An appeal has been launched by the RSPCA over a High Court judgement overturning a will leaving the charity £2.35 million. The charity believes that if the decision is ultimately up held by the Court of Appeal it could have serious implications for charities benefiting from large Legacies.

The charity had been left the substantial Legacy by a Mr and Mrs Gill. However their daughter challenged the will and a High Court judge found that Mrs Gill had been coerced into signing her will by her "domineering" and "bullying" husband.

A representative from the RSPCA  said that if thay and other charities were to lose income every time a will was challenged people would begin to question whether there was any point in leavng money to a charity in the first place which would mean that they would lose out significantly.

In a statement outside court ,11 organisations including RSPB, Great Ormond Street and the Charities Aid foundation said: 

"It is crucial that this matter is finally settled one way or the other so that charities can be more certain of the legal landscape and can plan accordingly.

"Charities want to focus all their efforts in helping society, not spending time in courtrooms. This case also highlights how important it is for people thinking of leaving money to charity in their Will to inform those closest to them of their wishes during their lifetime."