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      £8 Million Ming vase collection to be broken up following inheritance dispute

      4 August 2016 by Susanne Grimwade

      Susanne Grimwade
      Ming Vase Collection

      Sir Michael Butler a former aide to Margaret Thatcher died on Christmas Eve 2013. During Sir Michael’s lifetime he amassed a truly unique 17th Century collection of 500 Chinese porcelain ceramics valued at £8 million. Experts have sighted the collection to be “the finest and most extensive collection of its kind”.

      For the last six years Sir Michael’s younger children Katharine and Charles have been locked in a bitter legal dispute with their elder siblings to keep the collection as a whole in The Butler Family’s private museum in Mapperton Dorset where Sir Michael once lived. However, Sir Michael’s elder children Caroline and James have successfully won a ruling in the High Court of Justice which means the collection will now be broken up with each sibling entitled to choose 125 pieces each.

      In an interview following the ruling last week Katharine said “The world’s best collection of Chinese porcelain from that era will be broken up and dispersed, when our father made it very clear he wanted it kept together.”

      Sadly disputes involving the distribution of personal effects are common place following a death as these items often carry emotional connotations. In order to ensure your personal effects go to the beneficiaries of your choice it is essential clear instructions are set out in your Will. Whilst it is not necessary to itemise every single item care should be taken as to whether the personal effects are to be given to an individual or sold and the proceeds distributed among a number of beneficiaries. Care should also be taken regarding the practicality of certain gifts. For example is it really wise to leave a car to an individual who is unable to drive, or a painting to be shared among several people living in different countries!

      For further information please contact a member of our Private Client Team on [email protected].

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      Fisher Jones Greenwood is the trading name of Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP, a Limited Liability Partnership authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England ( Number: OC305854 ). A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office at Charter Court, Newcomen Way, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 9YA

      We are open for business and working remotely

      Here at Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors we would like to reassure all our existing and future clients that even in these uncertain and difficult times we are able to assist you with your current and future legal requirements.

      Like so many others, we are constantly monitoring and acting on Government advice and guidelines and as such our offices are temporarily closed to the public. You may, if you wish, visit our offices to post any correspondence and documents through letter boxes.

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