Finian Davern

Solicitor and Notary

I am a litigator specialising in workplace, commercial and civil disputes, including employment law, and I typically represent companies, partnerships and individuals in disputes with larger enterprises. I conduct cases through the courts and tribunal systems but am also experienced in negotiating out-of-court settlements on favourable terms.

In my employment law work, I take instructions from both individuals and businesses either to bring or to defend proceedings where employees are claiming, for example, unfair dismissal, breach of contract, harassment, discrimination or whistleblowing, or where businesses are seeking to protect their commercial interests from wrongdoing by their employees.

I also provide advice and support to businesses which need to navigate a wide range of employee rights when managing ongoing working relationships, when implementing business reorganisations and sales, or when taking decisions to terminate an employment relationship. In particular, I advise on and conduct negotiations relating to employment settlement agreements, which are aimed at resolving disputes without the need for litigation.

My property work involves advising owners and long-term leaseholders on legal issues that can arise between neighbours – such as boundary, nuisance, party wall, and rights of light disputes – and on the contentious issues that can arise between landlords and tenants, in both commercial and residential contexts – such as service charge, rent, covenant, possession, or enfranchisement disputes.

My contentious private client and contentious probate work involves advice to executors and trustees, as well as beneficiaries, on the issues arising from challenges to Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and the administration of estates.

I am a notary public and assist in the completion of documents that are needed for dealing with legal matters in other jurisdictions.

Clients appreciate my responsiveness under time pressures, clear advice on often complex matters, and supportive and practical approach in pursuing the outcomes they seek.

Memberships

• Employment Lawyers Association

• Notaries Society

Raymond Davern

Barrister

I specialise in private client law advising individuals and families, focusing on wealth management.

I prepare Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney so clients know that their wishes will be respected. I advise on Estate Planning strategies to help to mitigate liabilities to inheritance tax and on Family Investment vehicles to assist in managing your family’s wealth. I also advise on the sales and purchases of businesses and assets, structuring them with the aim of minimising exposure to tax and addressing business succession issues.

I act in disputes relating to business, property, land, wills and trusts. I qualified as a Chancery barrister in 1988 and have practised as a lawyer in London, the Cayman Islands, and the British Virgin Islands, appearing as counsel in a number of reported cases in the High Court, Court of Appeal, House of Lords, and Privy Council.

I have lectured in law at King’s College, London, and have published regularly in prestigious journals over the years on the law of trusts and related private client topics, with a number of my articles being cited (with judicial approval) in some of the largest trusts claims advanced globally during the past decade.

Clients appreciate my friendly and approachable manner and my solutions-oriented approach that combines legal analysis with practical advice.

Memberships

• City of London branch of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP)

• Accredited mediator