Highlighted by clients for its ‘tremendous amount of expertise’, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP handles a broad array of both international and domestic disputes, with the team’s specialism spanning matters involving landed estates, family businesses, pensions, art, and luxuries. The group routinely acts in disputes concerning offshore trusts, which practice heads Oliver Auld and Duncan Elson have a great deal of expertise in. Acting for both trustees and beneficiaries, Edward Birell focuses on trust disputes involving corporate assets, and breach of trust claims. Rebecca Piper is noted for her expertise in claims arising under the Inheritance Act 1975, challenges to wills, and applications to remove executors and trustees. Auld divides his time between Guildford and London, all other lawyers are based in Guildford.

Cripps' team in Tunbridge Wells is known for being a ‘safe pair of hands’ for its diverse client base of high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and family businesses. The group works closely with the firm’s non-contentious private client team, and excels in trust and estate disputes concerning assets in multiple jurisdictions. The ‘superb’ Philip Youdan heads the practice, with his primary areas of focus being disputes related to will validity, trusts, and inheritance. Myles McIntosh is a well-known expert in offshore work. Dino Sikkel was promoted to partner in May 2023, and is well-versed in settlement negotiations and Inheritance Act 1975 proceedings.

The ‘dynamic' team at Freeths LLP consists of a 'splendid cast of superb lawyers’, who demonstrate broad knowledge spanning will validity, family trust disputes, and claims under the Inheritance Act 1975, in addition to matters involving the removal of executors and proprietary estoppel claims. The ‘outstanding’ Sarah Foster leads the team from Oxford, and is noted for handling multi-part and cross-jurisdictional estate and trust disputes. Sally Goodger is lauded for advising executors, independent administrators, and trustees, utilising her experience in mediation proceedings. Foster and Goodger are well supported by Charlotte Flynn , who joined the team in July 2023 from Blaser Mills Law, contributing her knowledge of financial abuse, undue influence, and administration disputes.

Irwin Mitchell’s team is noted for the depth of its expertise in the full range of contentious matters, including those related to lifetime gifts, the construction and rectification of wills, professional negligence claims, and disputes between executors. The practice frequently advises on disputes related to family businesses in the agricultural sector. Acting for a varied client roster which includes both on and offshore trust companies, accountants, asset managers, and financial planners, Paula James heads the firm’s lifetime and estate planning team nationally, and leads the private wealth dispute team in Chichester. Candy Stockton leads the Gatwick team, and is well-regarded for advice on multi-jurisdictional matters. Samantha Ewing’s varied caseload includes proprietary estoppel, and will validity claims.

In Guilford, Moore Barlow handles the full spectrum of private wealth disputes, including those regarding the validity of wills or trusts, claims under the Inheritance Act 1975, the removal and replacement of executors and trustees, and professional negligence claims against solicitors arising from wills and trusts. Noted for his expertise in allegations of lack of testamentary capacity or undue influence, practice head Scott Taylor routinely appears before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in disputes concerning Inheritance Act claims for reasonable financial provision from estates. Lisa Green frequently acts in mediation proceedings, and in matters before the Court of Protection.

Praised by clients for its ‘well-judged and commercially-minded’ approach, Stevens & Bolton LLP regularly assists individuals and corporate trustee companies with claims and disputes concerning the management and administration of trusts or estates, asset recovery, and professional negligence claims against former advisers. ‘First-class lawyer’ James Lister heads the practice and is a key contact for high-net-worth individuals, while Jack Bailey handles claims for breach of trust, frequently appearing before the Court of Protection. Ellie Sullivan and Hayley Robinson routinely advise on will validity and Inheritance Act 1975 claims.

Noted for its ‘strength in depth’, B P Collins LLP's broad offering in Gerrards Cross assists clients with interpretation of testamentary documents, removal of trustees, and breach of trust claims. Exemplifying this in particular is Craig Williams, who heads the practice and specialises in will validity litigation, Inheritance Act 1975 claims,  and administration disputes regarding trusts and estates. Described by clients as ‘a future star’, Imogen Pike is well-known for her distinctive focus on undue influence matters, and Matthew Brandis is an experienced mediator.

