Legacy spotlight: Meet our contentious probate team

Legacy disputes can place significant pressure on charity teams, and effective management is essential to protect donor intent, safeguard reputation and ensure that gifts reach the causes they were intended to support. Our Contentious Probate Team specialises in supporting charities through these sensitive and often complex inheritance‑related challenges.

With an 11‑strong team of dedicated specialists, we provide clear, practical support on everything from early‑stage concerns to full court proceedings. Our experience across the sector means we can step in quickly, understand the issues and guide charities through disputes with confidence and care.

Who we are

Our team includes:

• Lucy Gill - Partner
• Fiona Campbell-White - Partner
• Emma Facey - Principal Director
• Alexandra Rogers - Legal Director
• Caroline Cowley - Managing Associate
• Josie Berry - Senior Associate
• Alice Vale - Senior Associate
• Elizabeth Ware - Senior Associate
• Jhenna Mortimer - Associate
• Hannah McIntosh - Associate
• Chloe Phare - Associate

We were delighted to welcome Fiona Campbell‑White this year. With more than 16 years’ experience in contentious trust and probate work, and a strong track record advising charities on legacy disputes, Fiona brings further depth to our contentious offering.

What we do

We support charities with the full range of contentious probate and trust matters, including:

• Will challenges and validity concerns
• Inheritance Act claims
• Executor, trustee and beneficiary disputes
• Estate administration issues and delays
• Property disputes arising from legacy gifts

Our approach is collaborative and solutions‑focused. We balance legal risk with practical realities, working closely with in‑house teams to keep matters moving and to protect relationships wherever possible. When specialist input is needed, we draw on expertise from across the firm, including tax, property and charity law.

Legacy Matters: case insights webinar

Earlier this month, Fiona Campbell‑White and Caroline Cowley delivered our latest Legacy Matters: Case Insights webinar, with more than 100 attendees joining from across the sector.

The session explored several recent court judgments affecting charity legacies, examining how the courts are approaching key issues and what these decisions mean for legacy officers in practice. Feedback has highlighted how valuable the practical takeaways were for those managing difficult or sensitive files.

A recording and notes are available, and the next session will take place in June.

We’re always keen to support legacy professionals across the sector. If you’d like a conversation about how we can help your team, please get in touch.