Charlotte John
@lottiejohn1.bsky.social
Barrister at Gatehouse. Private Client, COP, trusts, probate and property.
She/her
🏳️🌈 ally
Here for a bit of The Archers chat too.
She/her
🏳️🌈 ally
Here for a bit of The Archers chat too.
Celebrity deaths rarely get to me, but oh my god. The incredible Catherine O'Hara.
a woman in a black dress is smiling with #schitts creek written in the corner
ALT: a woman in a black dress is smiling with #schitts creek written in the corner
media.tenor.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Celebrity deaths rarely get to me, but oh my god. The incredible Catherine O'Hara.
Stunning pictures, Chris.
January 17, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Stunning pictures, Chris.
Reposted by Charlotte John
January 17, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Charlotte John
Something lovely for the weekend!
Minoan cups made by Bronze Age potters some 3,800 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Minoan cups made by Bronze Age potters some 3,800 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete 📷 by me
#Archaeology
January 10, 2026 at 12:50 PM
I use Diarium - one off fee, no subscription, and can back up to your choice of cloud storage.
January 3, 2026 at 3:41 PM
I use Diarium - one off fee, no subscription, and can back up to your choice of cloud storage.
Thanks Nicholas. It's often small things - a flower I spotted on my walk, something I'm grateful for, that sort of thing. I'm convinced it has trained me to scan for and notice good things when they arise. Two years on, my app reminds me of these moments which is lovely.
January 3, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Thanks Nicholas. It's often small things - a flower I spotted on my walk, something I'm grateful for, that sort of thing. I'm convinced it has trained me to scan for and notice good things when they arise. Two years on, my app reminds me of these moments which is lovely.
Late 2023 I read an article by Dr Rick Hanson on neuroplasticity: the brain is 'Teflon for good experiences, Velcro for bad', so we should purposefully dwell on the good. I started a happiness diary, recording something positive every day. Two years on its been a genuinely transformative practice.
January 3, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Late 2023 I read an article by Dr Rick Hanson on neuroplasticity: the brain is 'Teflon for good experiences, Velcro for bad', so we should purposefully dwell on the good. I started a happiness diary, recording something positive every day. Two years on its been a genuinely transformative practice.
Reposted by Charlotte John
Hear me out, ok? Leonard was out at midnight litter picking. He slipped down the bank and the bottle he was holding was launched and hit George on the head. While George was unconscious, Hilda came and sharpened her claws on his face. Then Paul on a driving lesson runs George over. #TheArchers
January 1, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Hear me out, ok? Leonard was out at midnight litter picking. He slipped down the bank and the bottle he was holding was launched and hit George on the head. While George was unconscious, Hilda came and sharpened her claws on his face. Then Paul on a driving lesson runs George over. #TheArchers
In Lowe v Daniells, a beneficiary responded to notification of an inheritance with abuse but wouldn't sign a disclaimer. HHJ Matthews permitted distribution as if she had disclaimed. An example of the court's willingness to craft pragmatic solutions to help PRs www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...
![The Unwanted Inheritance?
When a Beneficiary Refuses to Engage
Lowe v Daniells [2025] EWHC 3297 (Ch)
HHJ Paul Matthews faced the problem of a beneficiary who, perhaps suspecting a scam, responded to the offer of a £184,000 inheritance with abusive emails, asserting there was nothing in the estate, but refusing to disclaim.
The Claim
The professional administrator brought a CPR 64 claim seeking directions as to what to do with the residue of the estate. The beneficiary was joined as a defendant but did not respond to the claim.
The Dilemma
Standing v Bowring (1885)
The law presumes acceptance of a gift. To divest it, there must be a disclaimer. It was difficult to interpret D's hostile actions — based on a mistaken belief that there was no money — as manifesting a clear intention to disclaim.
The Decision
1. Disclaimer Issue: Declined
The Judge refused to rule on the disclaimer itself. As the substitute beneficiaries were not parties, it was inappropriate to make a finding that would extinguish their potential interest without them being heard.
2. The Solution: Benjamin Order
Rejected paying funds into Court. Instead, granted a Re Benjamin order.
PR directed to distribute on the footing that D had disclaimed.
Protects PR from devastavit claims.
Leaves D free to pursue the substitute beneficiaries directly.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rixlznsn6at43hulimfz3izg/bafkreibdmikzhu72efrm63qrzbjzq4pfkzcu5vflokbsxa2su4a4msaaci@jpeg)
December 29, 2025 at 9:34 AM
In Lowe v Daniells, a beneficiary responded to notification of an inheritance with abuse but wouldn't sign a disclaimer. HHJ Matthews permitted distribution as if she had disclaimed. An example of the court's willingness to craft pragmatic solutions to help PRs www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...
Well that was smashing telly! Loved watching Joe and Alan in particular.
November 6, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Well that was smashing telly! Loved watching Joe and Alan in particular.
Reposted by Charlotte John
A deep-dive into the fictional will and murder-for-inheritance scenario in Taylor Swift's Anti-Hero through the lens of English law — private purpose trusts, certainties, perpetuities, forfeiture, butterfly lifespans, cat pictures, and capricious pet bequests.
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
She Who Laughs Last? Pets, Perpetuities, and Other Problems with the Last Will and Testament of Taylor A. Swift - Equity's Darling
A legal analysis of Taylor Swift’s fictional will from Anti-Hero, exploring pets, perpetuities, probate pitfalls and the perils of home-drafted wills under English law.
equitysdarling.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
A deep-dive into the fictional will and murder-for-inheritance scenario in Taylor Swift's Anti-Hero through the lens of English law — private purpose trusts, certainties, perpetuities, forfeiture, butterfly lifespans, cat pictures, and capricious pet bequests.
