Overview

• Sir Anthony Mann dismissed Jonathan Marcus’s appeal on July 11, affirming that Edward Marcus is entitled to half of the £14.5 million family trust.
• The judge found that Stuart Marcus consistently treated Edward as his son and intended the trust’s beneficiaries to include both brothers.
• Jonathan challenged Edward’s share after discovering in 2023 that Edward was born from a 2010 affair between Patricia Marcus and solicitor Sydney Glossop.
• Master Matthew Marsh had earlier confirmed Edward’s non-paternity but ruled that the trust’s reference to “children” encompassed both Edward and Jonathan based on the settlor’s context.
• The decision highlights that English trust law gives precedence to a settlor’s demonstrated intent and real-world family relationships over strict biological definitions.