Craig Ridge

Partner and Head of Contentious Probate

"I am a contentious probate lawyer with a special interest in assisting clients with contesting wills, inheritance disputes and proprietary estoppel claims.”

I lead the contentious trusts and probate team, having joined Higgs as a Partner in December 2019. Prior to joining Higgs, I was a Partner of another large regional law firm. 

I have been advising on all contentious aspects of probate, estate administration and trusts for over twenty years. Typically, I assist clients contemplating or facing challenges to wills; disputes between executors/trustees; disputes between executors/trustees and beneficiaries; and claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.  

I assist with situations involving the invalidity of wills or trust documents as well as errors within the administration of estates or trusts. I am able to advise upon the rectification of errors and deal with professional negligence claims. 

I act for beneficiaries, executors and trustees (both lay and professional) and people with prospective claims within an estate or trust. My particular expertise involves dealing with complex or high-value estates and trusts, typically involving businesses and property or investment portfolios, however, the team at Higgs is able to guide parties through the contentious elements of all trusts and estates. 

I am an affiliate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and am recognised as Leading Individual by the Legal 500 and am ranked band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth guide for private wealth disputes. 

  • Defended a claim that my client had unduly influenced her husband to change his will at a time when it was alleged that he was mentally incapable. Having been diagnosed with a serious illness the husband made arrangements which benefited his second wife to a value of over £1m. The allegations were defeated and the will was found to be valid.
  • Acted on several successful claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, which have resulted in provisions being made for children, dependants and spouses who had not been adequately provided for under the terms of a will.
  • Dealt with two proprietary estoppel claims involving a farm belonging to the deceased. The claims required our team to be creative in our thinking when trying to achieve a settlement.
  • Successfully secured the removal of an executor and obtained a costs order imposing a personal costs liability against the removed executor.
  • Advised on a case that a will had been negligently drafted by a firm of solicitors. We negotiated a Deed of Variation with two well-known national charities to re-direct the entire Residuary Estate to our client.

More about me

Favourite quote

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

Favourite place

Home

Favourite food

Indian

Favourite book

Sporting autobiographies

"Under the direction of the 'excellent 'Craig Ridge, the team acts for executors and beneficiaries on a variety of estate claims and on challenges to wills"

Legal 500

"Craig Ridge – knowledgeable, professional but above all a human being! He goes over & above for his clients, listens & makes sure he is thorough in his approach"

Legal 500

"Craig Ridge has decades of experience in contentious matters such as wills and trusts disputes and 1975 Inheritance Act claims. One source states: "Craig is an excellent, very experienced lawyer. He approaches every matter in a very calm and pragmatic manner."

Chambers and Partners

Meet the team