Leeds, United Kingdom
I am an Associate Solicitor at Blacks specialising in all areas related to disputes concerning wills, trusts, inheritances and probate. My background is in general litigation however for the past few years I have specialised in this area.
I have experience of different types of dispute resolution including mediation and formal negotiation. I am profoundly aware that in these sorts of disputes emotions can run high and litigating may not be the best for my clients. I am an advocate for trying to avoid court proceedings if at all possible however I will fight vehemently for my client all the way to trial if that if necessary.
I will act for both claimants and defendants, executors, trustees, beneficiaries. Prior to qualifiying as a solicitor I was a social worker in a hospice. This experience has given me a deeper understanding of issues related to bereavement and also greater awareness of varying mental capacity. I have a calm, understanding yet determined approach which enables me to help clients see the way to a solution.
Head of Inheritance team, specialising in contentious probate
Solicitor in private client team specialising in contentious probate
Trainee then Solicitor in litigation department
My cases vary greatly in value or subject and have covered matters such as:
Applications for the removal of errant trustees
Claims under the Inheritance (provision for family and dependants) Act 1975
The division of several family trusts with a value of over £50 million
Challenges to the validity of wills or lifetime gifts
Disputing a claim of a deathbed gift.
University
1995 - 1998
BA Social Work
University
2002 - 2004
GDL
2004 - 2005
LPC
