Julia is a senior specialist adviser in our large contentious probate and trusts team in Bristol.
She has significant experience of resolving disputes across wide-ranging areas including:
- Trustee disputes incorporating discretionary and non-discretionary trusts: including bringing and defending applications for trust accounts and for the removal of trustees and their replacement. Advising on disputes with trust assets of private company shareholdings, properties and investments and advising more broadly upon trustees' duties and powers
- estate administration disputes: challenging invalid lifetime transactions, bringing and defending applications to remove and replace executors, preparing for the court-appointment of new independent administrators, s116 passing-over applications made by consent, applications for limited grants, burial disputes, advising upon wrongful distribution claims and advising on claiming assets through "double or linked estates"
- advising on disputes over valued possessions and how to keep trustees and administrators of estates "on track"
- acting for claimants or defendants in complex Inheritance Act claims against high-value estates; including claims made "out-of-time", involving multiple parties, charities, children or protected persons
- advising upon and making claims for the appointment of funds by trustees of private pension funds
- disappointed beneficiary claims including challenges to the validity of a will as a result of a lack of testamentary capacity, lack of knowledge and approval, and/or undue influence and fraudulent calumny
- rectification and the construction of wills claims including charitable legacies in wills
- mutual Will claims and how to manage the practical impact of such legacies
- proprietary estoppel and constructive trust claims involving disputes over farmland, private company shareholdings and property ownership.
Julia always invests the time to get to know her clients and to understand their personal objectives. Leaving no stone unturned, she is resolute in her determination to achieve her client's goals wherever possible, whilst supporting them when necessary, through the process.
Julia relishes the problem-solving aspect of dispute resolution and always takes a pragmatic and personal approach. She is equally comfortable advising individuals or charities in their trust or legacy disputes.
Having studied Ancient History as her first degree, Julia spent the best part of two years living and working in the Greek islands in her formative years. Before becoming a solicitor, Julia's career was in publishing and the media, including four years spent working for Bristol-based Aardman Animations.
Julia's experience of working with different types of clients and colleagues means that she finds it natural to take a flexible and pragmatic approach to resolving disputes, which her clients appreciate.
Julia is based in our Bristol office, but can support you nationally.
I cannot recommend Julia Hardy highly enough. She is firm and tenacious with opponents and is thorough, calm and practical. Her clients have no doubt that she is fighting their corner in the best way possible and she gives wise and measured advice which they really respect.
What others say
A highly skilled litigator, Julia is often noted by clients for her personal touch; supporting them in difficult circumstances.
"At senior associate level, Julia Hardy is very worthy of praise: she is brilliant with clients, very wise and reassuring, and works incredibly hard to get the best result possible." - Legal 500 2025
"I had engaged Julia Hardy to act for me in a developing dispute between myself and the other trustee of an extant Will Trust. I have been delighted with the professionalism, clarity, and attention to detail that has been provided while still maintaining an ethos which makes one feel quite at ease" - Legal 500 2025
"Julia Hardy is an exceptional senior associate producing partner level work. Julia's tactical judgement and negotiating abilities are a real asset in litigation." - Legal 500 2024
"Julia Hardy is calm, firm and knowledgeable litigator with excellent judgement. You'd feel reassured if your mum was in litigation and had Julia on her side." - Legal 500 2024
What you might like to know
Julia is a member of ACTAPS (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists).
Julia's contributions to external specialist publications, include articles on the pitfalls of entering into a joint bank account, amending a claim after it has been issued, the procedure and tactical approach to defend or bring removal of executors proceedings and a chapter on inheritance disputes, which was published in a book for family business advisers. Julia is also a regular contributor to shorter articles which feature in Viewpoint or other client-focused publications.
Julia has spoken at a variety of webinars and seminars on topics including trustee and beneficiary disputes, legacy protection for charities and Inheritance Act claims.
Outside of work, Julia enjoys swimming, tennis, walking, gardening, exploring new places, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
VWV's Private Client team was announced as winners of the 'Trusted Private Client Law Firm' Global Award for 2016. This award showcases the achievements of the most successful and ground-breaking individuals and those who have had outstanding performances within the last year.
Other teams Julia works with
Julia often works alongside our nationally-acclaimed Charities team and our Estates, Tax and Trusts team, advising national charities, higher education institutions and Universities. Julia also works with our corporate and Property Litigation teams.
