Wills, trusts and probate solicitors
Paul Lowery »
Partner and Practice Group Leader
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279030
Email: paul.lowery@bpcollins.co.uk
Link with Paul
Paul graduated from the University of Bradford in 1989 and during a career with the Home Office completed his Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Westminster and the LPC at the College of Law in London. He qualified as a solicitor in 2002.
Paul joined the firm in November 2011 from Mundays LLP in Surrey as a Partner and Head of the Private Client Department.
Paul is experienced in dealing with complex wills, and estate planning matters, including matters with an international dimension. He advises on inter-vivos and will trusts, powers of attorney, elderly client issues and regularly deals with applications to the Court of Protection.
Paul is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and Solicitors for the Elderly.
In his spare time Paul enjoys football, including both playing 5-a-side football and watching Middlesbrough FC wherever possible. He also enjoys motorcycling and spending time with his young family.
Matthew Brandis »
Partner
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279039
Email: matthew.brandis@bpcollins.co.uk
Matthew graduated with LLB (Hons) from Exeter University in 1994, and went on to receive a commendation on the LPC, York. After completing his training at Lee Bolton & Lee Solicitors, Westminster he joined the firm's litigation team in 1997 and became a partner in 2002.
Matthew specialises in resolving commercial contractual disputes, defamation actions, professional negligence claims, advising on parking law and private client matters, including personal injury claims, contentious probate and Magistrates Court cases. Matthew was recently victorious for his client in the groundbreaking and widely reported Westcott v Westcott defamation case. He is also the Solicitor to the Gerrards Cross Community Association. Matthew's clients describe him as being "very personable", an "excellent ambassador for [us]" and "exceeding expectations".
Matthew enjoys skiing, hill walking, travelling (especially Africa) and raising money each year for the St Lawrence Home of Hope Orphanage in Zambia and for Children in Need. Matthew is married and has a young son and daughter.
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Craig Williams »
Partner
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279037
Email: craig.williams@bpcollins.co.ukLink with Craig
Craig graduated from Warwick University in 2000 and completed his LPC in Bristol. He joined B P Collins as a trainee solicitor in 2001, qualified into the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group in October 2003 and became a Partner in 2010.
In addition to his commercial litigation practice, Craig also deals with a range of private client matters with a particular emphasis on contentious trusts and inheritance disputes. He has a vast amount of experience in dealing with litigation arising out of the validity of testamentary documents, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 and disputes regarding the administration of trusts and estates.
Craig has a successful track record at Court, with a number of reported decisions including;
- Fairfax Gerrard Holdings Limited v Zargaran [2003] EWHC 3017 QBD (where an interpleader claim was debarred for failure to comply with certain conditions - now one of the leading cases on interpleader proceedings)
- Fairfax Gerrard Holdings Limited v Yazdi & Talab [2004] EWHC 2079 QBD (where the Court rejected the Defendant's case as dishonest and based on fraudulent evidence) and, in the contentious inheritance arena,
- Shah v Joshi [2008] EWHC 1766 Ch (where a will was successfully contested on the basis that it was a forgery) and
- Clark v Clark & Others [2007] All ER (D) 186 (Dec) (regarding the construction of a Will and the meaning of a disputed clause concerning the Testatrix's farm).
Craig is also an experienced dispute resolution advocate and has successfully settled a variety of commercial and private client disputes at mediation and as part of a broader range of ADR mechanisms.
Craig's interests outside of work include rock climbing and mountain walking.
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Sara Rendell »
Senior Associate and Head of Probate
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279059
Email: sara.rendell@bpcollins.co.uk
Sara graduated from London University in 1992 with a degree in German. She qualified as a solicitor in 1997 and worked in Reading for three years before joining B P Collins in July 2002.
Sara has considerable experience in advising clients in the fields of tax and estate planning as well as in administering estates. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Law Society Probate Section.
Away from the office Sara's interests include horse riding and travel.
Paul Davidoff »
Senior Associate
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279030
Email: paul.davidoff@bpcollins.co.ukLink with Paul
Paul qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and joined B P Collins in May 2010 from a large Surrey law firm. Paul is a Cambridge graduate having studied Classics & Arabic, moving on to the College of Law to complete the LPC with distinction.
He is a STEP qualified solicitor dealing with Wills, Trusts, Tax & Estate Planning (in particular Inheritance Tax matters) and related matters. His clients have included many high net worth clients with assets both in the UK and abroad.
Outside of the office, and when not with his wife and two very young sons, Paul tries to find time for cycling and swing dancing, whilst also being involved in his local church.
