<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>

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>

Sean undertakes a broad range of Chancery and commercial work with emphasis on partnerships, company law, banking, contractual disputes, land law (including land registration), landlord and tenant and administration of estates. Sean has a science background and also deals with engineering and technical disputes.As well as litigation, Sean is experienced in non-contentious drafting and transactional advice particularly with regard to companies and partnerships.Authorised to accept public access work.Sean has been an accredited mediator since 2011.

Cait has a busy chancery practice and has been described as “<em>intelligent, forward-thinking and collegiate</em>” (<em>Chambers and Partners</em>) and “<em>a smiling assassin who gets results not by being aggressive and difficult but by building trust with the court as a result of sensible, clear and concise submissions</em>” (<em>Legal 500</em>).She advises and appears in:- Contentious and non-contentious private client cases. - Property cases. - Commercial disputes. - Professional negligence claims.&nbsp;

Amy is a specialist employment and personal injury barrister. She is consecutively recommended in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 for employment law in 2023 and 2024.&nbsp; <h5>Employment law</h5> Amy's practice covers all areas of employment and discrimination law with experience both in the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. Amy represents both claimants and respondents. She enjoys advising and drafting as well as representing clients at preliminary hearings, final hearings and in judicial mediations.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She is frequently instructed in complex multi-day unfair dismissal, contractual, discrimination, victimisation and whistleblowing claims. She provides exceptional client care and undertakes meticulous preparation to ensure best possible advocacy for clients.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> Clients include </span>NHS trusts, local authorities, charitable organisations, law firms as well as companies in tech, leisure, hospitality and retail industries.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Amy continues to grow an appellate practice and enjoyed recent reported success in the Employment Appeal Tribunal. She is qualified to accept instructions on a Direct Access basis and is appointed to the Attorney General’s Civil Panel of Counsel (C Panel).&nbsp; <h5>Personal Injury</h5> Amy has broad experience of personal injury litigation. She receives regular instructions in trials and interim hearings on all tracks. Amy acts on behalf of claimants and defendants with a particular focus on employers’ liability claims and providing advice on quantum. Amy is happy to act from an early stage through to trial.&nbsp;Amy studied Law at Queen Mary University of London and gained First Class awards in Company Law and Medical Law. Amy has previously professionally trained in acting at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). In her spare time she enjoys playing netball, surfing, exploring the North East coast with her dog as well as being a foodie and theatre-goer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>