Jan Atkinson

Partner
Wills, Probate and Disputed Estates

Contact Jan

  • “Jan is excellent with clients. She approaches complex cases with confidence and skill.”

  • “Jan Atkinson is an excellent contentious probate solicitor, as well as an experienced private client lawyer. The combination of both skills is relatively rare but results in a formidable lawyer”

  •  Top Recommended 2023, Contentious Tax & Trust Lawyers

  • Jan Atkinson is very client-focused and responsive, and seems very much on top of both the relevant law and of the details of my matter.

    Legal 500 2024

  • Jan Atkinson is an excellent contentious probate solicitor, as well as an experienced private client lawyer. The combination of both skills is relatively rare but results in a formidable lawyer

    Legal 500 2024

  • Jan Atkinson is calm, sensible and a very talented lawyer. She is honest with clients and gets very good results for them.

    Legal 500 2024

  • Jan Atkinson is a well established and respected partner in the field. Knowledgeable and sensible

    Legal 500 2023

  • Jan Atkinson has huge experience in this area. She knows the law thoroughly and is an excellent tactician always looking for a good outcome for her clients which she generally achieves’.

    Legal 500 2023

  • "Jan Atkinson handled a difficult situation with great aplomb and tact. A wealth of experience which means clients are very well advised in these circumstances."

    Legal 500 2023

  • Jan Atkinson is always a delight to work with

    Legal 500 2022

  • Jan Atkinson – Rolls Royce advice

    Legal 500 2022

  • Jan Atkinson is fierce and dedicated to her clients.

    Legal 500 2022

  • Jan Atkinson has a wealth of knowledge and experience combined with a terrier-like ability to investigate the relevant facts, which make her an excellent choice in a contentious probate or trust dispute. She has outstanding commitment and always delivers for her clients.

    Legal 500 2022

  • Well-established, busy practice. Jan Atkinson has a long-standing solid reputation in the field. Knowledgeable and formidable.

    Legal 500 2022

  • “Jan is an impressive lawyer who knows her way around private wealth dispute matters.”

    Chambers HNW 2021

  • Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in private client matters, which underpins her excellent skills in the contentious probate area. Plus she is strong on international matters.

    Legal 500

  • Jan Atkinson is a stand out partner who combines a non-contentious and contentious practice. She is calm, persuasive and persistent. Clients would undoubtedly trust her and she is able to call on a super nice rock solid team around her.

    Legal 500

  • "Jan Atkinson, with her steely, steady, calming presence, instils confidence in the most highly-strung of us clients. With her masterful knowledge of the law, old and new, and its application, Jan can navigate through the most complex of cases to a successful end."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "Jan Atkinson is a formidable litigator in succession disputes – you want her on your team in any such case"

    Legal 500 2021

  • "A very capable team headed by the wonderful Jan Atkinson. She is both able and charming, which is a winning combination"

    Legal 500 2021

  • "Jan Atkinson stands out for her wide-ranging knowledge and experience of estates; whatever problem you throw at her, she has seen it all before and is able to find a creative and sustainable solution. She has exceptional commitment to her clients and explores every avenue to find the best solution for them"

    Legal 500 2021

  • "Osbornes does high-quality work. Jan Atkinson is the go-to partner for independent administrations"

    Legal 500 2021

  • "Jan Atkinson is extremely experienced and an expert in this area of law. She is utterly pragmatic, always looking at what the client wants to achieve. She can be extremely tough when she needs to be but always knows when to compromise"

    Legal 500 2021

  • "Jan Atkinson stands out for her wide-ranging knowledge and experience of estates; whatever problem you throw at her, she has seen it all before and is able to find a creative and sustainable solution. She has exceptional commitment to her clients and explores every avenue to find the best solution for them"

    Legal 500 2021 - Jan Atkinson

  • Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in private client matters, which underpins her excellent skills in the contentious probate area. Plus she is strong on international matters

    Legal 500 2020 - Jan Atkinson

  • A small but formidable team, punching above its weight. Jan Atkinson is a seasoned pro. Approachable but no push-over

    Legal 500 2020 - Jan Atkinson

Jan's Latest Directory Quotes

Jan Atkinson is very client-focused and...

