Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu

Vlad is praised for his commercial instincts, empathetic approach and ability to successfully analyse risk, providing clients with the strategic and bespoke advice needed to best achieve their objectives.  He is a Senior Associate within the Contentious Trusts and Probate team, dealing with high value estate and trust disputes.  

Background & Expertise 

Having trained and qualified at a top 100 law firm before joining Aaron & Partners, Vlad has developed specific expertise in dealing with high value and complex claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) 1975 Act, as well as proprietary estoppel claims. He also acts for clients bringing or defending claims against estates, including challenges or defences to the validity of wills, estate administration disputes and removal of executors and trustees. With a diverse background and a wealth of expertise, Vlad is a valuable asset to the Contentious Trusts and Probate team. 

Vlad regularly advises trustees and beneficiaries in relation to trust related disputes, breaches of trust, claims pursuant to the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 as well as directions applications. He is also experienced in advising clients in respect of equitable claims, including resulting and constructive trust claims. 

Vlad’s litigation experience has seen him resolving claims with and without the court’s assistance, for a wide range of clients, ranging from individuals, trust corporations and banks. He has successfully pursued claims in the High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as resolving matters utilising a wide variety of alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation. 

Specialisations and Personal Achievements 

Vlad's dedication to understanding client’s objectives and emotional considerations has earned him a reputation for delivering commercially robust, cost-efficient, and effective solutions. He is particularly sought after for handling high-profile agricultural disputes and other complex matters. 

Vlad's exceptional work has been recognised by top legal directories, having regularly been listed in the Legal 500 as a "Rising Star" and praised for his commercial instincts and thoroughness. In Chambers and Partners, Vlad has been noted as an ‘Associate to Watch’ and is commended for his impressive legal acumen and his sensitive, commercially astute approach. 

Vlad is a member of ACTAPS (The Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists) 

Recent Work Examples  

• Successfully, confidentially and swiftly defended the beneficiaries of a high profile actor’s estate whose estate was facing a claim by an adult child  
• Pursued various claims on behalf of a deceased’s long standing partner, against an estate valued at £30m  
• Acted for the residuary beneficiaries of the deceased, whose death garnered significant national publicity, in successfully issuing a probate claim to prove the will in solemn form and successfully settling the counter claim challenging its validity, allowing the clients to retain their high value family farm 

• Successfully secured a farm valued in excess of seven figures on behalf on agricultural client pursuant to the doctrine of proprietary estoppel, amongst other claims 
• Acted for beneficiaries seeking to set aside a will believed to be invalid on the grounds of lack of testamentary capacity, lack of knowledge and approval and procured by means of undue influence  
• Represented the spouse and sole beneficiary of the deceased’s estate, worth in excess of £4.5m, to defend claims by the deceased’s daughters for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance Act  
• Acted for deputies seeking to challenge the validity of a declaration of trust executed by the protected party on the grounds of presumed undue influence  
• Successfully reached a settlement on behalf of the sole beneficiary of his father’s farming partnership and estate, following a claim by the deceased’s long term co-habiting partner  

• Acted for the co-executor and 50% beneficiary of an estate comprising of various farms and complex partnership issues  
• Advised trustees with regards to the removal and replacement of trustees  
• Assisted personal representatives to interpret various complex clauses in the deceased’s will and trust  
• Acted for an adult child in successfully settling a 1975 Act claim, achieving a significant increase to the inheritance due from her father’s £5m estate 

Reported Work Examples 

Thompson v Raggett and others [2018] EWHC 688 (Ch)  

Vlad successfully acted for the claimant, who secured an outright interest in a property, as well as lump sum payment and provision for her costs, totalling in excess of £414,000 from a £1.5m estate for the deceased’s long term partner and co-habitee. The High Court’s decision is significant given that the Supreme Court in Ilott v The Blue Cross [2017] 2 WLR 979 indicated that if housing is to be provided by way of maintenance, more likely than not, it will be provided by way of a life interest.  

Davies & Davies v Davies [2016] EWCA Civ 463  

Vlad assisted to secure the claimant an equitable interest in her parent’s farm, securing a lump sum payment, pursuant to the equitable doctrine of proprietary estoppel. The Court of Appeal’s decision provided clarity on the judicial approach to the interplay between expectation based, and detrimental reliance awards. 

Commentary 

Legal 500 2021 Wales Contentious Trusts and Probate 

• “Vlad is a rising star in this field and works astonishingly hard for his clients, putting London competitors to shame” 

Legal 500 2022 – North West – Contentious Trusts and Probate – listed as a “Rising Star” 

• “Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu is very on the ball and has first rate commercial instincts. Extremely good at assessing risk for clients.” 

• “Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu dealt with our case. He was absolutely amazing. Extremely knowledgeable and without him or this firm I doubt we would have had the outcome we did.’ 

Chambers and Partners 2021 High Net Worth Private Wealth Disputes 

• “a very impressive solicitor whose work is always extremely thorough, and a very bright and personable chap” 
• “he has really good knowledge, he’s really sound” 

Chambers and Partners 2022 High Net Worth Private Wealth Disputes – listed as an “Associate to Watch” 

• “Vlad Macdonald is really commercially astute” says a source, who also praises his “commercial but sensitive approach” 

Chambers and Partners 2023 High Net Worth Private Wealth Disputes – listed as an “Associate to Watch” 

• "I have received excellent service and have been very impressed by his forward thinking. I have total faith and confidence in Vlad." 
• "I love working with him. He is such a hard grafter. He is personable, easy to work with and always comes prepared. He gives insightful comments, does a lot of the ground work and has a good client rapport."