<strong>Nicola specialises in probate, inheritance, trusts, and COP Property and Affairs work.</strong>Nicola’s practice covers all aspects of contentious and non-contentious probate work, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, trusts matters, and Property and Affairs work within the Court of Protection.Nicola is a full member (TEP) of STEP and is recognised as an exert in her practice areas in both the 2024 Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.Nicola regularly represents clients at mediations and other forms of ADR.Nicola is the author of A Practical Guide to the Law in Relation to Control of the Body After Death, which was published in 2020.Nicola sits as a Recorder and a Deputy District Judge, and Nicola’s sitting as a Deputy District Judge includes sitting in the Court of Protection.

Gareth specialises in employment and clinical negligence.<em>Legal 500</em> identifies him as an 'excellent advocate.' and 'clear, measured and effective'Recent examples of his employment practice include successfully pursuing a group action concerning post-termination clauses for a national employer, successful defence of an unfair dismissal claim by a teacher accused of striking a pupil and settlement on behalf of an employee dismissed for illicit drug consumption. Gareth has represented both employees and employers in all types of discrimination claims, and has particular experience acting for NHS Trusts and medical institutions.Recent examples of his clinical negligence practice includes settlements arising from failure to diagnose optic nerve damage in a 100 year-old client, mis-diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy and failure to diagnose appendicitis in a child, leading to lifelong fertility complications. Gareth acts predominantly for Claimants, but has also drafted Defences, acted in interlocutory hearings and advised in conference for NHS Trusts and private medical institutions.Gareth has acted in the Employment Tribunal, EAT, County Court and High Court.Gareth is a visiting Lecturer at BPP University and an Accredited Investigator.Gareth has practised in Toronto, Canada as a member of the Law Society of Ontario and is able to assist in matters touching on that jurisdiction.

Mike has a well-established reputation as a busy, key clinical negligence barrister boasting strong medical expertise informed by his previous occupation as a dentist. He represents both claimants and defendants in clinical negligence claims of all types and is especially known for his dental negligence expertise.<strong>"Michael Hill has a well-established reputation as a key clinical negligence barrister with a particular focus on dental claims, boasting strong expertise informed by his previous occupation as a dentist. He represents both claimants and defendants. His capabilities in the medical field extend to other core areas such as orthopaedic negligence and delayed cancer diagnosis claims."</strong> <em>[Chambers and Partners, 2023]</em><strong>"Mike is measured, down to earth and approachable. He is calm yet confident and excellent with lay clients. Exceptionally strong in dental cases." </strong><em>[Legal 500, 2023]</em><strong>"Efficient, approachable and understands what solicitors are looking for from his advice." "He is fantastic and always readily available. He offers very strong advice and manages clients very well."</strong> <em>[Chambers and Partners, 2022] </em><strong>"Mike is a very talented lawyer. His previous career as a dentist means that his knowledge of dental negligence claims is second to none. He is calm and measured in his approach and very good at explaining issues to lay clients."</strong> <em>[Legal 500, 2022]</em>Recent cases include: <ul> <li>Spinal Surgery <ul> <li>Inadeuate decompressions</li> <li>Cauda equina</li> </ul> </li> <li>Delayed diagnoses: <ul> <li>Neoplasias</li> <li>Appendicitis</li> <li>Fractures</li> <li>DVT</li> <li>Vestibular schwannomas</li> </ul> </li> <li>Toxicity cases: <ul> <li>Clozapine</li> <li>Hypervitaminosis D</li> </ul> </li> <li>Orthopaedic surgery: <ul> <li>Hip replacements</li> <li>Hip resurfacing</li> <li>TKRs</li> <li>ORIF</li> </ul> </li> <li>Abdominal Surgery <ul> <li>Bowel surgery</li> <li>Gynaecological surgery</li> <li>Cholecystectomy</li> <li>Gastric banding</li> </ul> </li> <li>Dental Claims <ul> <li>Periodontal mismanagement</li> <li>Caries mismanagement</li> <li>Technical execution claims: <ul> <li>Crown and bridge placement</li> <li>Endodontics</li> <li>Implant placement</li> <li>Implant restoration</li> <li>Extractions <ul> <li>OACs</li> <li>Lingual nerve injuries</li> <li>Inferior alveolar nerve injuries</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> His extensive client base includes leading regional and national law firms as well as insurers.Mike provides training to the NHS upon medico-legal matters and risk minimisation.  He provides training to lawyers upon medical and dental claims.Mike has his own clinical negligence and dental negligence focused and blogging website: <a href="http://www.mikehillbarrister.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.mikehillbarrister.co.uk</a>

