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Partner
Hayley Gaffney is a highly regarded specialist in contentious trusts and probate, recognised for her expertise in complex private wealth disputes. She has developed a strong reputation for delivering clear, commercially focused advice alongside a client-centred approach that places her clients’ objectives at the heart of every matter.
Hayley combines a proactive and pragmatic style with exceptional efficiency, ensuring disputes are progressed decisively and resolved to her clients’ best advantage. She is committed to achieving early, cost-effective outcomes wherever possible, but is equally tenacious in pursuing litigation where necessary to secure the right result.
Her reputation extends nationwide, with clients consistently seeking her out for her drive, determination and ability to navigate challenging disputes with both precision and sensitivity. She is widely recommended, with client feedback consistently highlighting her commitment, responsiveness and results-driven approach.
Hayley has been recognised by The Legal 500 as a key lawyer in contentious trusts and probate. In the 2025 edition of the Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Guide, she was named an “Associate to Watch”, praised for her “in-depth knowledge of private wealth disputes”, “clear, supportive legal advice” and “cast-iron commitment to getting the best commercial result for her client”. Hayley is a Partner and Solicitor and is also a Full Member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).
Also well as the reported cases below, Hayley acted for the Claimants in the case of Ivey & Ors v Lythgoe & Anor [2025] EWHC 2325 (Ch) (12 September 2025)
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 which is just one example of how she changes her clients lives and the love and appreciation they have for her because of it.
Hayley acted for the Defendant/applicant in Heyes & Anor v Holt [2024] EWHC 779(Ch).
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.
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.
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.
Acted for the Claimants in an application for the will writer firm to be added to the claim as a costs only party, to consolidate the negligence claim against them with the rectification/probate claim and for them to be ordered to attend mediation. The High Court Judge ordered that the claims be consolidated and that the will writer firm must attend the mediation.
Acted for beneficiaries in a complex probate dispute involving allegations that two successive wills failed to reflect the deceased’s instructions. Alongside a negligence claim against the will writers, Hayley successfully obtained a significant High Court ruling requiring the will drafting firm to participate in mediation and allowing related claims to be consolidated. The matter concluded with a successful settlement that secured a significant proportion of the estate for the clients, together with a separate settlement from the will writers.
Acted for the daughter of a deceased individual in a contentious probate claim involving allegations of lack of capacity, undue influence, lack of due execution and want of knowledge and approval. The case centred on a late-life relationship, isolation from family members and a disputed will that left a substantial estate to a non-family beneficiary. The matter settled successfully at mediation shortly before a six-day trial.
Represented the widow of a deceased individual who received only a modest legacy under a homemade will from an estate worth approximately £3 million. The dispute involved a claim for reasonable financial provision where the residuary estate had been left to a scholarship trust. Settlement was achieved before mediation, securing the client a significantly better outcome.
Acted for beneficiaries in a multi-jurisdictional inheritance dispute involving assets in England and France. The matter included a proprietary estoppel claim, competing family interests and extensive negotiations following mediation, ultimately achieving a settlement that resolved claims across both jurisdictions.
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.
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.
Advising in a contentious estate administration dispute concerning a £2 million estate, allegations of executor misconduct and disagreements over lifetime gifts of land and property. The matter involves complex issues relating to estate administration, beneficiary interests and applications concerning the removal of an executor.
Representing a client in a Court of Protection matter concerning the management of assets under a Lasting Power of Attorney. The case involved allegations of financial mismanagement, concerns regarding a long-established family business and an urgent application that resulted in the appointment of an interim independent deputy to investigate the attorney’s conduct.
Acted for the widow of a deceased individual who had been excluded from a substantial estate under a will prepared in unusual circumstances. The matter included both inheritance and property ownership issues and concluded following mediation, with the client securing a significant share of the estate and a 50% interest in the proceeds of sale of the matrimonial property.
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