No5 Barristers' Chambers - Excellence is at the heart of everything we do.
Background

Nicola Preston

Deputy Head of Business & Property

Call: 1992

"Very direct and sound in her advice."

Chambers UK 2023

"She is a really good advocate and confident on her feet. She is a ferocious cross-examiner."

Chambers UK 2022

"She is a very strong, knowledgeable and able opponent." "She is incredibly good on the private client side."

Chambers UK 2021

"Nicola has a remarkable grasp of a complex area of law and yet manages to present her views in a down-to-earth and understandable manner which instructing solicitors and clients appreciate."

Chambers UK 2020

Nicola Preston is a specialist Chancery practitioner.

She is recommended for Chancery by Chambers UK and is quoted as “a ferocious cross-examiner” (2022), as “a very strong, knowledgeable and able opponent”, “incredibly good on the private client side” (2021) and having “a remarkable grasp of a complex area of law and yet manages to present her views in a down-to-earth and understandable manner” (2020).

Nicola came to the Bar in 1992, after a successful academic career (at Wolverhampton University) which saw her publish over 50 articles and during which time she was a visiting Professor at University of Akron (1989-90), School of Law, Ohio, USA and also a Fulbright Fellow.

Nicola continues to give lectures to other professionals, including groups such as the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners and local Law Society groups.

Expertise

Business & Property

Nicola Preston is a member of the Business & Property Group.

Click to view her specialist areas.

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Nicola came to the Bar in 1992, after a successful academic career (at Wolverhampton University) which saw her publish over 50 articles and during which time she was a visiting Professor at University of Akron (1989-90), School of Law, Ohio, USA and also a Fulbright Fellow. Nicola continues to give lectures to other professionals, including groups such as the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners and local Law Society groups.

Nicola is now a specialist Chancery practitioner. She is recommended in Chancery in Chambers UK and is quoted as “a ferocious cross-examiner” (2022), as “a very strong, knowledgeable and able opponent”, “incredibly good on the private client side” (2021) and having “a remarkable grasp of a complex area of law and yet manages to present her views in a down-to-earth and understandable manner” (2020).

Nicola’s particular areas of expertise, relevant to this Group include:

All aspects of taxation, especially as it affects farmers and landowners, including tax planning, APR, BPR. Also VAT,

Ownership of land, including beneficial interests (by way proprietary estoppel or constructive trusts), agricultural tenancies,

Other aspects of property law, including easements, restrictive covenants and conveyancing,

Partnership and company disputes (including minority protection), All aspects of wills, including drafting, construction and probate litigation.

Commercial Litigation

Nicola came to the Bar in 1992, after a successful academic career (at Wolverhampton University) which saw her publish over 50 articles and during which time she was a visiting Professor at University of Akron (1989-90), School of Law, Ohio, USA and also a Fulbright Fellow. Nicola continues to give lectures to other professionals, including groups such as the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners and local Law Society groups.

Nicola is now a specialist Chancery practitioner. She is recommended in Chancery in Chambers UK and is quoted as “a ferocious cross-examiner” (2022), as “a very strong, knowledgeable and able opponent”, “incredibly good on the private client side” (2021) and having “a remarkable grasp of a complex area of law and yet manages to present her views in a down-to-earth and understandable manner” (2020).

Nicola undertakes all aspects of commercial litigation, from contractual disputes to VAT appeals.

Company & Partnership

Nicola came to the Bar in 1992, after a successful academic career (at Wolverhampton University) which saw her publish over 50 articles and during which time she was a visiting Professor at University of Akron (1989-90), School of Law, Ohio, USA and also a Fulbright Fellow. Nicola continues to give lectures to other professionals, including groups such as the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners and local Law Society groups.

Nicola is now a specialist Chancery practitioner. She is recommended in Chancery in Chambers UK and is quoted as “a ferocious cross-examiner” (2022), as “a very strong, knowledgeable and able opponent”, “incredibly good on the private client side” (2021) and having “a remarkable grasp of a complex area of law and yet manages to present her views in a down-to-earth and understandable manner” (2020).

Nicola deals with all aspects of partnership, from the drafting of partnership deeds to the litigation or resolution of disputes.

