Wollens houses a specialist contentious trusts and probate team which regularly represents high-net-worth individuals in complex disputes involving contested wills, probate and trust matters. The practice is led by Craig Smith, who brings over a decade of experience in contentious probate work, including cases before the Court of Appeal. Emma Tyrer has demonstrated particular strength in high-value proprietary estoppel claims.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • Craig Smith, a Partner and the Team Leader, deserves special praise and recommendation. He is a highly focused and skilled solicitor, an expert in the field of dispute resolution. He is highly sensitive to his clients’ needs and dedicated to finding solutions.
  • Leading the work for me was the partner, Craig Smith. For me, there are three things you want in a solicitor: someone who knows their stuff, someone who communicates clearly and responds in a timely manner, and someone who you feel is on your side and cares. My Smith scored very highly on all three.
  • Wollens tells you at the outset who will be leading the work for you, and who else in the team will be supporting and supervising them, so you always know who to contact. They are also clear at the outset, and regularly throughout, what the costs are of the work they will be doing for you.

Work highlights

Representing the spouse in an Inheritance Act 1975 claim in a £6m Estate.
Advising trustees on their duties in respect of a £120m Estate dispute.
Advising on a multi-faceted and complex farming family inheritance, proprietary estoppel and section 50 Administration of Estate Act 1985 dispute.
Practice head

Craig Smith

Other key lawyers

Emma Tyrer