Stephen is a specialist Contentious Probate Solicitor with an extensive history. He has dealt with all aspects of Contentious Will Trusts & Probate cases acting for both Claimants and Defendant clients.

His work consists of claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975, Disputed Will Validity Claims. He has dealt with Donatio Mortis Causa (Deathbed Will Claims), Mutual Wills Claims, Proprietary Estoppel Claims and claims under the Trusts of Land & Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) claims. Stephen is a member of both ACTAPS (The Association of Contentious Trusts & Probate Specialists) and STEP (the Society of Trusts & Estate Practitioners).

Stephen was formerly the Chair of STEP Cheshire, a member of the STEP England & Wales Committee and a member of the STEP Worldwide Council. In 2023 STEP presented him with the STEP Founders Award for outstanding achievement in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the work of STEP. He was formerly a member of the Law Society Civil Justice Committee and is currently the Chair of the Law Society Wills & Equity Committee.

In addition to his legal work, Stephen regularly presents lectures, seminars, and webinars at regional and national level – and he also presents informal sessions to external Private Client Departments. Delegates after a recent legal presentation said that “all feedback received was hugely positive with comments such as enthusiastic, engaging, informative, lively and funny”.

He is also a legal author, having written for numerous publications including The Times, Law Society Gazette, Family Law Journal, APIL PI Focus, STEP TQR, ACTAPS and numerous other journals. Stephen is a joint author of the publication “Testamentary Capacity” with Martyn Frost and Professor Robin Jacoby. Stephen was responsible for the chapter on Testamentary Capacity in the joint Law Society / BMA publication “Assessment of Mental Capacity – 5 th Edition”.

Outside of work, Stephen loves country life and has a smallholding with sheep (which he shears himself), chickens, ducks and dogs.