Ben is a Partner in the Disputed Wills, Trusts and Estates team at Weightmans LLP, based in Manchester.
Ben has been ranked in both the Chambers High Net Worth guide and the Legal 500 for a number of years, feedback including:
"Ben is an absolute pleasure to deal with. He fights his client's corner and is straightforward and well prepared. He is excellent at finding solutions in a fair, realistic and fuss-free manner."
"Ben Wilson will support his client's position right up to the end. He fights for his client."
“Ben Wilson is a contentious trusts and probate specialist. One source says that “Ben was very thorough and knowledgeable” and another describes Wilson as “a true delight to work with,” explaining that he is “acutely aware of client needs and always delivers on them. A true star...”
Ben acts for beneficiaries, executors, trustees, fiduciaries and third parties on a national and international basis, in a full range of trust, inheritance and probate disputes.
Trusts
Ben has significant experience of all manner of trust disputes often with a cross border aspect, including trustee removal and replacement applications, “Beddoe” applications, and construction and interpretation issues.
Ben also has specialist experience of acting as a professional trustee, having held a number of trusteeships on a range of high value and complex family and will trusts.
Specific examples of Ben’s contentious trust experience includes:
Providing written advice on aspects of English inheritance claims to offshore trustees, to assist with their offshore “blessing” application;
Representing a beneficiary of a £12m trust in a trustee “blessing application”, finally heard in the High Court in Manchester, achieving indemnity costs for the client;
Various successful trustee removal applications including acting for trustees of an unincorporated association valued at around £3m on the successful removal of a trustee, and advising on the subsequent winding up of the trust;
Advising SSAS trustees and beneficiaries in a number of SSAS trust disputes with values in £millions;
Advising family members of a former African president in relation to complex trust issues. Worldwide trust value in the £100m's.
Inheritance and Probate
Ben has specialist experience in a range of inheritance and probate disputes, including bringing and defending claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, challenges to the validity of wills on the basis of fraud, forgery, undue influence, lack of capacity, want of knowledge and approval and lack of due execution.
Ben has experience of acting as professional litigation friend, and takes instructions to act as a professional executor. Specific examples of work include:
Acting for high profile actress in the successful defence of a challenge to the validity of a family member's will. Substantial costs order awarded in favour of client.
Acting for high profile director/producer in the defence of a claim under the Inheritance Act 1975.
Jump and Jones v Lister and Forresters Solicitors Limited [2016] EWHC 2160 (Ch). Successfully acting for the Executors and Residuary Beneficiaries in a dispute relating to the interpretation of two Wills, and in related professional negligence proceedings.
Acting for a spouse in a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 against her Deceased husband’s Estate. Estate value of £18m, Achieved seven figure settlement.
Funding
Ben always adopts a pragmatic and flexible approach to funding, and often acts on a deferred fee basis or Conditional Fee Arrangement (“no win, no fee”), and will be happy to discuss funding options in all cases.
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Ben Wilson - confidently handles more complex work, beyond the staple 1975 Act claims
Legal 500, 2026 -
Ben is always very practical and commercially minded.
Chambers High Net Worth, 2026 -
Ben is very effective with clients.
Chambers High Net Worth, 2026 -
Ben is a good litigator.
Chambers High Net Worth, 2026 -
Ben, has been amazing! His customer service has been excellent with all communication written clearly and concisely and received in a timely manner.
Client testimonial -
I have been impressed by Ben Wilson, who is another of their partners. Ben's technical knowledge is outstanding. I have referred clients to Ben, and all have been very impressed with his approach. He is reportedly very good with clients and extremely hard working.
Legal 500, 2026 -
Ben evidences knowledge about the case and works professionally, imparting the information and actions needed to be taken by both myself and the company clearly and he is always happy to offer additional support or clarification if needed.
Client testimonial -
I have to say that the cost for all the work that has been undertaken is I believe very competitive and I would have no hesitation in recommending the company and in particular, Ben and would definitely use them again when the need arises.
Client testimonial -
Dealing with the loss of a relative and the associated tasks that need to be undertaken can be difficult and complex, but I have to say that Ben has made this an easy task. Thank you Ben for all your hard work.
Client testimonial -
Ben is helpful and professional but also, for want of a better word, human. Thanks for your help.
Client testimonial -
Ben Wilson was my solicitor. He was very Professional and Efficient, very easy to get hold of and always returned my calls and emails straight away. Would have no hesitation at all in recommending him to anyone. Extremely satisfied with him dealing with my case.
Client testimonial