Charity Legacy Disputes

Tony Cockayne

Partner

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The individuals we have worked with stand out for their responsiveness, clarity, and ability to engage effectively with non-legal stakeholders. They provide advice that is both technically sound and practically applicable, particularly in sensitive and complex areas such as data protection and governance. Their approachable and solutions-focused style differentiates them from competitors.
Legal 500 2027

We are proud to work with a broad range of charity clients, both national and regional, to protect and secure their vital legacy income.

With extensive experience and specialist knowledge, we understand the importance for charities of navigating the practicalities of legacy management, striking the right balance between safeguarding reputation, preserving donor intent, and managing cost and risk.

We have been Cancer Research UK’s preferred legal supplier for disputed legacies for over eight years. We take this responsibility seriously, working closely with the charity and its co-beneficiaries to help shape best practice across the sector.

We are also proud corporate partners of the Institute of Legacy Management (ILM).

How we can help

We have a highly specialist team who have a thorough understanding and long-term hands-on experience with:

Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
Will validity claims.
Complexities in the administration of estates.
Ex-gratia payment requests and processes.
Challenges involving difficult or uncooperative executors.
Court applications relating to the appointment or conduct of trustees.
Review and analysis of estate accounts.
Applications for grants of representation.

A collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach

Our work benefits from close collaboration across the firm. We regularly work with colleagues in related areas such as Tax, Trusts & Succession, Real Estate, and Defamation & Reputation Management, ensuring that our advice reflects the full context of each matter and meets the practical needs of our charity clients.

Michelmores LLP’s Charities and not-for-profit team combines strong technical expertise with a clear understanding of the operational challenges faced by organizations in this sector. Their advice is consistently practical and proportionate, particularly in areas such as governance, data protection, and risk management. They have supported us over a number of years on a constitutional review, organizational preparedness for StopNCII, and the development of data sharing agreements. Across these areas, they demonstrated an ability to translate complex legal requirements into workable solutions. Their collaborative approach and clear communication distinguish them from more traditional, less accessible firms.

Legal 500 2027

Tony Cockayne is really focused on achieving the best outcome for his clients and keeps the right level of involvement and oversight in his cases. He has an excellent sense of how a case will develop and where a deal may lie.

Legal 500 2025