Eason Rajah QC is a chancery silk with special expertise in private client matters, acting in difficult, complex, high value cases.
Eason is admitted to the Bars of England and Wales and Malaysia and has been admitted to the Bars of other jurisdictions (like the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas) for specific cases on many occasions. He often assists with cases in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, the BVI, Bermuda, Singapore, Mauritius and Hong Kong.
He is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers and Partners 2022 in Trusts, Chancery Traditional, Court of Protection: Property and Affairs and Offshore. He is ranked in Band 1 for Chancery: Traditional in Chambers UK HNW 2021. He is ranked as a Leading Silk by the Legal 500 2021 for Offshore, Private client; Trusts and Probate and Court of Protection.
He is a former Chair of the Chancery Bar Association and was appointed a Recorder in 2016 and a Deputy High Court Judge in 2020.
Eason Rajah QC has been awarded Advocate of the Year 2021 by STEP.
Practice Areas
Reported Cases:
- Dawson-Damer v Grampian Trust Company [2021] – a 5 week pandemic trial in the Bahamas conducted remotely from the Bahamas, England and Australia – the culminations of this long running breach of trust dispute for $400m.
- Hinduja v Hinduja [2020] EWHC 1533 (part of an ongoing dispute relating to the business and affairs of the Hinduja family)
- Re Z [2019] EWCOP 55 (contested CoP proceedings relating to a well known businessman)
- High Commissioner of Pakistan v Nat West (No.3) [2019] EWHC 2551 (Ch) (acting successfully for His Exalted Highness the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad in a claim to establish that funds held in a bank account in the name of Pakistan since Indian independence were held on trust for the 7thNizam)
- Truchot Trustees v Griffiths [2018] EWHC 1484 (unravelling steps taken in proceedings without authority)
- Crociani v Crociani [2017] JRC 146, [2018] JCA 136 (successful breach of trust claim for over USD100m);
- High Commissioner of Pakistan v Nat West Bank (No.2) [2016] EWHC 1465 (Ch)
- Dellal v Dellal & Ors [2015] EWHC 907 (Fam): A £multi-million claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 in respect of the estate of the legendary property dealer Jack Dellal.
- High Commissioner of Pakistan v Nat West Bank [2015] EWHC 55 (Ch): Involves issues of sovereign immunity and trust law, and Indian and Shari ‘a succession law.
- Crociani v Crociani & Others [2014] UKPC 40: exclusive jurisdiction clauses in trusts and forum disputes.
- Al Sadi v Al Sadi [2013]: Claim by certain children of deceased that under Shari ‘a, Liechtenstein and Monegasque law, assets held in a Liechtenstein Foundation and a Panamanian company form part of the estate.
- Rodman v Rodman [2013]: Claims for intermeddling and misappropriation from $125m estate – value £millions.
- Scarfe v Matthews [2012] WTLR 1579: Doctrine of election – estate of Bernard Matthews.
- Re the Valetta Trust[2011] JRC 227 (the validity of third party litigation funding arrangements for trust litigation in Jersey),
- Re IMK Family Trust[2008] JLR 430 (the landmark decision on the enforcement of foreign matrimonial judgments in Jersey)
- C v C (Privilege) [2008] 1 FLR 115 – applicability of legal professional privilege to disclosure by anstalt where wife claimed anstalt attempting to defeat her ancillary relief claim.
Private Client: Non-Contentious
Eason is particularly experienced in advising on matters concerning trusts, and related tax issues as well as drafting and structuring. He has a reputation for giving clear, commercial and practical advice. Previous editions of Chambers UK reported that he is “a superb QC who makes unbelievably complicated things look very easy”. “A consummate problem solver, who is brilliant, personable and confidence-instilling”.
Cases are confidential and are not listed here.
He has over 30 years of experience of Court of protection issues and continues to be instructed in difficult or novel Court of Protection cases. Chambers UK have described him as “…the standout advocate. Clients like him and he doesn’t get pushed around. He’s the go-to man for contentious work”. “He is a very glossy and very persuasive advocate. He’s very well prepared and a formidable opponent”.
- Re Z [2019] EWCOP 55 (contested CoP proceedings relating to a well known businessman)
- Re MN [2010] WTLR 1355: The first decision on the ambit of the international jurisdiction of the Court of Protection.
Eason acts in the full range of onshore and offshore capital taxes matters.
Recommendations
Qualifications
Epsom College; University of Nottingham (1988 LLB Hons)
Appointments
- Recorder (2016), Deputy High Court Judge (2020)
Associations & Memberships
Eason was Chairman of the Chancery Bar Association (2018-20) and remains a member. He is a member of the committee of STEP Central London. He is a member of ACTAPs. He is a former member of the Bar Council Professional Standards Committee and the Bar Standards Board Rules Committee and a former Vice Chairman of one of the Bar Council Pupillage Monitoring Panels. He is a member of the Bar Pro Bono Unit.
Publications
- He is an Editor of Mellows Taxation of Executors & Trustees
- He is an Editor of the Court of Protection Law Reports
- He is the Consultant Editor of Ranking Spicer Pegler, Executorship Law, Trusts & Accounts
Speaking Engagements
Eason speaks regularly at specialist conferences both nationally and internationally.
Awards
Eason is the winner of the Legal 500 Private Client: Trusts and Probate Silk of the Year 2018.
Eason Rajah is a self-employed, independent barrister whose practice is governed by the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales. He is regulated by The Bar Standards Board [Bar Ref 24365] and is fully insured with the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund [BMIF Ref 2360/018] to provide legal services, please refer to the BMIF website for full details of the world-wide cover provided. He is registered for VAT under the reference 524348943.
