Gavin Edmondson is a solicitor advocate and founder of Gavin Edmondson Solicitors, with more than 20 years’ experience handling complex family law disputes and contentious probate litigation.
His practice focuses primarily on financial remedy disputes following divorce, child arrangements disputes, and contested family court proceedings, alongside inheritance disputes and challenges to the validity of wills.
Gavin regularly represents clients in Cheshire and the North West in highly contested litigation involving complex financial evidence, hidden assets, business interests and disputes concerning the validity of wills or the distribution of estates.
As founder of Gavin Edmondson Solicitors, Gavin oversees complex litigation within the firm’s family law and contentious probate practice. He has extensive experience handling fact-finding hearings where allegations of domestic abuse or coercive control are disputed.
Gavin is typically instructed in complex, high-conflict disputes involving significant financial or evidential issues.
Areas of Practice
Gavin is often instructed in complex family law disputes and contentious probate (sometimes referred to as contested probate), regularly tackling the following issues:
Family Law Disputes
- Financial remedy disputes following divorce
- Hidden assets in divorce proceedings
- Dissipation of matrimonial assets
- Business and company valuation in divorce
- Child arrangements disputes
- Fact-finding hearings
- Parental alienation and contact disputes
Contentious Probate and Inheritance Disputes
- Challenging the validity of a will
- Testamentary capacity disputes
- Undue influence in wills
- Fraudulent calumny claims
- Inheritance Act claims (under “Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975”)
Court Advocacy
As a solicitor advocate, Gavin Edmondson regularly conducts his own advocacy in contested hearings in the Family Court and in civil proceedings involving contentious probate disputes.
His work frequently involves fact-finding hearings, cross-examination of witnesses, expert evidence and complex financial documentation.
Professional Background and Legal Qualifications
- Called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn – 1999
- Admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales
- Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience – 2001
- Founder of Gavin Edmondson Solicitors
Family Financial Disputes and Financial Remedy Litigation
Gavin Edmondson acts in complex financial disputes arising from relationship breakdown, particularly where significant issues arise concerning the disclosure and identification of assets.
These disputes frequently involve:
- financial remedy proceedings following divorce
- non-disclosure of assets
- dissipation or concealment of funds
- disputes concerning ownership of property or investments
- complex financial structures and asset tracing
Such cases often require careful analysis of financial documentation and, where necessary, the use of forensic accounting or specialist expert evidence.
Learn more about our financial remedy services.
Contentious Probate and Inheritance Disputes
Contentious probate disputes arise where family members disagree about the validity of a will, the distribution of an estate, or the conduct of executors or administrators.
Gavin Edmondson acts in disputes involving:
- challenges to the validity of wills
- disputes concerning testamentary capacity
- undue influence in the preparation of wills
- fraudulent calumny
- claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
These disputes frequently involve detailed examination of medical evidence, witness testimony, financial records and the circumstances surrounding the preparation of a will.
Learn more about our contentious probate services.
Selected Case Experience
The following examples illustrate the types of complex family law and contentious probate disputes Gavin Edmondson has handled.
Divorce – Finances & Child Arrangements:
“Client F” – Hidden Assets and Cryptocurrency Tracing in High-Value Financial Dispute
Gavin acted in a complex multi-million-pound financial dispute involving allegations of hidden assets including cryptocurrency and property investments.
The case required detailed investigation of a property portfolio together with digital asset tracing. Gavin successfully persuaded the court to permit the instruction of specialist cryptocurrency tracing experts and conducted detailed questioning of forensic accountants regarding the movement of assets.
“Client G” – False Allegations and Fact-Finding Hearing in Child Arrangements Proceedings
Gavin acted for a father in a highly contested child arrangements dispute in which serious allegations of assault and coercive controlling behaviour were made by the mother.
The case required detailed investigation of a property portfolio together with digital asset tracing. Gavin successfully persuaded the court to permit the instruction of specialist cryptocurrency tracing experts and conducted detailed questioning of forensic accountants regarding the movement of assets.
