A dedicated contentious probate and trusts team at Ashtons Legal covers the gamut of matters and is applauded for having ‘great strength and depth in the team with an excellent mix of experience at all levels’. At the firm’s Ipswich office, practice head Polly Stephenson has more than a decade’s experience specialising in contentious probate and trusts work, forging a strong reputation for advice to both claimants and defendants, and both executors and beneficiaries in claims under the inheritance act. Joanna Baker is a more junior partner to note, also focusing solely on this area. At the Norwich office, Gino Ballestracci bolsters the offering with broad skills in dispute resolution.
Contentious trusts and probate in East Anglia
Ashtons Legal
Responsables de la pratique:
Polly Stephenson
Autres avocats clés:
Joanna Baker; Gino Ballestracci
Les références
‘My experience of this is that they have been excellent. Communication has been good, the work has been thorough and the advice given crystal clear. The people have been easily approachable and I feel my legal rights have been well looked after.’
‘The whole team work as one and are all able to assist you at any time. Excellent service.’
‘Polly Stephenson went above and beyond to assist me with a terrible situation. Polly believed me and was extremely tenacious and kind in equal measures. Could not fault her in any aspect. She kept me informed of everything which she was working towards and asked my permission for her to continue prior. To find a solicitor like Polly was an absolute godsend in such a terrible situation as that which I found myself in.’
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the children of a deceased testator whose will left the significant proportion of his multi million pound estate to his wife “absolutely” but subject to an obligation upon her to pay the rental income to his children and other beneficiaries, and to allow others a right of occupation.
- Advising a beneficiary in relation to their late father’s estate where a non-regulated will-writer had executed a will despite the testator suffering from cognitive impairment and had included a discretionary will trust and a letter of wishes under which the beneficiary could only be set to receive 1% of the residual trust fund.
Birketts LLP
The ‘specialist in-depth knowledge of trusts’ at Birketts LLP‘s private wealth disputes group makes it an ideal choice for cases concerning trustee or executor responsibilities, inheritance act claims, the validity of a will, and matters of mental incapacity caused by dementia. The practice is arranged in two distinct groups, one focused on contentious court of protection matters and the other on TOLATA claims. Bernadette Baker at the Norwich office leads the department, while in Cambridge, Kate Harris has extensive experience advising individuals, executors, trustees, and charities on a wide range of contentious trusts and probate matters. At a more junior level, Katie Emerson, who joined from Ashtons Legal in June 2024, is a key figure.
Responsables de la pratique:
Bernadette Baker
Autres avocats clés:
Kate Harris; Katie Emerson; Anna Lambert
Les références
‘The Birketts team has specialist in-depth knowledge of trusts and their many complexities and considerable experience in navigating through and providing solutions in this area. They are focussed, on-point and give no-nonsense advice. They are to be highly recommended.’
‘Bernadette Baker gives clear and straightforward advice about the risks involved with litigation and solutions to problems. Bernadette does not waste time going round in circles as I have noted other lawyers have a tendency to do.’
‘The Birketts team is superb.’
Principaux dossiers
- Represented the claimants, the Leonard children, in the case of Leonard v Leonard [2024] EWHC 321 (ChD).
- Represented the claimant in the case of Allan v Allan [2025] EWHC 67 (Ch). involving a partnership dispute between two brothers.
- Acted in case of Lane v Lane [2024] EWHC 275 (Ch), involving the estate of Monica Lane, with Lorna Spear appointed as the administrator pursuant to section 50 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985.
Mills & Reeve LLP
The Norwich and Cambridge offices play key roles in the estate, trust and will disputes group at Mills & Reeve LLP, which has national scope, drawing together the firm’s strong private client offering and the expertise across estate, trust and will disputes. The ‘vastly experienced’ David Catchpole co-leads the team from Norwich, alongside Cambridge-based Lucinda Brown, ‘a great advocate for her clients’. Both are highly regarded in the region and among the top practitioners in this area. They are supported by a pool of disputes experts, including Beth Price, who is particularly noted for owner-managed business matters, and James Russ, who assists with the full range of work.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Catchpole; Lucinda Brown
Autres avocats clés:
Beth Price; James Russ
Les références
‘This team is very experienced at fighting and/or settling difficult cases. This experience enables them to reassure clients and to forecast (with reasonable accuracy) the progress of a case.’
‘David Catchpole and James Russ are both very practical, commercial and have excellent client focus. They work quickly but are extremely thorough.’
‘I am consistently impressed by the quality, intelligence and knowledge of fee-earners and the courteous, professional and civilised manner in which even highly contentious matters are conducted. Highly recommended.’
Buckles Solicitors LLP
Buckles Solicitors LLP‘s contentious probate team continues to expand its portfolio of complex and high-value trust disputes, including those with cross-jurisdictional elements. At the helm of the practice, Ben Fox, ‘a great tactician’, has helped grow the offering and advises on all aspects of contentious trusts and probate, including challenges to the validity of wills, trust disputes, claims against executors and trustees and claims under the Inheritance Act. ‘Highly experienced litigator’ Paul Branch is a key figure in Peterborough, and both Alex Burch and David Thorley add to the strength in depth.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ben Fox
Autres avocats clés:
Paul Branch; Alex Burch; David Thorley
Les références
‘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. The firm also has excellent private client and corporate teams which are a great asset and provide invaluable support where (as frequently happens) a dispute throws up tax or company issues.’
‘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. The other members of the team are very strong and specialist, including the superb Alex Burch who is a calm and proactive presence in the resolution of even the most fraught dispute.’
‘The Buckles team are knowledgeable, responsive and efficient.’
