Stewarts specialises in high-value, complex trust and probate disputes, acting for high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, trustees, trust companies, protectors, other fiduciaries and charities.

Our work spans UK and international disputes involving trusts, estates and capacity issues. Many of these matters are multi-generational, involving significant wealth, offshore structures and competing legal regimes. They also frequently arise from deeply personal circumstances, requiring both sophisticated legal strategy and exceptional client care.

Complex matters, often deeply personal

Nearly every trust or probate dispute originates from a breakdown in relationships or a perception of unfairness.

These disputes often involve family members, long-standing advisers or fiduciaries and can carry significant emotional and financial consequences. We understand the personal context in which they arise and combine robust legal representation with empathetic, highly responsive support.

Our lawyers take time to understand what matters most to our clients, helping them navigate difficult situations with confidence and clarity.

International reach and cross-border expertise

We are highly experienced in coordinating complex multi-jurisdictional trust and probate disputes.

Our work regularly involves offshore structures, parallel proceedings and conflicting legal regimes across multiple jurisdictions. We are frequently instructed in matters with an international dimension, including disputes where there is no direct connection to the UK.

Working alongside leading law firms and specialist advisers around the world, we develop coordinated strategies designed to protect assets, manage risk and achieve effective outcomes across borders.

Strategic restraint

A defining feature of our practice is our commitment to resolving disputes rather than escalating them.

We focus on identifying practical solutions and reducing unnecessary conflict wherever possible, while remaining firm in protecting our clients’ legal and financial interests. This approach often helps preserve important family relationships, avoid unnecessary costs and create outcomes that clients and their families can live with long after the dispute has ended.

Our objective is not simply to win legal arguments, but to achieve the best long-term outcome.

Confidentiality and reputation protection

Privacy is a priority for many of our clients.

The vast majority of matters we handle are resolved confidentially, without publicity and often without court proceedings. We understand the importance of protecting personal, family and commercial reputations and carefully manage sensitive information throughout the life of a dispute.

Where litigation becomes necessary, we have extensive experience obtaining privacy protections and managing highly sensitive proceedings discreetly and effectively.

Innovative funding solutions

We recognise that trust and probate disputes can involve significant costs, particularly where assets remain tied up within trusts or estates.

We offer a range of flexible funding options, including contingent fee arrangements, third-party funding and after-the-event insurance where appropriate. This enables clients to pursue or defend claims while managing financial risk effectively.

Our experience in structuring funding solutions helps clients make informed decisions about the most appropriate strategy for their circumstances.

A collaborative approach to complex disputes

Many trust and probate disputes involve wider issues extending beyond the immediate legal claim.

Where required, we work alongside specialists across the firm and trusted external advisers, including tax experts, forensic accountants, family lawyers and capacity specialists. This ensures clients receive advice that reflects the full complexity of their personal and financial affairs.