Maria Chami
Managing Associate
Maria Chami, Managing Associate at Stephenson Harwood, is recognised for expertise in private wealth disputes, pensions disputes and professional negligence claims.
Managing Associate
Maria Chami, Managing Associate at Stephenson Harwood, is recognised for expertise in private wealth disputes, pensions disputes and professional negligence claims.
Languages – English, Arabic
Jurisdiction – England & Wales
Maria is a private wealth and pensions disputes specialist, guiding trustees, beneficiaries, and individuals through complex, high-value litigation and mediation.
She has extensive experience representing for onshore/offshore trustees, beneficiaries of large-scale trust structures, private individuals in probate claims, as well as acting for/against legal and tax advisors (and their PI Insurers) on professional negligence claims.
Her private wealth practice covers a wide range of issues, including breach of trust claims, disclosure and distribution matters, and domestic probate disputes involving the validity of wills. She also has experience advising on the removal of conflicted executors and offshore trustees, and disputes between co-executors. Her pensions practice covers high value applications relating to rectification, construction, as well as professional negligence claims.
Maria is known for her ability to navigate complex, high-value disputes and deliver bespoke solutions for her clients. Clients turn to Maria for her ability to chart a clear course through intricate disputes and deliver tailored solutions, whether in court or through mediation. Her approach is thorough, responsive, and practical, ensuring clients can move forward with confidence, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Maria’s notable work includes acting in landmark pensions litigation such as the Honda Group-UK Pension Scheme Trustee Ltd v Mercer Ltd and the BT Pension Scheme Trustees case, as well as achieving successful outcomes in mediation in trusts and probate claims. She is recognised for her thorough, responsive, and clear advice, and is ranked in Chambers UK and recommended by Legal 500 for her work in pensions litigation and private wealth disputes and has been short-listed as a "Rising Star" in the STEP Private Client Awards (Worldwide).
Corporate Trustee
Successful settlement of breach of trust claim against Jersey corporate trustee and contribution claim against trustee's advisors.
Corporate Trustee
Advised offshore corporate trustee on its exposure in connection with failed bond investments and advised on enforcement of insurance policy under the terms of the investment.
Corporate Trustee
Advised corporate trustee on the distribution of assets in respect of missing beneficiaries.
Private Individual
Acted for beneficiary in an acrimonious dispute regarding the division of assets of the Trust amongst beneficiaries and hostile removal of trustee company.
Private Individual
Successful settlement of probate claim which sought to overturn five different wills on the basis of mental capacity and undue influence.
Trustees of private family pension scheme
Acted for trustees of pension scheme embroiled in hostile family litigation concerning the division of assets of the family estate.
Arbitration
Acted for corporate trustee on a high value construction application in the context of M&A transaction before an Arbitral Tribunal.
International Law Firm and PI Insurers
Successful settlement of negligence claim brought against International Law Firm.
Mercer Ltd
Advised on complicated limitation defences in a strike out and reverse summary judgment application in Honda Group-UK Pension Scheme Trustee Ltd v Mercer Ltd [2022] EWHC 3197 (Ch) based on s.14B of the Limitation Act.
Pensions Consultant
Acted for a pension consultants and legal advisors in high value professional negligence claim and achieving successful outcome at mediation.
