Elspeth Neilson

Notary Public
Partner
Private Client

Contact Elspeth

  • “Elspeth Neilson is excellent. She develops trusting client relationships based on good advice.”

  • Elspeth Neilson is an individual I work with and is a pleasure to work with

    Legal 500 2024

  • I think this firm has excellent strength and depth in this area, for both contentious and non-contentious work, and they can hold their own against any other firm. Elspeth Nielson especially as a very capable solicitor that I enjoy working with

    Legal 500 2024

  • "Thank you, all of you, for everything you have done on my behalf, I could not have asked for more friendly and sympathetic solicitors."

    CLIENT REVIEW

  • "Elspeth Neilson and Katie de Swarte are very competent private client lawyers, with good instincts for the merits of the case and a good manner with sometimes difficult clients."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "I’ve worked with Elspeth Neilson and Katie de Swarte on various pieces of private client litigation – two in the Court of Protection and one probate dispute. I’ve found them, and the firm, very efficient and capable and dealing successfully with some
    difficult clients."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "Elsepth Neilson - very competent private client lawyer, with good instincts for the merits of the case and a good manner with sometimes difficult clients."

    Legal 500 2023

  • A very heartfelt ‘thank you’ to you and the whole team there. I am very happy with everything that has been achieved by you. I will certainly contact you in the future and recommend yourself and Osbornes to others whenever the need arises.

    Client review

  • "I have come to trust your expertise, professionalism and honesty, I do appreciate that you have gone the extra mile. In particular you have shown a huge amount of common sense and a measured approach, coupled with doggedness and determination, all of which I believe have been vital factors in reaching the point we have reached."

    Client review

  • "I would also like to express my sincere thanks to you for a job well done over the last five years in working towards a successful outcome for myself and my family... It has been frustratingly slow at times, and there were many barriers and obstacles put in the way, but the final outcome is a credit to your intelligent and diligent work."

    Client review

  • Elspeth explained everything very clearly and made us feel comfortable.

  • I am truly amazed by and exceedingly happy with the rapid progress being made by you and your team in handling matters on my behalf.

  • "Elspeth Neilson is very reliable and practical."

    The Legal 500

  • Elspeth explained everything very clearly and made us feel comfortable.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • I would like to thank Elspeth Neilson for her kindness and professionalism in dealing with all our legal requirements during this difficult period. It has been a pleasure working with her.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • Elspeth's assistance and services are much appreciated. Her instructions are clear and she managed the process well despite the many external delays beyond her control.

    Wills, Probate and Disputed Estates Client

  • Elspeth was unfailingly kind, responsive and very patient. At times she was like a counsellor. She is a star.

    Wills, Probate and Disputed Estates Client

Accreditations

  • Wills and Inheritance quality logo
  • The Times Best Law Firms 2025
  • Spears 500 logo
  • Legal 500 2025 - leading firm

Elspeth's Testimonials

Elspeth Neilson is an individual I...

Elspeth Neilson is an individual I work with and is a pleasure to work with

Legal 500 2024

I think this firm has excellent...

I think this firm has excellent strength and depth in this area, for both contentious and non-contentious work, and they can hold their own against any other firm. Elspeth Nielson especially as a very capable solicitor that I enjoy working with

Legal 500 2024

"Thank you, all of you, for...

"Thank you, all of you, for everything you have done on my behalf, I could not have asked for more friendly and sympathetic solicitors."

CLIENT REVIEW

"Elspeth Neilson and Katie de Swarte...

"Elspeth Neilson and Katie de Swarte are very competent private client lawyers, with good instincts for the merits of the case and a good manner with sometimes difficult clients."

Legal 500 2023

"I’ve worked with Elspeth Neilson...

"I’ve worked with Elspeth Neilson and Katie de Swarte on various pieces of private client litigation – two in the Court of Protection and one probate dispute. I’ve found them, and the firm, very efficient and capable and dealing successfully with some
difficult clients."

