Andrew McManus

Andrew is a Partner at IMD Solicitors LLP and leads the firm’s Contentious Trusts and Probate practice. He helps clients navigate some of the most difficult times in their lives, guiding them through disputes arising from the death or incapacity of a loved one. His goal is always to secure clarity and peace of mind while protecting his clients’ interests.

With over 15 years’ experience, Andrew specialises in contentious probate and trust litigation, often involving complex, high-value, and cross-border estates. He is recognised for combining technical precision with a pragmatic, empathetic approach, ensuring that sensitive matters are handled with discretion and care.

The Legal 500 (2024) describes Andrew as “the standout lawyer – he is technically very astute.”

Before joining IMD, Andrew held senior positions at leading UK firms including Knights and Gateley Legal where he built a strong track record in contentious trusts and estates. He began his career in litigation and dispute resolution with regional firms, gaining broad experience across both commercial and private wealth disputes.

Andrew regularly advises on:

• Contentious probate disputes including will validity claims;
• Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims;
• Executor, trustee and fiduciary disputes;
• Multi-jurisdictional succession and estate disputes;
• Civil litigation connected to private wealth matters; and
• Contested Court of Protection matters.

Notable Cases

• Successfully resisted a claim seeking to set aside a will for undue influence and lack of capacity and secured a significant costs order against the claimant;
• Acted in a c.£5million estate dispute involving blended families and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975;
• Represented the claimant in a claim for reasonable financial provision where her deceased’s husband’s assets had been transferred out of his estate by third parties shortly before he died, to try and hide those assets;
• Secured an order for the presumed death of a hiker who went missing in the Seychelles, under the Presumption of Death Act 2013;
• Acted for the family of a Covid-19 patient in a coma when it was proposed to withdraw their life sustaining treatment – Re: NZ (Mental Capacity Act 2005) [2021] EWCOP 16;
• Advised pre-trial on the effect of deathbed gifts (known as donationes mortis causa) in a high profile case heard in the High Court, with a value of c.£3million – Rahman v Hassan [2024] EWHC 1290 (Ch);
• Acting for executors and trustees in applications to the Court to ratify decisions or seek directions in the administration of trusts and estates.

Andrew also accepts independent administration appointments and has significant experience acting for and as an independent personal representative.

Clients value Andrew’s ability to resolve disputes with both strategic clarity and personal sensitivity.

Outside of work, Andrew is a keen hockey player, a terrible climber and spends the rest of his time decorating the “fixer-upper” of a house he and his wife own!