Contentious Probate Solicitor

Law Staff; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Contributory Pension

Discretionary annual staff bonus

Life Insurance

Income Protection

Season Ticket Loan

Reduced gym membership

Job summary

Law Staff is recruiting a Contentious Probate Solicitor in London to join a Chambers and Legal 500-ranked team handling medium to high-value disputes involving wills, estates and trusts. You will advise claimants and defendants, draft key documents and manage cases through all stages with empathy and professionalism.

Ideal candidates will have 2–5 years PQE in contentious probate, strong drafting and advocacy skills, and a proactive, organised approach to deadlines.

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.
• Proactive, organised and able to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• ACTAPS membership or willingness to pursue accreditation is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Act for claimants and defendants across a wide range of contentious probate matters, including will validity challenges, Inheritance Act claims and disputes involving executors, trustees and beneficiaries.
• Provide clear, strategic advice on merits, settlements and litigation risks.
• Draft statements of case, witness statements and settlement agreements.
• Manage cases through all stages from pre-action to mediation, court proceedings and negotiations.
• Attend court hearings, mediations and client meetings as required.
• Maintain accurate case files and comply with regulatory and firm policies.
• Collaborate with private client and litigation teams and stay updated on probate developments.

Skills

Wills & probate law

Trusts & inheritance

Negotiation

Drafting

Client care

Independent work

Case management

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