Andrew O'Keeffe

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Andrew O’Keeffe

Partner Private Client Disputes

Contact Andrew

About Andrew

Expertise Down arrow

Andrew advises on a wide range of contentious trust and probate matters, with particular expertise in disputes concerning the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, where he has acted for spouses, partners, adult and minor children as well as dependants. He has also acted for and advised executors in relation to such claims.

Andrew is regularly asked to advise on issues regarding the validity of wills, including issues relating to testamentary capacity, lack of knowledge and approval, undue influence and fraud as well as lack of due execution and revocation.

He also has considerable experience in disputes relating to the administration of both trusts and estates where he has advised trustees, executors and beneficiaries on matters such as allegations of breach of trust, actions for an account and disclosure of trust documents. He has also acted in claims relating to the removal of personal representatives or trustees.

Andrew also undertakes Court of Protection work and has a particular interest in the professional negligence side of contentious trust and probate matters.

Experience Down arrow

  • Acting for the successful applicant in the reported case of Cherfan v HM’s Senior Coroner for West London [2024] EWHC 3261 (Admin), in which the findings of an inquest were quashed and a fresh inquest ordered.
  • Acting for the successful claimant in the reported case of Fraser v Khawaja [2023] EWHC 3143 (Ch), in which a will was set aside on the grounds of forgery and fraud.
  • Advising on a number of variation of trust applications, including one involving assets of £500m and a successful application for anonymity.
  • Acting for a major beneficiary of a farming partnership in respect of claims for rectification and construction of the terms of his deceased partner’s will.
  • Acting for the granddaughter of a patient of the Court of Protection in respect of a statutory will application in respect of an estate worth over £3m.
  • Advising clients in respect of a claim for proprietary estoppel over their entitlement to the deceased uncle’s interest in a substantial farm.

Publications Down arrow

  • Andrew has been widely quoted in national and regional newspapers.

Endorsements Down arrow

Member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) since 2006.

Testimonials

  • This is a very well-known team for private client disputes; having a very well-known private client team means they are often involved in substantial disputes. Andrew O'Keeffe is a realist who sees early on how things will go.

    Legal 500, 2025

  • Andrew O'Keeffe is my standout figure within the disputed trusts and estates side of the firm. A relentless opponent, reasoned and thorough tactician and litigator. He is a shrewd operator who I rate very highly.

    Legal 500, 2025

  • Andrew O'Keeffe runs the shop with aplomb as the managing partner of the team. He's very happy to get his hands dirty, especially with negotiation, but delegates appropriately to his talented team of associates.

    Legal 500, 2025

  • Andrew is clever, considered and a class act

    Chambers High Net Worth, 2024

  • Andrew O'Keefe is unflappable, he has good judgement and he's seen it all in all sorts of difficult cases." "He has got great experience and great international connections.

    Chambers High Net Worth, 2024

  • I think he is very good - a sensible and pragmatic lawyer.

    Chambers High Net Worth 2023

  • I think Andrew is good with clients and very commercial. He is very experienced and understands the detail and issues but equally he is very commercial and pragmatic.

    Chambers High Net Worth 2023

  • This firm handles some very large trusts and this feeds into a strong and successful contentious team. Andrew O’Keefe and Caroline Miller are both great to work with.

    Legal 500, 2023

  • This team has good experience and provides a consistently good service. Andrew O’Keefe works diligently for his clients, and is a formidable litigator.

    Legal 500, 2023

  • Andrew O’Keeffe is experienced and dependable, and has deadly dangerous negotiation skills. Tom Klemme is his reliable and switched-on right-hand man.

    Legal 500, 2023

  • The contentious partner with whom I have worked recently is Andrew O’Keefe, who is extremely steady and whose low key approach belies the effectiveness of the way in which he runs matters.

    Legal 500, 2023

  • Andrew O’Keeffe is an experienced partner with a well-tuned sense of judgement on the merits of cases and how to handle clients and opponents; definitely one to have on your side.

    Legal 500, 2022

  • A strong private client firm with a number of high-value disputes. Andrew O’ Keeffe – very knowledgeable and solidly practicable.

    Legal 500, 2022

  • Andrew O’Keefe is a highly experienced litigator and is not phased by anything.

    Legal 500, 2022

  • Andrew O’Keeffe – an excellent litigator and tactician. Very personable and a great communicator with clients, calm under pressure, persistent and achieves great results for clients.

    Legal 500, 2022

  • Andrew O'Keeffe's contentious trust and probate practice includes acting for various parties in disputed inheritance cases regarding sizeable family estates. The breadth of his expertise is commended by a source: "Andrew covers a lot of bases, he is excellent with clients and provides a very good tactical overview." A barrister also remarks that a "particular strength of his is in keeping an eye on the commercial view of litigation.

    Chambers High Net Worth 2022

  • Andrew O’Keeffe is an able and tough litigator. He obtains great results for clients and is a master of strategy

    Legal 500, 2021

  • Andrew O’Keeffe is very experienced, well respected and a brilliant tactician

    Legal 500, 2021

  • Andrew O'Keeffe of Wedlake Bell LLP leads the private client team at the firm. He advises on probate and trusts disputes and Court of Protection matters. A fellow solicitor enthuses: 'He is a very knowledgeable and experienced litigator' and another peer says he is 'really good on domestic probate work and Inheritance Act claims,' A barrister adds that 'he's excellent and has oodles of experence.'

    HNW Chambers 2019

  • "He is always very measured and very calm in his approach to things. He provides a steady hand for clients."

    Chambers HNW 2018

  • "He has a very good client manner and brings a very traditional and fair approach to this sort of work. He is a very practical adviser who is both persistent and tenacious."

    Chambers HNW 2018

Andrew's insights

    • In Trust
    • Feb 20, 2025

    How easy is it to disinherit your children?

    In England and Wales, in line with most common law jurisdictions, there is testamentary freedom. Put simply, this means that a testator can leave their worldly assets to whomever they want. In the coming decades, it is predicted that there

    More about How easy is it to disinherit your children?
    • News
    • Dec 19, 2024

    Cherfan v Hm’s Senior Coroner For West London [2024] EWHC 3261

    Challenging the Outcome of an Inquest Wedlake Bell LLP recently acted for the successful Applicant in the case of Cherfan v HM’s Senior Coroner for West London [2024] EWHC 361. This case serves as a reminder that adopting a neutral

    More about Cherfan v Hm’s Senior Coroner For West London [2024] EWHC 3261
    • News
    • Mar 7, 2024

    Fraser v Khawaja: An Elaborate Yet Failed Attempt At Will Fraud

    Wedlake Bell LLP acted for the successful claimant in the case of Fraser v Khawaja [2023] EWHC 3143 (Ch). The facts of the case were complex and detailed, involving a significant amount of documentary evidence. However, after a 2 day

    More about Fraser v Khawaja: An Elaborate Yet Failed Attempt At Will Fraud

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