Laura Lillian Key v Richard Duncan Key

Facts

Grace Baillie Key died on 28 September 2022 aged 84, leaving a will dated 11 November 2014. Her two adult children, Laura and Richard Key, are the joint executors and sole beneficiaries. The principal assets are Ebury Lodge in Little Hadham, Hertfordshire (probate value £2m), Mrs Key's shareholding in the family business Ebury Court Residential Home Limited (gifted equally to the parties), personal chattels and a small life policy. The siblings are estranged, and from just over a week after the death Laura sought the appointment of an independent administrator, complaining of delay, of Richard's rent-free occupation of the Property, of his entering a caveat, and of a series of allegations including forgery and misuse of company funds. Richard maintained that the parties could administer the estate jointly with directions from the court. No grant of probate had been obtained, inheritance tax fell due unpaid on 28 March 2023 and interest has since accrued to about £142,000. The Property was marketed unsuccessfully at £2.5 million and then £2 million; a mediation in November 2024 failed. Laura issued this Part 8 claim on 10 July 2025 seeking Richard's removal and the appointment of Cripps Trust Corporation Limited, and Master Clark ordered five issues to be determined.