Birketts LLP routinely leverages the strength of the firm's private client and court of protection team. In Chelmsford, practice co-head Daden Hunt’s areas of specialism include professional negligence matters, while Rachel Leech’s workload consists of Inheritance Act claims, trust disputes and cases regarding the validity of wills. Norwich-based co-head Bernadette Baker, handles a broad range of complex and high-value claims, including cross-border disputes and estate administration matters. Amanda Smallcombe joined the group from Birkett Long LLP in May 2024, contributing her longstanding experience in proprietary estoppel claims and Court of Protection matters involving the conduct of attorneys.

Blake Morgan LLP‘s contentious trusts and estates team in Oxford routinely collaborates with the firm’s private client and commercial litigation groups to assist clients with Inheritance Act 1975 and property ownership disputes, proprietary estoppel claims, and court of protection work, in addition to representing charities in relation to contentious legacies. Practice head Thomas Middlehurst is an expert in mental capacity issues and claims against executors. Abbie Coleman left the firm in June 2023.

In Maidstone, Brachers’ private wealth disputes group is recognised for its in-depth knowledge of breach of trust, proprietary estoppel, and trust of land claims, frequently collaborating with the firm’s non-contentious private client practice. The 'tenacious and knowledgeable' Deborah Cain leads the team, and handles a varied caseload of will validity and financial abuse claims, as well as disputes between beneficiaries or executors, while Jennifer Alderman handles contentious Court of Protection matters.

Field Seymour Parkes LLP in Reading is equipped to handle a broad range of private wealth disputes, including challenges to wills, beach of fiduciary duty claims, and trust disputes. Katharine Riley, described by clients as a ‘talented lawyer with an expansive knowledge of litigation’, heads the practice and is an expert in professional negligence claims relating to trusts and probate. Sarah Sharpin's varied caseload consists of mediation proceedings, High Court litigation, and Court of Protection disputes.

Based in Newbury, Gardner Leader LLP specialises in disputes involving allegations of fraud, undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, and misappropriation of estate assets. Providing ‘first-rate legal skills and knowledge’, practice head Alastair Goggins frequently acts for executors, trustees, beneficiaries, and charities, and is well-versed in disputes relating to the validity of wills, financial provison, and the removal of executors or trustees. Ashleigh Wong handles an array of proprietary estoppel and Court of Protection matters, as well as burial disputes.

Praised by clients for its ‘extraordinary experience’ IBB Law's team frequently advises on complex topics relating to estates, particularly in relation to foreign assets. The practice is jointly led by ‘senior statesman’ Paul Grimwood in Uxbridge and Amanda Melton in Beaconsfield, with Melton offering niche expertise in handling farming family disputes. Grimwood excels in will construction and rectification matters and related professional negligence claims, and is a key contact for mediation proceedings.

Nockolds Solicitors houses a team of experienced litigators, with the department’s recent work highlights including Inheritance Act 1975 claims for additional financial provision, will validity disputes, as well as cases concerning the misconduct of attorneys. The ‘extremely diligent and efficient’ Daniel Winter, who splits his time between Bishop’s Stortford and Hertfordshire, leads the team and is a key contact for international clients. Michael Henry is adept at handling burial disputes and disagreements over the identity of the correct beneficiary or interpretation of a will, while Gemma Dudmish advises on probate claims, inheritance disputes and Court of Protection Matters.

Rothley Law Limited‘s team in Thames Valley leverages the firm’s nationwide network to assist clients with proprietary estoppel claims, will validity and disputes. Mandeep Chima leads the team from Reading, and excels in handling claims for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance Act 1975, professional negligence issues relating to will drafting and estate administration, and the removal of executors.

Thomson Snell & Passmore's Kent-based team often advises on applications for the rectification and interpretation of testamentary documents, claims against executors and trustees, and applications for variation, rectification, and annulment of trust documents. Practice head Nicholas Horton specialises in probate litigation and professional negligence disputes arising from estate and trust administration, in addition to tax planning. Lawrence Hiller-Wood is adept at handling claims involving agricultural law and high-value estates, death benefit disputes, and will validity challenges, in particular in relation to suspected fraud.

