There are eight qualified lawyers in our Contesting Wills team, supported by a number of paralegals, all practicing exclusively in this highly specialised area of law.
We are one of the largest such teams in the country, and our expertise has been recognised by our inclusion in the ‘Contentious Trusts and Probate’ section of the latest 2025 edition of the Legal 500, the independent guide to the legal profession.
Our contesting wills lawyers have received numerous favourable reviews and many of these can be viewed on the independent ReviewSolicitors website. here is a taste of what our clients have said about us:
Disputed will
“I can not thank Chris and Sharnie enough for helping me through what was a very traumatic time. They reassured me and kept me up to date with what was happening.The professionalism was outstanding and the Wishes of my late Grandfather were finally granted.Thanks you again for believing in me it really is appreciated
Best wishes
Gemma.”
Recommended
“Quick communication, measured advice and I felt confident in adhering to Naomis suggestions. Naomi was confident of a successful outcome from the outset and this was reassuring and ultimately she was successful in my case. I would recommend Naomi personally and due to my positive experience I will also be using Slee and Blackwell for other services.”
David Lees, a knowledgeable, compassionate professional.
“David; understood the nature and details concerning’ the challenging to my late Father’s will, not only had a accurate understanding of the details. He displayed a understanding of the unfortunate situation and feelings surrounding the matter. David always responded in a realistic time frame, was easy to talk with, but tremendously efficient, meticulous, knowledgeable and goal driven This allowed him to gain and retain my trust whilst successfully progressing things with haste. Exactly what you need from top notch Solicitor in matters such as these.”
Exceptional Legal Representation: A Five-Star Experience
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Anya Hoyland from Slee Blackwell Solicitors LLP, and I cannot express enough how satisfied I am with the outstanding legal services provided. From the initial consultation to the successful resolution of my case, every step of the way was handled with the utmost professionalism and expertise.
First and foremost, Anya Hoyland exhibited an impressive depth of knowledge and experience in their field. They took the time to thoroughly understand the nuances of my situation and provided invaluable guidance on the best course of action. Their attention to detail and ability to strategize effectively were instrumental in achieving a favorable outcome.
Moreover, throughout the entire process, Anya Hoyland demonstrated exceptional communication skills. They kept me informed and updated at every stage, promptly addressing any concerns or questions I had. This level of transparency and accessibility truly set them apart and provided me with peace of mind during what could have been a stressful time.
Furthermore, Anya Hoyland exhibited a genuine commitment to advocating for my best interests. Their dedication and tenacity were evident in their approach, as they tirelessly worked to ensure that my rights were protected and that justice was served. I felt reassured knowing that I had such a dedicated advocate fighting on my behalf.
In addition to their legal prowess, Anya Hoyland also demonstrated empathy and compassion throughout our interactions. They took the time to understand not only the legal aspects of my case but also the personal implications it had on my life. This human touch made all the difference and further solidified my trust and confidence in their abilities.
Overall, I cannot recommend Anya Hoyland and Slee Blackwell Solicitors LLP highly enough. Their exemplary professionalism, communication, dedication, and empathy truly set them apart as a top-tier legal team. If you are in need of legal representation, look no further than Anya Hoyland – you won’t be disappointed.”
Our team of specialist lawyers includes the following lawyers, who are all partners in the practice:
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Naomi Ireson
Naomi is a specialist contentious probate lawyer. She is one of the country’s leading practitioners in this area of law and is recommended by the Legal 500. She has an enviable success rate at mediation and trial. Some of her most notable successes include:
Ely v Robson [2016] EWCA Civ 774 – Successful Court of Appeal decision in the field of proprietary estoppel and constructive trusts. Naomi was successful at first instance and again in the Court of Appeal. The defendant was ordered to vacate the property and pay the full costs of the first hearing and of the appeal.
Rate v Grovit – Naomi advised the long-term partner of Felix Grovit who was in the Sunday Times Rich List with a net worth of £480 million. The case involved a dispute about domicile and eligibility.
Williams v Praine – Trust and probate claim which succeeded at trial with costs awarded to Naomi’s client, beating a Part 36 offer made several years before the trial.
Pugh v Pugh [2023] – Defended an Inheritance Act claim brought by her client’s brother. Succeeded in having the claim dismissed at trial with costs awarded to Naomi’s client.
McLeod v McLeod and others [2024] – Currently unreported. Defence to a possession claim, and counterclaim for proprietary estoppel and constructive trust.
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Hayley Bundey
The 2024 edition of The Legal 500, referred to Hayley as ‘excellent’, and ‘a prolific adviser on contentious probate work’. She is a member of ACTAPS (the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) and has specialised in contested Will disputes throughout her career.
Hayley is particularly experienced in dealing with complex challenges to the validity of Wills on grounds such as lack of capacity, undue influence and want of knowledge and approval. She also has expertise in challenging lifetime gifts and transfers of property, as well as beneficial interest claims (including constructive trusts, estoppel and TOLATA claims.
Hayley has an excellent track record for resolving even the most entrenched cases. She is passionate about this area of law and ensuring that justice is done for those who didn’t have the strength to stand up to pressure, influence, or lack of understanding in their final years. She has a very high success rate at settling cases through mediation but is not afraid to fight all the way to trial when required.
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Christopher Holten
Chris has specialised in contested Will claims, inheritance disputes and contentious probate law since qualifying as a solicitor in 2014. He is experienced in all aspects of contentious probate law and has a particular interest in dealing with disputes where the validity of a Will is challenged on the grounds of testamentary capacity, having trained at a firm which specialised in mental capacity law.
Chris is popular with clients, who appreciate his sympathetic approach. He is always happy to consider No Win – No Fee funding and will provide a free assessment of any potential case.
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Lee Dawkins
Lee qualified as a solicitor in 1990 and has been a litigation partner for over 30 years, specialising in Inheritance Act claims and executor disputes. He is a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association and is highly experienced in dealing with claims against solicitors and other Will writers for negligence in relation to Will preparation and estate administration.
He looks after the Contesting Wills website, keeping the content right up to date with the very latest developments in this complex area of law.
Other qualified solicitors specialising exclusively in contentious probate are:
Helen Clegg
Jack Dray
Anya Hoyland
David Lees
Bronte Pettifer