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
Very kind. Thank you, Chris.
October 25, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Very kind. Thank you, Chris.
It's a still from the music video to Anti-Hero. There should be a caption but it doesn't show for some reason.
October 25, 2025 at 10:38 AM
It's a still from the music video to Anti-Hero. There should be a caption but it doesn't show for some reason.
I'm not sure what you mean by illustrator.
October 25, 2025 at 10:05 AM
I'm not sure what you mean by illustrator.
Those are the perks when you're living the Life of a Showgirl.
October 25, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Those are the perks when you're living the Life of a Showgirl.
Sorry Daniel! Although, I'm pleased to learn that those guys have it pretty good in real life.
October 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Sorry Daniel! Although, I'm pleased to learn that those guys have it pretty good in real life.
The Aretha story makes me hope for a dispensing power here. I believe one of the arguments was that her smiley face addition meant that it was just a note or a draft and not intended as a final will.
October 25, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The Aretha story makes me hope for a dispensing power here. I believe one of the arguments was that her smiley face addition meant that it was just a note or a draft and not intended as a final will.
It's been nagging at me every since I watched it!
October 25, 2025 at 8:03 AM
It's been nagging at me every since I watched it!
A deep-dive into the fictional will and murder-for-inheritance scenario in Taylor Swift's Anti-Hero through the lens of English law — private purpose trusts, certainties, perpetuities, forfeiture, butterfly lifespans, cat pictures, and capricious pet bequests.
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
She Who Laughs Last? Pets, Perpetuities, and Other Problems with the Last Will and Testament of Taylor A. Swift - Equity's Darling
A legal analysis of Taylor Swift’s fictional will from Anti-Hero, exploring pets, perpetuities, probate pitfalls and the perils of home-drafted wills under English law.
equitysdarling.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
A deep-dive into the fictional will and murder-for-inheritance scenario in Taylor Swift's Anti-Hero through the lens of English law — private purpose trusts, certainties, perpetuities, forfeiture, butterfly lifespans, cat pictures, and capricious pet bequests.
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...
This looks to be an important and very interesting event - a conference on 13 April 2026 at Selwyn College Cambridge organised by @julietbrook.bsky.social and Dr Derek Whayman to discuss the Wills Bill 2025 and the Law Commission's proposals for will reform.
research.reading.ac.uk/succession20...
research.reading.ac.uk/succession20...
The Law of Succession and the Wills Bill - The Law of Succession and the Wills Bill
A one day conference to discuss the Wills Bill 2025 and related matters. At Selwyn College, Cambridge, 13 April 2026
research.reading.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 9:51 AM
This looks to be an important and very interesting event - a conference on 13 April 2026 at Selwyn College Cambridge organised by @julietbrook.bsky.social and Dr Derek Whayman to discuss the Wills Bill 2025 and the Law Commission's proposals for will reform.
research.reading.ac.uk/succession20...
research.reading.ac.uk/succession20...
Reposted by Charlotte John
Happy Friday! Bluesky can't tell from my face that I am over the age of 18 so I cannot access DMs.
New blog post recalling the height of social distancing and back garden will-witnessing, as Covid era wills start to blossom into contentious probate challenges: equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/09/26/n...
New blog post recalling the height of social distancing and back garden will-witnessing, as Covid era wills start to blossom into contentious probate challenges: equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/09/26/n...
No line of sight: due execution and presence In the Estate of Kathleen Coady - Equity's Darling
Coady v Coady: Covid-era “garden signing” fails s.9 Wills Act 1837. The presumption of due execution, and why the Will was invalid.
equitysdarling.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Happy Friday! Bluesky can't tell from my face that I am over the age of 18 so I cannot access DMs.
New blog post recalling the height of social distancing and back garden will-witnessing, as Covid era wills start to blossom into contentious probate challenges: equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/09/26/n...
New blog post recalling the height of social distancing and back garden will-witnessing, as Covid era wills start to blossom into contentious probate challenges: equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/09/26/n...
Happy Friday! Bluesky can't tell from my face that I am over the age of 18 so I cannot access DMs.
New blog post recalling the height of social distancing and back garden will-witnessing, as Covid era wills start to blossom into contentious probate challenges: equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/09/26/n...
New blog post recalling the height of social distancing and back garden will-witnessing, as Covid era wills start to blossom into contentious probate challenges: equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/09/26/n...
No line of sight: due execution and presence In the Estate of Kathleen Coady - Equity's Darling
Coady v Coady: Covid-era “garden signing” fails s.9 Wills Act 1837. The presumption of due execution, and why the Will was invalid.
equitysdarling.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Happy Friday! Bluesky can't tell from my face that I am over the age of 18 so I cannot access DMs.
New blog post recalling the height of social distancing and back garden will-witnessing, as Covid era wills start to blossom into contentious probate challenges: equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/09/26/n...
New blog post recalling the height of social distancing and back garden will-witnessing, as Covid era wills start to blossom into contentious probate challenges: equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/09/26/n...
Reposted by Charlotte John
Hot off the press, Anita Mehta and I take a look at the differing approaches to conduct in financial provision claims under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 on divorce and under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 on death.
financialremediesjournal.com/content/bad-...
financialremediesjournal.com/content/bad-...
Financial Remedies Journal: Bad Behaviour and Broken Bonds: A Comparison of Conduct in 1973 and 1975 Act Claims
financialremediesjournal.com
July 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Hot off the press, Anita Mehta and I take a look at the differing approaches to conduct in financial provision claims under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 on divorce and under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 on death.
financialremediesjournal.com/content/bad-...
financialremediesjournal.com/content/bad-...