26.1.2026
Court Removes Trustees for Hostility to Beneficiaries
Trustees removed because of hostility towards beneficiaries When administrating a trust, the trustees manage the assets and therefore owe far-reaching...
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“Katie de Swarte has real passion for the work she does. She is not afraid to fight her corner and her tenacity means she can pull off miracles.”
“Katie de Swarte is a standout member of the team: a very capable lawyer with sound commercial instincts who works tirelessly for her clients.”
Head of Private Client Disputes
Katie is a Partner and Head of Private Client Disputes.
She is a highly experienced solicitor specialising in Contentious Trusts and Probate matters.
The types of cases Katie deals with include, but are not limited to, applications under the Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, challenging the validity and structure of wills and trusts, claims for breach of trust and disputes arising between executors/trustees, beneficiaries and third parties. These types of disputes give rise to professional negligence claims and claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (ToLaTA), which Katie also has wide experience in. Katie undertakes Court of Protection work, such as obtaining Lasting Power of Attorneys and issues arising from the same, Statutory Will applications and making and contesting Deputyship applications.
Many of Katie’s cases involve international elements and cross-border issues. Katie has experience dealing with various jurisdictions, including Scotland, France, Spain and India.
Awards and memberships
Katie is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is a STEP Technician. She is also a member of the ConTra, a Contentious Trusts Association for Lawyers and a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). Katie is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and was awarded the SFE Older Client Care Practice Award in November 2020.
Personal Interests
Katie enjoys socialising with her family and friends in her spare time, cooking and travelling.
Katie De Swarte specialises in contentious trust and estate matters, including those with cross-border issues.
Katie builds good relationships with clients, she takes time to understand people to help them achieve their objectives.
Katie de Swarte is an experienced specialist.
Katie de Swarte is a standout member of the team: a very capable lawyer with sound commercial instincts who works tirelessly for her clients.
Katie has a good balance of being technically good but also emotionally intelligent. She has a really good understanding of the emotional side of these disputes while being pragmatic.
Katie de Swarte has a real passion for the work she does. She is not afraid to fight her corner and her tenacity means she can pull off miracles.
Katie is very easy to get on with, personable and pragmatic.
Katie de Swarte is a first-rate lawyer.
Katie is professional, capable and I know and trust her to look after clients I refer to her.
I would recommend Katie de Swarte, who is easy to deal with and a knowledgeable, formidable opponent.
Katie de Swarte is very good with clients and committed to helping them achieve their objectives.
Katie de Swarte is a hard working and ambitious lawyer.
"Katie has a good rapport with clients and genuinely wants to help them. She's extremely committed to helping clients."
"Katie has great knowledge of the law and superb people skills, with a drive to get the best result possible."
Katie De Swarte – she is very client-focused and attuned to their needs without being fearful of setting out where she perceives there may be weaknesses in their position.
Katie develops a good rapport with clients and is a good specialist estates litigator.
Katie develops a good rapport with clients and is a good specialist estates litigator.
The right blend of experience from a leading partner who’s spent a career in this field to enthusiastic specialist nqs. I work most often with Katie de Swarte.
Katie is a very capable solicitor who can be relied on to do a great job in all kinds of disputes in this area.
Katie has a wealth of knowledge of her subject area and brings a robust but pragmatic approach to the resolution of private client disputes.
Thank you for managing my case, following a complete fiasco before I contacted Osbornes Law. I know that the work involved was rather complicated, possibly frustrating and often time consuming. I was impressed with your current knowledge of the case when we had the first meeting at your office. I regard a face-to-face meeting as imperative in developing positive relationships. Members of your team, such as Alex and Ella were impressive too, with their efficient, friendly manner of working.
I am grateful for your patience, advice and excellent support at a difficult time. Hopefully it won't be necessary to contact you again regarding this matter! I will definitely use Osbornes Law in the future."Katie de Swarte is extremely client focused and caring and supportive to her clients."
"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."
"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.""A capable contested probate team that seems to care. Katie de Swarte is an up and coming star."
“I very much appreciate all your help and support on this. I hope to never have to go through anything so dark again, but you made a huge difference… You're great at what you do and, with my new knowledge of solicitors, I wish there were more with the integrity that you have.”
"I wanted to say a huge thank you for your tremendous help and advice throughout and I am incredibly grateful for your knowledge, support and striving to get us the best outcome possible in this situation. I very much appreciate it. Thank you again for working patiently with us and for your sensitive approach throughout. "
I would highly recommend Katie de Swarte. Her attention to the details of my case, combined with her sensitivity and support, to what was an emotionally challenging and complex legal matter, was much appreciated and excellent. I felt she always listened to what I was saying and never rushed me. She was happy to work with me collaboratively where appropriate, as well as guiding my decisions with solid, legal advice at all times.
Katie's directory testimonials
Katie De Swarte specialises in contentious...
