"Susannah is solutions-focused, technically brilliant and an excellent communicator, who adds value. She can be relied upon to deliver within the timeframes agreed."

Chambers UK 2025

Directories & Awards

  • Chancery Bar Association
  • STEP
  • MA (Oxon), Philosophy, Politics & Economics, First Class
  • Dip Law (Distinction), City University

Susannah Meadway is a self-employed, independent barrister whose practice is governed by the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales. She is regulated by The Bar Standards Board [Bar Ref 23058] and is fully insured with the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund [BMIF Ref 2360/037] to provide legal services, please refer to the BMIF website for full details of the world-wide cover provided. She is registered for VAT under the reference 524114095.

Susannah Meadway is a prominent junior within the private client arena, acting in difficult, complex and high-value matters, with a particular focus on landed estates. She is ranked at the highest level in the current legal directories and is regarded as a leading expert on the variation of trusts. Her well established practice encompasses all types of advisory, drafting and litigation work in the fields of trusts and associated taxation, wills, probate and the administration of estates, and charities.

Ranked in Band 1 for both Chancery: Traditional and Trusts in Chambers UK 2024, Band 1 in Chancery: Traditional in Chambers High Net Worth 2024 Guide, and Band 1 for Private Wealth: Trusts – UK in Chambers Global Guide 2024.

Expertise

Susannah has very extensive experience of applications to the Court under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958, including for the extension of perpetuity and accumulation periods, and in relation to landed estates and multi-billion pound trust funds. In the majority of such cases a judgement is not given, but those where it has been include:

  • Ware v Ware [2021] EWHC 694 (Ch), [2021] WTLR 725: Rectification of a deed of appointment to make void the termination of an interest in possession.
  • MN v OP [2019] EWCA Civ 679; 22 ITELR 61. This started life as an application for the approval of a variation extending the perpetuity and accumulation periods applicable to a settlement, but ended in the Court of Appeal with an important judgment on the granting of anonymity orders in proceedings under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958.
  • A v B [2016] EWHC 3740 (Ch); [2016] WTLR 745: Where the Court approved the extension of the perpetuity and accumulation periods applicable to the trusts of a dynastic settlement of a very large landed estate, sanctioning an unusual procedure which obviated the need to join all possible beneficiaries to the application.
  • C v C [2015] EWHC 2699 (Ch); [2016] WTLR 223: Where the Court accepted it had jurisdiction to vary the trusts of a foreign law settlement.
  • DC v AC [2016] EWHC 477 (Ch): Where the Court approved the extension of the perpetuity and accumulation periods applicable to the trusts of a number of very large dynastic settlements.
  • Bathurst v Bathurst [2016] EWHC 3033 (Ch): A variation involving an issue on the change of the provisions for the appointment of new trustees.

She also has a specialism in the rectification and/or setting aside of trust documents, her reported cases in this area being:

  • Ware v Ware [2021] EWHC 694 (Ch), [2021] WTLR 725: Rectification of a deed of appointment to make void the termination of an interest in possession.
  • RBC Trustees (CI) Ltd v Stubbs [2017] EWHC 180 (Ch), [2018] WTLR 1399: Rectification of two deeds of appointment to make void the termination of two interests in possession.
  • Chisholm v Chisholm [2011] WTLR 187: Where the Court rectified two trust deeds so as to be bare trusts in accordance with the settlor’s intention.
  • Bartlam v Coutts [2006] WTLR 1165: Where the Court rectified a deed of appointment which failed to appoint accumulation and maintenance trusts complying with the relevant requirements for inheritance tax relief.
  • Re Bell [2002] WTLR 1105: Concerning the rectification of a will.
  • Re Segelman [1996] Ch 171: Concerning the rectification of a will, as well as whether the will created a charitable trust of the testator’s valuable violin collection.

Susannah’s other significant trust cases in recent years are:

  • Whythe v Zavos [2024] EWHC 2784 (Ch): Public Trustee v Cooper blessing application for the incorporation of a landed estate where Susannah acted for one of the consenting beneficiaries.
  • In the matter of the B Trust [2024] SC (Bda) 71 Civ (4 December 2024): Application to the Bermuda Supreme Court, steered by Susannah (Bermudan counsel appearing), under Bermuda Trustee Act 1975 s. 47 (amending the protectorship provisions and adding charities to the beneficial class of a number of settlements owning a multi-billion pound international business), and under the Bermuda Perpetuities and Accumulations Act 2009 (disapplying the rule against perpetuities, and extending the trust periods of the settlements).
  • PQ v RS [2019] EWHC 1643 (Ch): On the scope of special powers of appointment.

More generally, Susannah advises and assists trustees and beneficiaries in achieving their objectives, ensuring that their trusts are suited to both family and fiscal circumstances, whether by the use of applicable powers in the trust documents, the agreement of all concerned or (where neither of the previous methods is available) the assistance of the Court.

Susannah is, and has been, an editor of Williams on Wills for the last 3 editions.

Susannah has wide experience and expertise in advising on the tax implications of trust structures and trust changes. She has a particular specialism in inheritance tax, not only as it relates to trusts but also to individuals.

She was for many years a contributor to Foster’s Inheritance Tax and is currently an editor of Mellows: Taxation for Executors and Trustees.

Susannah has considerable experience in all aspects of charity law.

"Susannah is very user-friendly, technically able and someone who offers excellent client service and turnaround times."

Chambers UK 2025

"She is a go-to for complex trusts advice and variation work. Her advice is prompt and you feel confident that she will find a solution. She is approachable, responsive and excellent value for money."

Chambers UK 2025

"Susannah is calm, measured, highly knowledgeable and experienced."

Legal 500 2025

"Susannah is a go-to for complex trusts advice and variation work. Her advice is prompt and you feel confident that she will find a solution."

Chambers UK 2025

"Susannah's advice is unfailing timely, clear, sensible, proportionate and pragmatic. One could not ask for anyone better."

Legal 500 2025

"Susannah is extremely bright and unfailingly provides helpful, clear, concise and pragmatic advice and solutions. Her opinions are always readily comprehensible, even when dealing with complex issues."

Chambers UK 2024

"She's very quick to respond and just gave really good, practical advice. She really met my expectations."

Chambers UK 2024

"Susannah's attention to detail and knowledge of trust law is second to none. She also has an incredible ability to distil complex tax and trust concepts into an easily digestible and understandable format."

Chambers UK 2024

"Susannah is immensely clever and completely steeped in every aspect of private client law. The range of her experience and the depth of her expertise are truly impressive. Her advice is always delivered with clarity, conciseness and pragmatism."

Legal 500 2024

"Quite exceptional. The complete package. She has a practical touch and always gets to the heart of any matter."

Chambers UK 2023

"Susannah is quite exceptional, the absolute complete package. She has a practical touch and always gets to the heart of the matter."

Chambers UK 2023

"Quite exceptional. The complete package. She has a practical touch and always gets to the heart of any matter."

Chambers UK 2023

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