Justin Roberts

Justin becomes the second solicitor within the firm to reach this achievement and Gedye & Sons becomes one of the only firms in the Lake District to be able to offer this level of experience.

The prestigious association is a forum for solicitors who specialise in contentious trust and probate work to exchange experience and know-how on this complex area of law. To be accepted as an Associate Member, solicitors must successfully complete a rigorous three year training course.

As well as ensuring that its members are specialists in dealing with contentious probate cases, ACTAPS have also produced a code of conduct which its members must adhere to. The main aim for ACTAPS is to provide clear guidance for solicitors dealing with contentious trust and probate disputes and a focus on Court proceedings being the last resort.

By following the code the objective is to pursue claims in a manner which will help avoid hostile litigation but, where litigation is necessary, to ensure that it is simplified through the exchange of relevant information and documentation before a claim is actually issued at Court.  This helps to avoid the high costs of litigation and to maximise the prospect of achieving an early settlement whether by negotiation or formal mediation. This is ultimately in the client’s best interests.

Gedye & Sons, one of a hundred nationwide firms to hold the WIQS accreditation are widely recognised for their significant experience of handling claims concerning disputed wills, inheritance act claims, estate administration and contested probates. Whether acting against an estate or for one of the executors. Justin, as a member of the contentious probate team also have considerable experience of Court of Protection claims and claims relating to the abuse of Powers of Attorney, as well as disputes between trustees, including applications to remove trustees and executors.

On being accepted as an associate member of ACTAPS, Justin commented, “Having specialised in this field for several years I am delighted to have completed the ACTAPS course. Membership is a benchmark for practitioners in this field and it underlines my own experience and that of our team when it comes to providing specialist, tailored advice to our clients”.