Leading Individuals

Next Generation Partners

Personal tax, trusts and probate in East Midlands

Browne Jacobson LLP

Wealth structuring and succession advice for business owners, farms and estates is a cornerstone of Browne Jacobson LLP’s practice. With over 25 years’ experience, Lucy Worwood is the leading partner for personal tax, trust and will drafting and estate and succession planning. She has particular experience in restructuring and advising offshore trustees and providing personal tax planning advice for non-UK domiciliaries. She is also often instructed to prepare bespoke and tax-efficient sills.

Practice head(s):

Lucy Worwood


HCR Hewitsons

HCR Hewitsons‘ private client practice displays ‘breadth of expertise, responsiveness and attention to detail’ in inheritance tax planning, trusts and all manner of private tax for UK and non-domiciled clients. In Northampton, Catherine Ball and Kerri Woodrow work with owners of landed estates, farmers and business owners, on estate planning and wealth preservation, as well as on trusts, wills, probates and powers of attorney. Daniel Curtis heads the practice from Cambridge.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Curtis; Kerri Woodrow


Other key lawyers:

Catherine Ball


Testimonials

‘My solicitor and I got on very well. The communication was efficient, yet warm and I felt able to contact him for whatever reason. He always responded very promptly.’

‘Breadth of expertise, responsiveness and attention to detail’


Roythornes Solicitors

Roythornes Solicitors‘ team leader, Paul Thompson, has a strong reputation in succession planning and providing capital tax advice to landed estates, agri-business owners and enterpreneurs. Robert Webb , likewise, is ‘excellent for agricultural clients’ and advises non-domiciled clients on their exposure to IHT, CGT and preparing Wills to deal with the succession of UK situs assets, and estate administration. Jarred Wright is also recommended in relation to tax, trust and succession planning.

Practice head(s):

Paul Thompson; Jarred Wright; Robert Webb


Testimonials

‘Excellent agricultural knowledge, commercial and preactical solutions for clients clearly delivered.’

‘Robert Webb is excellent for agricultural clients.’

‘The team are friendly and put clients at ease at a potentially difficult time.We work incredibly well together, due to their collaborative nature, befitting our mutual clients.

‘Robert Webb is a great support, along with his team. Our clients like him and we like working with him.’

‘Roythornes appear to work highly collaboratively. Amongst the team they are happy to share knowledge and if one individual does not have the answer then you can guarantee that they will have a colleague that does! They are very fair and like to work closely with their clients, which is greatly appreciated by us.’

‘Jarred Wright is a trusted confidante and we know that his discretion can be assured. He is also a very fair individual who understands business and complicated family scenarios. We feel that the plan that Jarred has put in place for us will protect our family interests for many years to come.’

Shakespeare Martineau LLP

The Leicester and Nottingham-based team at Shakespeare Martineau LLP has a strong high-net worth private client base (including trusts), advising trustees and entrepreneurs on inherited wealth, long-standing and newly acquired wealth. Suzanne Leggott ‘is an outstanding leader of the team’ advising across the full spectrum of private matters and undertakes complex estate administrations on behalf of charity executors and beneficiaries. Director Sarah Brack assists in Court of Protection matters and acts for elderly and vulnerable clients. Emma Carr is ‘very knowledgeable’ in preparation of wills and trusts, and business lasting powers of attorney.

Practice head(s):

Suzanne Leggott


Other key lawyers:

Emma Carr; Sarah Brack


Testimonials

‘Suzanne Leggott is an outstanding leader of the team’

‘Excellent! the whole team are really responsive and proactive for our clients’

‘This team is particularly strong in agriculture and property transaction, they have a good extensive knowledge and hands on approach.’

‘Emma Carr: Very knowledgeable, and personable clients can relate to her she is an excellent team worker.’

Actons

Actons has a wealth of expertise in will drafting, estate administration, trusts and complex Court of Protection applications. The team encompasses the experienced directors Bindiya Patel, Heather Parker and associate, Ruth Swain, all providing key support.

Practice head(s):

Bindiya Patel


Other key lawyers:

Heather Parker; Ruth Swain


Testimonials

‘Bindiya Patel has been invaluable and compassionate during a difficult time. She is knowledgeable and reassuring which has made the entire process smooth sailing even when having to work with an international team.’

‘I have worked with Ruth Swain. She has supported me through the challenges of sorting out a will. I feel she is like a friend I can trust and count on, and I know she will do her best for us at all times.’

‘I received a very professional and personal service from Ruth Swain at Actons. She went above and beyond to support me during probate.’

Flint Bishop LLP

Continuing to grow its administration of estate portfolio with a steady stream of instructions, Flint Bishop LLP is also well equipped to advise on wills, trusts, contentious probate and Court of Protection work. With a background in accountancy, Claire Rudkin deals with all aspects of private client work, often involving high-net-worth estates and complex trusts. William Harper along with associates Marc King, Laura Clare and Samuel Balmbra make up the other trusted counsel in a ‘team with a wealth of experience’. 

