RSPCA / Gill: Court of Appeal upholds decision

The Court of Appeal has today upheld a High Court decision to overturn a mother’s will which left a £2million family farm to the RSPCA.

In October 2009, The High Court overturned Dr Gill’s mother’s will, ruling that it was invalid and that Dr Gill’s mother, Joyce Gill, who died in August 2006, had made a will that was contrary to her own wishes.

Dr Gill’s solicitors, Mishcon de Reya, today released the following statement on her behalf:

“I am delighted that the Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court decision to overturn my mother’s will.  It was a matter of huge regret and disappointment to me and my family that the RSPCA chose not to accept the original decision, forcing us to endure another court hearing. We can now settle back into our lives on the family farm that I love, and which I have dedicated many years to maintaining”.

Mark Keenan, Partner at Mishcon de Reya, added: "The Court of Appeal has said that it will give its reasons in due course, so we cannot provide detailed comment at this stage. However we are delighted that the Court of Appeal has upheld Judge Allen's decision that this will did not reflect Mrs. Gill’s wishes.”