Jan Atkinson is very client-focused and responsive, and seems very much on top of both the relevant law and of the details of my matter.

Legal 500 2024

Jan Atkinson is an excellent contentious...

Jan Atkinson is an excellent contentious probate solicitor, as well as an experienced private client lawyer. The combination of both skills is relatively rare but results in a formidable lawyer

Legal 500 2024

Jan Atkinson is calm, sensible and...

Jan Atkinson is calm, sensible and a very talented lawyer. She is honest with clients and gets very good results for them.

Legal 500 2024

Jan Atkinson is a well established...

Jan Atkinson is a well established and respected partner in the field. Knowledgeable and sensible

Legal 500 2023

Jan Atkinson has huge experience in...

Jan Atkinson has huge experience in this area. She knows the law thoroughly and is an excellent tactician always looking for a good outcome for her clients which she generally achieves’.

Legal 500 2023

"Jan Atkinson handled a difficult situation...

"Jan Atkinson handled a difficult situation with great aplomb and tact. A wealth of experience which means clients are very well advised in these circumstances."

Legal 500 2023

Jan's Accreditations

  • Spears 500 logo
  • Times best law firm 2024

Contact Jan today

For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

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






    Jan is ranked as a leading lawyer in Chambers HNW

    “Jan is an impressive lawyer who...

    “Jan is an impressive lawyer who knows her way around private wealth dispute matters.”

    Chambers HNW 2021

    "She's very able, she can do...

    "She's very able, she can do both the non-contentious and contentious sides very, very well."

    Chambers HNW 2021

    "Incredibly dedicated and committed to her...

    "Incredibly dedicated and committed to her clients."

    Chambers HNW 2021

    Jan Atkinson is an impressive lawyer...

    Jan Atkinson is an impressive lawyer who knows her way around private wealth dispute matters. She is very experienced in lengthy and fraught disputes and knows how to achieve good solutions for all parties involved. She is very on the ball and works very efficiently.

    Chambers HNW

    She brings a depth of experience...

    She brings a depth of experience in estate administration to her respected disputes practice.

    Chambers HNW

    Jan Atkinson is "terrific," "extremely professional"...

    Jan Atkinson is "terrific," "extremely professional" and "enormously experienced."

    Chambers HNW

    Jan Atkinson's "in-depth knowledge of the...

    Jan Atkinson's "in-depth knowledge of the non-contentious work gives her an advantage when she's dealing with very difficult contentious issues, because she really understands what has gone wrong and how to get it right"

    Chambers HNW

    Jan Atkinson is confident with a...

    Jan Atkinson is confident with a straightforward approach. Her practice covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, including wealth planning and estate administration.

    Chambers UK

    Jan’s Reported Cases:

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

    Jan was 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)

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

    Jan's Legal 500 reviews:

    Jan Atkinson is always a delight...

    Jan Atkinson is always a delight to work with

    Legal 500 2022

    Jan Atkinson – Rolls Royce advice

    Jan Atkinson – Rolls Royce advice

    Legal 500 2022

    Jan Atkinson is fierce and dedicated...

    Jan Atkinson is fierce and dedicated to her clients.

    Legal 500 2022

    Jan Atkinson has a wealth of...

    Jan Atkinson has a wealth of knowledge and experience combined with a terrier-like ability to investigate the relevant facts, which make her an excellent choice in a contentious probate or trust dispute. She has outstanding commitment and always delivers for her clients.

    Legal 500 2022

    Well-established, busy practice. Jan Atkinson has...

    Well-established, busy practice. Jan Atkinson has a long-standing solid reputation in the field. Knowledgeable and formidable.

    Legal 500 2022

    Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in...

    Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in private client matters, which underpins her excellent skills in the contentious probate area. Plus she is strong on international matters.

    Legal 500

    Jan Atkinson is a stand out...

    Jan Atkinson is a stand out partner who combines a non-contentious and contentious practice. She is calm, persuasive and persistent. Clients would undoubtedly trust her and she is able to call on a super nice rock solid team around her.