Practice head(s):

Claire Rudkin


Other key lawyers:

William Harper; Marc King; Samuel Balmbra; Laura Clare


Testimonials

‘William Harper. Full stop. There are too many exceptional qualities to list of which I think I probably couldn’t identify separately anyway. The combination of skill, experience, knowledge mixed with the person that he is, can only be unique.’

‘Samuel Balmbra has been very helpful, good at his job, kept me informed in everything. If I needed to talk to him with regard to the estate he has always been there to give advice or talk me through things.’

‘Excellent communication and detailed explanation of work to be performed.’

Freeths LLP

The trusts, estates and tax team at Freeths LLP offers a full range of probate advice, acting on a range of matters locally and on a multijurisdictional level concerning multi-million pound estates. The team also handles niche work surrounding asset protection, trust creation and administration of estates. Team head Scott McKittrick has extensive experience advising on wealth preservation and lifetime planning matters. Rahul Kotecha is particularly experienced in estate and tax planning, as well as on matters concerning corporate structures. Marie Cooper deals with the administration of estates including foreign assets and drafting complex wills.

Practice head(s):

Scott McKittrick


Other key lawyers:

Rahul Kotecha; Marie Cooper; Katherine Beggs; Sarah Phillips


Testimonials

‘The people working for the firm are extremely knowledgeable.’

‘Service provided by Rahul Kotecha was outstanding, quality of work was exceptional.’

‘Having a professional contact who is both knowledgeable and efficient is a real bonus for our clients and practice. Marie Cooper has provided an excellent insight to clear, unambiguous legal guidance to our corporate and personal clients.’

‘Rahul Kotecha is very helpful and he has gone the extra mile to get things done. He knows his stuff. In my experience he has been the best solicitor so far in the 50 years plus of using lawyers.’

Geldards LLP

Geldards LLP‘s key partners, Erica Thomson and Jaclyn Barnes maintain a strong track record assisting entrepreneurs and high-net-worth families in wealth preservation, succession planning, trusts and estate administration. Working alongside its corporate, commercial, agricultural, property and family teams, the duo handle all facets of private client matters. Thomson and Barnes are particularly skilled in lifetime tax and estate planning and on the administration of complex probates.

Practice head(s):

Erica Thomson; Jaclyn Barnes


Testimonials

‘I would particularly like to mention Jaclyn Barnes. She was always extremely helpful and very clear about what was happening and why. She made what was a difficult and upsetting process seem much more manageable. She was always prompt in replying to any questions or queries that we had. She could not have been more calming in what was a pretty stressful situation. ’

‘I work with Jaclyn Barnes and she is always very professional. She has a strong grasp of details, but also the human touch and is easily able to put clients at their ease. she also translates the legal jargon to easily understandable concepts for clients. It is a pleasure to work with her.’

Nelsons Solicitors Limited

Instructed on wills and estates, tax planning, creation and administration of trusts and Court of Protection and work, Nelsons Solicitors Limited team is particularly sought after by high net-worth individuals and those with international assets. Wills and probate specialists Jane Sutherland, Helen Salisbury , Catherine McCannah are supported by Nadia Faki, who specialises in surrogacy wills.

Practice head(s):

Jane Sutherland; Catherine McCannah; Nadia Faki; Helen Salisbury


Testimonials

‘Key strengths and capabilities in my opinion are: – the ability to visit clients at home which reduced anxiety for our family – professionals who are knowledgeable, approachable and respectful – Clear and accurate information regarding the processes involved – Efficient delivery of paperwork, etc.’

‘Helen Salisbury was warm, welcoming and professional. Great communication, always updated, worked quickly but accurately.’

‘Helen Salisbury was so professional, polite and informative. She had great patience and compassion in what was a difficult time. I cannot thank her enough for all the advise given to me.’

‘Super efficient, prompt, speedy response to issue’s raised. Helen Salisbury at Derby office is excellent and very very knowledgeable. Helen and her team at Nelsons are excellent and I would highly recommend them .’

‘Catherine McCannah was knowledgeable in her field and gave us a range of options. There was no pressure to pick a particular option and she discussed each in an easy, understandable way.’

Chattertons

Chattertons‘ ‘very welcoming, knowledgeable and profession team’ continues to expand, welcoming partner Corrine Le Huquet in January 2023, alongside several private client executives and experienced associates across its numerous offices. Led by Lincoln-based Amanda Voakes, the department also counts Stamford based partners, Anna Howat, Claire Clarke and Rebecca Taylor, who are experienced in trusts, taxation, probate and estate administration work. Anna Dales in Lincoln focuses on wills, lasting powers of attorney, Court of Protection matters, inheritance tax and administration of estates.

Practice head(s):

Amanda Voakes


Other key lawyers:

Corrine Le Huquet; Anna Howat; Rebecca Taylor; Claire Clarke; Anna Dales


Testimonials

‘In my opinion a very professional and friendly team offering a great service.’

‘Anne Dales is doing a remarkable job and I would sincerely recommend her to anyone.’

