Thomas Middlehurst
Partner
Contact details
Thomas was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and empathetic but managed expectations well. He was very professional and explored options thoroughly. I had every faith in him and his advice.
Thomas is a Dispute resolution expert specialising in high-value and complex Trusts, Probate and Property Ownership disputes. Prized for his pragmatic, commercial, and cost-effective advice.
Main areas of practice
Thomas heads the Contentious Trusts and Estate Team specialising in all areas of Private Wealth and Succession Disputes. Thomas has a particular focus on:
- Wills and succession disputes
- Inheritance Act disputes
- Trust disputes
- Claims against executors and trustees
- Charity legacy disputes
- Trust of Land and property ownership disputes
- Professional negligence claims concerning the administration of trusts and estates
- Court of Protection and mental capacity issues
Expertise
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Private Client
- Contentious Trusts
- Estate Inheritance & Will Disputes
Career
Thomas originally qualified as barrister being called to the Bar in 2008. He cross-qualified as a solicitor in 2008, having trained at Irwin Mitchell, DMH Stallard and Gregsons solicitors. Following his qualification as a solicitor Thomas spent time at DAC Beachcroft before moving to Moore Barlow LLP where he became the youngest partner at the firm in 2015 at the age of 30. Thomas joined Blake Morgan in 2022 to head up the Contentious Trusts and Estates Team.
Contact details
Accreditations
Memberships
- Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)
- Contentious Trusts Association (ConTrA)
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Significant Experience
- Acting for the beneficiaries of an estate relating to a property ownership dispute involving five London Properties against the executors of another estate. Pleadings involve claims of fraud dating back 20 years.
- Advising the trustees of a SIPP over an order for sale of jointly owned land and a claim for breach of fiduciary against the co-owners of a solar park.
- Acting for the beneficiaries in an Inheritance Act claim by the deceased’s ex-partner involving his abuse of the Deceased.
- Advising the executors of an estate worth c£20 million to reclaim £4 million of life time gifts to the Deceased's partner as a result of undue influence, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Acting for the Trustees of an Estate to successfully obtain a freezing order against a beneficiary.
Quotes
Insights by Thomas
articles
Could a will executed just one day before a marriage be revoked by that same marriage? We take a look at this interesting recent case.
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The recent High Court case of Amnir & Ors v Bala & Ors [2023] EWHC 1054 (Ch) highlighted the costs risks involved in pursuing litigation to full trial, particularly in...
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The doctrine of 'mutual wills' is a rarely used, unique and yet incredibly powerful tool in the world of probate. We explore the High Court's recent decision exploring the topic,...
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