Dispute Resolution

Fiduciary Duty Claims

Our Approach

We act for trustees, executors, personal representatives and for individuals claiming against estates, trustees or other parties

A fiduciary is someone who has undertaken to act for or on behalf of another in a particular matter in circumstances which give rise to a relationship of trust and confidence. The distinguishing obligation of a fiduciary is the obligation of loyalty. The principal is entitled to the single-minded loyalty of his fiduciary. This core liability has several facets. A fiduciary must act in good faith; he must not make a profit out of his trust; he must not place himself in a position where his duty and his interest may conflict; he may not act for his own benefit or the benefit of a third person without the informed consent of his principal”.

Bristol and West Building Society v Mothew [1998]

All trustees have fiduciary duties such that they are placed in a position, which demands loyalty and good faith to the beneficiary.

A strong team ethic shines through at Kingsley Napley and there is ready support from across the whole team, whose assistance is always quick, accurate and reassuring.

Chambers and Partners _ 2025

The team are especially good at being empathetic towards their clients and taking the time to engage with their wider personal context.

Chambers UK _ 2026

Our Expertise

Why have fiduciary duties?

Fiduciary duties are required in order to prevent unwanted conduct on the part of the fiduciary.

Fiduciary duties are separate to and additional to a trustee’s duties. All trustees are fiduciaries but not all fiduciaries are trustees. There is no overlap.

A trustee’s specific fiduciary duties towards a beneficiary include not to profit from the trust and avoiding a conflict of interests.

Can breach of a fiduciary duty be avoided?

A fiduciary may be able to avoid liability for breach of fiduciary duty by seeking the informed consent of his principal (i.e. that the beneficiary/beneficiaries was/were aware and authorised the action taken by the trustee).

What are the ramifications for a fiduciary acting in breach of duty?

Any action taken in breach of a fiduciary duty can be set aside even if there has been no resulting loss. A proprietary remedy enabling the claimant to assert rights against property in the in the defendant’s possession may also available.

Seeking a Beddoe Order in relation to friendly trust disputes would not be appropriate. In these cases, the court will determine whether the trustees are entitled to meet the cost of the proceedings from the trust fund when the matter reaches its conclusion.

Trustees are not able to make a Beddoe application with respect to claims affecting the interests of beneficiaries between themselves or a claim by a beneficiary against a trustee.

How can we help?

We act for trustees, executors, personal representatives and for individuals claiming against estates, trustees or other parties. We also often advise on complex and cross-jurisdictional issues, and regularly work alongside other intermediaries based offshore. Our team is recognised for our expertise in this field by the legal directories: The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. If you have any questions arising from this Need to Know please do not hesitate to contact our Trust and Estate Disputes Team.