
Probate
Inheritance Act
Nicola regularly advises and acts for Applicants, Beneficiaries, and Executors in claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
Mediations and ADR
Nicola regularly acts for parties in mediations, ADR and Judge led FDRs.
Nicola acts for landlords and tenants in all aspects of housing law and homelessness.
Ranked by The Legal 500 as a leading Junior for Commercial, banking, insolvency and Chancery law expertise in the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 directories.
Ranked by The Legal 500 as a leading Junior for Property expertise in the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 directories.
Quotes
"She is very easy to talk to and she is very technical but in a layperson kind of way - she makes things quite straightforward for clients." "Her rapport with clients is exceptional." - Chambers & Partners, 2021
‘Nicola is a pro-active problem solver. She is engaging and great with clients. Nicola is a hands-on lawyer who quickly gets to the heart of the problem and offers insightful advice coupled with practical solutions. Nicola is a well respected and a go-to barrister in this area.’ The Legal 500, 2021
‘An exceptional advocate who puts clients at ease.’ The Legal 500, 2021
“Focuses on contested probate and Inheritance Act claims, and is highly experienced in mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.” The Legal 500, 2020.
“Clever, down to earth, practical and collaborative.” – The Legal 500, 2020.
“An exceptional advocate who puts clients at ease.” – The Legal 500, 2020.
“Very Conscientious and provides sound advice.” – The Legal 500, 2019.
“A superb advocate” – The Legal 500, 2019.
“Incredibly smart and aggressive where necessary.” – The Legal 500 2018.
“An expert in housing cases.”- The Legal 500, 2017.
"Highly knowledgeable, pragmatic and down to earth." - The Legal 500, 2016.
Recent cases include:
Contributor to the Sweet and Maxwell loose-leaf publication “Co-habitation Law and Precedents” (Sweet and Maxwell).
Co-author with Rachel Roche LLM TEP of “Challenging a Will” - an e-book guide to help lay clients understand the process of challenging a will and what the next steps are.
“Inheritance Act Claims – Delay at your Peril” – published in the Law Society Private Client quarterly magazine.
“Habeas Corpse – Who Controls the Body?” – delivered to the Northern Contentious Probate Group in 2019.
Declarations of Parentage and DNA Testing in the Business and Property and Family Courts – delivered to the Law Society in Leeds in 2019.
Regular seminars delivered in Chambers and in-house to solicitors’ firms (titles include: “So Long, Farewell – How, When and Why to remove Personal Representatives” (2019), “Bringing Inheritance Act Claims out of Time” (2019) “Inheritance Act Damages Workshop” (2018).
“A DECLARATION OF DEATH – WHEN, HOW AND WHY TO PRESUME A PERSON DEAD” (2017).
Appointed to sit as a DDJ in 2015
Direct access qualified
Jurisprudence, BA Hons – Merton College, Oxford
MA (Oxon) Merton College, Oxford
Full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners)
Member of the Chancery Bar Association
Member of the Northern Chancery Bar Association Direct Access qualified