Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Editorial

Other

All countries

Index of tables

Contentious trusts and probate
Leading individuals

Contentious trusts and probate

1
- Mills & Reeve LLP (Manchester)
- Pannone Corporate LLP (Manchester)
2
- Addleshaw Goddard LLP (Manchester)
- Brabners LLP (Manchester, Liverpool, Preston)
- DWF (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Gorvins Solicitors (Stockport)
- Kuit Steinart Levy LLP (Manchester)
- Myerson Solicitors LLP (Altrincham)
- Slater Heelis LLP (Manchester, Sale)
3
- Aaron & Partners LLP (Manchester, Chester)
- Hill Dickinson LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)

Leading individuals

1
- Nicola Marchant - Pannone Corporate LLP
- Simon Pedley - Mills & Reeve LLP

Find out which law firms are representing which Contentious trusts and probate clients in North West using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact david.burgess@legal500.com.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WHO REPRESENTS WHO SITE

The ‘very strong team’ at Mills & Reeve LLP regularly advises on disputes concerning the validity of wills, actions against trustees and executors, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Families and Dependants) Act 1975 and related claims over lifetime transactions. It also acts in contested legacy matters for a number of charities. The ‘very capable’ Simon Pedley ‘handles a wide range of high-value disputes’.

Pannone Corporate LLP acts for claimants, executors and beneficiaries on a variety of claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Team head Nicola Marchant ‘explains everything very clearly and puts her clients at ease’. Senior associate Jonny Scholes is ‘very efficient’.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP is noted for its specialist advice on the use of trusts in a commercial context and advises high-net-worth individuals and families on significant national and regional business succession and planning. Yorke Eaton is singled out for praise.

Brabners LLP is particularly experienced at advising on the validity of wills, trusts and claims for the provision of dependents. Senior associate Simon Morris has ‘great attention to detail and a superb memory – he is able to recall the tiny details of very complex cases’.

The ‘responsive and very knowledgeable’ team at DWF is adept at handling complex trust and probate disputes – often with a cross-border element – in addition to advising professional trustees and trust companies on the administration of trusts, bankruptcy and other issues. Key figures include Chris Gee, who is ‘calm under pressure’ and Chris King.

Gorvins Solicitors’ ‘totally professional, approachable and sympathetic team’ includes Christine Thornley and senior associate Michael Smoult, who ‘work tirelessly’ for their clients.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP acts for owner-managed businesses, family businesses and high-net worth individuals. Andrew Weinberg, the ‘well-regarded’ Graham Wood, and Cyril Rose regularly act in the most complex and high-value disputes.

Myerson Solicitors LLP is ‘large enough to employ solicitors with a broad range of expertise but not so big that the lawyers cannot collaborate to achieve the best outcome for the clients’. Solicitor Ben Wilson ‘leaves no stone unturned’ and is recommended alongside Adam Maher.

Slater Heelis LLP attracts praise for its team of ‘technically very able and competent practitioners’. Rebecca Sharp left the firm in June 2016.

Aaron & Partners LLP had another busy year advising on contested wills, trusts and estates. The well-regarded Clive Pointon heads the practice.

Manchester-based Sean Williams leads the team at Hill Dickinson LLP, which includes Fionnuala Kenny in Liverpool.

Interview with...

Law firm partners and practice heads explain how their firms are adapting to clients' changing needs

Keith Davidson

Founder , ELM Law

GC Diversity and Inclusion Report

In partnership with...

'I think of inclusion and diversity as talent management: the best talent won't only come from one social or cultural group.'

PRASH NAIK, GENERAL COUNSEL - LEGAL, COMPLIANCE AND GOVERNANCE, CHANNEL 4

View more interviews from GC Magazine's Diversity and Inclusion Report UK 2016

International comparative guides

Giving the in-house community greater insight to the law and regulations in different jurisdictions.

Select Practice Area

CLIENT INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016

The world's largest client survey

NOW LIVE

The Legal 500 TV

Data Security Debate

The first of an innovative series of roundtables and discussions with leading cyber security experts.

The Legal 500 United Kingdom - Events

Enterprise GC - UK

Enterprise GC provides a unique platform to address the evolving needs of the leading General Counsel from the UK's largest enterprise.

