The New Normal? Costs Orders Against Drafting Firms in Will Disputes
Join James McKean as he delivers the next webinar from our Trusts and Estates practice.
Following his appearance in Ivey v Lythgoe [2025] EWHC 2325 (Ch), James McKean considers the process of joining will writers and solicitors as costs-only parties to probate litigation, and asks whether joinder may become the default position.
This webinar will consider:
- How to join solicitors and will-writers to probate litigation
- Key Cases and Procedure
- Practical Tips
- Compulsory ADR
- Relevance for other Claims, including under the 1975 Act
- Whether joinder is now the default position
James specialises in disputes over Wills, Estates and Trusts. He has appeared in a number of leading cases concerning Dunstan v Ball [2024] EWHC 2105 (Ch); Gowing v Ward [2024] EWHC 347 (Ch); Lattimer v Karamanoli [2023] EWHC 1524 (Ch) and Howe v Howe (2025).
James has been newly ranked in the Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings, as well as also being ranked in The Legal 500 Bar 2026 directory. And such comments “Extremely thorough, organised, detailed in his approach and robust” “…He is very accomodating and also great on technical details.”.
