Head of Department, Partner
Dispute Resolution, Contentious Probate

Tel: 01217463352
Office: Birmingham

About Mitra Mann

Mitra is a Partner and Head of Contentious Probate.  She is an experienced private client litigator specialising in inheritance and will disputes, Court of Protection disputes and professional negligence.

Mitra specialises in private client litigation and has acted for clients aged from 18 years to 80 years.  She advises on and resolves disputes involving:

• the validity of wills
• claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
• the removal and/or replacement of executors and trustees
• the management and distribution of trust funds
• claims in the High Court to recover a vulnerable person’s assets
• challenging lifetime gifts
• professional negligence claims in respect of the transfer of assets, will-drafting, the handling of contentious probate cases, etc.

In addition, Mitra has extensive experience in Court of Protection matters and has assisted clients with a range of applications which include:

• applying for a deputyship order to manage a vulnerable person’s property and affairs
• removing and/or replacing an attorney or deputy
• making a statutory Will
• gifting a substantial asset
• seeking the retrospective approval of a financial transaction
• welfare decisions such as place of residence, contact and care package

 

Recent Cases

• Acted for clients in successfully challenging the validity of a Will made by their parent on grounds of lack of capacity and knowledge and approval;
• Acted for a former spouse in successfully defending a claim based on the doctrine of double portion;
• Acted for a spouse in successfully obtaining financial provision from her late husband’s estate - such provision included the transfer of the marital home and a lump sum to ensure she maintained the standard and quality of life she was accustomed to;
• Acted for a minor child in seeking reasonable financial provision from his father’s estate since the provision made in the will was insufficient to fund the minor child’s needs and higher education until he reached adulthood;
• Acted for a trustee in successfully removing her co-trustee/brother who breached his fiduciary duty and failed to act in the best interests of the trust and beneficiaries;
• Acted for clients in making an application in the Court of Protection for a statutory will to be executed;
• Acted for a protected person’s parent in successfully removing a professional deputy as a result of the relationship between the professional deputy and the protected person’s parents breaking down;
• Acted for a client attorney in successfully obtaining the retrospective approval of the Court of Protection regarding an investment he made using his father’s funds which placed him in a position of conflict.

 

What our clients say

"I would just like to thank you and your colleagues so much for all your hard work, help and support. You have all been wonderful." MD

“Mitra was (and always is) caring and professional.  She understood the emotional difficulties I was experiencing and responded with empathy and honesty.  She helped guide me through a difficulty situation with good advice and support”

“I can’t believe that yesterday we seemed to have achieved everything we could’ve hoped for.  This is all due to you, your shrewd advice and experience and also your most impressive energy.”

“My father and I would like to acknowledge and thank Mitra Mann and her Team supporting my father’s case for their continual support.  Mitra was continually available with advice + determination in the right quantity.”

 

Types of Law used

• Contentious Probate
• Court of protection
• Trust
• Professional negligence

What the Directories say

Legal 500 - 2023-24 - Contentious Probate Team

‘Sydney Mitchell have been immensely professional in all areas relating to my present situation. ... quite unique with ... findings and picking out the other parties inconsistencies in regards to the case’.
‘Excellent rapport with their clients'.
‘This is a wonderful firm going through a state of flux. The junior team and private client lawyers are exceptional. Value for money at this firm is excellent’.
‘In depth team, able to deal with all areas of disputes relating to wills and trust ... Good knowledge of the law and clients find them easy to talk to and discuss their cases'.
‘They are specialists in this area rather than dabblers and have lots of experience. Almost unique in having a real specialism in a relatively small firm and provide excellent value for money'.

Career History

• 2024 - Partner, Sydney Mitchell LLP
• 2023 - Senior Associate, Sydney Mitchell LLP
• 2018-2023: Senior Associate, Wright Hassall LLP
• 2015-2018: Associate, Wright Hassall LLP
• 2008-2015: Solicitor, Wright Hassall LLP
• 2006-2008: Paralegal and Trainee, Wright Hassall LLP

 

Publications

• Court of Protection: A Practical Guide to Gifting (Law Brief Publishing)
• Why is Prince Philip’s Will going to be sealed for 90 years? (Lawyer Monthly)
• Dementia – being prepared (Care Talk magazine)
• Statutory Wills and when they are necessary (The Gazette)
• A Guide to the Court of Protection (The Gazette)
• Why your client needs a Lasting Power of Attorney ((FT Adviser)

 

Conferences and Seminars

Mitra is a trained Dementia Friends Champion dedicated to raising awareness on mental capacity issues locally and nationally.  With her wealth of experience, Mitra has:

• delivered presentations to local care homes;
• appeared as a guest speaker at the Care Show (NEC, Birmingham);
• delivered legal training courses organised by Certainty (The National Will Register) and MBL (Management, Business, Law) Seminars.

Mitra is currently writing a book on “Gifting in the Court of Protection” which is due to be published by Law Brief Publishing Ltd by the end of 2023.

 

Education

• 2019: Completed the ACTAPS course (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists)
• 2019: Completed the Mental Capacity (Welfare) Training Course
• 2012: Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Law and Ethics
• 2002: LPC – The College of Law
• 1999: LLB (Hons) - University of Kent at Canterbury

 

Languages

Native proficiency in English, French and Hindi Limited working proficiency in Punjabi

Memberships and Offices held

• Member of the STEP Mental Capacity Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Interests and Hobbies

Mitra is a keen traveller and her bucket list includes visiting cities which are rich in history and culture.  In her spare time, Mitra enjoys salsa dancing and although not very artistic, she finds painting by numbers very therapeutic.