People

Emma Facey

Principal Director


Career & Experience

Emma is a member of the firms Charity team and deals with a range of legacy matters.

She advises charities on a range of legacy related matters. The majority of her work involves advising charities that have been left a gift in a will or trust and ensuring that the charity gets to use the money for its charitable purpose. She uses proactive, pragmatic thinking to unpick complicated scenarios to enable a release of cash allowing clients to fund their charitable objectives, such work relates to both legacy disputes and legacy administration.

Emma also advises charities in relation to Will and Trust disputes and complex issues where the charity requires advice on its position as Executor/Trustee and/or Beneficiary.

She also acts for charities as a legacy consultant undertaking legacy administration. She has gained invaluable experience working in-house on secondment with national charities as such Cancer Research UK, National Trust and Save the Children. This experience enables her to provide solution focused advice, based on her understanding of the issues at the heart of the organisation and the intricate connections between charity law, legacies and the importance of building and maintaining relationships with third parties. She oversees the day to day running of the legacy administration team at Foot Anstey.

As the team has evolved and due to her in-house experience, Emma’s role also looks beyond the legal tasks associated with legacies and she is often called upon in an advisory capacity to provide support around accounting practices, risk management and procedures/processes for legacy teams.  She has also carried out strategic reviews and audits which are tailored to client’s needs.

Emma works closely with the firm’s dispute resolution, private wealth and mental capacity teams to provide a seamless service to clients.

She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). She sits on the branch committee for STEP West of England (Chair) and is also a Non-Council Member Representative (Wales & West) on the England & Wales Regional Committee and the Chair. Emma has recently joined STEP’s Professional Development Committee.

Accolades

  • Member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
  • Member of Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)
  • Institute of fundraising - introductory certificate in fundraising.
  • Foot Anstey Innovation Hub Champion
  • Foot Anstey Mental Health First Aider
People

Emma Facey

Principal Director


Career & Experience

Emma is a member of the firms Charity team and deals with a range of legacy matters.

She advises charities on a range of legacy related matters. The majority of her work involves advising charities that have been left a gift in a will or trust and ensuring that the charity gets to use the money for its charitable purpose. She uses proactive, pragmatic thinking to unpick complicated scenarios to enable a release of cash allowing clients to fund their charitable objectives, such work relates to both legacy disputes and legacy administration.

Emma also advises charities in relation to Will and Trust disputes and complex issues where the charity requires advice on its position as Executor/Trustee and/or Beneficiary.

She also acts for charities as a legacy consultant undertaking legacy administration. She has gained invaluable experience working in-house on secondment with national charities as such Cancer Research UK, National Trust and Save the Children. This experience enables her to provide solution focused advice, based on her understanding of the issues at the heart of the organisation and the intricate connections between charity law, legacies and the importance of building and maintaining relationships with third parties. She oversees the day to day running of the legacy administration team at Foot Anstey.

As the team has evolved and due to her in-house experience, Emma’s role also looks beyond the legal tasks associated with legacies and she is often called upon in an advisory capacity to provide support around accounting practices, risk management and procedures/processes for legacy teams.  She has also carried out strategic reviews and audits which are tailored to client’s needs.

Emma works closely with the firm’s dispute resolution, private wealth and mental capacity teams to provide a seamless service to clients.

She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). She sits on the branch committee for STEP West of England (Chair) and is also a Non-Council Member Representative (Wales & West) on the England & Wales Regional Committee and the Chair. Emma has recently joined STEP’s Professional Development Committee.

Accolades

  • Member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
  • Member of Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)
  • Institute of fundraising - introductory certificate in fundraising.
  • Foot Anstey Innovation Hub Champion
  • Foot Anstey Mental Health First Aider

Expertise

  • Legacy disputes which include:
  • Financial abuse claims
  • Professional negligence claims
  • Validity claims
  • Rectification, interpretation, construction issues
  • Claims for financial provision arising under Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975
  • Proprietary estoppel
  • Applications concerning the doctrine of Cy-Prés
  • Ex-Gratia requests/payments
  • Disputes arising out of missing or lost wills
  • Legacy administration and audits
  • Private client inheritance disputes

Related Sectors

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it

Always professional and great to work with. I have complete confidence in the assistance and advice provided by the team at Foot Anstey. We have worked with them for a number of years now and I consider them to be part of our team. I would recommend their charity legacy administration services to anyone.

It’s been such a pleasure working with you. Your professionalism, flexibility and willingness to get the job done at a high standard is truly a credit to Foot Anstey.

Thank you for your email and draft letters. I would just like to say what an excellently constructed letter you have compiled.

Emma Facey has been integral to the entire process, and acts as our port of call. She has run the operation.

Legal 500 UK 2025

‘Emma Facey is hugely supportive.’

Legal 500 UK 2025

“With a really deep knowledge of charities and what they need, Emma’s advice is always spot on.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2025

“Emma provides exceptional advice with a practical approach. She is a pleasure to work with.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2025

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