Anderson Strathern is well-regarded for its market-leading experience in handling a wide range of contentious trusts and probate matters, including contentious and sensitive wills, in addition to representing clients before the Inner House of the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts. The team also acts for local authorities in contentious executory and trusts cases. ‘Capable and determined litigator’ Katrina Lumsdaine leads the team, and Gary Burton, Carole Tomlinson, and Scott Flannigan are highly recommended for their experience in beneficiary disputes. Eilidh MacEwan joined from Gilson Gray in February 2023.

Noted for its ‘enviable reputation’, Brodies LLP acts for a diverse roster of clients, including solicitors, high-net-worth individuals and families, and landowning trusts. The team is well-versed in handling contentious personal liability mandates, executory-related disputes and succession planning work. Mark Stewart leads the team, splitting his time between the Aberdeen and Inverness offices. Alan Barr focuses on tax planning matters and Angela McCulloch advises on private client mandates, contentious trusts and estate planning cases. Jamie Reekie is another key contact in the group.

Gillespie Macandrew LLP stands out for its expertise in multi-jurisdictional estate and asset management, alongside its impressive contentious and disputes offering, in addition to contentious wills and trusts matters. Accredited private practice specialist Agnes Mallon leads the team, regularly advising on contentious estates and trusts, often involving multi-jurisdictional assets. John McArthur has been kept busy with court actions surrounding variation of Trusts in Scotland, and John Stirling advises on the validity of wills and legacies. Other key contacts in the group include Eilidh Adams and Conner McConnell.

Shepherd and Wedderburn maintains a market-leading contentious trusts and probate offering, regularly servicing a variety of clients on a broad range of matters, including contentious and non-contentious wills, tax and succession planning. With accredited experience in family governance matters, Christopher McGill jointly leads the team alongside Stephanie Hepburn, who spearheads the executory practice. Alexis Graham assists with estate planning and Douglas Sinclair handles trust creation and inheritance tax mandates. Other key contacts in the group include Malcolm Rust and Elaine Brailsford.

Burness Paull LLP handles a broad range of private wealth disputes, including contentious wills, taxation and trust administrations, and counts private individuals, executors and beneficiaries among its key roster of clients. Claire Macpherson, who has ‘superior technical expertise’ in private client and personal tax issues, jointly leads the team alongside accredited litigator Ashley Jones, who handles private wealth disputes. Other key contacts in the group include Amanda Armstrong and Meriel Miller, who assist with tax matters and succession planning.

The practice at Morton Fraser MacRoberts is commended for its executry and trust litigation offering, and counts landowners, business owners and high-net-worth private individuals among its key roster of clients. Under the leadership of Richard McMeeken, the team also handles mandates concerning estate, tax, and succession planning and management. Other key contacts in the group include Sue Hunter and Catriona MacPhail.

The contentious trusts and probate team at Murray Beith Murray LLP is led by Andrew Paterson, who is well-versed in handling matters concerning contentious wills. Kathryn Johnston assists with a broad range of contentious multi-jurisdictional mandates, while Peter Shand handles inheritance matters, including tax, estate, and succession planning.

Led by Jaclyn Russell, who is praised as ‘approachable, understanding and knowledgeable’, the ‘first class’ team at Stronachs LLP advises landed estate owners and high-net-worth individuals on contentious matters concerning tax planning and power of attorney. Elevated to partnership in June 2023, Kirsten Anderson leads on capacity concerns, estate administration and property disputes. Other key contacts in the group include Paula Lukins and Karen Oliver, who assist with mitigation strategies and succession planning mandates.