TWM Solicitors

Contentious Trusts and Probate

Partner in Will, Trust and Estate Disputes

Stuart Downey qualified as a solicitor in 2015 and joined TWM Solicitors in 2016. He was promoted to Partner in 2021 and is based in the Guildford office, although he regularly meets clients across all TWM locations. Most recently, he has completed mediator training with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and is now an accredited mediator, further strengthening his dispute resolution practice.

Stuart has extensive experience across the full spectrum of private client work, with a particular focus on complex estate planning, cross‑border matters and tax. This background underpins his specialist contentious practice and gives him a deep technical and practical understanding of trust and estate disputes.

Stuart acts in all types of trust and estate disputes, including:

Will disputes, including challenges based on: Lack of testamentary capacity Lack of due execution Lack of knowledge and approval of the Will Undue influence, fraudulent calumny or duress Fraud or forgery Rectification and construction of Wills and trusts Claims to set aside trusts for mistake Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 for spouses, former spouses, cohabitees, children and financial dependants Trust disputes and breach of trustee duties Disputes relating to lifetime gifts Disputes between trustees, executors and beneficiaries Claims concerning beneficial ownership of assets, including property Contentious estate administration Financial abuse Professional negligence in relation to Wills, trusts and estates.

Stuart is full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), and a Full Accredited Member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, Civil Mediation Council Registered Mediator.  He is also a Notary Public and provides Notarial services. Stuart is a full Member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

LLB (Hons) Law, LPC (College of Law, Chester)