Philipson's death creates Thyssen hole

Trevor Philipson QC, one of the lead counsel in the court battle over Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza's estimated £1.2bn fortune, has died aged 52.

Philipson was one of three lead counsel in the Bermuda Thyssen case, which recently ground to a halt after Judge Mitchell stepped down.

Philipson's wide-ranging practice included international arbitration, aviation, civil fraud, commercial litigation and energy and natural resources. He was particularly highly regarded in the international commercial arbitration field.

Fountain Court's head of chambers Anthony Boswood QC says: "He was in the top flight of advocates and one of the foremost practitioners in aviation law. His charm was in no way superficial, but the outward evidence of great personal kindness. He will be sorely missed."

Philipson's death establishes for the second time a vacancy for lead counsel for the trustees. Philipson replaced Fountain Court's Nicholas Patten QC after he stepped down to be a High Court judge last year.