Woman sues stepbrother for allegedly taking advantage of vulnerable father to move his assets away

A woman is suing her stepbrother in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar for allegedly taking advantage of her sick and vulnerable father to move his assets away.

The stepbrother, however, contends the man’s will is valid, and that he wasn’t as close to his daughter as she claimed.

Helena Rosa Rios Oostendorp claims that, while her father was seriously ill, significant assets including property in Ocean Village, cash and shares were transferred into trusts and companies linked to her stepbrother, Alexander van der Lely.

The assets and case total two million pounds, and they come before the Gibraltar courts because they are held in the jurisdiction.

The claims are denied by Mr van de Lely, who says he followed his father’s will.

Puisne Judge, John Restano was asked to decide who had the legal right to pursue those claims.

Although the estate’s executor is a Gibraltar trust company, the judge found it was too closely involved in the disputed transactions to act.

Instead, the court granted Ms Rios limited authority to bring the case solely for litigation purposes. She must fund the case herself and cannot access or control estate assets.

The ruling does not decide ownership of the assets, which will be determined at a later stage.