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I head up the Contentious Probate team nationally and handle disputes involving trustees, beneficiaries and executors. I deal with all types of challenges to Wills, which can involve issues relating to mental capacity, undue influence and Will irregularities. I also handle claims for financial provision for spouses, cohabitees, children and maintained parties. I have particular experience handling farming dispute claims involving the doctrine of proprietary estoppel. I also sit on the Private Wealth Executive Board
I'm very passionate about helping people through a dispute. This can be a very trying and emotional time for people who have often lost someone close to them and are then immediately faced with a dispute with a family member or someone close to them. I'm a trained mediator and so keen to find the right resolution for clients engaged in disputes but will adopt a strong line when it is necessary and use the court process to achieve the right result. My aim is to take away stress from clients and to shoulder that burden for them as we find a resolution and solution to their problem.
I've been named numerous times in leading legal guides and was recommended on the City Wealth Leaders List 2017. I've also been shortlisted for prestigious awards such as Partner of the Year in the Yorkshire Lawyers Awards and Woman of the Year at the Magic Circle Awards. My team was named Private Client Team of the Year for 2018/19 in the Legal Business Awards.
"I was extremely happy with the ultimate settlement that was achieved by the efforts of Paula and her team. Paula's expertise and approach is well worth paying for and I would not hesitate to recommend her services." – Graeme Hall, Client
Paula Myers heads Irwin Mitchell's contentious trust team and is described as "a very effective litigator and will always be very thorough and meticulous in her handling of cases." She often deals with will challenges, undue influence and financial provision claims on behalf of beneficiaries. A wealth expert explains: "She is a unique blend of ferocious litigation prowess and compassionate client care. In this field, that mix is important." - Chambers & Partners, 2018
"Brilliant" and a "good tactical lawyer" - Chambers & Partners 2017
"Remarkable levels of client loyalty and satisfaction; she is not just tactically astute, with an almost unerring instinct for the opposition’s weakness, but is a rock of confidence to her clients." - Legal 500, 2017
According to impressed sources she "has a limitless ability to carry big cases". - Chambers & Partners 2016
"She is a formidable solicitor. She is very good at explaining difficult concepts to lay clients" - Chambers & Partners 2015
"Tactically astute, Myers is singled out as 'one of the nationally known, big names in this area'... very sensible and good at dealing with difficult people’" - Legal 500, 2018/19
"She is absolutely top class – she tackles probate and estates claims with charm and incredible ability." - Legal 500 2014
Paula was also recommended on the national elite lawyers list and is described as ‘‘a serious player... who is confident and knowledgeable, and gets results". - Legal 500 2014
I like the intellectual challenge of a complicated legal problem and helping clients to achieve a result.
Client satisfaction and developing our junior lawyers.
Our national platform, our fantastic people and the achievements and results that we deliver for our clients.
I like to spend time with friends and family and relax.
“Mr Justice Mostyn’s condemnation of stand-still agreements in Cowan v Foreman, where he dismissed a widow’s application to extend the six-month time limit on her Inheritance Act claim following a 13-month delay, will certainly cause a stir in the will disputes community. “Currently there are two schools of thought around the matter, the first being that standstill agreements are a good idea because they give more time to the six-month rule in Inheritance Act cases and they can avoid costly and stressful litigation for all; on the other hand they are risky, not always successful and not in the spirit of the Act. It is much more certain to issue a claim within the limitation period instead. “Mr Justice Mostyn has provided clear guidance: in his words, the practice of stand-still agreements must come to ‘an immediate end’ because ‘it is not for the parties to give away time that belongs to the court’. Some lawyers in this area will favour this approach as bringing welcome clarity, but it will be a contentious issue for some who regularly use standstill agreements and consider them beneficial to their clients. “It is possible that the judgment could be appealed because of this, and could even end up at the Supreme Court because of its clear condemnation of stand-still agreements which have been widely used for years. “Arguably the law needs clarifying in this area. Litigation is costly for parties, both emotionally and financially, and Mr Justice Mostyn’s point that ‘a moratorium privately agreed after the time limit has already expired should never in the future rank as a good reason for delay’ is a bold statement that the sector cannot ignore. I’m sure practitioners will follow this case with interest.”
“As a firm we have always been passionate about doing what we can to support important causes and organisations through the IMCF and the Charity of the Year initiative. “Pop-Up Gym is a fantastic local initiative which is providing support to wheelchair users affected by a range of conditions and allowing them to access specialist equipment to boost their fitness. “We are delighted to be supporting the charity and are already planning a range of activities across the year which will ensure that vital funds are raised to assist its work.”
“We are delighted to have Heather join our growing Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team in Manchester. “Nazia has done a brilliant job in establishing our presence in the North West region. We’ve already seen a lot of work come through and Heather’s appointment will help us to better service the area. “Heather’s work will also feed in to the wider national team, which is now one of the largest specialist teams in the country based across six of Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth’s offices. I know she will settle in well.”
"The Newcastle office has gone from strength to strength in the last 15 years, with two offices in the North East, in Newcastle and Middlesbrough, and a number of legal experts and teams providing a range of services which has achieved some amazing outcomes for our clients and their families. "15 years ago we opened our doors on Grey Street and we've never looked back. Thanks to a whole host of amazing people, past and present we've grown significantly and we look to continue to do so in the future.”
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