Karen Woolfson v Adrian Woolfson & Ors

Karen Woolfson v Adrian Woolfson & Ors

The claimant's statements of case were incoherent, unparticularised, and disclosed no reasonable grounds for challenging the validity of the 2018 or earlier wills or for any claim to estate or trust assets. The evidence established due execution, knowledge and approval, and testamentary capacity for the 2018 will. There was no evidence of undue influence, fraud, or breach of trust. The claim was struck out and summary judgment granted to the defendants and on the counterclaim to propound the 2018 will.

Parties
Claimant: Karen Woolfson; First Defendant: Adrian Woolfson; Second Defendant: David Samuel Woolfson; Third Defendant: Gerald Woolfson; Fourth Defendant: Lynne Woolfson; Fifth Defendant: John Raymond Gavin; Sixth Defendant: Joseph Michael Charlaff; Seventh Defendant: Alexander Florey Woolfson; Eighth Defendant: Benjamin Brook
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 March 2026
Procedural Posture
Probate/trust/property / Strike Out and Summary Judgment Applications; Judgment on Claim and Counterclaim
Outcome
Claim struck out in its entirety; summary judgment granted to defendants on claim and to Adrian Woolfson on counterclaim to propound the 2018 will.
Legal Topics
Testamentary Capacity, Undue Influence, Knowledge and Approval, Due Execution of Wills, Strike Out Applications, Summary Judgment, Breach of Trust, Estoppel, Restitution, Fraud, Forgery
Probate Trusts Property Law Civil Procedure Testamentary Capacity Undue Influence Knowledge and Approval Due Execution of Wills +7 more

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Parties

Karen Woolfson

Claimant

Adrian Woolfson

First Defendant

David Samuel Woolfson

Second Defendant

Gerald Woolfson

Third Defendant

Lynne Woolfson

Fourth Defendant

John Raymond Gavin

Fifth Defendant

Joseph Michael Charlaff

Sixth Defendant

Alexander Florey Woolfson

Seventh Defendant

Benjamin Brook

Eighth Defendant

Procedural Posture

Probate/trust/property / Strike Out and Summary Judgment Applications; Judgment on Claim and Counterclaim

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the claimant's statements of case disclose any reasonable grounds for bringing a claim regarding the validity of the deceased's wills and entitlement to estate assets
  2. 2 Whether the 2018 and other post-2006 wills are invalid due to lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, lack of knowledge and approval, lack of legal compliance, fraud, or forgery
  3. 3 Whether the claimant has any viable claim for breach of trust, estoppel, restitution, or unjust enrichment regarding estate or family assets

Ratio Decidendi

The claimant's statements of case were incoherent, unparticularised, and disclosed no reasonable grounds for challenging the validity of the 2018 or earlier wills or for any claim to estate or trust assets. The evidence established due execution, knowledge and approval, and testamentary capacity for the 2018 will. There was no evidence of undue influence, fraud, or breach of trust. The claim was struck out and summary judgment granted to the defendants and on the counterclaim to propound the 2018 will.

Court Disposition

Claim struck out in its entirety; summary judgment granted to defendants on claim and to Adrian Woolfson on counterclaim to propound the 2018 will.

Orders

  • Claimant's statements of case struck out under CPR 3.4(2)(a) and (b)
  • Summary judgment for defendants on the claim