Hayley Gaffney’s clients are the key to everything she does. Hayley is client-focused and exceptionally efficient. Hayley is the epitome of efficiency, drive, determination, passion, compassion and ability.

Hayley was promoted to Associate at Coodes in 2022 due to her ability and contribution.

Hayley’s success in Fennessy v Turner & Anr [2022] WTLR 1295 is just one example of how she changes her clients lives and the love and appreciation they have for her because of it.

Clients go out of their way to instruct Hayley from all over the country. She is recommended time and again. The feedback received for her says it all.

Hayley has been singled out by the Legal 500 as a key lawyer in the area of Contentious Trusts and Probate.

Expertise

Hayley is known for her wide-ranging knowledge and expertise in her specialist areas of contentious Trust and Probate matters including those relating to: the validity of Wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, breach of fiduciary duty disputes, executor and trustee disputes, negligently administered estates, undue influence and capacity concerns, execution of wills disputes, negligently drafted Wills, associated claims against Solicitors, difficulties arising out of the sale of property within an estate, equitable claims including proprietary estoppel and all manner of contentious issues surrounding estate administration.

A career highlight for Hayley is the case of Fennessy v Turner & Anr [2022] WTLR 1295.

Notable Disputes cases


  • Disputed Wills

    Hayley recently acted for beneficiaries of an estate in successfully bringing an action where the Will had not been properly executed and was found to be invalid leading to proving of an earlier Will.

  • Inheritance Claims

    Assisting a client in bringing an Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claim against his late Mother’s estate for whom he was a carer for many years. His mother’s Will left little provision for him having been drafted decades before a later family dispute and change of circumstances. The claim was successfully negotiated at mediation with the client receiving a substantive settlement far exceeding the sum due to him under the Will.

  • Inheritance Claims

    Acting for a client who received little provision for him in his wife’s estate meaning he was to become homeless if settlement could not be reached for him to receive a much more substantial provision. Despite being left only £20,000 of his late wife’s circa £500,000 estate, following negotiation and discussions, settlement was achieved of the client receiving over £300,000 from his late wife’s estate.

  • Proprietary Estoppel / Life Interest Claim

    Acting for Trustees to an estate which left a life interest to a life tenant. Upon the death of the life tenant, another occupier refused to vacate the property stating that they too had a life interest and/or proprietary estoppel and/or constructive trust claims. Following issue of proceedings to remove him, negotiations ensued, and agreement was reached so that the Trustees were able to deliver up possession of the property to the ultimate Beneficiary as per the Will.

  • Adult Child Inheritance Act Claim

    Acting for a client in an unusual and notoriously rarely successful type of claim against the estate of his deceased mother, who had instead left her estate to her friend. Due to our client’s straitened financial position, we were successful in achieving receipt for him of a life changing sum by way of reasonable financial provision from the estate.

Client Testimonials


I cannot thank you enough for the result you have achieved. You showed thoughtfulness and professionalism throughout, because of your skill and knowledge in your field I can now begin to put my life together slowly and look to the future.

Client

Would like to thank Hayley Gafney and her team for all their hard work. After several months of the other side dishing out, misinformation, manipulation, all served up with a bit of cold shoulder, Hayley sprang into action. In just 24 hours, the other side withered, and caved in. Excellent outcome. Excellent service. Highly recommended.

Client

Hayley Gaffney, brilliant, spoke my language! She made me feel confident and in control, the very things my ex seeks to take from me even after 10 years.

Client

Outstanding. Hayley has been outstanding. I am difficult to please and have exceedingly high expectations but she really is absolutely outstanding.

Client

Your support and advice has been so very much appreciated, during what has been a very sad and difficult time. I am so relieved that the matter will now come to a conclusion. I hope that I will not have to trouble you again, but it is reassuring to know that you are there if I do. Your professionalism and expertise has been so gratefully received, shedding some light during a dark time for me.

Client

From day one I felt I had the support from Coodes which was important to me as I was going through a tough time and without your help I would not have been able to put the matter to rest. I must congratulate you on making the process relatively easy as I was able to let you take care of everything and you kept me up to date at every stage.

Client

I would like to thank the both of you for your support and professionalism regarding my matter.

Client

Your service has been 5 star and I would thoroughly recommend you to anyone I meet whilst here in Devon / Cornwall and beyond.

Client

I would like to say a very big thank you for helping us to finally sort things out so promptly and efficiently, we really do appreciate it.

Client

I have had great dealings with Hayley. She has been absolutely fantastic and we have been delighted with the help, advice and support she has given.

Client

You have been effective, prompt and reassuringly clear. I want to say how pleased I am with the work you have done on my behalf. I would unhesitatingly recommend Coodes and will use you again.

Client

You were entirely professional, understood our instructions completely, and you worked incredibly hard to achieve a result very quickly. He also said that you were approachable and spoke to him in layman's terms which he found incredibly helpful.

Client

I am really so appreciative, you have been so helpful. Excellent. A stark contrast to representation the solicitors we had before. They made it seem complicated and costly but you have kept everything simple, as cost effective as possible, have dealt with it very quickly and you have genuinely changed my perception of lawyers.

Client

News & Events

Read more

Add to profile brochure builder
01872 246 233
hayley.gaffney@coodes.co.uk
Download CV
Download vCard

Get in touch

Call us on 0800 328 3282, or complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Portfolio Builder

Select the legal expertise that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

    Download    Add to portfolio   
    Portfolio
    TitleTypeCVEmail

    Remove All

    Download


    Click here to share this shortlist.
    (It will expire after 30 days.)