‘Great profile in the market for this area of work.’

‘Alison Parry is a standout partner and Ben Wilson is a tough litigator.’

‘The best in the north west. Excellence across the board. ’

‘Alison Parry leads the team from the front. An extremely competent lawyer and formidable negotiator.’

‘Ian Johnston is a superb technical operator and highly skilled litigator.’

‘Alison Parry is extremely clear with her approach and her clients are left in no doubt as to their options and risks.’

‘JMW has a committed and dedicated team for contentious trusts and probate.’

‘The JMW contentious trusts and probate team has significant strength in depth. The impressively large team manages high-value and complex disputes. Whilst the team is recognised for having an impressive number of high-net-worth individuals as clients, it has also been very innovative in creating funding structures to suit all levels.’

‘A very strong and gifted team easily able to rival their silver circle London-based competitors. Excellent strength and depth in technical knowledge of key chancery areas. Very good at dealing with complex or sensitive cases involving vulnerable individuals as well as high-net-worth clients.’

‘This team has deservedly acquired a reputation for excellence. It attracts high-value and complex cases and handles them with expertise.’

‘Simon Pedley has a great deal of experience and Ben Reeves is excellent with really good client handling skills and expertise in this area.’

‘Very polished and experienced performers in this area. Class leading in the north west.’

‘Simon Pedley is intelligent and vastly experienced.’

‘Well-resourced team supported across the region and national network.’

‘Simon Pedley is knowledgeable, highly regarded and always delivers for his clients.’

‘Mills & Reeve provide an almost unique set of skills and experience outside London, with a good spread between partners and associates.’

‘It is clear that there is a great team environment. Team members are clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about their cases.’

‘This is undoubtedly the leading contentious probate team in the north west of England. It has a breadth of talent, from junior fee earners right through to the partnership. It provides excellent, astute, and tactical advice to often vulnerable clients in difficult situations.’

‘There is an attention to detail which sets this firm apart from its rivals.’

‘Helen Thomson leads an excellent team and Stephanie Ewan and Jennifer McGuinness are standout associates.’

‘Helen Thompson’s wonderfully cheery exterior belies her in-depth knowledge and resolve.’

‘Jennifer McGuiness is straightforward, robust and determined. She is not afraid to call out difficult or misguided clients or opponents.’

‘Eleanor Clarke has a calm head in the most stressful of situations. Delivers exceptional results for clients in difficult circumstances.’

‘Stephanie Ewan is undoubtedly a star in the contentious probate arena. She leaves no stone unturned on a case and always seeks to adopt the tactical high ground. Superb at managing the most challenging of clients.’

‘A practice with expert knowledge and the personal touch. Matters are dealt with in an extremely professional but friendly manner.’

‘Jonny Scholes was at all times responsive, efficient and knowledgeable, but also supportive and approachable.’

‘Nicola Marchant is easy to speak to and treats people as equals. She is confident and is very supportive.’

‘The team is highly skilled, knowledgeable, and confident in their work . Their ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with me was outstanding. I appreciate their kindness, helpfulness and understanding.’

‘Jonny Scholes’s exceptional advice-giving skills make him an invaluable asset to the team.’

‘Very responsive, hardworking, compassionate and practical. ’

‘My first contact was with Elizabeth Walsh, who I found empathetic to my situation. Elizabeth listened to everything I said and not only listened but heard me as well.’

‘Quality niche team with strong regional profile.’

‘James Wallace stands out in terms of the quickness and efficiency of responses. James listens to the client and is empathetic to their needs.’

‘All the meetings and dealings that I have had have been professional and knowledgeable, which has inspired trust and confidence in them.’

‘Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu has been exceptional. He has inspired trust, faith and confidence in his abilities to achieve the outcome I am seeking. He takes time to explain the more technical and legal terms, which has been very helpful.’

‘Very professional team and company.’

‘Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu has been very professional. Knowledgeable advice given too.’

‘Genuinely acting for my interests, giving balanced advice, clarity of vision and finding solutions with complex and difficult situations.’

‘Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu has a measured approach, applying a clever style for maximum impact which works better than a ‘guns blazing’ manner. He remains confident, professional and assertive in a highly emotional situation for the client.’

‘A first-class team with genuine specialism in this field.’

‘John Lambe is a master of the market.’

‘John Lambe is dedicated to securing the best possible outcomes for clients.’

‘Lucy Scurfield has an infectious enthusiasm for contentious probate work.’

‘A highly specialist team of probate lawyers, Forbes are especially skilled in probate litigation. The team has highly skilled professionals at all levels, such that work can be appropriately assigned to suitably experienced lawyers.’

‘My absolute favourite set of solicitors to work with. Every case is a pleasure.’

‘Thorough, well resourced, and dedicated. Excellent quality of work which is serviced by even more excellent lawyers. Client care is truly respected.’

‘Great communication so you know exactly what’s going on at every stage.’

‘The team have a deep knowledge of their domain. They are incredibly responsive and consistently deliver on commitments.’

‘Approachable, skilled and local.’

‘Danielle Clements is a specialist in contentious probate litigation and very experienced in that area.’

‘The litigation team impressed me from the start.  Everyone I came in contact with at this firm was warm, polite and friendly.’

