Sharon Bell joined Birketts in August 2023 as a Legal Director in our private wealth disputes team and is based in our Sevenoaks office.
Sharon specialises in complex contested probate matters including disputed wills, invalidity challenges, cross-border disputes, Inheritance Act claims, Promissory/Proprietary Estoppel claims, Trust disputes, Non-Contentious Probate issues including rectification applications and lost wills involving overseas beneficiaries. Executor disputes including breach of trust, devastavit claims, death bed gift claim and professional negligence against solicitors, executors, and will drafters.
Sharon is a key advocate for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Sharon has experience of Judge led Chancery Financial Dispute Resolution and Early Neutral Evaluation hearings.
Sharon has also dealt with applications for relief from the Forfeiture Act 1982.
Sharon is praised by clients for sensitively and compassionately guiding them through the stresses and strains of this difficult area of law whilst successfully achieving impressive results.
Sharon is ranked by Chambers High Net Worth [UK 2026]. In this edition, clients note: “Sharon is a fantastic lawyer with a wealth of practical and technical knowledge. She is very empathetic to her client’s needs and listens” and “Sharon is a very competent contentious probate lawyer, and she goes the extra mile for her clients“.
Recent work highlights
Sharon is responsible for internal training and projects such as red flags for non-contentious practitioners, CFA funding, and Larke v Nugus requests.
McLean v McLean 2023 EWHC 1863 Ch
Doctrine of mutual wills. The court held that an agreement based on trust between a Husband and Wife is merely a moral obligation not a legal one.
Experience & education
2023 joined Birketts
2018 – 2023 Partner at McMillan Williams – Taylor Rose MW Head of Contested Probate Department.
2015 – 2018 Associate at McMillan William – instrumental in establishing and growing the Contested Probate Team working alongside the very successful Hayley Bundey now at Slee Blackwell.
2015 Full member of ACTAPS.
2010 Associate member of ACTAPS.
2006 – 2015 Batchelors solicitors – Social Housing Solicitor in tier 1 Legal 500 Team and Contested Probate solicitor. Responsible for the initial start up of the Contested Probate department.
2006 Qualified as a Solicitor.
Sharon studied to be a solicitor whilst working full time.
Sharon Bell is exceptional – she understands people and has a very commercial view which assists in ensuring clients get the best outcomes.
Legal 500 [UK 2027]
