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Birketts LLP

Private Wealth Law

High Net Worth Guide 2025 : Norwich and surrounds

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Birketts LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Birketts LLP

We are recognised as one of the leading regional firms in advising private clients on a broad range of issues relating to estates and private property, tax planning and family matters.

Our clients call us when they need our help with something of importance or significance. They expect to receive practical, reliable and experienced advice which is consistent in its quality and is delivered at a price that is fair. They trust us to work with them towards achieving the solution that is right for them.  That trust is earned over time and it is the standard on which our reputation is based.

Unlike other law firms we also have a very experienced legal team who specialise in the legal affairs of individuals and families from the Agricultural and Equine sectors.

Our Wills and Succession Planning Team is renowned for its technical expertise in the area of Wills and succession planning for families. 

Our team gives specialist tax and succession planning advice to individuals, families, business people and landowners. We are able to assist with a wide range of clients' circumstances including straightforward or complex family relationships, small or complex estates involving privately owned businesses, and large property portfolios. We help clients structure their wealth planning so as to protect their heirs against divorce or creditor claims and to achieve tax efficiency.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Wealth Law - Norwich and surrounds

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Birketts remains a leading source of high-quality private client services in East Anglia. The firm provides market-leading contentious and non-contentious advice, including on tax and estate planning and inheritance and trusts litigation.
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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They have a wide range of specialists in-house and they confer to optimise quality of advice and to ensure that it is bespoke to particular clients and business situations.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

  • The Birketts team are just fantastic people. They have everything you want in a team - excellent intellect, great work ethic, tactical nous and, most importantly, a sense of humour.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

  • Birketts are absolutely brilliant. I couldn't ask for more. They are always there when needed.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

  • We were consistently impressed by the quality, clarity and courtesy of the communication, both written and oral.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

  • Birketts' quality and level of knowledge is excellent, and the feeling of being given personal attention from a professional team in a friendly, supportive way is invaluable in a complex area.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Bernadette Baker
    Bernadette Baker

    Bernadette Baker

    Bernadette Baker is head of Birketts' contentious trusts and probate practice, and regularly advises fiduciaries and private clients on trusts litigation, will challenges and Inheritance Act 1975 claims.

    • Bernadette Baker is knowledgeable, sensitive, compassionate and manages clients well. She fights her corner hard, the briefs are very well prepared and she leaves no stone unturned.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Bernadette Baker is very knowledgeable, but also really down to earth in dealing with clients so they understand the process.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • She is great fun to work with and very switched on.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • Lorna Spear
    Lorna Spear

    Lorna Spear

    Lorna Spear handles tax and succession planning, trusts and estate administration matters for wealthy clients. She is also the general secretary of the National Association of Independent Administrators.

    • Lorna Spear is an outstanding professional.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Lorna is very astute and hard-working.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Lorna Spear gives exceptionally good advice. She is clear and professional.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • Susan Young
    Susan Young

    Susan Young

    Susan Young is experienced in trust matters and estate planning. She also assists clients with wills, succession and tax planning, and advises on powers of attorney.

    • Susan and her team have consistently provided committed and continued support with professionalism and friendly reassurance.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Susan demonstrated exceptional expertise in will writing, ensuring the document was comprehensive. Her meticulous attention to detail and client-centric approach made the client feel heard and valued.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • Amanda Smallcombe
    Amanda Smallcombe

    Amanda Smallcombe

    Amanda Smallcombe advises clients on probate and will disputes. She specialises in contentious Court of Protection work.

    • She is very competent and reassuring.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Amanda is extremely experienced and very calming. She will fight for you in a measured way, which is key in litigation. She is good at progressing matters firmly and calmly.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Amanda is really good on the law, careful and analytical. She gets the case right to take forward; she is well prepared.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • Caroline Stenner
    Caroline Stenner

    Caroline Stenner

    Caroline Stenner is very experienced in succession planning matters including probate and trust disputes as well as wills and tax planning.

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  • Claire Tenwick
    Claire Tenwick

    Claire Tenwick

    Claire Tenwick specialises in trust and estate planning as well as tax advice for both UK residents and non-UK residents. She also works on the restructuring of offshore trusts, expatriation, wills and the establishment of charitable organisations.

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  • Hayley Pettitt
    Hayley Pettitt

    Hayley Pettitt

    Hayley Pettitt leads Birketts' private client team in Norwich and brings a vast amount of experience to will structures, estate administration and succession planning matters.

    • Hayley is extremely professional, knowledgeable and personal.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Hayley has a profound knowledge of her subject and was able to provide us with clear and detailed options and advice.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • Kate Harris
    Kate Harris

    Kate Harris

    Kate Harris is a partner in Birketts' Cambridge office. Harris has extensive expertise in advising wealthy clients on succession planning, trusts and estate administration matters.

    • Kate is fantastic with clients and goes above and beyond to make sure their needs are met.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Kate is a no-nonsense litigator who fights hard.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Kate has been and still is absolutely brilliant. She allows me to sleep at night. She is always there for me. I cannot speak more highly of her.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Kate Harris is brilliant with clients and really clever.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
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  • Louise Long
    Louise Long

    Louise Long

    Louise Long is the firm's head of private client advisory in Ipswich. She is respected by interviewees for her tax and administration expertise.

    • Louise provides excellent advice around will preparation. She is commercial yet humane.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
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Ranked Individuals at Birketts LLP (9)

Cambridge and surrounds

East Anglia

Essex

Ipswich and surrounds

Norwich and surrounds

Members

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