Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Contentious trusts and probate

Holmes & Hills in Sudbury, Suffolk, has a 'friendly team with quick response times' and lead partner Rachel Shaw is 'user-friendly and makes complex matters clear and easy to understand'. She is an associate member of ACTAPS and focuses purely on contentious probate matters.

Contentious trusts and probate in East Anglia

Ashtons Legal

Ashtons Legal has built up a substantial contentious trusts and probate group in recent years and some clients see it as ‘the “go to” firm in East Anglia for private wealth disputes‘. Lead partner and ACTAPS member Polly Stephenson in Ipswich focuses purely on this area of law, with strong support from ‘reliable and exceptional‘ legal executive Joanna Baker (who is known for her ‘deft client handling and empathetic approach‘). Litigation partner Annabel Mayer in Bury St Edmunds and ‘thorough and conscientious‘ senior associate Gino Ballestracci in Norwich also play key roles in the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Polly Stephenson


Autres avocats clés:

Annabel Mayer; Joanna Baker; Gino Ballestracci


Les références

‘Each specialist department work exceptionally well together which results in an excellent team. The other employees we have dealt with have been extremely knowledgeable but also friendly and approachable, this is what makes the practice stand out from other firms I have used in the past.’

‘We have had the pleasure of dealing with Gino Ballestracci. We find him exceptional at his work. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable but also easy to talk to, friendly and approachable. He is mindful of our mental health when personal matters have been difficult for us. Considering his large workload his quality of work never drops. His availability is excellent and he has always been available to discuss any developments and matters became stressful his advice and reassurance was highly appreciated.

‘Ashtons Legal are the “go to” firm in East Anglia for private wealth disputes, especially concerning property and estates issues. Joanna Baker is always reliable and exceptional – you want her in your corner. Joanna’s handling of factually sensitive and legally complex work makes her a first port of call for difficult cases. We have worked on a several cases concerning trusts of land, proprietary estoppel and inheritance disputes. ’

Principaux clients

Jayne Hathway


Julie Smith


Principaux dossiers


  • Success in the Court of Appeal this year in the case of Bowser v Smith [2023] EWCA Civ 923.
  • Representing clients in a multi-million pound, multi-jurisdictional dispute whose outcome has significant tax implications. The clients are defending a challenge from the children of the deceased in relation to a professionally prepared Will.
  • Representing clients in a range of multi-million pound disputes in varying circumstances, also dealing with the removal of executors and handling an estate inherited by a minor.

Birketts LLP

Birketts LLP has a dedicated contentious trusts and probate practice that works across all of its offices, but the key expertise lies in Norwich with practice head Bernadette Baker, and in Cambridge with ‘calm and constructive‘ legal director Kate Harris. Together they have ‘excellent specialist knowledge and provide pragmatic advice‘ on cases concerning trustee or executor responsibilities, the validity of a will, matters of mental incapacity caused by dementia, and claims under the 1975 Inheritance Act. Baker and Harris recently assisted a deceased father’s children with a £5.4m challenge to his will. Katie Emerson joined the team in June 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Bernadette Baker


Autres avocats clés:

Kate Harris; Anna Kelly; Katie Emerson


Les références

‘Kate Harris is a sensible and thoughtful lawyer with a calm and constructive approach to litigation. She communicates well and inspires trust and confidence in those she works with.’

‘The contentious trusts and probate team led by Bernadette Baker has excellent specialist knowledge and provides pragmatic advice. ’

‘Anna Kelly stands out. She is greatly valued by her clients, as she builds a clear understanding of their needs and offers sensible, expert advice. She is also highly organised and efficient.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Represented the Leonard Children in a High Court Trial in November 2023 in the dispute over the validity of their late father’s will.
  • Successfully represented Mr Bruce Constantine in the reported High Court case relating to an application for relief from sanctions, in a long-fought High Court contested probate claim.

Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP has 'an extremely strong team with a national reputation for excellence'. The firm is frequently involved in complex cases involving assets exceeding £10m in value. The work encompasses claims under the Inheritance Act 1975, disputes concerning the validity of wills, and actions involving trustees and executors. Partner Lucinda Brown in Cambridge joined from BDB Pitmans in late 2023 and now co-leads the practice with David Catchpole in Norwich. They lead a group of lawyers, among them Cambridge-based associate James Russ, who are 'bright and conscientious and genuinely care about their clients'. The majority of the team are members of ACTAPS.

Responsables de la pratique:

David Catchpole; Lucinda Brown


Autres avocats clés:

James Russ; Tracy-Ann Moore


Les références

‘Lucinda Brown was on the ball and was able to communicate quite complex legal points across to a client who had limited knowledge of the subject and had the ability to mirror the character of her client. ’

‘My solicitor, Lucinda Brown, is very thorough. She has given me sound advice thus far. She is honest in her opinions and gives advice accordingly. Her correspondence is thorough and detailed.’

‘David Catchpole is a hugely knowledgeable and capable lawyer. His knowledge of the law is second to none, and he always has his clients’ best interests at heart. James Russ is an-up and-coming star. He is a strong litigator who fights hard to achieve exceptional results for his clients.’

Tees Law

The litigation group at Tees Law has built up a strong presence in contentious trusts and probate work, having developed a deep bench of specialist practitioners. Legal director Polly Kerr, who works from both Royston and Cambridge, oversees the core team in Cambridge, in which vastly experienced senior associate Sara Stabler is the standout practitioner. She is ably supported by senior associate Angela Togher, who joined from Sebastians Solicitors in late 2023. Stabler, who is 'very able, practical, and pleasant to work with', has Higher Rights and is a member of ACTAPS.

Responsables de la pratique:

Polly Kerr


Autres avocats clés:

Sara Stabler; Angela Togher


Les références

‘A good private client team.’

‘Sara Stabler is very able, practical, and pleasant to work with.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advised on reaching a settlement in a matter where the deceased, his widow and the executor had passed away. Following the death of the executor, their solicitors practice closed. Instructed to reach settlement as balance to be distributed to beneficiaries was less than perceived value of the estate.
  • Advising in a matter where a child had received a life gift of property interest to the exclusion of three siblings. Instructed to act to determine the interest held by the child and the basis for it (did it reflect a financial contribution to property) and, if so, what interest (15% or 30%). The matter was further complicated as the executors were also beneficiaries and kept altering their position.
  • Children of deceased inherited interest in farm land that impacted on commercial relations and relations between partners. A greater interest in farm assets altered negotiating positions.

Buckles Solicitors LLP

Buckles Solicitors LLP hired the 'thoughtful and effectiveBen Fox in Cambridge from Ellisons Solicitors to lead its contentious probate team, which features experienced commercial litigation consultant Paul Branch and senior associate Alex Burch in Peterborough. All three are full members of ACTAPS, and their workload is growing significantly throughout Cambridgeshire and beyond. They frequently handle claims concerning capacity, undue influence, knowledge and approval, as well as contentious deputyship applications, challenges to care home fees, and the removal of executors.

Responsables de la pratique:

Paul Branch; Ben Fox


Autres avocats clés:

Alex Burch


Les références

‘The work which was done for me was dealt with by Paul Branch who I found very easy to talk to. His leadership was first class, always keeping me fully informed of how the case was going and also how we should proceed in the future. He also kept me informed regarding the costs at each stage and also what the future costs may be.’

‘The team has real expertise in this field and a wealth of experience of dealing with high-value, complex and contentious estates and trusts. It is a very strong regional presence in this area. They are also well complemented by the very strong private client and corporate teams.’

