Expertise
Probate, Inheritance, Trusts & Tax
Parklane Plowden Chambers has one of the largest specialist probate, inheritance and trusts teams outside London. The team are well placed to meet the needs of professionals who expect a truly specialist service and they are able to deal with contentious and non-contentious work at all levels of seniority and complexity.
“A great clerking team led by Stephen Render. They understand what is needed and make sure you are always kept informed.”
Chambers UK 2025
“the ‘strongest set for contentious probate in the North East’…”
Legal 500 UK 2025
Probate, Inheritance & Trusts
Probate, inheritance and trusts is one of the fastest growing areas of work in the Business & Property Court. In addition there is a growing need for the provision of specialist advice and drafting services to personal representatives and trustees.
Members of the team also have extensive experience of the use of mediation in this area. Our barristers appreciate and understand that this process involves negotiating skills and a practical approach which is different from the court process. The use of mediation is particularly appropriate in relation to probate, inheritance and trusts disputes and the compromises reached often involve complex drafting and taxation issues.
Probate
Members regularly deal with disputes relating to the validity of wills, directions applications for or against personal representatives, the construction and/or rectification of Wills and claims by and against estates including proprietary estoppel claims.
Inheritance
Family provision claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 often involve complex issues relating to business, agriculture, trusts and tax. The team is able to deal with claims of the utmost complexity. This work is also undertaken by members of the Family: Property and Finance team.
Trusts
Members regularly deal with disputes relating to the validity and construction of settlements, the rectification of trusts and settlements, directions applications for or against trustees, applications under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958, applications under TOLATA.
Non-contentious
Work undertaken includes the drafting of bespoke wills, trusts and deeds. Members can advise on the variation and termination of trusts, the administration of estates and trusts and the duties and powers of personal representatives and trustees including in relation to litigation.
