Danielle Pawson
Senior Associate
0113 518 5080
danielle.pawson@brabners.com
Danielle is a Senior Associate in our contentious probate team.
She provides advice on all types of Will and inheritance disputes, including working with claimants and defendants in relation to Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims, Will validity claims (undue influence and lack of testamentary capacity), executor misconduct and removal claims, trust disputes and proprietary estoppel claims.
Her clients range from beneficiaries (and disappointed beneficiaries) to executors, trustees, attorneys and deputies — whether they’re bringing or defending a claim.
Danielle also advises on contested Court of Protection and financial abuse matters for which she represents attorneys, deputies and interested parties.
Recognised as a ‘Leading Associate’ by The Legal 500 and an ‘Associate to Watch’ by Chambers and Partners, in her work Danielle aims to make what can be a difficult, time consuming and emotional process feel manageable and transparent. She keeps clients closely involved so that they always understand where things stand and what comes next.
Having specialised in contentious probate and contentious Court of Protection work since 2017, Danielle has developed expertise in navigating the dual complexities of the law and family relationships that commonly arise during such matters. This includes an ability to anticipate the emotional and procedural twists that can derail a case and find resolutions.
A full member of the Association of Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS), Danielle qualified as a solicitor in 2018 after working in various legal roles from 2014 onwards after graduating from the University of Birmingham. Prior to joining us in November 2025, she worked at various law firms across Manchester, Yorkshire and the West Midlands, including a specialist inheritance disputes firm.
Danielle is based in our Leeds office.
“Danielle was a very calming influence when I was agitated or anxious due to the actions of others. She guided me through this upsetting time with professionalism and empathy. Danielle kept me up to date on all aspects of my case... I can't recommend her highly enough.”
Contentious probate case
Case highlights
Supreme Court — Hirachand v Hirachand & Another
Represented the successful appellant (Nalini Hirachand) in the Supreme Court case of UKSC/2022/0015, which related to the recoverability of success fees payable to firms of solicitors under ‘No Win, No Fee’ agreements as part of awards in claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
High Court — Lord & Lady Hertford
Represented the successful family defendants in the case of The Honourable William Francis Seymour, Earl of Yarmouth v Ragley Trust Company Limited & Ors [2025] EWHC 1099 (Ch), in which the Earl of Yarmouth sought the removal of the trustees of a number of trusts holding elements of the family seat at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. Danielle represented the other beneficiaries of the trusts (Lord and Lady Hertford and their three other children) who successfully defended the claim alongside the trustees themselves.
Contact Danielle
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