Department profile
Weightmans

Private Wealth Disputes

High Net Worth Guide 2025 : North West

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Weightmans

Rankings

About

Provided by Weightmans

Our private wealth team in Manchester provides a comprehensive private client service for individuals including those of ultra-high net worth and for companies, trusts, charities and foundations:

  • Disputed wills, trusts and estates – Inheritance Act claims, contesting/defending Wills, executor/trustee disputes, trust/estate administration disputes, proprietary estoppel, negligence, funeral/burial disputes, rectification/construction, lifetime gifts, pre-death agreements
  • Private wealth – Asset protection, business succession planning, court of protection, charitable trusts, family investment companies, inheritance tax, LPAs, probate, trusts & wills
  • International private wealth - international tax, trusts, estates & succession and wealth planning, domicile and tax residency, offshore trust & company structuring, international tax compliance & disclosure
  • Family – divorce & separation, children, cohabitation, HNW divorce, pre/post marital agreements, family mediation, financial advice, international, LGBTQ & Scottish family law
  • Employment – settlement agreements, director’s service agreements, employee benefits, business immigration, directors’ duties, boardroom disputes
  • Property – residential property, buy to let, leases, remortgaging, leasehold enfranchisement, business premises
  • Business owners – share sales, partnerships, JVs, investments, succession, insolvency & bankruptcy, business crime
  • Litigation – property, breaches of contracts & guarantees, professional negligence

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Wealth Disputes - North West

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Weightmans' private client solicitors advise wealthy individuals and families on trusts, Inheritance Tax planning, probate and family investment companies.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Weightmans have an excellent communication style which builds trust and confidence among delegates.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

  • The advice from Weightmans is accurate, practical, delivered on time and in an exceptionally professional manner.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

  • Weightmans provide a very personal service and are very knowledgeable and professional.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

  • Weightmans have a detail-oriented approach. They maintain meticulous records, ensure accuracy in legal documents and catch potential errors or inconsistencies before they arise.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

  • The team clearly work very well together and put clients' needs as a priority.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Richard Bate
    Richard Bate

    Richard Bate

    Richard Bate is head of Weightmans' national wills, trusts and estates team. He is noted by interviewees for his approach to matters and his client-handling skills.

    • Richard clearly leads the private client team with immense passion, knowledge and drive.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Richard is a seasoned private client lawyer with great insight and exceptional client service.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Richard Bate is very experienced, straight to the point, and easy to understand and communicate with.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Richard is extremely knowledgeable, professional and efficient.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • David McGuire
    David McGuire

    David McGuire

    David McGuire is a partner at Weightmans who deals with contested wills and estates, among other matters.

    • David really knows his stuff and delivers an excellent service.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • We wouldn’t have got where we have without David’s knowledge or help.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • I've been impressed by his work, navigating a complex case astutely as well as giving well-written and well-reasoned correspondence on his client's behalf.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • David has been great to work with. He is always transparent on any financial impact and invoicing.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • David is an expert with a subtle and nuanced understanding of the application of the law to this particular case.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • Lorraine Wilson
    Lorraine Wilson

    Lorraine Wilson

    Lorraine Wilson advises clients on wills, trusts, powers of attorney and probate.

    • Lorraine is extremely efficient, utterly reliable and dealt with a complex matter with great clarity and precision.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Lorraine has managed some difficult workstreams and issues, across jurisdictions, in a very collaborative way.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Lorraine was extremely professional, knowledgeable and personable. She achieved everything I expected.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Lorraine is extremely knowledgeable and builds trust as well as confidence with delegates and clients.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • The whole process with Lorraine was professional, efficient and transparent.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • Sally Cook
    Sally Cook

    Sally Cook

    Sally Cook is a principal associate and legal director in Weightmans' wills, trusts and estates team.

    • Sally always takes the time to thoroughly explain any queries we have and makes us feel safe to ask the questions we may not fully understand.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Sally is a delight to work with. She is professional, great at communication and she follows up.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Sally is pragmatic, solutions-focused and knows what her clients need. Her approach is collaborative. I really feel she works with her clients to get the best for them.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Sally had patience in explaining the intricacies of the wills and did not make us feel rushed in any way, taking time to ensure we understood all aspects.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Sally is excellent. She is professional, knowledgeable and empathetic.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • Paul Caslin
    Paul Caslin

    Paul Caslin

    Paul Caslin specialises in non-contentious wills, trusts and tax matters. He moved from Aaron & Partners in Chester to Weightmans in 2026.

    • Paul has been so attentive to all our requests and meetings, keeping us up to date along the way.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Paul was very sensitive and empathetic at a particularly difficult time for us.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Paul always provides great service.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Paul shows an amazing understanding of the problems surrounding contentious wills. He deals with beneficiaries extremely well and effectively.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
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Ranked Individuals at Weightmans (5)

Chester and surrounds

Manchester and surrounds

North West

Members

Provided by Weightmans

Weightmans has rankings in the following guides

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