http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/54/section/114Senior Courts Act 1981An Act to consolidate with amendments the Supreme Court of Judicature (Consolidation) Act 1925 and other enactments relating to the Senior Courts in England and Wales and the administration of justice therein; to repeal certain obsolete or unnecessary enactments so relating; to amend Part VIII of the Mental Health Act 1959, the Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act 1968, the Arbitration Act 1979 and the law relating to county courts; and for connected purposes.1981-09-01texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-02-18Expert Participation2026-02-18 Senior Courts Act 1981Supreme Court Act 1981s. 31(3)(a)Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015s. 85(1)(a)s. 95(1)Senior Courts Act 1981Supreme Court Act 1981s. 31(3)(b) and wordCriminal Justice and Courts Act 2015s. 85(1)(b)s. 95(1)Senior Courts Act 1981Supreme Court Act 1981s. 31(3A)(3B)Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015s. 85(2)s. 95(1)Supreme Court Act 1981Senior Courts Act 1981s. 31(3)(a)Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015s. 85(1)(a)s. 95(1)Supreme Court Act 1981Senior Courts Act 1981s. 31(3)(b) and wordCriminal Justice and Courts Act 2015s. 85(1)(b)s. 95(1)Supreme Court Act 1981Senior Courts Act 1981s. 31(3A)(3B)Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015s. 85(2)s. 95(1) Part V1141Probate or administration shall not be granted by the High Court to more than four persons in respect of the same part of the estate of a deceased person.2Where under a will or intestacy any beneficiary is a minor or a life interest arises, any grant of administration by the High Court shall be made either to a trust corporation (with or without an individual) or to not less than two individuals, unless it appears to the court to be expedient in all the circumstances to appoint an individual as sole administrator.3For the purpose of determining whether a minority or life interest arises in any particular case, the court may act on such evidence as may be prescribed.4If at any time during the minority of a beneficiary or the subsistence of a life interest under a will or intestacy there is only one personal representative (not being a trust corporation), the High Court may, on the application of any person interested or the guardian or receiver of any such person, and in accordance with probate rules, appoint one or more additional personal representatives to act while the minority or life interest subsists and until the estate is fully administered.5An appointment of an additional personal representative under subsection (4) to act with an executor shall not have the effect of including him in any chain of representation.