Emily took up her Tenancy with Parklane Plowden in October 2019 after successfully completing pupillage under the supervision of Alex Taylor and Sara Anning.Prior to her pupillage Emily studied Law at the University of Leeds achieving a first class honours. During her time at university, Emily frequently engaged in mooting and was selected to represent the School of Law in the Essex Court Mooting Competition as a result of her performances in internal competitions. Emily gained further practical legal experience through work placements with a local authority legal department and the Citizens Advice Bureau.Emily went on to study the Bar Professional Training Course at BPP Leeds Law School after being awarded an Advocacy Scholarship by the school. Alongside her studies, Emily acted in the role of Case Manager to lead a team of ten students to challenge potential miscarriages of justice and investigate opportunities to appeal to the CCRC.

Megan is a specialist personal injury, clinical negligence and inquests barrister. She is listed as a “<em>leading junior</em>” for all areas of her practice in the 2025 Legal 500, having been listed as a <em>“rising star”</em> in 2023 and 2024. She is <em>“up and coming”</em> in the 2025 Chambers &amp; Partners guide for personal injury.Megan acts for both claimants and defendants in a wide range of injury claims and is particularly comfortable with fatal accident cases and high value personal injury cases. Her clinical negligence experience is wide-ranging and includes claims involving obstetric injury, surgical negligence, cosmetic procedures, orthopaedic injury, infant and fatal claims. Megan’s practice often involves working at the beginning of a claim through to settlement or trial, meaning her work includes drafting pleadings, advising on merits and quantum, attending expert and client conferences, CCMCs and JSMs.Her clients say “Megan is very knowledgeable and analytical, working beyond her call; she provides clear advice to instructing solicitors and clients. She has excellent client care skills - she handles distressing claim circumstances with care and professionalism.”; “Megan's approach is clear and concise, and she focuses well on the key points of the claim", and “[Megan is] a tenacious advocate who stands her ground well under pressure”.&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span>

Emma Bennett is an extremely capable and adaptable advocate whose broad practice has given her vast experience of appearing alone and as a led junior. She has an extensive criminal law background which has led to her being instructed in some of the country's most high profile cases.Emma is described as "<em><strong>a strong junior</strong></em>" [<em>Chambers and Partners</em>] and "<em><strong>a go to barrister, who loves a scrap and usually wins</strong></em>" [<em>Chambers and Partners</em>]. She is regularly instructed in trials and at inquests because she is known as a "<em><strong>robust advocate</strong></em>" [<em>Chambers and Partners</em>] who "<em><strong>puts her clients at ease and wins over juries</strong></em>" [<em>Legal 500</em>], a "<em><strong>real fighter and a rising star</strong></em>" [<em>Chambers and Partners</em>] and <em>"<strong>she quickly masters a case and her clients love her</strong></em>" [<em>Legal 500</em>].&nbsp;

Stuart has a strong practice comprising chancery, probate, commercial and employment work.  He has a calm, impressive Court presence and is a skilled cross-examiner.  He is also very good with solicitors and lay clients, who appreciate his robust but practical approach and no-nonsense advice.  He has been recommended in both Chambers &amp; Partners and the Legal 500 for many years as one of the top practitioners in his field in the region.His caseload includes disputed wills and Inheritance Act cases (an area where he has a particular interest); proprietary estoppel; trusts of land/TOLATA; property claims; Court of Protection financial disputes, including statutory wills; partnership disputes; unfair prejudice claims; directors disqualification; guarantee claims; professional negligence (especially solicitors); insurance; restrictive covenants; and general chancery and commercial work.Stuart deals with employment matters of all types in the ET; and with his broad civil expertise, he is perfectly placed to handle the full array of Court cases with an employment aspect, including: wrongful dismissal of senior employees; contract claims brought in Court for notice and bonus payments; claims involving directors including breach of service agreements and breach of fiduciary duty; and claims and injunctions relating to restrictive covenants, garden leave, confidential information, breach of contract and springboard injunctions.  He is regularly instructed to act on injunction applications at very short notice.&nbsp;

