Jeremy John Langley & Anor v Sophie Anne Langley & Anor

Facts

Anne Shirley Langley died on 1 May 2024. Two of her three children brought a probate claim in which they seek to propound an apparent will dated 27 August 2020, of which the first claimant, the second defendant (a longstanding friend of the deceased) and a Mr Walter Thrush had been appointed executors; Mr Thrush renounced by deed dated 17 August 2024. There is also an earlier apparent will dated 2 October 2018. The executors applied for probate of the 2020 will on 4 November 2024, but were told on 26 November 2024 that the first defendant, the third child, had entered a caveat against the issue of a grant. She regards the most recent will as invalid, and on 6 October 2025 applied to HMCTS for the issue of a citation requiring the executors to propound it; the Leeds District Probate Registry declined to proceed with the citation once the probate claim had been issued in the Chancery Division on 9 October 2025. Master Clark transferred the claim to the Business and Property Courts in Bristol on 21 October 2025. An earlier application by the first defendant seeking a review of an order dismissing her application to stay the probate process was dismissed on 28 May 2026. By notice dated 22 April 2026 the claimants applied for the appointment of Ms Sian Moreton as administrator pending suit under section 117 of the Senior Courts Act 1981.