Nigel Spoor »
Consultant
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279032
Email: nigel.spoor@bpcollins.co.uk
Nigel qualified as a solicitor in 1976 after graduating in Classics from Durham University in 1973. He has spent most of his legal career specialising in wills trusts and probate and residential and commercial property. He has been a full member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners since 1996 and is a member of the Law Society's Probate Section and Solicitors for the Elderly.
Prior to joining Fairchild Dobbs, he worked with an old-established Essex law firm for 15 years as articled clerk, assistant solicitor and partner. He moved to Buckinghamshire to join Fairchild Dobbs as a partner in 1989. Since Fairchild Dobbs incorporated with B P Collins LLP in January 2012, Nigel is now a consultant in the private client team.
Married to Irene for over 25 years with one son, he has lived in Little Chalfont since 1990. He and Irene are novice members of the Franciscan Third Order and belong to an Anglican church in Amersham. His spare-time interests include listening to and making music (he enjoys playing the piano and organ, and choral singing), theatre, travel and wrestling daily with The Times crossword.
David Wilkinson »
Consultant
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 278665
Email: david.wilkinson@bpcollins.co.ukLink with David
David joined B P Collins in 1982, having previously worked in the City. David specialises in estate planning, wills and associated trusts for private individuals, often in relation to substantial estates and is a trustee of substantial UK and offshore estates.
In the capacity of Notary Public, he regularly visits local companies, large and small, providing notarial service. David is also fluent in French.
David is well respected and consistently ranked as a 'leading individual' in the Thames Valley, by Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession, and is also independently recommended for his personal tax, trusts and probate expertise by clients within the Legal 500 Guide. Peers acknowledge that B P Collins is a top firm for private client work.
In May 2009, David stepped down as partner and group leader of the private client practice but remains at the firm as a consultant for the group and continues his role as a trustee executor and attorney for a number of clients and family trusts. David also aims to expand the notary public practice which he started in 1985.
Julie Congreves »
Associate
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279073
Email: julie.congreves@bpcollins.co.ukLink with Julie
Julie graduated from Leeds University with a BSc (Hons) in Geography and then completed her legal training at the College of Law in York, gaining a distinction in the LPC. She trained at Shakespeare Putsman LLP in Birmingham and joined the Private Client Practice Group at B P Collins in April 2011.
Julie deals with wills and estate planning as well as elderly client matters and acts as assistant to Paul Davidoff and Camilla James.
Outside of the office Julie is a keen football fan and enjoys travelling.
Camilla James »
Associate
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279059
Email: camilla.james@bpcollins.co.ukLink with Camilla
Camilla graduated with an MA in History of Art from the University of St Andrews. After working in publishing for several years, she changed career, studying at the College of Law, London and undertaking her training contract at a firm in Lincoln's Inn.
Upon qualifying as a solicitor, she joined B P Collins LLP where she specialises in tax planning, Wills, Trusts and Court of Protection issues.
Camilla is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly and a Student Member of STEP.
Christine Moore »
Associate
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279003
Email: christine.moore@bpcollins.co.ukLink with Christine
Christine qualified as a solicitor in 1990 and spent four years commissioned in the Army Legal Services. Since 1997, she has worked in a number of local firms including Kidd Rapinet, before moving to B P Collins in September 2007. Christine has experience in advising clients in tax and estate planning and estate administration and is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Cristine Benn »
Consultant Trust Administrator
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279059
Email: cristine.benn@bpcollins.co.ukLink with Cristine
Cristine Benn joined B P Collins in February 2002, having previously had a financial services background with Abbey National Plc and Commercial Banking with Allied Irish Bank. Cristine runs the trust administration section of the private client practice group and deals with the compliance and day to day issues that arise in connection with the many Trusts B P Collins monitor and advise upon. Cristine's interests include Italian culture and language, golf and swimming. Cris is also a mentor for Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Students in relation to trust administration.
William Scott »
Probate Manager
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279003
Email: william.scott@bpcollins.co.uk
William joined B P Collins in July 1995, having previously worked for Hambros Bank, Radcliffe & Co. and Blaser Mills. He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Sharon Heselton »
Probate Executive
Practice Group: Wills, trusts and probate
Call: 01753 279003
Email: sharon.heselton@bpcollins.co.ukLink with Sharon
Sharon Heselton joined B P Collins in July 2006, having previously worked in business development and project management. Sharon deals with probate applications and estate administration and is a Member of the Society of Specialist Paralegals, having specialised in wills, probate and estate administration. She is also a student member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
