1975 Act Claims
Imogen has a broad range of experience in acting in claims under the 1975 Act and appears regularly in court and at mediations in these disputes. She acts for both claimants and defendants and her recent instructions include advising, drafting and acting in claims brought by adult children and spouses. She also has recent experience of advising and negotiating in a claim involving a claimant treated by the deceased as a child of the family under Section 1 (1) (d) of the Act.
Imogen has particular experience of applications under section 4 of the Act for permission to bring proceedings out of time. She has acted both at first instance and appeal.
Probate Disputes
Imogen is regularly instructed to both act and advise in contentious probate disputes, including claims to pronounce for and against wills on the basis of fraud, undue influence and lack of capacity. She also acts and advises on matters relating to formal validity challenges under section 9 of the Wills Act 1837 and summonses within the Probate Registry.
Imogen is regularly instructed to provide advices to the court on behalf of minors within probate and 1975 Act disputes.
Administration of Estates
Applications to remove executors, to pass over named executors and to take accounts within an estate comprise a large part of Imogen’s practice. She has particular experience of these matters in the Business and Property Courts in Birmingham, including within the specialist County Court List.
Other Estates Work
While the majority of Imogen’s practice involves probate disputes and 1975 Act claims, Imogen undertakes the whole gamut of estates work. Her instructions range from (for example) applications for a declaration of presumed death, non-contentious summonses within the Probate Registry and drafting deeds of variations.
Recommendations
“Imogen provides robust advice, has excellent advocacy and communication with clients.”
Legal 500 2023 (Chancery, Probate and Tax)
“Imogen has an exceptional eye for detail and is particularly determined on behalf of clients.”
Legal 500 2023 (Property and Construction)
“She is an excellent and very approachable barrister. She is very thorough and knowledgeable and an amazing advocate.”
Chambers UK 2022
“Robust, dependable and pragmatic advice. Excellent with clients in conference.”
Legal 500 2022 (Chancery, Probate and Tax)
“Very good with clients, well organised, knowledgeable and commercial. Excellent on her feet – unfailingly courteous to both the court and her opponents.”
Legal 500 2022 (Property and Construction)
“She is a rising star.” “Imogen is knowledgeable, decisive and works collaboratively with her instructing lawyers.” “She is very user-friendly, practical and gets on very well with the clients.”
Chambers UK 2021
“An extremely strong, confident advocate who instils that confidence in both instructing solicitors and clients.”
Legal 500 2021 (Chancery, Probate and Tax)
“Very sharp, good on her feet, approachable and personable with clients.”
Legal 500 2021 (Property and Construction)
“She is robust, articulate and intelligent. Clients are impressed by her and her advice is very pragmatic and on-point.” “Clients love her and she is able to pack a punch when necessary.”
Chambers UK 2020
Awards
Buchanan Prize, Lincoln’s Inn
Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
Lord Bowen Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
1st Prize, Guildhall Chambers Civil Advocacy Competition
Memberships
Chancery Bar Association
The Midlands Chancery and Commercial Bar Association (Secretary)
The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
Midland Circuit
Qualifications
BPTC, “Outstanding”, University of the West of England
GDL “Commendation”, University of Law, Bristol
BA (Hons) Classics, Cambridge University