Greene & Greene
Based in Bury St Edmunds, Greene & Greene‘s dispute professionals make up a robust offering for contentious trusts and probate work, assisting with all aspects of contested wills, removal of personal representatives and trustees, inheritance act claims, and high-value trust and estate disputes. Rob Adam leads the department, acting on a range of matters for executors, trustees and beneficiaries. Stuart Hughes is a litigator of considerable experience, while Bee Belby is forging a strong practice in this area.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rob Adam
Autres avocats clés:
Stuart Hughes; Bee Belby; Jade Fung
Les références
‘Greene & Greene is a dynamic law firm who hold traditional business values sacrosanct and at the same time are forward thinking in their approach, demonstrating outstanding collaborative competence and provide exceptional client support.’
‘Rob Adam is a dextrous litigator with exceptional abilities in being able to put all parties at ease under very difficult circumstances, without taking his eye off the ball in striving to achieve the best possible outcome. A highly proficient solicitor.’
‘Bee Belby is a star of the firm. I have been working with her for about 3 years, and her instructions are of the highest quality, and the cases well prepared. Where Bee is involved in a case, I know that I can rest easy and know that the clients are being well looked after.’
Howes Percival LLP
Howes Percival LLP‘s Cambridge office works closely with its Milton Keynes counterparts in a trusts and probate team under the umbrella of its dispute resolution department. Contentious probate work has increased over recent years and the experienced group of litigators are also equipped to handle a breadth of work relating to trusts. Michael Green is a High Court administrator for a number of estates and litigates a range of other cases. Victoria Sandell is the other contact to note.
Responsables de la pratique:
Michael Green
Autres avocats clés:
Victoria Sandell
Les références
‘They are commercially sensible, accessible to their opponents and correspond in a professional manner.’
‘Good balance of individuals that can explain complex situations in a manner understandable to non-legal individuals. Approachable and down to earth which makes interaction extremely good.’
‘The team are very experienced and importantly, easy to work with.’
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.
- 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 an individual to challenge the will of a 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.
Tees Law
As part of Tees Law‘s dispute resolution department across East Anglia and Essex, its experts in contentious trusts and probate matters act in complex, high value, multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary, and multi-party cases. The agriculture sector is a particularly rich source of work for the practice. Sara Stabler has considerable experience acting for high net-worth rural and private clients in contentious trust and probate cases. She frequently works with Amelia Ayres, one of the rising stars of the firm’s dispute resolution group.
Autres avocats clés:
Sara Stabler; Amelia Ayres
Les références
‘A really great team of people working here who cover a range of private client and related matters.’
‘Sara Stabler is really good to work with.’
‘Amelia Ayres – up and coming, very friendly and personable.’
Fosters
Chris Fielding at Fosters‘ Norwich office is the firm’s East Anglia presence for contentious trusts and probate work, and gained full ACTAPS accreditation in March 2024. Clients look to Fielding for a broad range of contentious trusts and probate matters, inheritance and family provision claims, and Court of Protection work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Chris Fielding
Les références
‘The team are always available to answer my questions and concerns.’
‘My lawyer Chris Fielding has put me at ease throughout the legal process. He has a thorough knowledge of the law and is defending my case with determination.’
‘Always communicates clearly. Very knowledgeable. Billing is clear.’
Hunt & Coombs LLP
Hunt & Coombs LLP‘s dispute resolution team acts in a range of trusts and probate disputes, including will validity challenges, claims from beneficiaries, and removal of executors. Rebecca Beynon-Phillips leads matters as an experienced litigator, while Norman Hunter-Goulder has more specific experience in contentious probate matters, commercial disputes and contract claims.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rebecca Beynon-Phillips
Autres avocats clés:
Norman Hunter-Goulder
Les références
‘All members who corresponded were efficient and helpful.’
‘They are always willing to help with any queries. Having had a complex situation to deal with which encompassed various areas of law, they were able to supply a professional who specialised in each area. All the associates were professional kind and able to relay most of my worries and concerns. The finalisation of all my issues happened within twelve months and I am positive if it wasn’t for them some of the results would not have been possible.’
‘Norman Hunter-Goulder was the main point of contact. He and his team were personable and friendly always willing to help.’
Prettys Solicitors LLP
Graham Mead is the litigator to note at Prettys Solicitors LLP‘s Ipswich office when it comes to disputes over trusts and probate. He has broad experience in the private client and agriculture sectors, which has lent itself to frequent counsel in this field.
Responsables de la pratique:
Graham Mead
Les références
‘What makes this practice truly unique is its client-centric approach combined with deep sector expertise. The team is known for delivering tailored legal solutions that are both commercially sound and forward-thinking.’
‘With a strong reputation for responsiveness and precision, clients benefit from a proactive partnership rather than just legal representation. Potential clients would want to know that the team is composed of highly experienced solicitors who are not only technically strong but also approachable and pragmatic.’
‘Graham Mead has been exceptional throughout both the litigation process and the sale of the house. His expertise, attention to detail, and strategic guidance has been truly invaluable. Graham brings a calm, measured approach to complex legal challenges.’
Taylor Rose
Taylor Rose‘s nationwide contested probate group includes Peterborough-based Sharon Macaulay, who co-leads the national team and has experience in proprietary estoppel claims, breach of trust and disputes regarding estate property transfer, inheritance act claims, and will validity challenges. She is also well versed in cross-border work. Jack Bristowe supports on the full range of matters and has worked closely with Macaulay for a number of years.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sharon Macaulay
Autres avocats clés:
Jack Bristowe
Les références
‘This is a reliable firm which provides good quality service and looks after their clients.’
‘Sharon Macaulay in particular is a star individual. She has an excellent knowledge of the law, has a professional but kind manner with clients, and gives sensible and practical advice. Her instructions are always well-prepared, well in advance of deadlines, and balanced just right – giving enough but not too much information. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to any client.’
‘Nationwide coverage led by a litigation experienced team who care about their clients.’