Elis Gomer

Elis is a Chancery specialist who practices exclusively in the field of contentious estates and probate litigation, together with its associated fields. His practice is focused on contentious and non-contentious trusts matters; probate, inheritance and estate litigation and associated matters like agricultural holdings and partnership disputes.

He has acted in several significant cases in these areas in recent years, including Hughes v Pritchard [2022] EWCA Civ 386 (now a key authority on testamentary capacity); Partington v Rossiter [2021] EWCA Civ 1564 (construction of wills) and Lumb v NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and ors [2024] EWCOP 57(deputies’ authority to manage NHS direct payments), as well as Neate v Heselden (2024; will validity) and Howe v Howe (2025; Inheritance Act), both of which received substantial press attention.

Described as a “superb advocate” who “reads the room and the judge well”, Elis is a seasoned litigator who seeks to identify the best realistic outcome and the client’s route to it in every case. He views ADR and mediation as a key adjunct to litigation and is both a qualified mediator and an experienced and effective mediation advocate. He is regularly praised for his ability to connect with clients and to deliver “commercial, practical advice”. Where settlement proves impossible, Elis has substantial trial experience and is recognised as an effective and robust trial advocate.

Elis is a fluent Welsh speaker and has significant experience in using the language in a legal context, both in written work and in court. As an enthusiastic speaker of the language, he is always pleased to advise clients about bilingual or Welsh language litigation.