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Ryan Mowat
Ryan acts for high net worth private individuals and businesses in a wide range of disputes. Many of his clients have a public profile, and instruct Ryan when the stakes are high.
Ryan has a thriving practice acting in private wealth disputes relating to trusts and estates. The disputes he acts in are often multi-jurisdictional, complex and involve serious allegations of wrongdoing, including fraud. Ryan’s experience includes acting in disputes in the Court of Protection.
Ryan also has a vast amount of experience acting in high value and complex commercial litigation. He acted for Genting Casinos in the landmark Supreme Court win against Phil Ivey, in what was described as the biggest case ever involving the gambling industry and in which the longstanding criminal legal test for dishonesty was overturned. Ryan also acted for Rangers Football Club in the widely reported High Court dispute with Sports Direct and for Aquila Advisory against the Crown Prosecution Service in the recent Supreme Court success for a company which brought a proprietary claim against its directors to recover proceeds of crime received in breach of fiduciary duty.
Ryan is consistently recognised in the legal directories, including Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. He is ranked Band 1 in the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Disputes and ranked as a leading individual in Legal 500. He is also ranked as a Top Recommended lawyer in Spears 500 and recognised as a Citywealth Leader in Contentious Trusts. His work has been acknowledged by The Times, where he received the prestigious accolade of being named The Times Lawyer of the Week.
Ryan is also an accredited mediator.
Ryan has a broad litigation practice including:
- Trusts and Estate Disputes
- Court of Protection Disputes
- Civil Fraud
- Commercial and Contract disputes
- Shareholder and Boardroom disputes
- Professional Negligence claims
Recent work
- Acting for beneficiaries and personal representatives in a wide range of inheritance and probate claims, including cases where wills have been challenged on the grounds of forgery, incapacity or undue influence or because they have not been validly executed.
- Acting for beneficiaries, including spouses, cohabitees and children in Inheritance Act claims.
- Acting for clients in disputes over ownership of land or property, particularly beneficial interest and trusts of land disputes.
- Acting for trustees, beneficiaries and others in connection with disputes over trusts including making associated applications to court.
- Acting in breach of trust and removal claims for and against trustees.
- Acting in substantial disputes in the Court of Protection relating to disputes about attorney and deputy conduct, and disputes around the validity of LPAs.
- Acting in statutory will disputes in the Court of Protection.
- Bringing and defending unfair prejudice claims and breach of duty claims for and against directors and dealing with/acting in disputes involving fall outs between partners, directors and shareholders.
- Acting in a substantial number of successful professional negligence claims against solicitors, accountants, fund managers, IFA’s and insurance brokers.
- Acting for a group of companies in multi-million pound litigation concerning allegations of fraud, bribery and breach of fiduciary duties.
- Acting for clients obtaining or opposing freezing injunctions.
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Acting for clients bringing and defending allegations of fraud, conspiracy, deceit, knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and unjust enrichment and assisting with civil aspects of any resulting company investigation.
What clients and directories have said
He is cool, calm and collected, straight to the point and impressively insightful."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2025
Ryan Mowat is a real fighter, but in an understated way. He has good instincts in litigation and can see where it is going."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2025
Ryan has a fantastic sense of what will work with the client and judge. He is good at managing big teams and gets great results. I would readily recommend his team for contentious trust or estates."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2025
Ryan Mowat is a really good fighter. He is very, very commercial and clued up. He is always impressive."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2025
Ryan Mowat has a well-deserved reputation for excellence. He's clever, strategically astute, and always on top of his cases."
The Legal 500, 2025
Ryan Mowat is easy to recommend. He's a perfect person to head up any contentious matter, both in terms of high-level tactical considerations and ensuring appropriate resourcing."
The Legal 500, 2025
Ryan Mowat is one of the best trusts and estates litigators out there. He is completely unflappable and always goes the extra mile for clients.
The Legal 500, 2025
Ryan Mowat is exceptional. He has such good instincts and his commitment to his client’s cause is tireless."
The Legal 500, 2025
Ryan Mowat and Katherine Pymont put themselves out to accommodate the five hours time difference between UK and USA. We found that we very quickly trusted the exactness of their advice, and correctness of their intelligent opinions and perfect timing. All mixed with a human touch."
The Legal 500, 2025
Ryan Mowat is superb; his skills are really well suited to Court of Protection work because he is just so good at spotting the sensible way through."
The Legal 500, 2025
Ryan Mowat is a very experienced litigator."
The Legal 500, 2025
Ryan Mowat heads a really great team. Fun to work with but dedicated to their clients and achieving a successful outcome."
The Legal 500, 2025
Ryan Mowat is absolutely brilliant. Such sound judgment. Dedicated, calm and a very shrewd litigator always thinking several steps ahead of where you are. His team are incredibly hard-working and bright."
