
- Tel:
- Work 0344 880 2666
- DX:
- 122891 CAMBRIDGE 4
- Web:
- www.mills-reeve.com
David Catchpole
- Tel:
- Work 01603 693383
- Email:
Work Department
Contentious Trust & Probate
Position
David is a specialist in contentious trust and probate disputes. He deals exclusively with such matters and has developed a real expertise in this niche area. His work includes helping both individuals and larger organisations like charities or higher educational establishments deal with a whole range of contentious issues relating to trusts and disputed wills. This diverse work covers all sorts of matters, ranging from testamentary capacity and undue influence claims and applications under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, to advising on proprietary estoppel and breach of trust actions.
Career
Trainee solicitor Mills & Reeve 1997 – 1999, solicitor 1999 – 2005, associate 2005 -2106, partner 2016
Member
Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)
Education
University of Manchester (1988 BA Hons)
East Anglia: Private client
Charities and not-for-profit
Within: Charities and not-for-profit
Mills & Reeve LLP is known for 'very prompt response times and it can be relied on to meet deadlines and produce high-quality and considered input that balances depth of expertise and pragmatism'. Practice head Neil Burton 'rates very highly and is very helpful'. With senior associate and charity law specialist Mark Ashton he assisted Francis Crick Institute with setting up a trading subsidiary, as well as advising on endowments and fundraising. Sarah Seed leads a charity fundraising group that handles high-value bond issues and smaller schemes for schools and other charities. Caroline Dean and principal associate Lucy Whipps are recommended for property matters and clients praise their 'excellent experience and ability to ensure that transactions are progressed as expediently as possible'. Dean provided early-stage advice to John Innes Centre on a proposed £250m building at Norwich Research Park. Principal associate Dona Ardeman in the corporate team is 'a valuable partner - very able, thorough, pragmatic and responsive'. 'Very approachable and clear' principal associate Patrick Gass in Cambridge is recommended for employment law matters. He worked with partner Nicola Brown on a commercial agreement for an international science and education charity. Contested legacy specialists David Catchpole and Lucy Howard, and property partner Nick Finlayson-Brown are among the other lawyers who contribute to the practice.
Contentious trusts and probate
Within: Leading individuals
David Catchpole - Mills & Reeve LLP
Within: Contentious trusts and probate
Mills & Reeve LLP is known for ‘excellent response times, in-depth knowledge of the UK legal system, timely advice and a pragmatic approach‘. ACTAPS member David Catchpole leads the team from Norwich and concentrates purely on contentious trust and probate matters. Principal associate Lucy Howard is a rising star and clients comment on her 'excellent service, advice and attention to detail'. The practice deals with disputes concerning the validity of wills, actions involving trustees and executors, claims under the Inheritance Act 1975 and related claims concerning lifetime transactions. Its clients consist of high-net-worth individuals and estates, as well as charities involved in contested legacy matters. Catchpole recently acted for the executors and trustees of a complex £1m estate against which three claims were made.
London: Private client
Contentious trusts and probate
Within: Contentious trusts and probate
Mills & Reeve LLP  has a team that provides ‘always timely responses and points that are well explained with clear recommendations’. David Catchpole is a ‘seasoned litigator. He has a great capacity to soak up detailed facts whilst retaining a commercial outlook’. Principal associate Lucy Howard is also ‘very strong’. The team advises on a broad range of disputes such as the validity of wills, actions involving trustees and executors and also acts for a number of charities involved in contested legacy matters.