28th October 2020 ❘

Our Contentious Probate Team is listed in Prestigious Legal Directory

James Johnston, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution

Our Contentious Probate Team is listed in Prestigious Legal Directory…

Our Contentious Probate team has again been listed as the only Cumbria based law firm in the Legal 500 – the leading guide to law firms and solicitors in the UK – for its expertise in contentious trust and probate disputes. The team’s James Johnston and Johnny Coulthard are also both individually listed in the directory as recommend lawyers in this field.

James Johnston, who heads up the team and is praised in the directory for his ‘calm headed, experienced and intelligent’ approach, confirmed:

“Receiving this recognition for the second-year running is testament to our genuine expertise in this niche area of law. It means a lot to the team to again be listed not least because the Legal 500 base their decision on thorough research and feedback from professionals and clients.

We are extremely well placed, both in terms of our expertise and location, to advise our clients on this unique area of law and we are delighted to be recognised as a market leader not only in Cumbria but across the North of England.”

The team is regularly instructed to advise on an array of contentious trust and probate matters including executor disputes, Inheritance Act claims and challenges to wills. They have a particular expertise in high value agricultural estate disputes and Inheritance Act claims.

Alongside James Johnston, the team is made up of associate Johnny Coulthard and solicitor, Grace Wren, who are supported by a team of paralegals and assistants.

James added:

“Johnny has recently completed an accelerated 3-year course at the University of Law which will enable him to become an associate member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists. This will make him one of the few lawyers in the North of England with this esteemed accreditation which further reinforces our expertise in disputes of this nature.

We have also recently expanded the team with the addition of Grace who will be a great asset to the team.”

With offices in Carlisle, Cockemrouth and Newcastle, the team are able to advise on contentious probate matters across the North of England. If you wish to speak with a member of the team please contact Johnny Coulthard on 01228 552222 or email jjc@burnetts.co.uk.