Daniel Gill

“pragmatic and focused” Legal 500 2017

Daniel is a Senior Associate working out of both our Taunton and Bristol offices. Daniel specialises in civil and regulatory dispute resolution.

Contentious Probate, Estates and Trusts

Daniel regularly acts and advises in cases involving challenges over the validity of Wills, contentious Probate, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, issues arising out of the administration of problematic estates and trusts including the removal of Executors/Trustees, proprietary estoppel, professional negligence in the context of Will drafting and estate/trust administration, and claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. Particularly noteworthy cases include acting for two Executors in one of the few litigated cases involving questions as to whether a deceased’s Will was properly executed in accordance with the requirements of the Wills Act 1837, and acting for a surviving spouse in a mutual wills dispute concerning a multi-million pound estate.

Property disputes

Daniel’s practice covers all types of property disputes, including disputes over boundaries, adverse possession, easements, public and private rights of way, positive and restrictive covenants, landlords and tenants, and mortgages.

Commercial litigation

Daniel regularly acts for and advises businesses in a whole range of commercial disputes. Daniel has experience in acting against a high-profile football club concerning the renovation of the said club’s main stadium pitch and training pitches.

Regulatory disputes

Daniel often prosecutes and defends cases involving allegations of breaches of environmental, planning, trading, and animal welfare laws. A particularly successful case saw Daniel successfully defend a farmer who was prosecuted by the Environment Agency for the alleged deposit of controlled waste on his land in what has been reported in the national press as the most expensive prosecution ever conducted by the Environment Agency. Daniel has also recently been successful acting for a local authority in a Judicial Review stemming from a prosecution for breaches of planning legislation.

Sector focus

Whilst Daniel’s work covers a variety of sectors in the economy, many of Daniel’s clients are involved in agriculture or agri-business. Accordingly, this is a sector of particular interest to Daniel. Daniel is currently a committee member of the Agricultural Law Association West of England branch.

Daniel is a regular contributor to our agricultural law blog (agriblog).