Our People - Marianne Nankervis

R&CO - Boxed - Green
Marianne Nankervis

Senior Associate, Roskilly & Co

07957 530 164   |   marianne@roskillyco.uk

I support individuals and families navigating complex and emotionally charged inheritance and trust disputes, offering clear, compassionate advice at what is often a deeply difficult time.

Marianne 1@72x-80

My focus is always on resolving matters with sensitivity and care, while protecting my clients' legal rights and personal interests.

With over 35 years' experience as a dispute resolution solicitor - including senior roles at VWV LLP and Osborne Clarke - I specialise in all aspects of contentious trusts and probate, acting for individuals, charities, executors, and trustees. My work includes:

  • Will challenges
  • Disputes between beneficiaries and trustees
  • Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
  • Professional negligence relating to wills and tax advice
  • Restitution and recovery of assets from fraudulent or invalid wills
  • Claims involving abuse of power of attorney
  • Court of Protection applications, including statutory wills
  • Construction and rectification of wills and trust documents

I believe strongly in resolving disputes outside of court where possible, and have successfully concluded numerous cases through mediation. Clients often come to me feeling overwhelmed, and my goal is to offer both legal clarity and a calm, empathetic approach. I know that behind most inheritance disputes lie not just financial concerns, but also long-standing personal and family tensions - and those deserve to be handled with care.

I am a fluent French speaker, a member of ACTAPS (the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists), and passionate about empowering clients to find resolution in even the most emotionally fraught circumstances.

Reported Cases:

Nemazee v Nemazee [2020] WTLR 637

A little more about Marianne

I'm a contentious probate solicitor based in beautiful Bristol, but with professional roots in London (where I trained and qualified).

Marianne 1@72x-80

Thanks to modern technology, I work flexibly with clients across the UK and internationally - particularly with French-speaking families, given my bilingual background. My French mother and close family ties in France mean I travel there often and understand the cultural and emotional nuances that can shape cross-border estate matters.

Outside of work, I enjoy yoga, Pilates, growing vegetables in my garden, and supporting the Bristol Bears on match days. I'm also learning Italian and love practising it when I travel - Sicily has a special place in my heart. We have close family in Poole and St Ives where we spend cherished time with them. Whether at home or away, family, community, and connection remain at the centre of everything I do - in life and in practice.

My clients say:

She was diligent, strategic, approachable, and an excellent communicator - a formidable opponent who knew when to be conciliatory.

Marianne achieved a better settlement than I could have dared hope for - with such exceptional care and compassion that what had been a traumatic ordeal became painless.

Marianne is extremely knowledgeable, with a kind, compassionate, common-sense approach.

Chambers & Partners

High Net Worth Guide, 2024

After a frustrating and fruitless year in the hands of another law firm, I was about to abandon my case altogether when a friend suggested I speak to Marianne Nankervis. After an hour on the phone with Marianne, I knew I’d found a lawyer in whom I could have total faith, and she did not disappoint. Not only did Marianne achieve a better settlement for me than I could have dared hope for; she did so with such exceptional care and compassion that what had been a traumatic ordeal became painless. For rescuing my children and I from a plight that had looked quite hopeless, I will be eternally grateful to Marianne and the rest of her team.

Marianne Nankervis was diligent, and strategic. She was also friendly and approachable, never rushing us into a decision or applying unnecessary pressure. She was a formidable opponent, but also knew when to be conciliatory, to ensure that we went to court on a strong footing. She took the time to answer our questions during a complicated, arduous process, kept us informed of developments, and patiently listened to our concerns. I thoroughly recommend her services.

Marianne has demonstrated exceptional people skills coupled with sharp business acumen in the handling of our case.

Chambers & Partners

High Net Worth Guide, 2025
Do you think we can help?

Contact us today to see how Roskilly & Co can empower you.