Regarded as “very clever, academic and good fun” (Chambers UK 2017) Leon has a commercial and chancery practice with a particular emphasis on onshore and offshore traditional chancery and the Court of Protection.
Leon was named by in the Legal Week Private Client Global Elite “Ones to Watch” list in 2017 and 2018.
In addition to inheritance, tax, commercial chancery and Court of Protection cases, Leon also advises on capital tax and succession planning. He gives seminars across the country on all aspects of private client work and has been praised as an “excellent” and “engaging” speaker.
Leon also has a keen interest in regulatory and professional discipline law. He is a member of the judiciary of the Rugby Football Union and a lay member of the professional conduct committee of a national healthcare regulator.
Private Client: Non-Contentious
Leon is recommended in this area by Chambers UK and Chambers HNW. He is praised for his “cogent advice” and “practical opinions on trust law” (Chambers HNW 2016). He is one of the co-authors of Tolley’s Inheritance Tax Planning and a co-author of Parker’s Will Precedents.
Leon regularly speaks on private client subjects around the country and has been described as an “excellent” and “engaging” speaker.
In addition to capital taxes and succession-planning work, Leon is often instructed in applications to correct settlor and trustee mistakes through rectification and the setting aside of settlements in their entirety.
Recent examples include:
- Re South Downs Trustees Ltd [2018] EWHC 1064 (Ch)
- A rectification of a deed of appointment (unreported, High Court, 2016)
- Setting aside a £1m+ settlement on the ground of equitable mistake (unreported, High Court, 2015)
- A successful will construction/rectification claim (unreported, High Court, 2015)
- A number of applications under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958
Recommendations
Leon “is extremely responsive and provides solid commercial advice. He is very easy to with,” reports one commentator. He is noted for his growing offshore and cross-border expertise, and is frequently instructed on high-value matters. “He’s totally on top of technical stuff, and has the confidence of silks,” says one source, while another notes that he gives “very good-quality, practical advice.” He has recently been instructed in the highly notable Crociani case.”
HNW Guide 2019
“Demonstrates brilliant analytical skills and is very good in court.” “Manages client expectations well and is a very safe bet if you have very technical issues which need to be resolved.”
Chambers UK 2019 - Chancery
“An excellent junior who is able to undertake complex drafting whilst also being very client-friendly and a tough litigator.” “He’s very knowledgeable in this area.”
Chambers UK 2019 - Court of Protection
“He is reassuringly confident in his advice.”
Legal 500 2018 - Court of Protection
“a very enthusiastic advocate with wisdom and knowledge beyond his year of call. He makes a point of knowing everything going on in the field,” “He demonstrates brilliant analytical skills and is very good in court,” “He has a very good manner with clients and they find him easy to work with. He really knows his stuff and he provides really sensible and reasonable advice.”
Chambers HNW 2018 - Chancery: Traditional (Band 3)
“Excellent in court and on his feet and very good at dealing with clients.” “He is really, really bright and very highly rated in the market. When you speak to other law firms he’s definitely perceived as one who is a rising star in the field.”
HNW 2018 Guide - Chancery: Traditional - London Bar
‘ Leon Pickering is “a very enthusiastic advocate with wisdom and knowledge beyond his year of call. He makes a point of knowing everything going on in the field,” says an interviewee.
He advises on tax and succession matters and handles contentious and non-contentious work. One solicitor reports: “He demonstrates brilliant analytical skills and is very good in court,” adding: “He is good at negotiating with parties and managing client expectations.”
Another source remarks: “He has a very good manner with clients and they find him easy to work with. He really knows his stuff and he provides really sensible and reasonable advice.” ‘
Chambers UK 2018 - Chancery: Traditional (Band 4)
“He was excellent in court and on his feet. He helped us achieve a favourable settlement and he is very good at dealing with clients.” Pickering also advises extensively on inheritance tax, capital tax planning and other succession matters. A litigation lawyer reveals: “Last time I saw him on his feet he beat me, and I have to say he pulled off an absolute blinder. You’ve got to respect that; it was extraordinary, we got trounced. Honestly, I think he did very well, it was impressive.”
Chambers HNW 2017 - Chancery: Traditional (Band 4)
“A tough litigator and very client friendly, he also has a good grasp of detail and undertakes complex drafting.”
Chambers UK 2018 - Court of Protection
Up-and-coming junior with a varied chancery practice. Pickering has experience of being instructed in high-value matters with an international element. “He’s very clever, academic and good fun. “Although he’s junior, that masks the experience he brings. His drafting is great, he’s hands-on and his response times are very quick.”
Chambers UK 2017
He is recommended for his “rapidly expanding traditional chancery practice”. The 2016 edition describes him as “really great” and as being “regularly involved in high-stakes litigation”. He is noted as someone “you feel you can work with” and as often instructed by charities in matters concerning legacies.
Chambers UK 2016
“great with clients”. He is praised for his “practical opinions on trust law” and “cogent advice that can easily be forwarded to the client”. He is “approachable” and has a “very good understanding of clients”.
Chambers HNW 2016
Qualifications
- Wadham College, Oxford, MA (First)
- Wadham College, Oxford, MPhil (Distinction)
- GDL
- BVC (Outstanding)
Appointments
- Accredited mediator
- Clerk to the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service
- Member of the judiciary of the Rugby Football Union
- Member of the professional conduct committee of the CNHC
Associations & Memberships
- Chancery Bar Association
- Charity Law Association
- Court of Protection Practitioners’ Association
- Lincoln’s Inn
Publications
- Tolley’s Inheritance Tax Planning
- Parker’s Will Precedents
- Lawskills: Who Can Challenge a Will?
Speaking Engagements
Leon regularly gives in house talks and seminars and is a sought after speaker for commercial seminar providers. He has been called an “excellent” and “engaging” speaker with an “entertaining presentation” and a recent CLT delegate said of him: “Wonderful speaker; one of the best I’ve seen.”
Leon Pickering 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 57378] and is fully insured with the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund [BMIF Ref 2360/066] 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 119673101.
