Protecting Trustees: Beddoe Orders - How to Make a Successful Application

Introduction

Beddoe applications are essential in trust and estate litigation. They provide trustees with court approval before initiating or defending legal proceedings using trust assets.

Trustees have a duty to act prudently and in the best interests of the beneficiaries, but legal action - especially when contentious - can expose them to personal financial risk if the court later finds their actions were unjustified. By making a Beddoe application, trustees seek the court’s guidance and protection, ensuring that any legal costs incurred are properly covered by the trust. This process not only safeguards trustees but also promotes transparency and accountability in the administration of trusts.

This webinar will examine the practical process in making an application, what types of disputes will not be appropriate for Beddoe applications and recent case law to demonstrate the practical implications of successful and unsuccessful applications.

Whether you are a legal professional wanting to learn more about this niche area or a practitioner involved in trust or estate litigation, this session will give you practical insights to navigate the process with confidence.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• Why Beddoe applications exist and when they are necessary in trust and estate disputes
• How to identify situations where trustees or personal representatives should seek court approval before taking legal action
• Step-by-step guidance on preparing, drafting, and submitting a Beddoe application to the court
• A breakdown of essential legal concepts and recent case law shaping the use of Beddoe applications
• How these applications protect trustees from personal liability and ensure costs can be paid from trust funds
• Mistakes to avoid, and best practices for trustees and their legal representatives handling these matters in practice
• Other ways in which trustees can recover costs of litigation where Beddoe applications are not appropriate

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Monday 26th January 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 1,900+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.