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Edward Stanley

Partner

Contentious Probate & Trusts

With a long background in Chancery litigation, spent chiefly with a major national law firm’s Manchester office, and at a Leeds city centre law firm, Ed joined up with Harrison Drury in 2014. Ed has specialised in disputed wills, estates and trusts for over 20 years. He also deals with non-contentious probate, particularly involving difficult estates. Ed’s practice area is therefore entirely private client-based through which he is able to offer clients the benefit of his insight gained from his vast experience of both contentious and non-contentious matters. He is head of contentious probate at Harrison Drury.

Ed acts for clients not just in the UK but across the world, who have an interest in estates in England and Wales. 

Ed is known for his rigorous pursuance or defence of claims and is meticulous in his approach. He frequently deals with what are often highly sensitive issues, always with compassion whilst remaining focussed on the outcome his clients want him to achieve.

Some of the types of claims he handles include:

  • The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
  • Validity of Wills
  • Lack of capacity
  • Breach of trust
  • Fraud and forgery
  • Lack of due execution
  • Financial mishandling/fraud by executors or trustees
  • Wasting of estate/trust assets (“devastavit”)
  • Removal of executors/trustees
  • Undue influence
  • Lack of knowledge and approval
  • Proprietary estoppel
  • Resulting and constructive trusts

Ed is a partner of Harrison Drury and registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority as a non-lawyer manager. He is an affiliate member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP). His Court of Appeal cases include:

  • Taylors Industrial Flooring Ltd [1990] BCC 44
  • Martin v. Browne and Another [2008] EWCA Civ 712

Outside of work you can find me…

Away from the office, Ed enjoys time with his family.

Cricket, Oldham Athletic, photography and the arts are among his interests.

Ed Stanley - Partner, Clitheroe, Private Client

Awards and Rankings

Your knowledge, professionalism and meticulous attention to detail has been clearly evident throughout

Edward, may I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks for the manner in which you have dealt with this matter and bringing it to the conclusion I wanted. Your knowledge, professionalism and meticulous attention to detail have been clearly evident throughout this process. I definitely chose the right solicitor to represent me in this matter and express my thanks to you once again.

Ed is a tenacious litigator who approaches litigation in an extremely thorough and measured way.

Exceptionally knowledgeable and approachable.

Harrison Drury is ranked by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500, two leading independent guides to the UK’s top legal firms and solicitors.

These guides highlight the solicitors who are providing the most cutting-edge and innovative advice to clients and we are ranked across our range of practice areas and people.

Works alongside

Clare Fleming

Partner Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01772 428536

David Jefferies

Partner Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01253 746020
m: 07823 324519

Jan Wright

Partner Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01539 751268
m: 07795 312328

Charlotte Cooper

Senior Associate Solicitor Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01772 374738
m: 07425 111840

Victoria Hill

Senior Associate Solicitor Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01200 401121
m: 07896 836509

Victoria Taylor

Senior Associate Solicitor Contentious Probate & Trusts
t: 01200 377832
m: 07979 596097

James Patterson

Associate Solicitor Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01253 579446
m: 07551 444971

Holly Radcliffe

Associate Solicitor Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01524 952720
m: 07551 445 034

Scarlett Richardson

Associate Solicitor Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01772 428541
m: 07786 185 894

Donna Matthews

Chartered Legal Executive Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01253 489824
m: 07879 626457

Rachael McDonagh

Solicitor Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01995 508365
m: 07435 552728

Rebecca Mitchell-Smith

Solicitor Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01524 952718
m: 07789 267038

Kristian Torgersen

Apprentice Solicitor Contentious Probate & Trusts
t: 01200 401115

Claire Bamber

Paralegal Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01772 208530

Sereena Clark

Paralegal Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01253 746257

Alexandra Brown

Legal Apprentice Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01772 374751

Shannon Martin

Legal Apprentice Wills, Trusts and Probate
t: 01253 742360