Victoria Lea-Holton
Associate
Contact details
Victoria works within the Commercial Litigation team in the Thames Valley.
Main areas of practice
Victoria is a specialist in contentious trusts and probate litigation, advising clients on complex and high-value disputes involving wills, estates, and trusts. Her practice covers the full range of private client litigation, including Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims, will validity challenges, breach of trust and estate administration disputes, as well as Court of Protection matters.
She acts for beneficiaries, executors, trustees, and other interested parties, bringing a balanced and strategic approach to resolving often sensitive disputes. Victoria combines a deep understanding of the legal frameworks governing wills, estates and trusts with a calm, pragmatic style and a strong focus on achieving practical, cost-effective outcomes.
Victoria has recently been named a Leading Associate in the Legal 500, recognising her significant contribution to the team’s growing contentious trusts and probate practice and her commitment to delivering excellent client service. She is part of Blake Morgan’s Tier 2 ranked Contentious Trusts and Probate team in the Legal 500, which is recognised for its strength in complex and high-value estate disputes.
Expertise & Services
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Private Client
- Resolving Disputes
- Estate Inheritance & Will Disputes
- Contentious Trusts
Career
Victoria graduated from Southampton Solent University with first class honours in Law. She achieved a distinction on the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Guildford.
Victoria undertook her training contract and qualified at a regional firm in April 2022 before moving to Blake Morgan at the start of October 2023.
Contact details
Accreditations
Memberships
- Contentious Trusts Association (ConTrA)
Significant Experience
- Cohabitee Inheritance Act claim: Acted for the proposed claimant in a successful mediation, securing both a life interest in a property and a capital sum.
- Court of Protection proceedings: Advised the children of P in section 21 proceedings, achieving settlement with the other parties in relation to issues concerning P’s health & welfare.
- Costs dispute: Acted for a beneficiary whose inheritance was reduced due to the executor’s deduction of legal costs. Successfully negotiated for the costs to be applied to the estate as a whole, ensuring her client received her full entitlement.
- Property sale dispute: Acted for an executor facing allegations from a beneficiary that an estate property had been sold at an undervalue. Successfully negotiated a settlement and brought the matter to a conclusion without the need for court proceedings.
Insights by Victoria
articles
The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to many aspects of life, including the execution of Wills. While legislative changes were introduced to facilitate remote witnessing in some jurisdictions, the fundamental...
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The recent decision in Karim v Steele & Anor [2025] EWHC 2060 (Ch) shows how the Court considers allegations of manipulation, dependency and mistrust which cast doubt on a Will’s...
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Recent reports show that nearly two-thirds of advisors become aware of possible family disputes during the inheritance tax (IHT) planning process, which is the perfect time to address any issues...
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