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, estates with assets in other jurisdictions, including offshore trusts and cross border disputes.
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.
Recent work highlights
James v Scudamore [2023] EWCH 391 (Ch) – Representing one of the successful defendants in a claim concerning the validity of a will which was struck out for the unreasonable delay under the doctrine of laches.
Clitheroe v Bond [2021] EWHC 1102 (Ch) [2022] and EWHC 2203 (Ch) – Representing the successful defendant in overturning two wills for lack of testamentary capacity, in particular insane delusions.
Wrangle v Brunt [2020] EWCH 1784 (Ch), [2021] 1WLUK 332 and associated costs decision [2020] EWCH 2205 (Ch) – A case involving whether a will, signed by the testator’s attorney at his direction was a forgery and the costs case which resulted in all parties’ costs being paid from the estate.
Experience & education
2024 – present Birketts
2000 – 2024 Birkett Long Solicitors
1998 Qualified as a Solicitor
Areas of Expertise
Accreditations
Legal 500 [UK 2025]
Leading Partner
Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists
Member
