Lynne Counsell
Lynne Counsell
Callled in 1986

Lynne Counsell specialises in two principal areas:

Private Client/Traditional Chancery: Including probate procedure, accounts, Inheritance Act claims, Court of Protection matters, Variation of Trusts Act 1958 applications, mutual wills, and the construction of wills and trusts.
Financial Services: Focusing on the interpretation and application of FSMA 2000, collective investment schemes, regulatory issues, and the marketing of investments.

Lynne’s practice combines drafting, advisory, and litigation work, with particular emphasis on complex drafting. Her experience covers wills and trusts, commercial documents, unit trusts, shareholder agreements, and regulatory documentation for major financial institutions.

Lynne is the author of several legal publications, including key volumes of Atkin’s Court Forms, and has contributed to Halsbury’s Laws of England and other leading works. Her writing provides her with deep procedural and legal insight, reflected in her ability to handle both common and highly specialised causes of action.

She is also a panel expert for LexisNexis Q&A in both Private Client and Commercial matters.

Associate Member

Instructing Us
  • Probate procedure and disputes
  • Interim and final accounts in Chancery and commercial matters
  • Executor appointment and removal
  • Mutual wills litigation (including Charles v Fraser [2010] EWHC 2154 (Ch))
  • Variation of Trusts Act 1958 applications
  • Trust and will interpretation and disputes
  • Inheritance Act claims
  • Lasting powers of attorney and Mental Capacity Act 2005 matters
  • Construction and applicability of FSMA 2000
  • Collective investment scheme classification
  • Disciplinary proceedings involving authorised persons
  • FSMA 2000 litigation
  • Investment marketing and advertising compliance
  • Prospectus and listing rule advice
  • Wills, trusts, and partnership deeds
  • Unit trusts for foreign governments
  • Shareholder and takeover agreements
  • Building society rules and regulations
  • Mortgage documentation for major UK banks
  • Loan agreements with cross-border elements

Lynne’s published work includes:

  • Atkin’s Court Forms (Financial Services, Accounts, Specific Performance, Co-ownership, Societies and Clubs, Markets and Fairs, Money)
  • Halsbury’s Laws of England (Injunctions)
  • Co-editor: Practice and Procedure in the Chancery Division (two editions)
  • Articles in the Law Society Gazette and Trust Quarterly Review
  • Recent papers on Brexit’s impact on mergers and acquisitions, and LexisNexis precedents addressing Covid-19 implications
  • Author of the forms for Lexis Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents – Gifts
  • Author of Lexis Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents Powers of Appointment.
  • Author “Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987” for the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
  • Co-editor of the International Trusts and Estates Law Reports

Lynne has delivered numerous talks, particularly on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Court of Protection, including for Leeds Law Society.

  • BA (Hons) History, Bedford College, London University
  • Diploma in Law, City University, London
  • Member of the Chancery Bar Association
  • 2017 Corporate International Global Award: Investment Contracts Barrister of the Year in England