‘I felt confident in their abilities and appreciated their care. Lincoln as a city is a place where there are still connections that go back generations, and Chattertons and it’s many offices throughout Lincolnshire are testament to the esteem in which they are held. They are respected professionally and importantly they still appear to show to their clients a personal face in often difficult circumstances.’

Howes Percival LLP

Alexandra Hornsby is the primary contact at Howes Percival LLP, providing experienced counsel in complex wqills, trusts and estates as well as specialising in charity law matters. Her practice also spans personal tax, succession planning for OMBs, and all areas of trust work. Associate Lucy Elianu also deals with probate and administration. Tom Lawrence heads the private client department from Norwich.

Practice head(s):

Alexandra Hornsby; Tom Lawrence


Other key lawyers:

Lucy Elianu


Testimonials

‘Alex Hornsby is clearly very knowledgeable – she is thoughtful and thinks things through. I was very impressed and grateful for her advice.’

‘Howes Percival are outstding in there help, support, knowledge and straight talking. They for me are the very best in Law firms in the county.’

‘Lucy Elianu – her support throught out and knowledge is second to none. A wonderful person to have on your side.’

Rotheras

Taking over from Jayne Smith in early 2023 as Rotheras‘ head of department, Kirsten Wood has deep experience specialising in will drafting, tax, trusts, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney. Remaining active, Smith offers significant expertise in probate, court of protection, lasting powers of attorney, elderly client and tax planning issues.

Practice head(s):

Kirsten Wood


Other key lawyers:

Jayne Smith


Testimonials

‘As a private individual, I have found this practice to be extremely helpful with the typical issues a family is likely to encounter over a period of time. They have prepared wills, and LPAs for us. On each occasion the partner we dealt with was professional, knowledgable, patient and considerate. All work was prepared accurately and produced in a timely manner.’

‘Kirsten Wood exemplifies everything one would ask for in a family solicitor. She has a broad range of skills and has worked with us with the minimum of fuss and maximum efficiency. We have used Rotheras over many years and Kirsten Wood is another example of the excellent people they employ.’

‘Professional approach with a very positive, friendly and helpful attitude.’

Sills & Betteridge LLP

Andrew Durkan and Richard Bussell are the key partners at the Lincoln office of Sills & Betteridge LLP, specialising in Wills and probate, and succession planning, including associated tax planning, respectively. David Wood has longstanding experience as a private client and tax specialist, with a particular emphasis on high net worth clients, business owners, farmers, landed estates and trustees.

 

Practice head(s):

Andrew Durkan; Richard Bussell


Testimonials

‘The relevant skill sets and corporate knowledge are plainly evident in the firm. The effective and efficient handling of probate is a key factor in the firm’s ability to reassure clients that they are receiving the highest level of professional care and conduct.’

‘This is an exceptionally good firm. I have used many lawyers in the past – both personal and corporate, but none have made me feel as secure as Sills and Betteridge. To me they represent excellent value for money and complete peace of mind. Most firms claim to put the client at the centre of operations but this firm really does it. Put simply they make everything easy, which is exactly what you need when your life is in chaos.’

‘Andrew Durkan is a Partner responsible for Trusts, Wills and Power of Attorney. He explained to us exactly what he could do to help us in a very straightforward manner that was easy to understand. This practice is well respected in Lincoln for their diversity where relevant, clarity of billing and respect shown to people.’

‘Andrew Durkan – professional, understanding, explained everything clearly and spoke in a language I understood. They felt human.’

‘Richard Bussell’s professionalism has been outstanding when dealing with  Family Trusts, always has time to explain in layman’s terms, the care and consideration, one could not ask for more.’

‘The relevant skill sets and corporate knowledge are plainly evident in the firm. The effective and efficient handling of probate is a key factor in the firm’s ability to reassure clients that they are receiving the highest level of professional care and conduct.’

‘Richard Bussell is a very keen legal mind with an excellent understanding not only of the law but also accounts which give him the abililty to provide a very full advice’

‘Andrew Durkan: Andrew has a good all round knowledge in private client work and estate and trust tax planning he has a sound knowledge and good client rapport.’

Wilson Browne Solicitors

Neelam Maher and Vicki Pearce  co-head Wilson Browne Solicitors‘ ‘professional, friendly, courteous and most of all empathic’ private client department. As a trusts and tax specialist, Maher primarily deals with probate and estate administration, inheritance tax planning, trust creation, and administration. Pearce combines her expertise and position as head of Court of Protection and care home teams to advise on administration of estates, drafting wills, tax implications and matters related to elderly clients.

Practice head(s):

Neelam Maher; Vicki Pearce


Testimonials

‘The team at Wilson Browne were always professional, but also friendly, courteous and most of all empathic. The process throughout was handled patiently and efficiently. It was a great comfort to know that all was in safe hands.’

‘Neelam Mayher, took the time to have a friendly ‘chat’ with my dad to get to know him find out about his hobbies/ interests etc and earn his trust before any legal matters were discussed.’

‘Vicki Pearce is wonderfully knowledgeable and conveys her wisdom in an easy to understand manner’