Graham Sellers

Call 1990

sellers@exchangechambers.co.uk

"Graham is exceptionally diligent and turns urgent work around quickly and at a high quality; he is thorough in his preparation and he is an excellent advocate. Out of court, he has a great ability to adapt his style to the clients, who respect his advice even when it is not what they want to hear."

The Legal 500 2024
Photo of Graham Sellers

  • Recommendations

    Graham is recognised by Legal 500 (2022) as a Leading Band 1 Junior in Commercial, Banking, Insolvency and Chancery law and I am also a full member of the Insolvency Lawyers’ Association.

    “Graham is exceptionally diligent and turns urgent work around quickly and at a high quality; he is thorough in his preparation and he is an excellent advocate. Out of court, he has a great ability to adapt his style to the clients, who respect his advice even when it is not what they want to hear.” Legal 500 (2024)

    “Graham is very responsive and attentive, offering an excellent service combining technical excellence with pragmatic advice” Legal 500 (2023)

    “Always on hand for support, extremely knowledgeable and creative. Good on feet and drafting.” Legal 500 (2022)

    “Excellent advocacy skills. Quickly offers clients commercial and pragmatic solutions when difficulties arise. Always available to discuss cases and always takes an interest in the case throughout the litigation” Legal 500 (2021)

    “Graham Sellers is a go-to for insolvency-related instructions” Legal 500 (2021)

    “His advice is clear, relevant, and focussed on finding solutions” Legal 500 (2020)

    “Pragmatic and commercially astute” Legal 500 (2019)

    “Many thanks for your first class advice as always” Midlands Business Recovery & Insolvency Partner feedback (June 2018)

    “Very detail-oriented – he misses nothing” Legal 500 (2018)

    “Particularly well known for his insolvency practice” Legal 500 (2017)

    “Very good both on paper and with difficult legal issues” Legal 500 (2016)

    “A widely recognised insolvency practitioner” Legal 500 (2015)

  • Education

    LL.B (Hons)

    LL.M (Cantab)

  • Memberships

    Chancery Bar Association

    Northern Chancery Bar Association

    Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Asscoation

    Northern Circuit

  • News

Wills, Trusts and Probate

Graham has over 30 years’ experience of Wills, Trusts and Probate disputes generally and with his related expertise in complementary fields of property and insolvency, he is well able to offer an all-round service, including those cases which interact with other areas. Moreover, Graham has acted in the probate and property aspects of the various high-profile murder cases referred to below.

  • Challenges to the validity of Wills and Codicils

i.     Execution (signature) / attestation – Wills Act 1837
ii.    Testamentary Capacity
iii.   Want of knowledge and approval
iv.   Undue influence
v.    Fraud and Fraudulent calumny
vi.   Forgery
vii.  Presumptions relating to Wills

  • Advice to PRs and trustees regarding powers and/or duties, including distribution and administration disputes
  • Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (as amended)
  • Revocation of Wills
  • Applications for revocation of grants
  • Mirror Wills and Mutual Wills
  • Probate disputes re murder and manslaughter (Forfeiture Act 1982)

i.     Involved in the Jeremy Bamber murder case
ii.    Acted for the family in the Paula Gilfoyle (Eddie Gilfoyle) murder case
iii.   Acted in the Rosenthal double murder case
iv.   Acted in the Cheryl Lewis murder case
v.    Acted in the Brian Blackwell double murder case

  • Illegitimate children and children born as a result of fertilisation techniques
  • Construction applications (summons) re Wills and/or Trust Deeds
  • Rectification of Wills
  • Disputes about paternity
  • Arguments about the exercise of discretionary powers
  • Insolvent and bankrupt beneficiaries
  • Disputes between executors/trustees and beneficiaries and the removal and/or replacement of executors/trustees
  • Legal status of letters of wishes
  • Powers of advancement / maintenance / sale / mortgage / investment
  • Advice about missing beneficiaries / appropriate insurance cover
  • Applications to the Court by PRs for directions
  • Applications for statutory Wills
  • Professional negligence claims involving Wills and estates
  • Negligence / breach of trust by PRs