Amanda Smallcombe
Amanda is a Partner in the Private Wealth Disputes Team based in our Chelmsford office. She joined Birketts in May 2024 having been a Partner for 14 years at another leading regional firm.
Amanda has over 26 years’ experience as a litigator specialising in the field of contested trust and probate work. Amanda is a longstanding member of ACTAPs – the Association of Contested Trust and Probate Specialists. She has a wealth of experience advising executors, trustees and beneficiaries in will disputes, Inheritance Act claims, issues concerning the administration of estates and trusts and proprietary estoppel claims. In addition, Amanda also specialises in contentious Court of Protection work concerning disputes about the conduct of attorneys, deputies and applications for statutory wills as well as investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian. Amanda regularly deals with complex multimillion pound cases and estates with assets in other jurisdictions.
Where possible, Amanda is keen to resolve disputes without court proceedings by alternative dispute resolution, in particular mediation. However, if this is not possible Amanda is experienced in dealing with cases which conclude at trial and on appeal. Her notable cases include Wrangle v Brunt [2020] EWCH 1784 (Ch), Clitheroe v Bond [2022] EWHC 2203 (Ch), and James v Scudamore [2023] EWCH 391 (Ch).
Amanda is a recognised leader in her field. For several years Amanda has been named as a ‘Leading Individual’ by Legal 500. In the UK 2024 edition she is described as “the complete private client litigation solicitor”. Amanda is also recommended by Chambers High Net Worth [UK 2023] as “cautious, knowledgeable, tenacious and just excellent”.
Amanda has appeared on the BBC Inside Out program, was interviewed by The Guardian newspaper and regularly delivers webinars and seminars.
Amanda qualified as a Solicitor in October 1998.
