A dispute over the validity of a late man’s will has ended with a court ruling against the challenge brought by his son, who was disinherited in the document. The case, heard at Central London County Court, concerned the estate of Terrance Pammen, who died in May 2022 at the age of 83, leaving assets valued at £451,840, primarily consisting of a property in Stratford, east London.

Terrance Pammen’s will, dated 2016, left his entire estate to his daughter Tracy Pammen and granddaughter Paige Pammen, excluding his other children, including Gary Pammen. Gary, who also goes by the name Gary Allen and is known as "The Cockney Bard," a self-described psychic poet, challenged the validity of the will, arguing that his father lacked the mental capacity to sign it and did not fully understand or approve its contents at the time.

Representing himself in court, Gary Pammen claimed that the will effectively disinherited the majority of Terrance’s children and grandchildren except for Tracy and Paige, who were beneficiaries of the estate. Gary further alleged that his sister Tracy had improperly accessed their father’s bank accounts during his final years, an accusation denied by Tracy and her legal representatives.

Judge Simon Monty, presiding over the case, rejected Gary Pammen’s claims, concluding that there was “crystal clear” evidence that Terrance Pammen had the requisite testamentary capacity when executing the will. The judge described the plaintiff’s case as being “based upon no more than suspicion borne out of a family disagreement” and criticized Gary’s interpretation of evidence as resulting from “confirmation bias.”

The judge’s decision upheld the validity of the 2016 will and directed Gary Pammen to pay the legal costs incurred by Tracy and Paige Pammen, which amounted to £216,013.85. An initial payment on account of £150,000 was ordered to be made promptly.

Gary Pammen, age 65 and now residing in Norfolk, had maintained a close relationship with his father, stating that they spoke daily and that there was no apparent reason for his disinheritance. Other siblings of Terrance Pammen, including Mark, Jacqueline, and Gemma, were not involved in the litigation.

The court’s ruling concludes the legal contest over the division of the Pammen estate, affirming the testamentary decisions made by the deceased and dismissing the claims brought by his son.