Strengthening Trusts and Estates Disputes Team with New Appointments 

Our national trusts and estates disputes team is expanding with the appointment of legal directors Aaron Sanders and Kate Saunders.

Aaron brings significant experience in contentious trusts and private wealth disputes, including three years advising high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients in Guernsey.

Kate brings more than 10 years’ specialist experience in contentious probate, with a strong track record of advising clients on complex and sensitive estate and trust disputes.

Aaron, who is based in London, has joined from Walkers, where he was a senior associate in the private capital and trusts team. His experience spans trust dispute resolution, breach of trust and fiduciary duty claims, rectification and mistake applications, multi-jurisdictional disputes, and matters relating to the appointment and removal of trustees and other trust officeholders.

He has advised trustees, protectors, settlors and beneficiaries on complex private wealth matters and is an advocate of the Royal Court of Guernsey.

Prior to moving offshore, Aaron spent several years at Penningtons Manches Cooper in its contentious trusts and estates team, where he advised on a broad range of trust and estate disputes and regularly progressed claims through the High Court, Chancery Division.

He is a full member of STEP and ACTAPS and was recognised in the 2024 private client NextGen Leaders rankings for both the Crown Dependencies and UK.

Aaron said: “I was attracted to Shakespeare Martineau by the firm’s commitment to sustainable growth and its investment in people. The collaborative culture was clear throughout the process of joining, and that creates a strong environment in which to build a practice.

“My priority is to provide advice that reflects the individual circumstances and objectives of each client, particularly where disputes involve complex family dynamics, significant assets or sensitive issues around trusts and estates. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience of complex private wealth disputes to the team and contributing to its continued growth.”

Kate joins from Flint Bishop, following its acquisition of Lupton Fawcett in 2025, where she was a senior associate in the contentious probate team.

She has specialised in contentious probate throughout her career, advising on inheritance act claims, challenges to wills, executor and beneficiary disputes, proprietary and promissory estoppel claims, trust disputes, professional negligence in will drafting and contested Court of Protection matters.

Based in Sheffield, Kate is a full member of ACTAPS and a member of several contentious probate networks across the region.

Kate said: “Shakespeare Martineau has a strong reputation in the contentious probate market, and the depth of knowledge and experience within the trust and estates disputes team was a real draw for me.

“The opportunity to work closely with clients, understand what matters to them and provide clear, pragmatic advice through what can be a complicated and emotionally challenging process is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. I’m looking forward to helping grow the Sheffield team and building on its strong reputation.”

Andrew Wilkinson, partner and head of trusts and estates disputes said: “Aaron and Kate bring complementary expertise and significant specialist experience to our growing trust and estates disputes team. Their appointments strengthen our offering in London and Sheffield and support our ambitions to grow the team nationally.”

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not intended to address the circumstances of any individual or entity, nor should it be relied upon as a substitute for specific advice from a qualified solicitor. The information reflects the legal position as at the date specified and may be subject to change. If you require advice on a specific matter, please contact us directly.