Naomi is a specialist inheritance and trust dispute lawyer. She is one of the country’s leading practitioners in this area of law and is recommended by the Legal 500.

She leads an experienced team of twelve, including eight qualified lawyers, all specialising exclusively in contentious probate and trust law, representing clients nationwide.

Naomi’s areas of practice include advising charities in relation to legacy disputes, claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, challenges to the validity of wills and beneficial interest claims involving estoppel, constructive trusts and TOLATA.

Naomi has an enviable success rate at mediation and trial. Some of her most notable successes include:

Ely v Robson [2016] EWCA Civ 774 – Successful Court of Appeal decision in the field of proprietary estoppel and constructive trusts. Naomi was successful at first instance and again in the Court of Appeal. The defendant was ordered to vacate the property and pay the full costs of the first hearing and of the appeal.

Rate v Grovit 2021 – Settled out of court. Naomi advised the long-term partner of the late Felix Grovit who was in the Sunday Times Rich List with a net worth of £480 million, having built up a business in money exchanges. The case, which involved a dispute about domicile and eligibility , was set down for a four-day trial. The estate was complicated because the deceased’s wealth was held behind trusts and companies, and was alleged to have been insolvent

Williams v Praine [2021] – Trust and probate claim which succeeded at trial with costs awarded to Naomi’s client who beat a Part 36 offer made several years before the trial.

Pugh v Pugh [2023] – Defended the son of the deceased in a claim brought by his brother under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Claim dismissed at trial and costs awarded to Naomi’s client.

McLeod v McLeod and others [2024] – Currently unreported. Defence to a possession claim, and counterclaim for proprietary estoppel and constructive trust.

Naomi is also the firm’s training partner and oversees Slee Blackwell’s private client department.