DMH Stallard LLP is noted for providing ‘excellent’ advice on a variety of disputes concerning trusts, executors, and actions against attorneys. Practice head Jenny Ray's varied caseload consists of trust disputes and will validity claims, while the ‘excellent’ Lucienne Westbrook often assists with claims concerning Powers of Attorney, abuse, and financial provision as part of her broad practice. Cathryn Culverhouse was promoted to partner in July 2023, and is well-versed in secret trusts and validity disputes.

With vast experience in private wealth disputes that range from Inheritance 1975 Act claims, to orders for sale with regard to estate properties,  Neale Turk LLP routinely acts for professional executors and trustees as well as beneficiaries. Charlotte Searle leads the private client dispute resolution department, and is proficient in challenges to the validity of wills, disputes related to the co-ownership of properties, and professional negligence claims.

Taylor Rose handles the full spectrum of contentious Court of Protection work, claims for reasonable financial provision, and TOLATA claims, among others. The ‘astute’ Wendy Rixon in Hove, who excels in will validity disputes relating to lack of testamentary capacity, forgery, or indue influence, leads the team alongside Petersborough’s Sharon Macaulay, who handles trust disputes, often advising on disputes between beneficiaries and executors.

Tees Law’s contentious trust and probate team sits in the firm’s wider dispute resolution and litigation team under the leadership of Darren Perks. Well-versed in mediation proceedings and estate administration matters, Amelia Ayres acts for both claimants and defendants. Former practice head Caroline Metcalf retired in March 2023. Sara Stabler is a key name within the practice.

Winckworth Sherwood LLP in Oxford is well-placed to act in a range disputes concerning contested estates and probate, with the group experiencing an uptick in claims under the Inheritance Act 1975. The ‘thoughtful and commercial' Philip Collins heads the practice, and is recommended for disputes arising from the administration of estates, and challenges to wills due to testamentary capacity or undue influence. Jessica Whooley joined the firm in 2023 from Willans LLP, handling a varied caseload of proprietary estoppel claims and executor disputes.

Matthew Whipp joined the group at Blaser Mills Law in 2023 from Lennons Solicitors to lead the firm’s private litigation department in High Wycombe following the departure of Charlotte Flynn and former practice head Alka Kharbanda in June and August 2023. Whipp is noted for his capabilities in property-related disputes, including TOLATA claims and proprietary estoppel matters.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors handles a broad array of probate disputes, estate distribution cases, and proprietary estoppel matters. The ‘exceptional’ Caroline Roche heads the practice, often advising on inheritance tax issues, Inheritance Act 1975 claims, and will challenges relating to lack of capacity, undue influence and fraud.

With standout knowledge of mental capacity issues, Giles Wilson Law Limited in Leigh-on-Sea is noted for its expertise in contested statutory wills, financial abuse cases, and actions against attorneys or deputies. The department is jointly led by family law expert Philip Giles and Melinda Giles, who handles the firm’s Court of Protection work.

Led by Neil O’Callaghan, Machins Solicitors LLP's dispute resolution group in Luton is well-regarded for its experience in appearing before the High Court, Court of Appeal, County Courts, with its caseload consisting of will challenges, TOLATA claims, and claims arising under the Inheritance Act 1975. ‘Standout lawyer’ Benedict Smith demonstrates noteworthy strength in matters arising at the intersection between probate and property law.

Pinney Talfourd LLP's Brentwood based practice advises clients on breaches of fiduciary duties by trustees and executors and declarations of presumed death. Particularly recommended for her capabilities in Inheritance Act 1975 matters, practice head Catherine Loadman often handles challenges to the validity of wills based on a lack of mental capacity and fraud, inheritance disputes, and deeds of variation. Kerry Hull left the firm in March 2023.

Commercial litigation specialist Richard Ludlow leads Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP‘s contested wills, trusts, and probate practice in Kent following the departure of Alistair Rustemeyer in November 2023. The ‘calm and excellent’ Max Wright advises on estate administration, mental capacity issues, and an array of probate matters.

SE-Solicitors in Banbury offers clients its broad knowledge of estate disputes, Inheritance Act claims, and Court of Protection proceedings, with noteworthy capabilities in agricultural disputes. Practice head Tom McInerney, who is also a notary public, is a specialist in administration and wealth protection in estates, and noted for his knowledge of matters involving overseas assets.