    Legal 500

    "Jan Atkinson, with her steely, steady,...

    "Jan Atkinson, with her steely, steady, calming presence, instils confidence in the most highly-strung of us clients. With her masterful knowledge of the law, old and new, and its application, Jan can navigate through the most complex of cases to a successful end."

    Legal 500 2021

    "Jan Atkinson is a formidable litigator...

    "Jan Atkinson is a formidable litigator in succession disputes – you want her on your team in any such case"

    Legal 500 2021

    "A very capable team headed by...

    "A very capable team headed by the wonderful Jan Atkinson. She is both able and charming, which is a winning combination"

    Legal 500 2021

    "Jan Atkinson stands out for her...

    "Jan Atkinson stands out for her wide-ranging knowledge and experience of estates; whatever problem you throw at her, she has seen it all before and is able to find a creative and sustainable solution. She has exceptional commitment to her clients and explores every avenue to find the best solution for them"

    Legal 500 2021

    "Osbornes does high-quality work. Jan Atkinson...

    "Osbornes does high-quality work. Jan Atkinson is the go-to partner for independent administrations"

    Legal 500 2021

    "Jan Atkinson is extremely experienced and...

    "Jan Atkinson is extremely experienced and an expert in this area of law. She is utterly pragmatic, always looking at what the client wants to achieve. She can be extremely tough when she needs to be but always knows when to compromise"

    Legal 500 2021

    "Jan Atkinson stands out for her...

    "Jan Atkinson stands out for her wide-ranging knowledge and experience of estates; whatever problem you throw at her, she has seen it all before and is able to find a creative and sustainable solution. She has exceptional commitment to her clients and explores every avenue to find the best solution for them"

    Legal 500 2021 - Jan Atkinson

    Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in...

    Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in private client matters, which underpins her excellent skills in the contentious probate area. Plus she is strong on international matters

    Legal 500 2020 - Jan Atkinson

    A small but formidable team, punching...

    A small but formidable team, punching above its weight. Jan Atkinson is a seasoned pro. Approachable but no push-over

    Legal 500 2020 - Jan Atkinson

    Jan's client testimonials

    I would like to take this...

    I would like to take this opportunity to say, I am very grateful for all your efforts, help, and consistently good, professional advice. At the end of the day, I consider myself lucky to have found you and would certainly not hesitate to refer you to anyone that needs Wills, Trusts, Probate expertise.

    Client review

    "Many, many thanks for your extreme...

    "Many, many thanks for your extreme patience, professionalism and understanding Jan. I’m not sure we would have got there without you."

    Thank you also for all your...

    Thank you also for all your hard work over the last two years. I would like to commend your patience and diligence, your understanding and communication.

    Client review

    I can't thank you enough for...

    I can't thank you enough for all you have done to help me through this ordeal. I really appreciate your time, effort and good humour. I shall absolutely know who to recommend if anyone needs a top lawyer in London.

    Client review

    "I wish to thank you for...

    "I wish to thank you for your advice, efficiency and professionalism throughout which has been greatly appreciated."

    Client review

    “You have truly shone out from...

    “You have truly shone out from anyone I have known with your experience and knowledge in these types of situations”

    Client review

    “You have completely amazed me and...

    “You have completely amazed me and I have such heart-felt gratitude for your dedication and perseverance”

    Client review

    “Thank you all very much for...

    “Thank you all very much for your professional service, it has been reassuring throughout.”

    Client review

    “I should note that it is...

    “I should note that it is refreshing to deal with an efficient, professional, and well written lawyer such as yourself.”

    Client review

    “I wanted to say that I...

    “I wanted to say that I am grateful beyond words at the effort Jan Atkinson has been putting in towards fixing our situation.”

    Client review

    “Jan Atkinson is a very proficient...

    “Jan Atkinson is a very proficient lady whom I would highly recommend to anyone involved in probates.”

    Client review

    “I would highly recommend you in...

    “I would highly recommend you in any probate matter and your firm in any other legal matters.”

    Client review

    “I can’t tell you how...

    “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you and your integrity. You are one in a million! I trusted you all along the way.”

