Contentious Probate Solicitor

Realm Recruit; West Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Company pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Life assurance

Critical illness cover

Income protection

Bupa membership plan

PerkBox benefits

Job summary

Realm Recruit is seeking a Contentious Probate Solicitor to join a growing Yorkshire practice, ideally Wakefield, with hybrid working and a clear path to progression.

You will inherit an existing caseload covering contentious probate and trust disputes, working alongside an experienced senior solicitor. The firm offers a supportive culture and genuine progression opportunities within a well-regarded regional team.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with contentious probate experience.
• Background in Private Client litigation.
• Experience managing your own contentious probate caseload.
• Strong technical and analytical skills.
• Excellent client care and communication.
• Strong drafting skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently.
• Collaborative, approachable and self-motivated.
• Experience handling trust disputes (advocacy/mediation a plus).
• Regional or national firm background and commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Managing contentious probate matters.
• Handling will validity challenges.
• Advising on Inheritance Act claims.
• Managing executor and trustee disputes.
• Handling trust litigation.
• Advising on proprietary estoppel claims.
• Managing capacity and undue influence disputes.
• Resolving estate administration disputes.
• Drafting correspondence and court documents.
• Liaising with counsel and experts.
• Supporting mediations and settlements.
• Contributing to departmental growth.

Skills

Contentious probate

Private Client litigation

Managing own caseload

Excellent client care

Drafting & detail

Independent working

Business development

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

• Join a growing Contentious Probate team with a strong pipeline of high-quality work
• Work alongside an experienced specialist from a Tier 1 Legal 500 team
• Hybrid working, sensible billing expectations and genuine progression opportunities

Are you a Contentious Probate Solicitor looking for more complex work, greater autonomy and the opportunity to develop your career within a highly regarded Yorkshire law firm?

This established regional practice is looking for a Contentious Probate Solicitor to join its expanding team, ideally based in Wakefield, although other Yorkshire office locations can be considered.

You’ll inherit an existing caseload covering a broad range of contentious probate and trust disputes, working closely with an experienced senior solicitor who previously practised within a Tier 1 Legal 500 team.

The department is experiencing continued growth, creating an opportunity to become a key fee earner within the team. There’s a strong flow of instructions, meaning you can focus on delivering excellent client service rather than generating your own work.

The firm combines the quality of work and progression opportunities of a larger practice with a friendly, supportive culture. It has also been recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, reflecting its commitment to employee wellbeing and development.

Who we’re looking for

• Qualified Solicitor with contentious probate experience (E)
• Background in Private Client litigation (E)
• Experience managing your own contentious probate caseload (E)
• Strong technical and analytical skills (E)
• Excellent client care and communication (E)
• Strong drafting skills and attention to detail (E)
• Ability to work independently (E)
• Collaborative, approachable and self-motivated (E)
• Experience handling trust disputes (D)
• Advocacy or mediation experience (D)
• Regional or national firm background (D)
• Commercial awareness and business development interest (D)

What you’ll be doing

• Managing contentious probate matters
• Handling will validity challenges
• Advising on Inheritance Act claims
• Managing executor and trustee disputes
• Handling trust litigation
• Advising on proprietary estoppel claims
• Managing capacity and undue influence disputes
• Resolving estate administration disputes
• Drafting correspondence and court documents
• Liaising with counsel and experts
• Supporting mediations and settlements
• Contributing to departmental growth

Salary & Benefits

• £50,000–£60,000, with flexibility for exceptional candidates
• Hybrid working – typically 2–3 days from home
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Additional company leave days
• Holiday buy/sell scheme
• Company pension scheme
• Enhanced parental leave
• Life assurance
• Critical illness cover
• Income protection
• Bupa membership plan
• PerkBox benefits
• Part-time considered for the right candidate
• Flexibility across Yorkshire office locations
• Supportive approach to billing targets
• Progression towards Associate and Senior Associate

This is a particularly attractive opportunity for a solicitor who wants to develop a genuine specialism in contentious probate. You’ll benefit from an established pipeline of work, close collaboration with experienced lawyers and the chance to take on increasing responsibility as the department grows.

For someone seeking high-quality litigation, a realistic work-life balance and a clear route towards seniority, this role offers an excellent long-term opportunity.

While this advert sets out the criteria applicable to each salary band, the salary guidance given is purely indicative. The precise salary offered within that band will ultimately be determined by the hirer, taking into account the individual candidate’s experience, qualifications and overall suitability for the role.