Wills, Probate and the Administration of Estates

With the average age of the population rising, the number of challenges involving wills and the administration of estates is on the increase. The Chancery team real growth in this area over the recent years and have developed a recognised specialism.

They have extensive expertise in dealing with the whole spectrum of cases ranging from contentious and non-contentious probate claims, applications to the court to deal with personal representatives and the administration of estates and applications under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975 (hyperlink) for financial provision.

Members of the Chancery team have a wealth of experience in representing claimants, defendant’s estates as well as beneficiaries or interest parties. Our specialists appear regularly in the High Court and on the local circuit. They have the knowledge and experience at every level of call from junior tenants through to more senior tenants.

The team's aim is to work together alongside both solicitors and lay clients in order to get the best result and are well known to be approachable, friendly and compassionate; particularly when dealing with vulnerable and sensitive clients.

Barristers practicing in this area

Also in Traditional Chancery

No.18 Barristers Chambers is home to ‘incredibly talented barristers who are tenacious in their approach to achieving the best outcome for the client‘. One such practitioner is Laura Baines, ‘a walking legal encyclopaedia’ with notable expertise in public law proceedings, especially those surrounding care and supervision orders and matters concerning other jurisdictions. Nigel Cholerton is ‘an exceptionally skilled and compassionate advocate, particularly in sensitive areas like domestic abuse’, as well as disputes surrounding contact residence issues. Tracey Hennessey ‘is able to articulate complex legal arguments, making her a first port of call for complex cases’, and she is well-equipped to represents clients with mental health difficulties and issues of capacity in both public and private children law proceedings in cases arising from allegations of sexual and physical abuse, as well as neglect.
Legal 500 - 2026

We advise on:

Deeds of variation
Administration of estates: distribution; powers and duties of personal representatives; trustees; remedies for breach of trust
The interpretation, construction, effect and rectification of Wills
Challenges to the validity of Wills
Questions of domicile
Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
Allegations of breach of duty or devastavit against personal representatives
Actions against or on behalf of administrators
Removal of personal representatives
Claims against or on behalf of estates
Estates involving jurisdictional issues
Undue influence and testamentary incapacity

To meet this need our dispute resolution team can offer Counsel to represent and negotiate at mediation as well as offering two qualified mediators who are able to conduct the mediation.

As cases that involve wills and administration often have many dimensions and regularly require additional expertise in fields such as Court of Protection, trusts, real property, landlord and tenant, company, insolvency. Our team have expertise in these specialisms in order for the to advise and conduct your matter comprehensively

Chambers recognises that in recent years the use of dispute resolution has become more common. To meet this need our dispute resolution team can offer Counsel to represent and negotiate at mediation as well as offering two qualified mediators who are able to conduct the mediation.

Chambers are accredited by the Bar Council as course providers and Members of chambers provide in house seminars, training and presentations, whether in house at the clients premises or here in chambers. For further information regarding are lectures please visit our seminars page If you need any assistance in any of these areas, please contact our clerking team on 023 80 73 6812 or e-mail clerks@no18chambers.com.