Charity Disputes and Legacy Litigation Solicitors

When Charity and Legacy Disputes Arise

Charities play a vital role in our communities, often depending on gifts and legacies left in wills. But when a charity becomes involved in a dispute, whether over a will, a trust, or the management of charitable funds, the legal and reputational stakes can be high.

At IMD Solicitors we advise charity trustees, executors, and beneficiaries in disputes involving charitable gifts, legacy challenges, and trustee duties. Our focus is on resolving matters swiftly, protecting charitable assets, and maintaining public confidence in the charity’s work.

Common Charity Disputes

Disputes between charity trustees about governance or use of charitable funds
Breach of trust or mismanagement of charitable assets
Cy-près applications to vary charitable trusts that can no longer be fulfilled
Disputes between charities and executors regarding entitlement to legacies or interpretation of wills
Negotiation of settlements involving multiple charitable beneficiaries
Challenges to charitable gifts under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
Claims that a will leaving funds to a charity is invalid due to lack of capacity, undue influence, or fraud

Our Expertise

Our team combines specialist knowledge of trusts, estates, and probate litigation with a deep understanding of how charities operate. We act for:

Charity trustees in disputes concerning administration, removal, or compliance with fiduciary duties
Executors and estate administrators where charitable gifts are disputed or require variation
Beneficiaries or family members who wish to challenge or defend charitable legacies under the Inheritance Act or on grounds of invalidity

We regularly handle applications involving:

Section 50 Administration of Justice Act 1985 (removal or replacement of executors)
Cy-près schemes and trust variations, whether by agreement or court application
Beddoe applications and court directions for trustees and executors managing contested charitable funds

How We Can Help

Advise charity trustees on managing or avoiding disputes
Represent charities defending or asserting entitlement to a legacy
Act for executors and administrators in disputes involving charitable beneficiaries
Bring or defend claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
Apply for cy-près schemes or directions to repurpose charitable funds
Represent parties in mediation or contested court proceedings

Our Approach

Balanced and pragmatic – we recognise that reputation and public trust are as important as legal outcome
Specialist expertise – we advise across legacy disputes, trust law, and charitable gifts
Clarity and communication – we liaise sensitively with charity boards, trustees, and beneficiaries
Early resolution – we focus on negotiation and mediation to minimise cost and publicity

Example Cases

Acted for a hospice who benefited under a will in contested proprietary estoppel proceedings and simultaneous proceedings before the Court of Protection for a statutory will.
Represented executors seeking to perfect failed gifts in a will by way of cy-près order where the original charities were no longer in existence.
Successfully removed trustees of a charity who had acted in breach of their fiduciary obligations to the charity and contrary to the charity’s constitution.