamol overdose.

Re W Dec’d (2015) – Claim for missed diagnosis of metastatic cancer.

C v. A Health Trust (2018) – Claim for psychiatric injury following a needle-stick injury.

Re H (2019) – Inquest where death occurred in a secure psychiatric unit but it was argued that Article 2 should not be engaged.

Charles is qualified to accept instructions direct from the public.

He trained as a Civil/Commercial Mediator with the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) accredited Society of Mediators. As a Barrister Mediator, Charles is regulated by the Bar Standards Board and covered by professional indemnity insurance.