Katharine Riley

About Katharine Riley

Katharine Riley is a Partner and head of the Will Disputes and Contentious Probate team.

Katharine trained in the City of London and has over 20 years experience dealing with complex dispute resolution. She specialises in all aspects of disputes concerning wills, trusts and inheritance.

Katharine has represented individuals, charities and professional indemnity insurers in a large number of disputes involving wills trusts and probate.

Katharine has extensive experience of advising in relation to challenges to the validity of wills including in relation to testamentary capacity and undue influence, forgery and fraud. She has acted in numerous claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and disputes regarding executors and trustees. She also deals with contentious Court of Protection work.

Katharine is experienced in resolving disputes by Alternative Dispute Resolution, particularly mediation. She has written and lectured on all aspects of contentious probate matters.

"I would really like to thank Katharine for everything she has done for us, and for being so kind and such a big support through the whole process. I’m glad it has now finally come to an end!"
CL
"I ‘interviewed’ several Solicitors before asking Katharine to act on my behalf. She was extremely knowledgeable and helpful as well as being polite and sensitive. Katharine was successful in settling matters without having to go to court."
L T-H
"Katharine is excellent, her knowledge is outstanding and her pragmatism is top-notch. She is very sensible and realistic in resolving a dispute but fights for her clients' position fiercely."
Katharine is ranked in tier one of the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2022 for Private Wealth Disputes in the Thames Valley.
"She's a great lawyer with good attention to detail and time management."
"Katharine Riley is responsive and pragmatic, and she understands the emotion behind what is going on."
"She is very tenacious and hard-working."
"She is very good; she fights hard for her clients."
"Katharine Riley is a pleasure to work with. She is very good at cutting through material and working with the details in complicated matters, all while keeping her client’s priorities at the forefront of her mind."
"Katharine Riley is a very strong and robust advocate for our defence. She is a very good lawyer with great technical skill and advances her client’s case forcefully."
"Katharine Riley is a talented lawyer – a real asset to her firm, and going from strength to strength."
"Katharine Riley has a vast array of experience which allows her to think creatively to find ADR solutions."
"Katharine Riley is approachable and very capable and finds practical solutions for clients’ issues."
"Katharine Riley is a very firm and sure hand, with plenty of experience to go with her determination. She combines an excellent focus on the best outcome for the client, with a rare degree of sensitivity to the client’s individual circumstances."
"Katharine Riley is the stand-out lawyer at Field Seymour Parkes. She is extremely approachable, friendly, and knows the law inside out."
"Katharine Riley is a dedicated litigator determined to get the best outcome for her clients."
"Katharine Riley is passionate about her clients and finding innovative solutions to their disputes."
Legal 500 UK
"Immensely experienced and has a good knowledge of charities."
Legal 500 UK
"Determined and charming."