The Legal 500, 2024
Ryan Mowat is one of the big names in the practice area who has vast experience and is able to navigate through the most complex problems, offering expert, practical advice but also cutting through the legalities to reach a pragmatic solution."
The Legal 500, 2024
Ryan Mowat is an excellent strategist."
The Legal 500, 2024
Partner Ryan Mowat is an experienced strategy maestro. His knowledge and canny insight make him the go-to man for private client, contentious trusts and probate matters."
The Legal 500, 2024
Ryan Mowat is quite simply one of the best in the business. He is commercial, knows the law and a delight to work with."
The Legal 500, 2024
He is very collaborative, sensible, reasonable and commercially aware. He is very committed."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2024
Ryan leads the Kingsley Napley team handling the case and he is smart, dependable and sees through the minutiae, keeping the final goal in mind."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2024
He's very strategic but in a very calm way and is one of the most thorough solicitors I've come across. He's very wise, he's got great wisdom and judgement, and he is an absolute delight to work with."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2024
Ryan Mowat is an impressive litigator, an ace strategist whose combination of keen legal insight and commercial awareness achieves excellent outcomes."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2023
He is the full package. He knows the law, he’s commercially minded and always looking to craft a strategy to achieve the client’s desired aim. On top of that, he is a pleasure to work with."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2023
pragmatic, realistic, and acutely commercially-minded, but also sympathetic and understanding. His insightful, incisive analyses of cases and how they are liable to go is impressive."
The Legal 500, 2023
Ryan Mowat is an absolutely stand-out individual and his versatility in being able to adapt to the demands of various sorts of litigation is impressive. He leads by example and has the support of a keen, bright and incredibly dedicated team."
The Legal 500, 2023
Ryan Mowat is a brilliant litigator. He is completely unflappable, has a mastery of tactics and strategy, and has an eye for the most important point in a case. Clients love him."
The Legal 500, 2023
one of the finest commercial litigators currently in practice– combining technical legal knowledge with an impeccable litigator’s instinct."
The Legal 500, 2023
a renowned operator who has seen it all. He has excellent strategic insight."
The Legal 500, 2023
One of the best estates and trusts litigators in London. He keeps absolutely focused on achieving the client’s objectives, which are often achieved through his first rate negotiating powers."
The Legal 500, 2023
Ryan Mowat is without doubt one of the finest commercial litigators in the country – legally knowledgeable, strategically brilliant, exceptional at handling clients and has an ability to lead a large team (including leading QCs) and drive cases to successful conclusions.”
Legal 500 UK 2022
A very well-known and respected figure who is a steely but calm litigator”
Legal 500 UK 2022
Ryan Mowat has a firm reputation and sits amongst the best private client litigators in London.”
Legal 500 UK 2022
Very capable, clear thinking and great at handling difficult clients.”
Legal 500 UK 2022
highly experienced litigator who has seen it all and is ready for every eventuality.”
Legal 500 UK 2022
One of the best litigators around, very strong tactical awareness.”
Legal 500 UK 2022
Ryan Mowat – the thinking man’s terrier! He has a brilliant strategic mind, and is hugely client friendly, which he allies with being supremely tenacious and tough.”
Legal 500 UK 2022
He is hardworking, knowledgeable, and has excellent instincts. He combines detailed knowledge of his cases with a broad strategic overlook.”
Legal 500 UK 2022
a sophisticated litigator"
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2022
He has a wider appreciation of the issues, he is a strategic thinker and doesn't rush to litigation if there's a better way of achieving client interests. When he does, he does it effectively"
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2021
I'm a massive fan of Ryan, he is one of the leading litigators in this area"
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2021
He is really strategic and thinks through the ramifications very carefully. Strategy is his strong point."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2021
excellent – personable, commercial, good with difficult clients."
The Legal 500 UK, 2021
He is really good when there is a commercial element to a trust or probate dispute...a master strategist and really knows his law”.
Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide, 2020
Ryan Mowat is fantastic. He is incredibly experienced and tactical in his approach to sticky situations. His methodical mindset was invaluable when emotions were running high"
The Legal 500 UK, 2021
a very commercial and experienced operator"
The Legal 500 UK, 2021
Ryan Mowat is a really considered and tactical litigator. He analyses his clients’ positions very closely, not just legally but also with a view to the strategy of and behind the litigation and how that will or might impact upon the psychology of the litigants. That really comes to the fore in mediations in particular; he is a master of the strategy and psychology of mediation."
The Legal 500 UK, 2021
he combines exceptional strategic and negotiating skills with great client management and sound legal knowledge. He can go toe-to-toe with any magic circle firm, and has experience of taking litigation all the way to the Supreme Court – and winning."
The Legal 500 UK, 2021
He is focused and unflappable, especially when the going gets tough."