Legal 500 2023

"Elsepth Neilson - very competent private...

"Elsepth Neilson - very competent private client lawyer, with good instincts for the merits of the case and a good manner with sometimes difficult clients."

Legal 500 2023

A very heartfelt ‘thank you’ to...

A very heartfelt ‘thank you’ to you and the whole team there. I am very happy with everything that has been achieved by you. I will certainly contact you in the future and recommend yourself and Osbornes to others whenever the need arises.

Client review

"I have come to trust your...

"I have come to trust your expertise, professionalism and honesty, I do appreciate that you have gone the extra mile. In particular you have shown a huge amount of common sense and a measured approach, coupled with doggedness and determination, all of which I believe have been vital factors in reaching the point we have reached."

Client review

"I would also like to express...

"I would also like to express my sincere thanks to you for a job well done over the last five years in working towards a successful outcome for myself and my family... It has been frustratingly slow at times, and there were many barriers and obstacles put in the way, but the final outcome is a credit to your intelligent and diligent work."

Client review

Elspeth explained everything very clearly and...

Elspeth explained everything very clearly and made us feel comfortable.

I am truly amazed by and...

I am truly amazed by and exceedingly happy with the rapid progress being made by you and your team in handling matters on my behalf.

"Elspeth Neilson is very reliable and...

"Elspeth Neilson is very reliable and practical."

The Legal 500

Elspeth explained everything very clearly and...

Elspeth explained everything very clearly and made us feel comfortable.

Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

I would like to thank Elspeth...

I would like to thank Elspeth Neilson for her kindness and professionalism in dealing with all our legal requirements during this difficult period. It has been a pleasure working with her.

Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

Elspeth's assistance and services are much...

Elspeth's assistance and services are much appreciated. Her instructions are clear and she managed the process well despite the many external delays beyond her control.

Wills, Probate and Disputed Estates Client

Elspeth was unfailingly kind, responsive and...

Elspeth was unfailingly kind, responsive and very patient. At times she was like a counsellor. She is a star.

Wills, Probate and Disputed Estates Client

Elspeth’s Reported Cases:

Fischer v Diffley [2013] EWHC 4567 (Ch); [2014] COPLR 212; [2014] WTLR 757

Elspeth represented the Independent Administrator in claims regarding the testamentary capacity of a testatrix suffering with dementia.  The estate involved cross-border issues as well as dealing with various properties and tenants.

Lyons v Kerr-Robinson [2016] EWHC 2137 (Ch)

Elspeth represented the Independent Administrator in claims concerning transfers of money from the deceased’s estate by the former personal representative.

Elspeth's Legal 500 testimonials

Katie de Swarte and Elspeth Neilson...

Katie de Swarte and Elspeth Neilson have both instructed me recently, and both seemed to me to be able to build excellent relationships with their clients and to run their practices very efficiently

Legal 500 2022

Elspeth Neilson – incredibly impressive and hardworking.

Elspeth Neilson – incredibly impressive and hardworking.

Legal 500 2022

Elspeth Neilson is a clever and...

Elspeth Neilson is a clever and efficient solicitor, who gets great client feedback.

Legal 500 2022

Elspeth Neilson is a well-regarded junior...

Elspeth Neilson is a well-regarded junior partner

Legal 500 2022

Contact Elspeth today

Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you






    Wills and Probate InsightsVIEW ALL

    1. white lilies
      9.12.2024

      Executors’ and Administrators’ Duties

      Introduction When someone dies, others need to take on the formal responsibility for dealing with the deceased’s estate. If...

      Read more
    2. white lily
      9.12.2024

      What to Do When Someone Dies

      Introduction When a loved one dies, getting to grips with what you need to do can seem bewildering. The first...

      Read more
    3. making a will during covid
      6.11.2024

      High Court Validates Donation in Will Dispute

      High Court validates gift made during Covid lockdown in Will Dispute In what may be one of the first covid...