Similarly with company law, especially matters such as restrictive covenants and minority protection.

Real Estate

Nicola came to the Bar in 1992, after a successful academic career (at Wolverhampton University) which saw her publish over 50 articles and during which time she was a visiting Professor at University of Akron (1989-90), School of Law, Ohio, USA and also a Fulbright Fellow. Nicola continues to give lectures to other professionals, including groups such as the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners and local Law Society groups.

Nicola is now a specialist Chancery practitioner. She is recommended in Chancery in Chambers UK and is quoted as “a ferocious cross-examiner” (2022), as “a very strong, knowledgeable and able opponent”, “incredibly good on the private client side” (2021) and having “a remarkable grasp of a complex area of law and yet manages to present her views in a down-to-earth and understandable manner” (2020).

Nicola undertakes all aspects of property work, including conveyancing, easements and restrictive covenants, as well disputes under the Trusts of Land Act and beneficial interests in land based on constructive trusts and/or proprietary estoppel.

Inheritance Act Disputes

Nicola’s particular areas of expertise relevant to this group (which forms the largest part of her practice) are:

  • Contentious probate actions, rectification of wills, administration actions and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
  • Advice on all aspects of the administration of estates, including estate planning, taxation, construction of wills and deeds of variation
  • Trusts – drafting, construction, taxation, advising trustees and all aspects of trust litigation (for example, breach of trust, variations of trust etc)
  • Direct taxation including all aspects of tax planning, tax efficient dispositions, income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax
  • VAT – advice on all aspects and representation in contentious matters
  • Pensions law including occupational and private schemes, drafting of the same, administration and the settling of disputes
  • Court of Protection – advice on all matters, from Lasting Powers of Attorney to statutory wills
  • Charities – advice on all aspects of charity law

Notable Inheritance Act Disputes Cases


Re Weetman [2015] WTLR 1745

Meek [2014] COPLR 535; [2014] WTLR 1155

Drakeford v Cotton [2012] 3 All ER 1138; [2012] 3 FCR 464; [2012] WTLR 1135; [2012] 15 ITELR 144

Euro Stock Shop Ltd v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2010] STC 2454

Heath v Heath [2010] 1 FLR 610

Sprackling v Sprackling [2009] WTLR 897

Bates v Wheildon [2008] WTLR 1705

Hartshorne v Gardner [2008] WTLR 837

Revenue and Customs Commrs v Dunwood Travel Ltd [2008] STC 959 (CA), [2008] STC 411

Ledger v Wootton [2008] WTLR 235

Staffordshire County Council v. Challinor [2008] 1 P & CR 10

Kynnersley v Wolverhampton City Council [2008] WTLR 65

Land v Estate of Land [2007] 1 WLR 1009

Hughes v Hughes [2005] 1 FCR 679

McNulty v McNulty [2002] WTLR 737

Related News, Resources and Events

News


Bullock v Denton [2020]

County Court at Leeds Mrs Bullock had lived and cohabited with Mr Simon Denton for around 3 years 4 months at the date of his…

News


The rocky route to compensation

The article has been reproduced with kind permission from Mineral Planning. When a single pipeline is laid under another’s land the standard industry approach is…

View all related news

    

Related News, Resources and Events

News


Bullock v Denton [2020]

County Court at Leeds Mrs Bullock had lived and cohabited with Mr Simon Denton for around 3 years 4 months at the date of his…

News


The rocky route to compensation

The article has been reproduced with kind permission from Mineral Planning. When a single pipeline is laid under another’s land the standard industry approach is…

View all related news

Clerk Team

Danny Griffiths

Director of Clerking (Birmingham)

danielg@no5.com

07960 831815

Jordan Zaza

Business & Property Clerk

jordanz@no5.com

Daniel Birch

Business & Property Clerk

danielbirch@no5.com

Olivia McIntyre

Business & Property Clerk

oliviam@no5.com

Portfolio Builder

Select the expertise that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

    Download    Add to portfolio   
    Portfolio
    TitleTypeCVEmail

    Remove All

    Download


    Click here to share this shortlist.
    (It will expire after 30 days.)