Aaron & Partners LLP’s contentious trusts and probate group exhibit ‘first-class knowledge of the law within the sector’ and is increasingly trusted by charity clients, while continuing to assist individuals with cross-border estates and agricultural assets on a range of disputes and tax-related issues. James Wallace leads the team and is well versed in a range of will challenges, trusts and estate disputes, propriety estoppel claims and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act cases. Further key practitioners include Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu, who was made partner in August 2024, and has extensive experience in executorship disputes, and Danielle Blaylock, who joined the team in October 2024 from Jackson Lees Group and handles complex probate disputes involving lack of testamentary capacity. Rebecca Beaman and Caroline Scott are further key names.

DWF has a strong track record advising individuals, professional trustees, trust companies, private banks and charitable trusts on complex Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims, undue influence and breach of duty disputes, alongside will validity cases. A trio of practitioners lead the practice: Daniel Williams acts on both the claimant and defendant side in cross-border probate disputes, Ian Sydenham acts in complex trust administration situations for a range of clients, and Chris King covers will validity and Inheritance Act affairs. Chris Gee joined the practice in April 2024 from Fieldfisher and bolstered the practice in high-value contentious trusts proceedings, including sham trusts claims, while Paul Maddock excels in probate issues and is praised for his ‘excellent combination of legal knowledge, commercial astuteness and client care skills’.

The ‘truly specialist team’ at JMW Solicitors LLP handle the full scope of contested wills, trusts and estates work, including representation in validity challenges and estoppel disputes, challenges to lifetime gifts, disputes as well as a significant number of Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act claims. Practice head Alison Parry is praised for knowing the law ‘inside out’ and oversees trusts disputes. Ben Wilson has expertise in Inheritance Act claims and Ian Johnston additionally manages will disputes and Court of Protection matters. Claire Brierley and Ameliah McLaren-Parker are further names to note.

Mills & Reeve LLP has a strong track record in high-value and cross border estate, trusts and wills disputes. This regularly includes will validity cases, claims for the removal of executors and trustees, breach of trust proceedings, and gifting disputes and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act affairs. Commercial disputes partner Simon Pedley leads the practice and advises a range of high-net-worth individuals, charities and trust corporations on trusts disputes and mediation. Ben Reeves is a key contact in contentious practice.

Praised for handling ‘high value, complex disputes with ease’ Myerson Solicitors houses a ‘superb’ team of dedicated contentious trusts and probate lawyers, primarily advising both claimants and defendants on a range of will validity claims, Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act cases, and disputes for the removal of executors- often in a cross-border context. Helen Thompson handles a range of contentious foreign estates and domicile issues and leads the practice alongside commercial litigation partner Adam Maher. Further key names in the team include Jennifer McGuinness and Nicola Moulds who are both well versed in will validity challenges, propriety estoppel claims and Inheritance Act affairs. Eleanor Clarke acts for claimants and defendants in will validity matters and Stephanie Ewan consistently supports on applications to remove executors. Rhiannon Edwards joined the department in April 2024 from Rothley Law Limited, while Adam Carvalho left the team in November 2024.

Pannone Corporate LLP ‘stands out for its exceptional service and client-first approach’ and offers clients comprehensive support on the full range of estates and trusts disputes, including Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act claims, propriety estoppel cases, removal of trustee and executor matters, alongside complex financial abuse allegations and breach of duty matters. The Manchester-based group is led by Nicola Marchant and Jonny Scholes, with Marchant covering contentious will validity and breach of trust disputes, while the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Scholes handles the gamut of estate disputes. Elizabeth Walsh and Natasha Mafunga bolster the team in Inheritance Act claims.

Forbes Solicitors’ contentious trusts and probate team is praised by clients as ‘the go-to law firm for contentious probate’. The team advises on a diverse array of disputes in this area, including claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act, will validity and propriety estoppel claims, including testamentary capacity challenges and financial abuse allegations. John Lambe represents HNW individuals in a range of probate disputes and leads the practice alongside Tom Howcroft– who was made partner in May 2024- and is praised by clients for going ‘above and beyond’ in his handling of disputes. Rebecca Beaumont, Nicola Laurie and Lucy Scurfield are key contacts in the department.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP assists clients on the full range of contentious trusts and probate matters, including advice to owner-managed companies and family businesses- in which corporate interests and family wealth are intertwined. Experienced litigator Nichola Evans leads the practice and is supported by Peter Kaye, who excels in complex estate and probate disputes alongside undue influence claims, whilst Graham Wood acts for high profile individuals in this area. Paul Bricknell and Richard Wilson are further key contacts.