‘Paul Branch is a highly experienced litigator, who is an unfailing source of wise counsel and good judgment. He is also a qualified mediator and he brings that sense of the practical and the possible to the resolution of every dispute. He has built a very strong and specialist team, including the superb Alex Burch who is a calm and proactive presence in the resolution of even the most fraught dispute. ’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advising cohabitee against wife of deceased in Inheritance Act claim. Issues of misappropriation of funds, cross border issues and potentially a claim for interim relief to ensure our client did not lose her accommodation but able to resolve claim swiftly with a large sum paid to the client.
  • Acting for executor and one of 2 beneficiaries of Will of surviving parent. Other child beneficiary challenged will on basis of capacity and undue influence. Caveat warned off, appearance entered and proceedings issued for a grant in solemn form. Obtaining order for that grant plus costs against sibling.
  • Advising a client in relation to proceedings in the Court of Protection (and now High Court as well) for a statutory Will which involves delicate consideration of current capacity and draws in issues of mutual Wills and previous issues of capacity and knowledge and approval. Estate valuable and complex, including a number of valuable works of art and a number of properties. The application is being opposed by a large national charity.

Greene & Greene

Greene & Greene in Bury St Edmunds has experienced litigation partners in Rob Adam and Michael Batty, who oversee the work of associate and Bee Belby, who is an associate member of ACTAPS. They have 'a refreshing approach with personal service' and handle a broad range of work that encompasses the removal of trustees, contested wills with multimillion-pound assets, Inheritance Act claims, and high-value trust disputes. Legal executive Tracy-Ann Moore moved to Mills & Reeve LLP in late 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rob Adam


Autres avocats clés:

Michael Batty; Bee Belby


Les références

‘Greene & Greene are very much in tune with the ethos of traditional values that mean so much to clients, yet their modern business acumen is exceptional in every sense. The team work as one with a deep-seated knowledge across all aspects of law. A refreshing approach with personal service as opposed to offering a generic service and a one fits all attitude that seems to have become the norm for many law firms.’

‘Rob Adam is an outstanding professional in all aspects. Adept at solving complex issues, level-headed, adaptive in unfamiliar territory, highly knowledgeable and brings a sense of calm to stressful situations. I could not have seen through this protracted legal battle without his advice and staying power.’

‘They possess a high level of compassion and understanding for individuals in a stressful situation.’

Principaux dossiers


Howes Percival LLP

Howes Percival LLP's contentious trusts and probate practice is led from Cambridge by vastly experienced litigation partner Michael Green, who is a full member of ACTAPS and is appointed as High Court Administrator on twelve contested estates. He is supported by legal director Victoria Sandell, whose litigation work includes disputes concerning multimillion-pound estates. Clients remark that 'the team is cooperative, hardworking and focused on the client's needs'.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael Green


Autres avocats clés:

Victoria Sandell


Les références

‘They have a great deal of experience in all aspects of contentious trusts and probate.’

‘Michael Green – he has a very thorough knowledge of all aspects of trusts and estates. On the contentious side he also has a keen strategic sense which enables him to outmanoeuvre the other side to get the best results for his client. ’

‘Michael Green is outstanding – he sits as a part time judge which gives him a wealth of experience in litigating complex disputes. His in-depth technical knowledge is paired with a calm and empathetic approach ’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acting as independent administrator in highly acrimonious estate, where there are 10 beneficiaries, including 8 minors represented by a litigation friend; and a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act. The estate involved a working farm, applications between the parties under the Family Law Act 1996 and issues involving Social Care Services.
  • Acting for London banker advising as a residuary beneficiary in multi-million pound estate involving a challenge to the will and claims regarding financial management by former attorney.
  • Acting for individual to challenge Will of deceased uncle on the grounds that he lacked testamentary capacity to make the Will in circumstances where mental health issues have been raised the testator having been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Nicholsons Solicitors LLP

Nicholsons Solicitors LLP, which has offices in both Norwich and Lowestoft, is known for its partner-led and boutique style of service for high-net-worth individuals and estates across Norfolk and Suffolk. Litigator Robert Tiffen leads the contentious probate group, which frequently handles complex matters in which assets exceeding £2m are at stake. Tiffen is now an ACTAPS associate member.

