Sintons LLP‘s dedicated contentious probate and trusts team in Newcastle is adept at handling relief from forfeiture applications, mutual wills, domicile disputes, will rectification applications, and applications to charities for ex-gratia payments. The team also covers will disputes, inheritance act claims, trust disputes, TOLATA applications, professional negligence claims and proprietary estoppel claims as well as court of protection disputes, including those relating to statutory wills and the removal of deputies or attorneys. The department is led by Emma Saunders, ‘a stellar lawyer who has a well-earned reputation as a firm but fair opponent’. Jonathan Grogan is experienced in non-contentious and contentious estate matters, while Emelie Rowell is a contentious probate specialist.

Burnetts‘ dispute resolution department covers the full spectrum of contentious trust and probate work, in particular contentious estate administrations and agricultural disputes. The team is spearheaded by mediator James Johnston, who is based in Carlisle and has specific expertise in partnership matters and contentious probate and trust matters involving commercial assets. Splitting their time between the firm’s Carlisle and Newcastle offices, associate Grace Wren is the key contact for TOLATA instructions and contentious probate cases with an agricultural element, and senior associate Johnny Coulthard focuses his practice on contentious probate and trust work.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP‘s private wealth disputes team acts for individuals, charities, individual and corporate trustees, and insurance companies on the full range of contentious private client matters, including professional negligence work related to the private client industry. In Newcastle, managing associate Joe Kelley specialises in contentious trusts and probate, and ‘is someone to watch in this space’. A recent addition to the team is Kerry McFarlane, whose practice covers the full range of issues related to disputed trusts and estates.

EMG Solicitors specialises in private client advice and Court of Protection services in particular, as well as contentious probate mandates. The litigation team handles a wide range of disputes, including proceedings relating to wills, Inheritance Act claims, and applications to challenge or remove executors, as well as complex trust disputes. In Penrith, Natalie Spedding leads the team and handles a wide range of disputes; former team leader Matthew Sigsworth departed to Ward Hadaway LLP in February 2024. Other key members of the team are Joanne Blackwood and Graham Shannon.

Hay & Kilner‘s private wealth disputes department handles trust and probate disputes, often involving agricultural estates and the farming community. The department is headed up by senior associate and litigation specialist Guy Barr; Barr’s practice covers all aspects of contentious probate and trusts disputes and represents parties on all sides of disputes. The department is well-supported by solicitors Rosie Lovett and Bethany Herbertson. Former practice head Lucy Gray departed to THF Holdings in May 2023.