Spear’s Review

Claire-Marie Cornford joined Irwin Mitchell in 2017, having been headhunted from her previous role at Mishcon de Reya, to join the firm’s newly formed private wealth division. As head of will, trust and estate disputes in London, she leads a dedicated team of lawyers, including a second partner who specialises in Court of Protection cases.

Cornford regularly acts in high-value and complex private wealth disputes for a broad range of clients, including successful entrepreneurs and business leaders, landed gentry, farmers, charities, trustees and HNWs. As part of her practice, she explores mediation, collaborative law, private dispute resolution and arbitration before turning to litigation.

She is also head of international private wealth at Irwin Mitchell, leading a multidisciplinary and multi-office group of practitioners who focus on international private wealth work.

Adviser Profile

Claire-Marie Cornford is a partner and head of the will, trust and estate disputes team at Irwin Mitchell in London. She specialises in private client disputes and litigation, particularly involving trusts, estates and succession issues. Claire-Marie represents private individuals, trustees, executors, administrators, protectors and beneficiaries. Her notable cases include high-profile disputes like the estate of the 8th Earl Bathurst and international litigation involving significant assets. Recognised in Citywealth’s Top 10 Powerwomen Trust Litigators and Legal Week’s Private Client Global Elite Directory, Claire-Marie is known for her tenacity, expertise and client-focused approach.