Contentious Probate Solicitor

Law Staff Ltd; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Discretionary annual bonus

Pension

Season Ticket Loan

Job summary

Law Staff Ltd in London is seeking a Contentious Probate Solicitor with 2–5 years PQE to join a Chambers and Legal 500-ranked team handling medium to high-value disputes in estates and trusts.

You will advise claimants and defendants, draft statements, and manage cases through all stages, working with private client and litigation colleagues in a supportive, client-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with 2–5 years' PQE in contentious probate or related litigation.
• Excellent knowledge of wills, probate, trusts and inheritance disputes.
• Strong negotiation, advocacy and drafting skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a caseload efficiently.
• Outstanding communication and client care skills with sensitivity to complex family dynamics.
• ACTAPS membership or willingness to work towards accreditation is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Act for claimants and defendants in a range of contentious probate matters.
• Provide clear, strategic advice on merits, settlements and risks.
• Draft statements of case, witness statements and settlement agreements.
• Manage cases through pre-action to court proceedings and negotiations.
• Attend hearings, mediations and client meetings as required.
• Maintain accurate case files and ensure policy compliance.
• Collaborate with private client and litigation teams.
• Keep abreast of probate law developments and share knowledge.

Skills

Negotiation

Advocacy

Drafting

Client communication

Case management

Empathy

Education

ACTAPS membership

Job description

Are you a Contentious Probate Solicitor looking to join a Chambers and Legal 500-ranked team offering Private Medical Insurance, a contributory pension, a discretionary annual bonus and high-quality, complex work? This is an excellent opportunity for a 2-5 year PQE solicitor to work on medium to high-value disputes involving significant estates and trusts, within a boutique firm recognised as thought leaders in the sector.

About the Firm

A boutique firm based in London Bridge, with a contentious probate team recognised by Chambers and Legal 500 as thought leaders for the sector.

Recognised for expertise working with high-net-worth individuals and listed in the Chambers High Net Worth directory.

A diverse and broad client base, including a leading reputation for working with individuals who have capacity issues and the organisations that support them.

Acts as Independent Administrators, Trustees and Deputies, handling cases involving trust assets and breach of trust.

Contentious Probate Solicitor — Position Overview

The firm is seeking an experienced and motivated Contentious Probate Solicitor to advise and represent clients in disputes relating to wills, estates, trusts and inheritance. This role offers a range of medium to high-value disputes, often involving complex legal issues and significant estates, and demands strong analytical skills alongside the ability to manage sensitive matters with professionalism and empathy.

Key Responsibilities of the Contentious Probate Solicitor

• Acting for claimants and defendants across a wide range of contentious probate matters, including challenges to the validity of wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and disputes involving executors, trustees and beneficiaries.
• Providing clear, strategic advice to clients on the merits of their case, settlement options and litigation risks.
• Drafting legal documents, including statements of case, witness statements and settlement agreements.
• Managing cases through all stages of the dispute process, from pre-action correspondence to mediation, court proceedings and settlement negotiations.
• Attending court hearings, mediations and client meetings as required.
• Maintaining accurate case files and ensuring compliance with regulatory and firm policies.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the private client and litigation teams.
• Keeping abreast of developments in probate law and sharing knowledge within the team.

Requirements of the Contentious Probate Solicitor

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with 2-5 years' PQE in contentious probate or related litigation.
• Excellent knowledge of the law relating to wills, probate, trusts and inheritance disputes.
• Strong negotiation, advocacy and drafting skills.
• The ability to work independently and manage a caseload efficiently.
• Outstanding communication and client care skills, with a sensitive approach to complex family dynamics.
• Proactive, organised and capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• ACTAPS membership or a willingness to work towards accreditation, along with experience in alternative dispute resolution and complex estate disputes, would be advantageous.

The Benefits for the Contentious Probate Solicitor role

• Competitive Salary
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Income Protection
• Contributory Pension
• Discretionary annual staff bonus
• Reduced gym membership
• Discount vouchers through one of our suppliers
• Season Ticket Loan
• And more