Stephen Lawson is a specialist contentious probate practitioner at IDR Law Limited and co-chair of the Law Society’s Private Client and Estates Committee. He is a member of both STEP and ACTAPS. He is the joint author of the book Testamentary Capacity, with Professor Robin Jacoby and Martyn Frost.
What was your career path to your current role?
I was formerly a traditional ‘High Street’ solicitor who undertook a broad range of work including conveyancing, family law, personal injury law and private client work – but that was 40 years ago. The volume of contentious probate work just kept growing – and so that is the path that I took. I am now a partner at IDR Law – and the clue is in the title – Inheritance Dispute Resolution. We have a firm of about 25 contentious probate lawyers – and we do nothing but contentious probate work.
Did you have any other career ambitions?
I have been very fortunate with my career. I set up the STEP Cheshire branch; I served three terms on the STEP England & Wales Committee and three terms on the STEP Worldwide Council. I have sat on the Law Society Civil Justice Committee, and I am now joint chair of the Law Society’s Private Client and Estates Committee. I contributed extensively to the work of the Law Commission in their wills project, and I was referred to by name in the 2017 consultation, the 2023 consultation and the 2025 report. I have currently been invited to sit with Sir Alastair Norris (and others) on a working group to reform and update the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987 – more of this to come during 2026!
What keeps you motivated in your work?
I just love this area of work – I think I was born to it. I wanted to be a lawyer since I was seven years old – and I still love it every day – and it is a great privilege to be a partner at IDR Law working with such a talented team.
What has been the best development in wills and probate in the last 20 years?
I would probably say two things to this. The specialism, experience, expertise and excellence of private client lawyers has definitely improved over the last 20 years – and every day I appreciate the professionalism, friendship and respect of colleagues, both inside and outside my firm.
And the worst?
The bureaucracy and unnecessary administrative hassles imposed by one government after another, particularly when each say they want to reduce ‘red tape’.
If you could bring in one new piece of legislation for the sector, what would it be and why?
Oh, please bring in the Law Commission will proposals sooner rather than later. The government has had the Law Commission report for nearly a year. Please get on with it.
What piece of legislation would you take off the statute books and why?
I would reduce the burden imposed by Money Laundering Regulations. I get deeply offended when the bank I have had an account with for 40 years suddenly says that it needs to establish my identity. A firm of accountants I have worked with for more than 20 years suddenly wants me to prove my identity. The world is going slowly mad. There is too much bureaucracy.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you regarding your career?
Be friendly – be kind.
What’s the best piece of advice you’d like to give to someone just starting out?
I would say to people find some legal heroes, people you admire. Take the best attributes they have and incorporate them in your work and personal life – you won’t go far wrong.
Tell us something people may be surprised to know about you…
I am a passionate advocate for rural affairs. I shear my own sheep and can milk a cow by hand.
If you’d like to take part in a future profile, email press@todayswillsandprobate.co.uk with ‘Profile’ in the subject line.