    “Once more this year your professionalism,...

    “Once more this year your professionalism, hard work, perseverance, dedication and expertise with my case has truly humbled me. You kept me going when I had lost all strength… your action and your ability to power through is remarkable and outstanding.”

    Client review

    “I feel so humbled at your...

    “I feel so humbled at your dedication from start to end when I was 100% lost. Also, I am in awe of your skills and knowledge with how to handle all the steps in this case and also how you helped throughout this whole thing. Your kindness and understanding to me is overwhelming… honestly, in each part of this, you’ve amazed me more than the last time.”

    Client review

    “Jan is one of the most...

    “Jan is one of the most client-friendly, ‘savvy’ solicitors I’ve ever met. A solicitor who knows exactly how to navigate a case to the best possible outcome. In my case, being able to contain my over- zealous demands, which, without her control, could have come to nothing. Jan has this great command of the law and knows exactly, how to execute it, in the interests of her client. I have her to thank for everything. My family members and I are all with her excellent firm, Osbornes Solicitors LLP, ‘a chain, solicitors and right-hands, with no weak link.”

    Client review

    “Thank-you Jan from the bottom of...

    “Thank-you Jan from the bottom of my heart for all your care and for standing up for me this whole time in addition to constantly pushing this along, sharing your help and advice with everyone and for having such clear focus with direction. Each step of the way you have amazed me more than the last time. I am so grateful and appreciative of all that you have done. This chapter of my life will close, thank-you to you. My words are so small for all that you have done. You have given me more than you know”

    Client review

    Jan Atkinson is an impressive lawyer...

    Jan Atkinson is an impressive lawyer who knows her way around private wealth dispute matters. She is very experienced in lengthy and fraught disputes and knows how to achieve good solutions for all parties involved. She is very on the ball and works very efficiently.

    Chambers HNW

    She brings a depth of experience...

    She brings a depth of experience in estate administration to her respected disputes practice.

    Chambers HNW

    "Jan Atkinson, with her steely, steady,...

    "Jan Atkinson, with her steely, steady, calming presence, instils confidence in the most highly-strung of us clients. With her masterful knowledge of the law, old and new, and its application, Jan can navigate through the most complex of cases to a successful end."

    Legal 500 2021

    "Jan Atkinson is a formidable litigator...

    "Jan Atkinson is a formidable litigator in succession disputes – you want her on your team in any such case"

    Legal 500 2021

    "A very capable team headed by...

    "A very capable team headed by the wonderful Jan Atkinson. She is both able and charming, which is a winning combination"

    Legal 500 2021

    "Jan Atkinson stands out for her...

    "Jan Atkinson stands out for her wide-ranging knowledge and experience of estates; whatever problem you throw at her, she has seen it all before and is able to find a creative and sustainable solution. She has exceptional commitment to her clients and explores every avenue to find the best solution for them"

    Legal 500 2021

    "Osbornes does high-quality work. Jan Atkinson...

    "Osbornes does high-quality work. Jan Atkinson is the go-to partner for independent administrations"

    Legal 500 2021

    "Jan Atkinson is extremely experienced and...

    "Jan Atkinson is extremely experienced and an expert in this area of law. She is utterly pragmatic, always looking at what the client wants to achieve. She can be extremely tough when she needs to be but always knows when to compromise"

    Legal 500 2021

    My family had the pleasure of...

    My family had the pleasure of Jan Atkinson working with us on the will and probate issues of [my mother's] estate in Camden and Ireland after she passed on last year. Jan and her assistant(s) offered us a fantastic service at a sad time.

    Client Review

    "Jan Atkinson stands out for her...

    "Jan Atkinson stands out for her wide-ranging knowledge and experience of estates; whatever problem you throw at her, she has seen it all before and is able to find a creative and sustainable solution. She has exceptional commitment to her clients and explores every avenue to find the best solution for them"

    Legal 500 2021 - Jan Atkinson

    Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in...

    Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in private client matters, which underpins her excellent skills in the contentious probate area. Plus she is strong on international matters

    Legal 500 2020 - Jan Atkinson

    A small but formidable team, punching...

