Ashtons Legal fields an accomplished practice for contentious trusts and probate work, spearheaded by Polly Stephenson. Her recent caseload has included a complex Beddoe application in the High Court and a spousal 1975 Act claim. The team assists with the full range of matters, from trusts, wills, and probate disputes, to will validity issues and executor removal applications. Stephenson has specialised in this field since 2012, and she acts for claimants, defendants, executors, and beneficiaries. Support also comes from Gino Ballestracci, whose practice focuses on private wealth disputes involving high-net-worth individuals, families, executors, trustees, and beneficiaries, and Lisa Cox, who joined as a senior associate from Birkett Long LLP in January 2026. Joanna Baker departed to HCR Law in July 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- An extremely strong team spearheaded by Polly Stephenson. A team that is completely dedicated to fighting for its clients and achieving the best outcomes possible.
- Outstanding team and my go-to choice in East Anglia. Not only extremely intelligent and able, but they bring an exceptional level of commercial reality and emotional intelligence to their work. Utterly client-focused and they get the right results.
- Polly Stephenson: pure class. My go-to private client lawyer. Intelligent, caring, and razor-focused on her clients' best interests. Nikki Frearson: when things get tough, you need someone like Nikki to have your back.
- It is a team that is prepared to take on and fund work in cases that they believe in, even if clients are not in a financial position to fund adequately. They are very good at looking after clients' emotional needs and seeking practical solutions.
- Polly Stephenson is amazingly committed to her clients. She goes above and beyond the role of a lawyer to try to ensure that they get the best result possible and to look after them holistically.
- Polly Stephenson is uniquely client-focused and driven. She fights for her clients and manages expectations brilliantly - I would always recommend her for an inheritance dispute. She is ably supported by associate solicitors Annastasia Christoforou Fox and now Lisa Cox, who has recently joined, as well as excellent paralegals Nicki Frearson and Eloise Eddy. It's a really good team.
- Polly Stephenson is always exceptional.
- A very bright, collaborative team. They work well together. Approachable solicitors make it easy to pick up the phone.
- The Ashtons team will really fight your corner.
- Annastasia Christoforou Fox is a very strong associate. Polly Stephenson is a force of nature.
Key clients
- DD
Work highlights
Representing a Trinidad & Tobago-based client who had been served with an application by the personal representative for a Cobden-Ramsay Order, compelling her to issue proceedings within 28 days.
Advising defendants of a 1975 Act spousal claim on a case that raises issues in relation to the divorce fiction and the extent of the provision that might be awarded in such cases.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Polly Stephenson
Other key lawyers
Gino Ballestracci; Lisa Cox