      Read more
    4. dementia
      5.11.2024

      Dementia: Protecting The Interests Of Each Spouse

      Protecting Loved Ones with Dementia Dementia is a cruel disease, slowly robbing individuals of their character and their abilities. The...

      Read more
    5. mediation
      12.7.2024

      Probate Mediation

      Why choose mediation for contested probate? At Osbornes, we understand that probate litigation is often highly emotive. Unfortunately, there is...

      Read more
    6. handwriting
      12.7.2024

      Is A Handwritten Will Legal?

      Is a handwritten will legal? Is a question we often hear, especially when time is of the essence, and putting...

      Read more
    7. english countryside
      25.4.2024

      A Guide to Will Trusts

      What is a trust in a will ? Setting up a trust in your will can protect assets for your loved...

      Read more
    8. 25.4.2024

      A Guide to Asset Protection Trusts

      One good reason to place your assets into a trust is to protect family wealth without fearing for its future....

      Read more
    9. osbornes hampstead office
      25.4.2024

      What is a Mirror Will?

      Mirror wills are mirror images of each other and practically the same in every way. They suit couples, married or...

      Read more
    10. english countryside
      23.4.2024

      A Guide to Life Interest Trusts

      In today’s complex families, protecting assets for your children while ensuring that a surviving spouse can still enjoy them...

      Read more
    11. desk with flowers
      23.4.2024

      Discretionary Trusts

      What is a discretionary trust? With a discretionary trust, there is no automatic right for beneficiaries to receive funds from...

      Read more
    12. night sky
      22.4.2024

      5 Things You Should Never Put in a Will

      When it comes to writing a will, you want to make sure that your wishes are known and that the...

      Read more
    13. Forged will pic
      22.3.2024

      Forged Wills

      Will fraud and forged wills are increasingly common. If the contents of a will comes as a surprise, then one...

      Read more
    14. 14.2.2024

      What is Proprietary Estoppel?

      What is Estoppel? In general terms, estoppels operate where one party has acted on the basis of a statement made...

      Read more
    15. 14.2.2024

      Duties of Trustees

      When setting up or running a trust it’s important to know what the trustees duties are. Trustees are key...

      Read more
    16. Deed of variation to a will
      3.11.2023

      Deed of Variation: Making a Change to an...

      What is a deed of variation? A deed of variation is a legal document which can be used to alter...

      Read more
    17. Constructive Trusts
      31.10.2023

      Constructive Trusts

      Property rights are not always clear-cut. Sometimes, a person who does not legally own a property could be entitled to...

      Read more
    18. osbornes law writing pad
      17.9.2023

      What is a Codicil to a Will?

      Codicil to a will Life has a habit of changing and your will may need to change with it. A...

      Read more
    19. man looking at a lake
      31.8.2023

      What Happens if Someone has Dementia and No...

      Can you get Power of Attorney for someone with dementia? It’s a sad reality in an ageing population that...

      Read more
    20. waiting
      31.8.2023

      Can a Lasting Power of Attorney Be Overridden?

      Dramatic rise in people making a Power of Attorney The number of people recognising the importance of making a Lasting...

      Read more
    21. 10 tips
      26.7.2023

      Wills Disputes: The Duty To Account Is Not...

      Beneficiaries frequently ask us whether trustees or personal representatives can be required to provide a financial account. Their request may...

      Read more
    22. eu flags
      26.4.2023

      German Court Rules on EU Succession Regulation

      Succession laws vary from country to country which historically made the administration of cross-border estates potentially complex. Since 17 August 2015, the...

      Read more
    23. couple holding hands
      16.3.2023

      Are trusts protected from divorce?

      Can trusts protect an inheritance from your spouse? A trust is a separate legal entity. Neither spouse owns its assets....

      Read more
    24. the moon
      1.3.2023

      How to prevent someone contesting a will

      It is fairly rare in my experience for a parent to write a child out of their will but that...

      Read more

    VIEW ALL