The Legal 500 UK, 2021
"He is a top-tier solicitor, he is exceptionally good. He makes sure he is on top of every tiny detail and leaves no stone unturned. He thinks of things two steps ahead of everybody else”
Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide, 2020
The attention to detail that he gives is extraordinary and he goes the extra mile in terms of case preparation."
Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide, 2020
He's very good at leading the client through the process. He gave pragmatic and grounded advice - so practical and tough as well as gentle and sensitive."
Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide, 2020
an established partner in contentious estates and trusts. He has overseen several heavyweight pieces of litigation in the past few years. You would prefer not to be against him."
The Legal 500 UK, 2021
Ryan Mowat is a first-rate strategist, with excellent analysis combined with an eye for the big picture. I want him on my side not the other side. "
The Legal 500 UK, 2021
Ryan Mowat has become a leading light in this area, attracting some high profile cases. He is always practical and keen to secure the best result for his client. He does not get bogged down with squabbles with the other side."
The Legal 500, 2020
He is really tenacious and committed. He is exceptionally bright and resourceful."
The Legal 500, 2020
Ryan Mowat is a highly capable partner with strong tactical instincts and a thorough legal grounding."
The Legal 500, 2020
Ryan Mowat has star quality. His attention to detail is exceptional, and he provides fantastic quality of service to his clients. He is unflappable, wise and utterly reliable."
The Legal 500, 2020
Ryan Mowat has a huge amount of litigation experience and therefore great technical and tactical acumen."
The Legal 500, 2020
He had a very clear approach to our case and ensured that the best outcome would be achieved, always taking into account costs. We felt we had true professionalism behind us at all times and a very strong mind for looking at things strategically whilst keeping clear the risks of each approach. He was extremely personable and I think his dealings with the other party in his approach, persona and respect got us the outcome we wanted."
The Legal 500 UK, 2020
one of the best all-round litigators currently in practice"
The Legal 500 UK, 2019
loves nothing better than turning a difficult case into a winner"
The Legal 500 UK, 2019
Practice head Ryan Mowat continues to attract complex and varied work including an increasing proportion of work involving fraud or with offshore elements."
The Legal 500 UK, 2019
a cracking litigator" who has been "massively successful in recent cases."
Chambers and Partners UK, High Net Worth Guide, 2018
a particularly skilled negotiator."
Chambers and Partners UK, High Net Worth Guide, 2018
Mowat’s "commercial background brings some really fresh perspectives to the way he approaches cases in this field"
Chambers and Partners UK, High Net Worth Guide, 2018
tenacious and shrewd when dealing with other parties."
Chambers and Partners UK Guide, 2018
What always strikes me is his ability with clients; he just oozes confidence and clients just adore him. He will give stark advice in such a way that they just lap it up."
Chambers and Partners UK, High Net Worth Guide, 2017
stays one step ahead of the other side"
The Legal 500 UK, 2017
a huge amount of litigation experience and therefore great technical and tactical acumen"
The Legal 500 UK, 2017
He can see the wood for the trees and the best way forward for clients."
Chambers and Partners UK Guide, 2017
a big hitter in this area who really knows his stuff."
Chambers and Partners UK Guide, 2017
Clients have a lot of faith in him."
Chambers and Partners UK Guide, 2017
He is very good at managing case costs, and is very focused and very diligent."
Chambers and Partners UK Guide, 2017
the most valuable thing he did was to be able to see the big picture. He made sure the client got what he wanted to achieve. He has great commercial awareness"
Chambers and Partners UK, High Net Worth Guide, 2017
easy to deal with, efficient and knows his stuff."
Chambers and Partners UK Guide, 2016
tactically astute"
Chambers and Partners UK Guide, 2016
very savvy"
The Legal 500, 2016
throws his heart and soul into his clients’ cases and knows when to fight and when to settle"
The Legal 500, 2016
gets results"
The Legal 500, 2016
He is very good at the strategy of running litigation - almost the psychology behind litigation."
Chambers and Partners UK Guide, 2015
fantastic for strategy"
The Legal 500 UK, 2015
Clients of Kingsley Napley LLP can draw on the expertise of the 'flawless' Ryan Mowat"
The Legal 500 UK, 2014
savvy litigator, with good commercial awareness
The Legal 500 UK, 2014
Someone you want on your side''
The Legal 500 UK, 2014
Very good with clients and has a lot of common sense. His practice covers disputes in the sport, media and entertainment arenas.'"
Chambers UK, 2014
responsible for coming in and really growing this area at the firm"
The Legal 500 UK, 2014
Mowat gives robust advice and is not afraid of the fight'.
The Legal 500 UK, 2014
He is hailed by sources as "dynamic," "good with clients" and "highly tenacious - he won't let the other side off the hook."'
Chambers UK, 2013
Professional societies and memberships
- Law Society
- Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)
- Professional Negligence Lawyers Association (PNLA)
- London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA)
- Listed as a Citywealth Leader in Contentious Trusts
- Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2025 - Band 1
