Estate of the Late Thomas George Heritage Mason v Probate Specialist Ltd & Anor [2026] EWCC 10 (09 March 2026)

Estate of the Late Thomas George Heritage Mason v Probate Specialist Ltd & Anor [2026] EWCC 10 (09 March 2026)

Mr Jameson, as the sole director of Probate Specialist Ltd, intentionally and contumeliously failed to comply with the asset disclosure and documentation requirements of the court's order dated 15 December 2025. His explanations were unsupported by independent evidence, and his attempts to purge contempt were inadequate. The seriousness of the breach and the sums involved warranted a sentence of one year's immediate imprisonment.

Citation
[2026] EWCC 10
Parties
Claimant: The Estate of the Late Thomas George Heritage Mason by his Executors John William Mason and Julie Mills; First Defendant: Probate Specialist Ltd; Second Defendant: Stephen Jameson
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
09 March 2026
Procedural Posture
Contempt of Court (civil) / Sentencing After Finding of Contempt
Outcome
Second Defendant (Stephen Jameson) sentenced to 12 months' immediate imprisonment for contempt of court.
Legal Topics
Breach of Court Order, Asset Freezing Order, Executor Duties, Disclosure Obligations
Civil Procedure Probate Contempt of Court Breach of Court Order Asset Freezing Order Executor Duties Disclosure Obligations

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Parties

The Estate of the Late Thomas George Heritage Mason by his Executors John William Mason and Julie Mills

Claimant

Probate Specialist Ltd

First Defendant

Stephen Jameson

Second Defendant

Procedural Posture

Contempt of Court (civil) / Sentencing After Finding of Contempt

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Stephen Jameson breached the proprietary asset freezing order of 15 December 2025 by failing to disclose the whereabouts of estate assets and provide supporting documentation
  2. 2 Whether the breach was intentional and contumelious
  3. 3 Appropriate sanction for contempt of court

Ratio Decidendi

Mr Jameson, as the sole director of Probate Specialist Ltd, intentionally and contumeliously failed to comply with the asset disclosure and documentation requirements of the court's order dated 15 December 2025. His explanations were unsupported by independent evidence, and his attempts to purge contempt were inadequate. The seriousness of the breach and the sums involved warranted a sentence of one year's immediate imprisonment.

Court Disposition

Second Defendant (Stephen Jameson) sentenced to 12 months' immediate imprisonment for contempt of court.

Orders

  • By 1 May 2026, Mr Jameson must provide details and exhibit documents showing what happened to the estate monies.
  • If Mr Jameson complies, he may apply to purge his contempt.