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Trust Disputes Solicitor

Douglas Scott Ltd
Altrincham · posted 20 August 2026
Location
Altrincham, England
Category
Legal

Trust Disputes Solicitor (Pensions)

Sheffield

Hybrid

A highly regarded and top ranked law firm in Sheffield is looking to recruit an Associate with contentious trusts / contentious probate experience to join its Pensions team.

This is a particularly interesting opportunity for a lawyer currently advising individuals on trust and estate disputes who would like tomove into a more commercially focused role, advising institutional clients rather than private individuals.

The role will supportinsurer-led death-in-service trust work for life assurance providers operating within the employee benefits and pensions market.

It is a niche position, but candidates do not necessarily need to come from a pensions background. The key requirement is a solid understanding ofcontentious trusts and trust disputes.

Working as part of the Pensions team, you will advise commercial clients on contentious trust matters arising primarily from death-in-service and life assurance arrangements.

  • Advising on contentious trust and trust dispute matters
  • Supporting insurer-led death-in-service trust work
  • Advising life assurance providers operating within the employee benefits and pensions market
  • Analysing complex trust issues and providing clear, practical advice
  • Managing matters with an appropriate level of independence
  • Working closely with colleagues across the wider Pensions and Business Services teams
  • Developing relationships with institutional and commercial clients

There will be plenty of support while the successful candidate develops their knowledge of the pensions and insurance aspects of the work. However, they should already be comfortable understanding contentious trust issues and advising clients on them.

The ideal candidate is likely to be around3-5 years' PQE, although Irwin Mitchell is open-minded on exact level for someone with the right experience.

You could currently be: Contentious Probate Solicitor, Contentious Trusts Solicitor, Private Client Disputes Solicitor, Trusts & Estates Litigator.

Candidates whose broader litigation caseload includes a meaningful proportion of contentious probate or trust dispute work will also be considered. You donotneed to be a 100% contentious probate specialist.

The important thing is that you have enough experience of contentious trusts to understand the underlying legal issues and operate without significant handholding.

The biggest attraction is the opportunity to take contentious trust expertise in a different direction.

Rather than continuing to act predominantly for individuals and families, you will have the opportunity totransition into commercial practice and work with insurer and institutional clients.

It therefore offers a strong route for a contentious probate or trust disputes lawyer who enjoys the technical side of their work but wants:

  • Greater exposure to commercial clients
  • A route into the pensions and insurance market
  • A more specialised and differentiated practice
  • To broaden their career beyond traditional private-client contentious probate work

For candidates based outside Sheffield, there would be an expectation to attend theSheffield office approximately once per month.

Salary is depending on experience.

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