Eleanor Clarke
Eleanor Clarke is a high‑profile contentious probate partner, recognised as Up and Coming by Chambers HNW 2025
Specialisms & Areas of Work
Legal 500
Biography
Eleanor advises on a wide range of probate disputes including will validity challenges, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and advising beneficiaries and executors when a dispute has arisen.
Eleanor studied American Studies at the University of Nottingham before undertaking her legal training in Manchester. She trained at JMW Solicitors before moving to Linder Myers in 2015 to specialise in Contentious Trusts and Estates. Eleanor joined the Probate Litigation department at Myerson in 2018. Eleanor is an Member of the Association of Contentious Probate Solicitors and ConTrA, the Contentious Trusts Association.
Eleanor has been featured in the Law Society Gazette as Lawyer in the news and in October 2024, Eleanor successfully defended a client in the high-profile contentious probate case Neate v Heselden, which had attracted media attention, appearing in The Telegraph, Mail Online, The Times, The Mirror and more, due to its unusual circumstances involving a valuable stamp collection and a longstanding friendship between the Deceased and his former cleaner, Susan Pope. His Honour Judge Gerald, sitting at the County Court at Central London, delivered judgment on the 24th October 2024, confirming the validity of the Will of the late Raymond Watts, dated 2nd May 2019, as modified by a codicil on 12th November 2020.
Client Feedback
Anonymous
Thank you for all your support & advice in dealing with my enquiries around my Parents will. Many thanks in bringing this matter to a satisfactory outcome. Your empathy & sensitive was much appreciated.
Anonymous
Eleanor was very professional, yet at the same time she was kind, approachable and sympathetic, which has been a huge support to me and has made a difficult situation bearable.
Kate Jackson
Myersons were marvellous especially Eleanor Clarke who got on with the job in hand in an effective way. Clear, concise, honest and decent. I would most certainly use them again.
Ms Jackson
Eleanor Clarke was on the ball, honest, clear and lucid.
Recent Experience
Neate v Heselden - Securing Will Validity
CloseIn the Neate v Heselden case, we represented Susan Pope, a friend and carer of the deceased, Raymond Watts, who had amended his will to leave her the bulk of his estate. Watts’s stepdaughter, Beverley Neate, challenged the will’s validity, alleging that he lacked full understanding and approval when making these changes due to alleged undue influence.
The case presented several complexities. Watts’s estate changes were significant, transferring primary inheritance from a family member to a non-relative, which can often lead to suspicion in probate cases. Proving Watts’s mental clarity and independence at the time of the will’s execution required careful evidence analysis, especially given the relationship dynamics with his stepdaughter.
Myerson’s contentious probate team, led by Senior Associate Eleanor Clarke, meticulously reviewed medical records, personal testimonies, and the timeline of the will’s changes. The team built a strong case for Pope, focusing on Watts’s clear testamentary intent and the nature of his estrangement from Neate, which added context to the will's contents.
The High Court upheld the will, dismissing Neate’s objections and affirming the validity of Watts’s final wishes. Pope retained her rightful inheritance under the will.
Reported on in The Telegraph, Mail Online, The Times, The Mirror and The Sun.
Awards & Rankings
Legal 500 — Recommended Lawyer
2026
British Wills and Probate Awards — Best Contentious Wills & Probate Team (Large)
2025
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2025 — Up and Coming : Private Wealth Disputes
2025Memberships
- Actaps (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) Accredited
- Member of ConTrA (The Contentious Trusts Association)
- Member of NCPG (Northern Contentious Probate Group)
Insights & Media
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