DIRECTOR – BA, TEP, CTAPS

Richard is a Director and co-owner of the firm. He gained a BA (Joint Hons) in Law and Politics from Durham University (specifically concentrating on administration and decision making processes), and qualified as a solicitor in 1982 when he joined the firm.

His practice areas cover a wide range of work with the emphasis on trusts, wills and estate planning. He has a wide range of experience with estate administration and is frequently appointed by the Court or consensually to act as an independent administrator.

Richard is frequently appointed as a Trustee of family and business trusts and as an Executor to a significant number of private clients with a wide range of estate size and composition both in England and Wales and abroad.

He was a member of the Law Society’s Wills and Equity Committee for nine years and its Chair for three years.  The Committee responded to Consultation Papers on all aspects of wills, probate, charity law, trusts, and associated taxation, as well as writing the Law Society Practice Notes relevant to these areas of law.  Richard gained a huge insight into the reforms now being implemented.

He frequently lectures to professional and lay groups alike, writes for professional and special interest magazines, and has appeared on Radio 4 and BBC television.

As a passionate supporter of philanthropy in all its forms – financial, practical and as a mentor – Richard now undertakes a significant amount of work for the Cumbria Community Foundation (where he is a Trustee), and both St John’s College Durham. Within the wider Durham University community he is the founding sponsor of the Student Art Prize.

Since 2018 Richard has lived in an apartment in the Cathedral Close at Durham from where he can easily attend both offices.  His interests are classic cars, wine and opera.