Praised for being ‘highly specialist and innovative in its approach’ Rothley Law Limited acts in a number of Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act claims, will validity disputes and highly complex undue influence challenges. Practice head Andrew Draper acts in a range of private wealth disputes, including applications to remove executors. Andrew Bishop has been active in estate disputes concerning allegations of financial abuse, Caoimhe Turner is well versed in Inheritance Act claims and Cori McKeown- who joined the practice from Irwin Mitchell in May 2024- covers trust disputes and related professional negligence cases.

The ‘very knowledgeable and commercial’ property litigation and contentious probate team at Slater Heelis (Part of Lawfront) advises on a range of disputes including Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependants) Act claims, probate and trust issues- including lack of testamentary capacity challenges- and Court of Protection matters. Daniel Stern leads the practice and handles contentious probate and related real estate litigation. John Gorner is a key member of the practice and has experience in contentious Court of Protection proceedings.

Weightmans LLP houses a ‘trustworthy, reliable and highly knowledgeable’ disputed wills, trusts and estates team that excel across will validity and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act claims as well as a significant number of executor disputes, including cases of professional negligence and breach of duty. Key practitioners based in the Northwest include commercial dispute resolution partner Robert Jones, who often handles trust and probate matters, while David McGuire is adept across the gamut of contentious trust and probate cases- especially in will validity and propriety estoppel claims. McGuire was made a partner in April 2025.

Led by Nicola Turner- who is praised as a ‘stand out practitioner’- the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ team at Brabners LLP advises high-net-worth individuals on various contentious probate and trust matters, spanning from will validity proceedings and disputes with executors to charities act proceedings and disputed lifetime gifts. Beth Middleton and Georgina Vokes are active members of the team, with the latter having joined the team from Napthens LLP in January 2024.

Butcher & Barlow LLP is praised for offering ‘a real sense of personal attention’ in its handling of highly contentious probate matters, where the team is adept in handling estates with farming and agricultural assets, often including propriety estoppel claims and succession planning. Samuel Dale and Greg Porter jointly lead the practice, with Dale drawing upon extensive experience in undue influence, lack of capacity and inheritance act claims, while Porter is praised for his ‘encyclopedic knowledge of the law of probate and inheritance disputes’.

DTM Legal LLP frequently acts in will validity disputes, breach of trust claims, Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependants) Act challenges and further estates disputes and is adept at acting on both the claimant and defendant side. Practice head Richard Thomas has ‘excellent commercial and problem-solving expertise’, which is applied in various contentious probate matters. Molly Clapham is also noted.

Gorvins Solicitors offers clients comprehensive advice on various trusts and probate disputes, through collaboration with the firm’s broader litigation, corporate and commercial departments. The team is therefore well-equipped to advise on contested wills claims, including fraudulent wills and mental capacity issues, Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act claims and disputes between executors and beneficiaries. Michael Smoult and Danielle Clements jointly lead the practice, and both have extensive experience advising on complex estates disputes, including Inheritance Act claims. Julie Burgess is also noted.

Specialising in complex inheritance and trusts disputes, Harrison Drury & Co is adept at representing from all sides of the dispute, advising executors, trustees and beneficiaries and personal representatives, on both the claimant and defendant sides. Edward Stanley leads the practice and has experience across the entire range of contentious probate proceedings, including Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act claims, will validity disputes, undue influence and breach of trust claims. Victoria Taylor has joined the practice from Napthens LLP in September 2024.

The specialist will, trust and estate disputes team at Irwin Mitchell covers a range of contested matters, including will validity and undue influence claims, professional negligence allegations, Court of Protection applications and a substantial number of Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependants) Act claims. Practice head Stephanie Kerr is praised as ‘second to none’ with ‘good strategic instincts’ and is supported by Kirsty McNulty and Lucy-Allena Mcllory. Olivia Jack joined the practice in May 2024 from Forbes Solicitors.