Carla Rist

Carla is a Director in the Private Client Dispute Resolution team based in the Sheffield Office. She is also a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and acts as a Trustee for the RSPCA (Sheffield Branch).

She has over 8 years experience in dealing with a wide range of contentious will, trust and estate disputes. She joined Freeths having previously worked at Irwin Mitchell, heading up their Sheffield team. Carla advises on and has expertise in a whole range of private client disputes, having acted for a range of executors, trustees, charities and individuals. She can help with:

• Contesting the validity of a Will, on grounds of undue execution, capacity, knowledge and approval, undue influence, fraud or forgery, and defending such challenges on behalf of clients
• Resolving executor disputes and administration disputes
• Burial and funeral disputes
• Financial abuse claims
• Trust claims and disputes including proprietary estoppel, resulting and constructive trusts and claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.
• Professional negligence claims relating to wills, trust and estate advice
• Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975

Carla is listed as a Recommended Lawyer and recognised as a Leading Associate in The Legal 500 (2026 edition), and is listed as a Leading Individual in Chambers & Partners (2026 edition). She is also ranked Band 2 in the Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Guide (2025 edition).

Memberships

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