Contentious trusts and probate

Birketts LLP

Birketts LLP has a dedicated contentious trusts and probate practice that works across all of its offices, but the key expertise lies in Norwich with practice head Bernadette Baker, and in Cambridge with ‘calm and constructive’ legal director Kate Harris. Together they have ‘excellent specialist knowledge and provide pragmatic advice’ on cases concerning trustee or executor responsibilities, the validity of a will, matters of mental incapacity caused by dementia, and claims under the 1975 Inheritance Act. Baker and Harris recently assisted a deceased father’s children with a £5.4m challenge to his will. Katie Emerson joined the team in June 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Kate Harris is a sensible and thoughtful lawyer with a calm and constructive approach to litigation. She communicates well and inspires trust and confidence in those she works with.’
‘The contentious trusts and probate team led by Bernadette Baker has excellent specialist knowledge and provides pragmatic advice. ’
‘Anna Kelly stands out. She is greatly valued by her clients, as she builds a clear understanding of their needs and offers sensible, expert advice. She is also highly organised and efficient.’
‘Kate Harris is knowledgeable, calm under pressure and good at dealing with difficult clients.’
'Kate Harris is a new partner and one to watch. She has fantastic attention to detail, is brilliant with clients and highly intelligent.'
'Kate Harris is stand out. She is an exceptional lawyer - clever, sincere, experienced, and lovely to deal with it. Brilliant with estates litigation. Bernadette Baker is also excellent. Delightful to deal with it, responsive, energetic and inspires from the top.'
‘Bernadette Baker is one of the leading partners in this area, certainly outside London. She is fantastic with clients and lovely to work with. Kate Harris must surely be a partner imminently. She is incredibly smart, very personable and the sort of person you want on your side.’

Work highlights

Represented the Leonard Children in a High Court Trial in November 2023 in the dispute over the validity of their late father’s will.
Successfully represented Mr Bruce Constantine in the reported High Court case relating to an application for relief from sanctions, in a long-fought High Court contested probate claim.