The GC Powerlist: UK Summer Reception

To celebrate the publication of the GC Powerlist: United Kingdom, The Legal 500, Legal Business, GC Magazine and The In-House Lawyer invited leading General Counsel from across the UK to a summer reception at Home House, Portman Square. The GC Powerlist series highlights the most influential and innovative general counsel in a market

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Cayman Islands Introduces Beneficial Ownership Register

The Cayman Islands government has now introduced legislative changes which will require relevant companies (“Relevant Companies”) to prepare and maintain a register of beneficial owners (the “Register of Beneficial Owners ”).

- Stuarts, Walker Hersant Humphries Attorneys-At-Law

THE DANGERS OF CARTELS.

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp consider two recent cartel cases and examine why businesses must take care not to become involved in such behaviour.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE SFO AND SECTION TWO INTERVIEWS: WHY ROBUST DEFENCE IS NEEDED

Aziz Rahman explains why the SFO’s insistence that solicitors cannot be present for interviews under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act can be and should be challenged.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE FOURTH EU ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING DIRECTIVE: WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUSINESS

With the Directive coming into effect, Aziz Rahman examines its implications.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE HUGE COSTS OF BRIBERY

Aziz Rahman looks at the case of Petrofac, explains how bribery can ruin a company and emphasises what must be done to prevent it.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CROSS-BORDER INVESTIGATIONS

The huge Petrobras bribery scandal has engulfed companies in many countries. Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain what needs to be done if your company is investigated in more than one country.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CORRUPTION: HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF

Aziz Rahman outlines why allegations of corruption in football should act as a warning to everyone in business about the need to prevent wrongdoing.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CHALLENGING FCA ACCUSATIONS

Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman explain how changes to the way the FCA investigates cases will make it easier for companies and individuals to negotiate the best possible outcome.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

OBTAINING A DPA

With deferred prosecution agreements (DPA’s) becoming more common, Aziz Rahman considers how a company under investigation can enhance its chances of obtaining one in order to avoid prosecution.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

WHAT THE CRIMINAL FINANCES BILL MEANS FOR ASSET SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the changes likely when the Criminal Finances Bill becomes law.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Pitmans crowned as top firm for trainee work/life balance

Pitmans has been awarded winner of the best work/life balance in the 2016 Lex 100 - a survey that is recognised as the most comprehensive valuation of training opportunities at law firms across the UK.

- Pitmans LLP

Gender Pay Gaps: The Latest Reporting Requirements

On average, male employees are paid more than female employees. In 2015, men working full-time were paid approximately 9.4% more than women working full-time. As a result, the government is working to introduce measures with the aim of reducing this gap.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans acts on Westcoast’s acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Ltd

Pitmans LLP has acted on behalf of its longstanding client, Westcoast (Holdings) Limited on its acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Limited.

- Pitmans LLP

Insolvency Update: Changes that take effect from April 2016

The Department of Justice has issued a practice direction in connection with the new insolvency express trials pilot.

- Pitmans LLP

The Apprenticeship Levy

Following last year’s autumn statement, HMRC has now published draft legislation which introduces the proposed new apprenticeship levy. The levy will have effect from 6 April 2017.

- Pitmans LLP

Coutinho -v- Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Ltd Judgment 29 April 2016

SOUTHAMPTON -- LV=, represented by Pitmans LLP, have won a case involving a fraudulent household insurance claim worth almost £50,000.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans promotes two Partners

Pitmans today announced that Oliver Kelly (corporate) and Matt Heyworth (private client) will become partners as of 1 May 2016.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advised the acquirer and the management team on the £12M MBO of Westfield Medical

The management team were backed by Maven Capital Partners with PNC providing debt facilities.

- Pitmans LLP

Supreme Court ruling will lead to increase in business rates

Many businesses will be liable for increased business rates following last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Woolway (Valuation Officer) v Mazars LLP.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advises Premier Marina Ltd on Noss Marina Acquisition

Pitmans has advised Premier Marinas Limited on its acquisition of Noss Marina, which is just outside Dartmouth, from the Administrators Duff & Phelps.

- Pitmans LLP