Contentious Probate Solicitor

Law Staff Ltd

Greater London

On-site

GBP 80,000 - 120,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Income protection

Pension

Discretionary bonus

Reduced gym membership

Discount vouchers

Season ticket loan

Job summary

Law Staff Ltd in London Bridge is seeking an experienced Contentious Probate Solicitor to advise and represent clients in disputes over wills, estates and trusts. The role involves medium to high-value cases with sensitive estates and complex issues.

You will act for claimants and defendants, draft statements, manage cases from pre-action to court, and work closely with the private client and litigation teams.

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 a sensitive approach to complex family dynamics.
ACTAPS membership or willingness to work towards accreditation, with experience in ADR and complex estate disputes.

Responsibilities

Acting for claimants and defendants across a wide range of contentious probate matters, including challenges to the validity of wills, and disputes involving executors, trustees and beneficiaries.
Providing clear, strategic advice on merits, settlement options and litigation risks.
Drafting statements of case, witness statements and settlement agreements.
Managing cases through all stages of the dispute process, from pre-action to mediation, court proceedings and settlements.
Attending court hearings, mediations and client meetings as required.
Maintaining accurate case files and ensuring compliance with regulatory and firm policies.
Working with private client and litigation teams to share knowledge and resources.
Keeping abreast of probate law developments and applying updates to cases.

Skills

PQE 2-5 years

Contentious probate

Wills & trusts

Negotiation

Drafting

Advocacy

Client care

Independent caseload

ADR experience

Education

Qualified solicitor England & Wales

Job description

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.

Benefits for the Contentious Probate Solicitor role