Anna Illingworth
Partner
Contentious Probate, Employment
Anna specialises in Employment Law and Contentious Probate. She qualified as a solicitor in 1998. She joined Rowberry Morris in January 2011 and became a partner in 2012.
Employment
Anna Illingworth is recommended in the Legal 500.
She advises employers and employees in relation to contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Areas covered include investigations, recruitment, appraisal, sickness and absence management, flexible working, contracts of employment, restrictive covenants, staff handbooks and employment processes, and systems and reorganisations.
She also advises employers and employees in relation to employment disputes in the employment tribunals and courts.
Areas covered include, restrictive covenants, unfair dismissal, discrimination (including in relation to age, sex, maternity, race, disability and sexual harassment) breach of contract and wrongful dismissal, whistleblowing and redundancy.
Anna has specialist experience in: –
- Complex claimant discrimination cases especially relating to disability, age and race and sexual harassment.
- Acting for Claimants with Neurodiverse disabilities.
- Reasonable adjustments within proceedings to enable disabled parties to properly participate.
- Complex and sensitive whistleblowing investigations for employers particularly in heavily regulated sectors, financial services, pharmaceutical and, charity.
- Restrictive covenant disputes.
- Negotiating high value settlement agreements.
Employment cases of note:
Miss J Attridge v DB Engineering and Consulting GMBH
Dr S Turton -v- Mid Kent College
Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust v Mrs A Allen:
Mr A I Malik v AI-Mubarakia Ltd:
Mrs E Jolly v Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust:
Contentious Probate
Anna is a long time Member of ACTAPS and has over 20 years’ experience in specialist experience in contentious probate and trusts disputes including in relation to validity, lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, forgery, want of knowledge and approval and misappropriation of Estate Assets.
She also advises in relation to claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and in relation to disputes between Executors.
Current cases include:
Applications to appoint Independent Administrators where Executors appointed under a will are unable to agree a way forward.
Advancing and defending claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, brought by cohabitees, siblings, stepchildren, those maintained by the deceased.
Advancing and defending claims relating the validity of the deceased’s will on grounds of capacity, want of knowledge and approval, and undue influence.
Advising Trustees who are in dispute with their Co Trustees.
Investigatory steps such as Larke and Nugus requests of will writers and Section 25 requests of PRs.
ADR and Mediation
Anna is committed, wherever possible, to finding a resolution to contentious matters through alternative dispute resolution methods (‘ADR’), for example, mediation. When used appropriately, ADR can be a cost-effective and quick way of resolving any type of conflict or dispute informally and confidentially.
Trustee role
Anna is a long serving Trustee of Citizens Advice Tadley
Outside of work
Anna enjoys running, walking, gardening and in quieter moments, cooking, reading, enjoying wine and good food with friends, family and pets.
What our clients say:
“Outstanding service and advice driven by a passionate attitude to win.”
“Professional, effective, fast and very approachable service.”
“Anna is brilliant – she knows everything about employment law and is calm and supportive – I cannot thank her enough for dealing and being successful with my situation.”
“I cannot thank Anna and her at team enough for the exceptional support and representation she provided during my maternity redundancy case. From the start, she showed genuine empathy, deep legal expertise, and a clear commitment to protecting my rights. Navigating a redundancy situation while on maternity leave was incredibly stressful, but Anna guided me through every step with confidence and compassion. She took the time to explain my options in plain language, answered all my questions with patience, and fought to ensure a fair outcome. Her attention to detail and strategic thinking were truly impressive.”
“Anna was recommended to me during a difficult period. From first contact, first dealing with Ruth (Pocock) and then Anna, nothing was too much trouble. The level of detail was delivered not only professionally but friendly and with empathy too. I have no hesitation recommending Rowberry Morris.”
“I’m not normally someone who leaves reviews, however the legal help I received from Rowberry Morris was outstanding. I was suspended from work pending an internal investigation. From the moment I contacted Rowberry Morris I was treated with professionalism and understanding. The processes were explained clearly to me and they kept me updated throughout. Needless to say I was completely exonerated and returned to work with quickly.”
“Rowberry Morris Thames Valley LLP gave us clear detailed advice on how to proceed with our dispute over our late mother’s will. They guided us through a difficult and traumatic process. Without their invaluable guidance and assistance we are sure we would not have had a successful outcome.”
“We were put in touch with Anna at Rowberry Morris by our HR advisors, who recommended engaging with her in relation to an ongoing issue we have with an ex-member of staff. Anna and the team were brilliant from start to finish, providing reassurance, great advice and dealing with a situation professionally and without the need for too much input from us, which in turn reduced the stress it was causing.”
“Anna Illingworth supported me with excellent legal advice about a tricky HR issue I had with my company. Her advice was detailed, clear and very helpful in sorting the matter out. I would recommend Anna and Rowberry Morris to anyone in need to advice.”
“I cannot speak too highly of all members of the team at Rowberry Morris who supported me with great sensitivity during a very stressful time. Superb service, again highly commended.”
Contact details:
To contact Anna, please email anna.illingworth@rowberrymorris.co.uk or contact her assistant, Ruth Pocock on 0118 9516625 or at ruth.pocock@rowberrymorris.co.uk.