Katie Hayes
Katie advises on contested wills, trusts and probate, with specialist expertise in agricultural disputes, including proprietary estoppel and constructive trusts, and a practical ADR‑focused approach.
Specialisms & Areas of Work
British Wills and Probate Awards
Biography
Katie is a solicitor in the firm’s probate litigation department, advising clients on a wide range of contentious private client matters.
Her expertise includes will and probate disputes, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, trust and estoppel disputes, and claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.
Katie takes a practical and empathetic approach to what are often sensitive and emotionally charged disputes, guiding clients through complex legal issues with clarity and confidence.
Katie completed her law degree at the University of Leeds, graduating with a 2:1 BA (Hons), before going on to achieve a distinction on the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Manchester. She trained with regional firm Savas and Savage Solicitors and subsequently qualified at Tees Law, where she was part of the dispute resolution team and gained broad experience across both commercial and private litigation.
Katie has a particular interest in contentious probate matters, acting for clients nationwide on will disputes and inheritance and estate claims. She also has specialist experience in the agricultural sector, including proprietary estoppel claims and constructive trust disputes, often arising from family and farming succession arrangements.
In addition to her contentious probate work, Katie has experience in contract disputes, property litigation, and disputes between shareholders and directors, allowing her to take a well-rounded and strategic approach to dispute resolution.
Katie is currently working towards associate membership of ACTAPS (the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists).
Client Feedback
Paul
I wanted to write and thank Katie and her team for everything you have done for me. Your understanding of my mental issues has been unquestionable, and the patient care you and the team have shown throughout the whole case has been brilliant, even at my worst, when I could barely string a sentence together. I will not hesitate to recommend you and your company whenever I have the opportunity. Truly a 5 star company with morals that are very rare nowadays.
Recent Experience
- In Syder v Saladino and Ors, Kaite helped secure a £45,000 provision for an estranged spouse in a High Court inheritance case.
Awards & Rankings
British Wills and Probate Awards — Best Contentious Wills & Probate Team (Large)
2025Insights & Media
The Drowning Of Paula Leeson: Channel 5 Programme Rediscovers Tragic Case Of £4 Million Heiress Unlawfully Killed By Husband
The tragic death of Paula Leeson – an heiress with a £4 million fortune who drowned in a swimming pool whilst on holiday in 2017 – is the topic of Channel 5's new gripping documentary that aired at 8pm on Wednesday, 30 April 2025. Paula's husband, Donald McPherson, claimed to be asleep when Paula died and said that her 13 injuries, including...
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Keeping the Farm - and the Family - Together: Why Mediation Works in Inheritance Disputes
In the agricultural world, land is more than just property - it’s heritage, livelihood, and identity. For many farming families, the passing down of land through generations is expected but not always properly formalised. Inheritance disputes involving farmland often carry deep emotional and financial stakes. They’re not just about who gets what...
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Woman Who Moved Her Dying Mother's Hand to Sign a Will Loses in High Stakes Legal Battle
In a case that underscores the complexities of wills and the importance of ensuring proper legal processes, a woman who guided her dying mother's hand to sign a will has lost a high-stakes legal battle over a £700,000 estate. The court's ruling is a stark reminder of the significance of testamentary capacity and the risks involved when wills are...
Read BlogMeet Our Contentious Probate Solicitors
Home-grown or recruited from national, regional or City firms. Our contentious probate lawyers are experts in their fields and respected by their peers.