Ashtons Legal

Private Wealth Disputes

Partner

Polly is a partner and leads our Private Wealth Disputes team. She qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and has 15 years’ experience specialising in Contentious Trust and Probate disputes. She regularly advises beneficiaries, executors, and trustees, whether as claimants and defendants, in complex claims and those relating to estates valued at several million pounds.

She advises on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and on disputes over the validity and construction of wills. She also advises on proprietary estoppel and constructive trust claims, applications for the removal of trustees and executors/PRs, the rectification of wills and professional negligence claims in respect of will drafting and estate administration. Polly also acts for clients in relation to breach of trust claims and other trust disputes, including claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) in respect of property co-ownership. She also supervises the wider team on such claims.

Prominent cases include:

Leonard v Leonard (representing the Defendants) – High Court (Chancery Division) Hudson v Hathway (representing Hathway) – High Court (Queen’s Bench Division) Hewson v Wells & Ors (representing Hewson) – Royal Courts of Justice Smith v Bowser & Anor (representing Smith) – Court of Appeal Shaka Xavier Dorant v Desiree Rachel Dorant & Ors (representing Dorant) – High Court (Chancery Division).

Aside from the numerous reported cases in which she has advised, Polly is also highly experienced in alternative dispute resolution and has successfully mediated several highly litigious, high-net-worth matters to a positive conclusion for her clients.

Given her considerable experience, Polly has been admitted as a member of ACTAPS (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Solicitors) and obtained a distinction in the STEP Advanced Certificate of Trusts Disputes.

"Polly Stephenson is a tenacious advocate for her clients. She has great empathy and is brilliant at supporting clients through the difficult litigation journey." – Legal 500

"To find a solicitor like Polly was an absolute godsend in such a terrible situation as that which I found myself in." – Legal 500

English

Member of STEP and of ACTAPS

University of Liverpool English and History BA (Hons) 1994 STEP Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes - Distinction