Marisa is traditional chancery practitioner dealing with contentious and non contentious work involving Wills, Probate, Trusts and Property. She is also instructed in relation to COP Property and Affairs, Capacity, Applications under the High Court's Inherent Jurisdiction.Marisa regularly advises and represents clients in relation to the validity/construction of Wills, disputes involving Executors and PR’s, Part 64 applications and on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and other related matters.  She appeared in the first post Ilott v Blue Cross adult claimant case for financial provision (<em>Nahjec v Fowle</em> [2017] EW Misc 11 CC).Marisa also deals with issues arising out of TOLATA issues and all levels of disputes involving easements, boundary disputes, adverse possession and other claims relating to property in both the High Court and Property Tribunals.In COP work she is instructed by Local Authorities, the OPG, and on behalf of individuals to advise in cases following the Judgment in <em>OH v Craven</em> [2016] EWHC 3146 (QB). She has recently been involved in the reported cases of :- <ul> <li><em>TA v The Public Guardian</em> [2023] EWCOP 63 relating to the duties of a certificate provider and the meaning of the statutory provisions which had previously not received judicial consideration; and</li> <li><em>Irwin Mitchell Trust Corporation v PW &amp; Anor</em> [2024] EWCOP 16 which considered the conflict of interest and self-dealing in relation to a trust corporation instructing a connected asset manager to manage P’s investments.</li> </ul> &nbsp;Marisa practises across the North Eastern, Midland and Wales and Chester Circuits and consequently has appeared in the Business and Property Courts in many regions.Marisa's down to earth approach, direct advice and ability to communicate with clients at any level makes her an ideal choice for litigation in areas where emotions can run high.Marisa is happy to travel for all aspects of her work (usually with no extra charge) and if appropriate can act on a direct access basis.

Anna specialises in probate and trusts litigation and is recommended in both Chambers &amp; Partners and the Legal 500 as a top tier chancery practitioner who is “a fantastic advocate with a sharp mind” and has a “great depth of knowledge”. She advises and appears in cases challenging validity, Inheritance Act claims, rectification and/or construction claims, inter-vivos gifts, professional negligence claims concerning wills,  removing/substituting executors and trustees and Part 64 applications. She also deals with non-contentious matters including advising on administration issues and powers of executors/trustees, cross-border estates, drafting trusts and associated deeds, as well as advising on taxation matters.  Anna also has experience in the Court of Protection.Anna also maintains a property litigation practice, and advises on trusts of land and TOLATA claims, adverse possession, estoppel, covenants, nuisance, rights to light and other easements.Anna has a technical approach but prides herself on being able to explain these concepts clearly to clients.  She has been noted in Chambers &amp; Partners for "using plain, user-friendly, client-friendly language in her opinions"Although based in Leeds, Anna is happy to travel for all court, conference and mediation commitments.

<span style="color: #000000;">Sarah specialises in probate, trusts and tax work (contentious and non contentious) as well as dealing with professional negligence claims relating to those areas of work. In addition she deals with property and affairs applications in the Court of Protection.</span><span style="color: #000000;">Sarah is ranked in Band 1 for Chancery Work in Chambers &amp; Partners and the Legal 500 as well as being the only barrister in the North East ranked as a National Leader (Outside London) in the High Net Worth Guide.</span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> Sarah is described in the HNWG as a </span><i>"P</i><i>henomenal barrister. She is highly knowledgeable and very practical. Her ability to advise on tax as well as legal issues makes her the ideal choice for any complex estate or trust dispute. When in court, she stands out with her advocacy and puts forward a very convincing case."</i></span><span style="color: #000000;">Sarah is a Deputy Head of Chambers.</span>