    A small but formidable team, punching above its weight. Jan Atkinson is a seasoned pro. Approachable but no push-over

    Legal 500 2020 - Jan Atkinson

    Jan Atkinson is "terrific," "extremely professional"...

    Jan Atkinson is "terrific," "extremely professional" and "enormously experienced."

    Chambers HNW

    Jan Atkinson's "in-depth knowledge of the...

    Jan Atkinson's "in-depth knowledge of the non-contentious work gives her an advantage when she's dealing with very difficult contentious issues, because she really understands what has gone wrong and how to get it right"

    Chambers HNW

    I would highly recommend Jan Atkinson...

    I would highly recommend Jan Atkinson in any probate matter and Osbornes Solicitors in any other legal matters.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

    Jan Atkinson is a very proficient...

    Jan Atkinson is a very proficient lady whom I would highly recommend to anyone involved in probates.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

    Jan Atkinson is confident with a...

    Jan Atkinson is confident with a straightforward approach. Her practice covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, including wealth planning and estate administration.

    Chambers UK

    I wanted to say that I...

    I wanted to say that I am grateful beyond words at the effort Jan Atkinson has been putting in towards fixing our situation.

    Wills Probate & Disputed Estates Client

    Jan Atkinson has helped me so...

    Jan Atkinson has helped me so very much! Thank you!

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates client

    Insights from JanVIEW ALL

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      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...

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      Gifting Property to Children

      Can I gift property to my children? Gifting a property to your adult children is a relatively complex transaction but...

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      Contentious Probate Case Studies

      Contentious probate involving business assets Our contentious probate solicitors act for the defendants to a claim issued to pronounce in...

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      Contesting A Will Case Studies

      Will dispute on grounds of lack of capacity Our contesting a will solicitors acted for the claimants, the adult daughters...

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      Married with children from a previous relationship – how...

      There are several ways of doing this. If sufficient assets are available apart from the family home, dividing those between...

      Read more
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      17.9.2021

      Funding of Probate disputes

      Contentious Probate can be very expensive and clients often find it difficult to find the money to cover their legal...

      Read more
    7. 13.9.2021

      Worldwide Probate Dispute

      The deceased died in Ireland leaving very considerable wealth and assets all over the world, including England, but without leaving...

      Read more
    8. 13.9.2021

      US/UK cross border probate

      Our probate lawyers in London were instructed by a US-based widow of her late husband’s £8 million English estate. As...

      Read more
    9. probate lawyer scrabble
      7.9.2021

      Dealing with Debts as an Executor

      Do your debts die with you? It is a common misconception that a person’s debts die with them. After...

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      13.8.2021

      What is reasonable financial provision in 1975 Act claims?

      The long-running and high-profile case of Ilott v Mitson [2017] UKSC 17 has finally come to an end with the decision of...

      Read more
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      Making a Will by video link

      The Government has recently announced plans to allow for the witnessing of Wills and Codicils by video conferencing. This is...

      Read more
    12. Last Will and Testament
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      What Can I Do if I Have Been...

      I was left out of my mother’s last will. What can I do? Whilst testators in England and Wales...

      Read more
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      Leaving money to charity in your will

      Why leave money to charity in your Will? Leaving money to charity in your will is a significant source of...

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      Property abroad? Beware of forced heirship rules

      Whether it’s a holiday home, an investment property or a place you want to retire to, if you own...

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      Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017

      The Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 comes into force on 31 July 2019.  This is a full 27 Months after the bill was given...

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      Assets abroad? Why you may need more than...

      As more of us become internationally mobile, it’s increasingly common to own assets abroad. Yet lawyers say many people...

      Read more
    17. 25.3.2019

      How to claim for an unclaimed estate

      Finding beneficiaries for unclaimed assets The amount of unclaimed assets has nearly doubled in the last year, with the Prince...

      Read more
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      Cross Border Issues – Wills and Succession

      An increasing number of individuals have connections with more than one jurisdiction. Conflicting rules can significantly affect their estate planning...

      Read more
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      Intestacy Rules

      What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will? It is estimated that between half and two-thirds of the adult population...

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