Responsables de la pratique:

Robert Tiffen


Principaux dossiers


Fosters

Fosters in Norwich handles a growing volume of contentious private wealth matters for high-net-worth individuals in Norfolk, notably matters concerning the administration of estates, disputes between executors, and Inheritance Act claims. Lead partner and associate ACTAPS member Chris Fielding is 'able to break down legal jargon into understandable terms'; he recently assisted with a £2.8m dispute concerning complex matters of interpretation of a will.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chris Fielding


Les références

‘Fosters is always professional. Invoices are always clear supported by detailed worksheets. All the team we dealt with were professional.’

‘Chris Fielding is outstanding, giving clear explanations. He represented us in a long dispute which had a successful outcome.’

‘I have the pleasure of working with Chris Fielding, he is able to breakdown, legal jargon into understandable terms. Also with this sort of case emotions are quite high and is able to deal with you in a calm manner.’

Hunt & Coombs LLP

Hunt & Coombs LLP joins the ranking due to the growing workload of contentious probate matters handled by key litigation partner Helen Townsend in Peterborough. She is 'easy to deal with and a sensible, practical lawyer', and her completion of the ACTAPS course makes her the key point of contact. Vastly experienced senior associate Norman Hunter-Goulder in St Neots provides capable support for contentious probate matters, as well as general commercial litigation and employment law.

Responsables de la pratique:

Helen Townsend


Autres avocats clés:

Norman Hunter-Goulder


Les références

‘I feel fortunate to have been introduced to Hunt & Coombs. Helen Townsend has an empathy of understanding which can only be achieved by experience and age group.’

‘I have dealt with Hunt and Coombs Peterborough over the past two years for two separate and distinct issues. Both occasions I have found the practice efficient and professional and very attentive to my needs. The work they put in and the feedback is very good.’

‘Helen Townsend is a proficient lawyer who gives good advice and is a good communicator. Helen has also uncovered vital evidence due to her diligent work and continues to guide and advise in an ongoing dispute.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Claim for a beneficial interest, monies owed to her by her deceased partner and a claim for provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act.
  • Acted on behalf of the client in relation to an application to the probate registry for a subpoena against the solicitors holding the Will of his deceased mother, who refused to release the Will without the other executor’s approval.
  • Acting for the executors of the estate in relation to allegations by the deceased’s disinherited sons that the will was invalid on grounds of capacity and delusion.

Prettys Solicitors LLP

Prettys Solicitors LLP in Ipswich joins the ranking having seen its workload grow significantly in 2023. Litigation partner Graham Mead handles contentious probate matters as part of his broader practice. The firm has 'a vast and diverse knowledge base' in private client and contentious matters, notably in cases concerning Inheritance Act 1975 claims, contested wills, and  challenges over the construction and meaning of clauses within wills.

Responsables de la pratique:

Graham Mead


Les références

‘The team at Prettys Solicitors has a vast and diverse knowledge base so that if the person that you are dealing directly with doesn’t have the solution to your problem or questions raised they have a colleague who can pitch in for guidance and clarity – Great bench strength!’

Principaux dossiers


Taylor Rose

Taylor Rose joins the ranking due to the growing workload of its Peterborough office, where 'understanding, kind and compassionate' co-head of the firm-wide contest probate practice Sharon Macaulay is the main contact. Counsel note that she is 'meticulously efficient in her case and client management'. Her recent work includes proprietary estoppel claims, breach of trust and disputes regarding the transfer of estate property, and 1975 Inheritance Act claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sharon Macaulay


Autres avocats clés:

Jack Bristowe


Les références

‘Sharon Macaulay is an excellent solicitor who truly takes leadership of her cases and provides high class representation to her clients, while maintaining a calm and personable demeanour.’

‘Sharon Macaulay is understanding, kind and compassionate and gets excellent results for her clients. She is cost conscious from the start of a transaction.’

‘Sharon Macaulay explains things in a down to earth way and client’s really appreciate her efforts.’