‘Danielle Clements listened to my worries and concerns and talked me through the steps that she would take to resolve the issue.’

‘The team always give the impression of thinking creatively about their clients. Always on the ball. Excellent technical knowledge.’

‘Graham Wood is particularly clear in his advice.’

‘Kuits are among the best in town. They have a real depth of experience in the department with all the authority and confidence that that brings. They are also extremely personable, with a strong sense of teamwork between solicitor, counsel and client.’

‘Graham Wood is very approachable and pragmatic and has been a pleasure to work with.’

‘Graham Wood has an in-depth knowledge of the law and all matters concerning probate, the underlying trusts created by the wills that we are involved with and how to effectively resolve the dispute.’

‘Graham Wood is pragmatic and commercial, so much so that I referred a large probate matter to him as I knew the client would be in safe hands and Graham would look after her.’

‘Approachable and commercially minded. Tactically astute individuals.’

‘Peter Kaye is hugely experienced in a range of complimentary fields. Enables a clear view in private disputes of various strands.’

‘A very good choice in its region.’

‘David McGuire is an intelligent and diligent solicitor who has good instincts and knows his stuff. He is good with clients and has good commercial awareness.’

‘A full-service law firm which can, for example, draw on the expertise of partners specialising in divorce and trusts.’

‘I have worked with David McGuire, acting for different parties, on various contentious probate matters. He has impressed me with his hard work and professionalism.’

‘A team of solid lawyers.’

‘David McGuire was a tremendous help and was on hand to speak to me when I found things confusing or frustrating.’

‘This practice is very personable, and the team that work there are very understanding and are subject matter experts with their remits. You feel safe and can easily trust them through their knowledge specifically around wills, estates and contentious matters.’

‘Very good reputation in the north.’

‘A friendly atmosphere and we were made to feel at ease.’

‘Samuel Dale is very efficient and professional.’

‘Professional, thorough, compassionate and friendly.’

‘Samuel Dale has been compassionate and professional throughout. I have felt informed throughout a very stressful process and he has helped guide me through my dispute.’

‘I’ve been very happy with the service Butcher Barlow have provided in my probate dispute.’

‘Samuel Dale has been excellent. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to others in a probate dispute.’

‘Friendly, professional and long standing in the area with a good reputation.’

‘Excellent service, continued progression through to timely completion. Communication at the start and throughout the process was excellent. Explanation of some of the legal niceties was done in an understandable and supportive way.’

‘Richard Thomas and his team are hugely supportive and greatly knowledgeable.’

‘The team is led by the very experienced Richard Thomas.’

‘Richard Thomas is robust and provides prompt, reliable advice.’

‘A strong focus on quality client service and excellent technical skills and knowledge.’

‘Chris Gee and Grace Brown are both technically excellent but remain approachable for all types of private clients. They are both responsive and supportive to clients and fellow professionals.’

‘Chris Gee and Grace Brown are experienced and talented litigators. They work well with other parties and solicitors and they are excellent strategists.’

‘Very impressive team.’

‘Chris Gee has an in-depth knowledge of the law, whilst also being commercial and practical, so as to ensure the best result for the client. A true all-rounder.’

‘Stephanie Kerr is an excellent contentious probate lawyer and, in my opinion, the best in the north west. She has great work and a fine reputation. She puts clients at ease. She takes a strategic approach and makes good decisions at early stages of any litigation, which lead to good outcomes for her clients.’

‘Kirsty McNulty is commercial and approachable.’

‘One of the largest and strongest teams in the north of England. Heavyweight reputation which is well deserved.’

‘Stephanie brings vast experience and a strong client-centered focus to the Manchester team.’

‘The team are very approachable and efficient.’

‘Great team and an ability to deal with any aspect of a case that may crop up due to the diversity of the areas of law covered.’

“Stephanie Kerr is exceptionally knowledgeable and responsive. Any clients referred have always reported back well. She has an excellent rapport with clients and I never hesitate to contact her with contentious matters to refer which I cannot manage in house.’

‘Steph Kerr is a safe pair of hands and a pleasure to work with.’

‘The client service was nothing but impressive. All aspects of the administration were dealt with impeccably. The team was highly organised.’

‘Veronica Howley’s legal expertise is superb. She delivered great value by identifying my reasons for using her services and delivering the best possible outcome for my case. She had from the beginning a clear understanding of my needs as a client. She showed a great deal of empathy and was therefore able to serve me as a client to a deeper level.’

‘Slater Heelis were unique in the speed that John Gorner gained a deep understanding of my case, which was an extremely complex case. The firm communicated with me and between themselves in an efficient manner, thus putting me at ease.’

‘John Gorner took a complex case, understood it, and advised on the legalities. Veronica Howley picked up the case in the late stages and understood every minute detail.’

‘Veronica Howley is very knowledgeable and experienced.’

‘The communication is exceptional. The compassion and kindness Veronica Howley and John Gorner have shown is amazing and very appreciated. The overall help and understanding has been exceptional.’

‘Slater Heelis have a wide litigation practice base and a large team. They have a keen eye on the commercial viability of litigation, which enables them to put the clients’ interests first.’

‘I have been impressed with John Gorner’s common sense approach and his expertise.’