The father was initially arrested and placed on police bail with conditions excluding him from the family home. After the criminal investigation concluded and bail conditions were lifted, the dispute continued in the Family Court.
A fact-finding hearing was ordered. Through forensic analysis of contact centre records, CAFCASS reports and ICFA evidence, it was demonstrated that the mother had been creating a barrier to the father’s relationship with the children.
Following the hearing, the judge concluded that the mother had been implacably hostile to contact with the father. After a prolonged legal dispute lasting approximately two years, the court made a “lives with both parents” child arrangements order, restoring the father’s relationship with his children.
“Client Y” – Dissipation of Assets and Section 37 Matrimonial Causes Act Arguments
Gavin acted for the husband in a contested financial remedy case involving non-disclosure and dissipation of assets.
The wife had received approximately £100,000 from a life insurance policy, which was not initially disclosed and was subsequently transferred to friends and family members.
Following cross-examination, the judge concluded that the funds had been wantonly dissipated and should still be treated as available to the wife under add-back principles and Section 37 of the Matrimonial Causes Act.
The husband recovered a substantial proportion of his legal costs due to the wife’s litigation conduct.
“Client V” – Financial Remedy Dispute Involving Valuation of a Family Business
Gavin acted for the husband in a financial remedy dispute following divorce, where the principal issue concerned the valuation of his interest in a privately owned company.
The husband held a minority shareholding in a business with several other shareholders, and the value of that shareholding was a central issue in determining the overall matrimonial asset pool.
Expert valuation evidence was obtained to ascertain the value of the company and the husband’s shareholding. The analysis emphasised the practical limitations on the husband’s ability to realise or control the value of the business given the presence of multiple shareholders and limited voting control.
The valuation therefore formed an important element of the overall financial settlement.
Contentious Probate:
“Client M” – Challenge to a Will Based on Lack of Testamentary Capacity
Gavin acted in a contentious probate dispute concerning testamentary capacity where the will recorded that certain children had already been financially provided for.
Investigation demonstrated that no such provision had been made. Expert medical evidence established that the testator had suffered from confabulation, leading to mistaken beliefs about previous financial provision.
Following detailed cross-examination of the medical experts the court concluded that the testator lacked testamentary capacity, and the disputed will was passed over.
“Client Z” – Fraudulent Calumny in a Will Dispute Between Siblings
Gavin acted for a claimant challenging a will on the grounds of fraudulent calumny, where false accusations had been made to the testator regarding the claimant’s conduct.
The case involved allegations that the testator’s mind had been poisoned by untrue statements concerning drug use and violence, causing the claimant to be left out of the will.
The dispute ultimately settled at mediation with the claimant receiving his full share of the estate.
“Client B” – Inheritance Act Claim by Estranged Spouse
Gavin acted for the estate defending a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 brought by the deceased’s estranged wife.
Although separated for many years, the claimant initially advanced a claim of approximately £200,000. Issues arose regarding undisclosed property interests and an insurance payment.
Following analysis of the claimant’s financial position, the claim was resolved for £30,000, substantially reducing the original claim.
“Client T” – Will Challenge Based on Undue Influence
Gavin acted for two claimants in a contentious probate dispute challenging the validity of a will on the grounds of undue influence.
The deceased was survived by four children and the disputed will excluded two of them. The will had been prepared in circumstances where the remaining beneficiaries were heavily involved in arranging its preparation.
The testator was blind and dependent on those beneficiaries for care, so the case therefore involved allegations that the will had been produced through undue influence exerted over a vulnerable testator.
Articles by Gavin Edmondson
Gavin Edmondson also writes about issues affecting family law disputes and contentious probate litigation.
Recent posts:
Divorcing? Supreme court clarifies what must be shared and what stays yours
An introduction to the Standish V Standish case law, and what the practical implications are for those with a high net-worth or complex finances.
These articles are published in our blog.
Speak to Gavin Edmondson
For advice on complex family law or contentious probate disputes, contact Gavin Edmondson to discuss your case in confidence.