Katie De Swarte specialises in contentious trust and estate matters, including those with cross-border issues.
Katie builds good relationships with clients,...
Katie builds good relationships with clients, she takes time to understand people to help them achieve their objectives.
Katie de Swarte is an experienced...
Katie de Swarte is an experienced specialist.
Katie de Swarte is a standout...
Katie de Swarte is a standout member of the team: a very capable lawyer with sound commercial instincts who works tirelessly for her clients.
Katie has a good balance of...
Katie has a good balance of being technically good but also emotionally intelligent. She has a really good understanding of the emotional side of these disputes while being pragmatic.
Katie de Swarte has a real...
Katie de Swarte has a real passion for the work she does. She is not afraid to fight her corner and her tenacity means she can pull off miracles.
Katie is very easy to get...
Katie is very easy to get on with, personable and pragmatic.
Katie de Swarte is a first-rate...
Katie de Swarte is a first-rate lawyer.
Katie is professional, capable and I...
Katie is professional, capable and I know and trust her to look after clients I refer to her.
I would recommend Katie de Swarte,...
I would recommend Katie de Swarte, who is easy to deal with and a knowledgeable, formidable opponent.
Katie de Swarte is very good...
Katie de Swarte is very good with clients and committed to helping them achieve their objectives.
Katie de Swarte is a hard...
Katie de Swarte is a hard working and ambitious lawyer.
"Katie has a good rapport with...
"Katie has a good rapport with clients and genuinely wants to help them. She's extremely committed to helping clients."
"Katie has great knowledge of the...
"Katie has great knowledge of the law and superb people skills, with a drive to get the best result possible."
Katie De Swarte – she is very...
Katie De Swarte – she is very client-focused and attuned to their needs without being fearful of setting out where she perceives there may be weaknesses in their position.
Katie develops a good rapport with...
Katie develops a good rapport with clients and is a good specialist estates litigator.
Katie develops a good rapport with...
Katie develops a good rapport with clients and is a good specialist estates litigator.
The right blend of experience from...
The right blend of experience from a leading partner who’s spent a career in this field to enthusiastic specialist nqs. I work most often with Katie de Swarte.
Katie is a very capable solicitor...
Katie is a very capable solicitor who can be relied on to do a great job in all kinds of disputes in this area.
Katie has a wealth of knowledge...
Katie has a wealth of knowledge of her subject area and brings a robust but pragmatic approach to the resolution of private client disputes.
"Katie de Swarte is extremely client...
"Katie de Swarte is extremely client focused and caring and supportive to her clients."
"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."
"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."
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
Katie de Swarte is hardworking and...
Katie de Swarte is hardworking and has great empathy for her clients
Insights from KatieVIEW ALL
- 11.12.2025
MoJ data indicates steep rise in probate claims
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Isaacs v Green: ‘Needy’ 74-Year-Old Son Wins Inheritance...
A 74-year-old man who was disinherited from his mother’s will has been awarded 25% of her estate. The ruling could...
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20.8.2025High Court Rejects Fraudulent Will in Probate Dispute
Justice for a daughter: High Court rejects fraudulent will in probate disputes In this recent High Court decision [Khatun v...
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Contesting a will due to dementia The contested wills and probate team at Osbornes Law represents clients involved in all...
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17.7.2025Key Ruling on Foreign Inheritance Judgment
Foreign judgment setting aside English will could not be registered and enforced in England The contested probate team at Osbornes...
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Daughter Wins Care Payment Claim Against Mother’s...
Daughter’s claim for payment for late mother’s care succeeds A judge has allowed a woman’s contractual claim...
Read more - 4.6.2025
Supreme Court Confirms ‘No-Profit’ Rule For Fiduciaries
Trustees: Supreme Court confirms ‘no change’ to ‘no-profit’ rule for fiduciaries The contested probate and trusts team at Osbornes Law...
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15.5.2025When There’s No Valid Will: Lessons from...
When loved ones fall out over an unclear will When someone dies, even the strongest family relationship can come under...
Read more- 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 - 5.11.2024
Protecting Loved Ones with Dementia
If a person lacks capacity how should decisions be made for them? Dementia is a cruel disease, slowly robbing individuals...
Read more - 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 - 12.7.2024
Is A Handwritten Will Legal?
Summary: A handwritten will can be legally valid in England and Wales It must still comply with the legal requirements...
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22.3.2024Forged Wills
Will fraud and forged wills are increasingly common. If the contents of a will comes as a surprise, then one...
Read more- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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...
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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...
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9.6.2023High profile probate dispute of Vladimir Scherbakov
Probate dispute of Russian billionaire’s missing will You’d imagine a wealthy businessman with assets in different countries would...
Read more- 9.6.2023
Of Bad Character: Undue Influence Claim Succeeds
Naidoo v Barton: undue influence and the risks of mutual wills Can someone’s bad character be used to prove...
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