Reeves v Drew & Ors

On 31 January, judgment was handed down by Michael Green J in Reeves v Drew & Ors [2022] EWHC 159 (Ch), one of the most valuable probate claims ever determined in this jurisdiction. The Court held that the wealthy but illiterate testator had not known or approved of the contents of a will which left 80% of his estate to a daughter (the claimant), and inexplicably omitted a son and two grandchildren of whom he was very fond.  The Court held that the claimant had likely engineered the will-making process so that she would get the bulk of the estate.  The will was prepared by a solicitor with whom the claimant was already familiar, and who was prepared to create a false trail of evidence in the will file.

Constance McDonnell QC acted for the successful Second Defendant, instructed by London Litigation Partnership.

Giles Richardson acted for the First Defendant, instructed by Stevens & Bolton LLP.

Michael Green J paid tribute to counsel and their legal teams for managing the case efficiently and proportionately with such a large number of witnesses and for the high quality of their advocacy, both oral and written.

The judgment can be found here.