The Judges

With over 25 years of experience in the legal sector — including 13 years as an independent consultant — David Baskerville is a recognised authority in Legal Technology, known for his pragmatic advice and clear-eyed thought leadership. His deep sector expertise spans law firm operations, legal IT strategy, and the delivery of complex, high-stakes technology transformations.

David specialises in the creation and execution of legal technology strategies that are both commercially grounded and future-focused. He thrives on delivering “once in a decade” IT change programmes, particularly those involving significant business and technical transformation. His work regularly bridges the gap between strategic vision and operational delivery, ensuring that technology investments deliver measurable value.

Whether advising on system selection, leading change management initiatives, or steering firms through large-scale IT overhauls, David brings clarity, confidence, and credibility to every engagement.

Nick is the founder and managing director of the W&P Legal Group, this October he is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the firm. Nick is a member of the SWW Professional Standards Board and a Fellow of the Society, he is a CILEX Chartered Paralegal and a qualified civil and commercial mediator, specialising in probate disputes. He also serves on the STEP worldwide disciplinary panel. A national and international speaker on Private Client issues, He first served the industry back in 2013 as a member of the Legal Services Board consumer panel and has been active in the governance of the sector ever since.

A graduate from King’s College, University of London, Lakshmi is a marketing specialist with over 30 years’ experience in all aspects of business strategy and marketing in the commercial, public and not for profit sectors. She worked her way up to director level, taking time out to do a full time MBA in 1990 – 91. She is specialist in marketing strategy creation, strategic branding, proposition development, new product and service development and service delivery as well as marketing communications and PR. She spent several years working as a consultant in the legal profession and in 2004, she joined The Association of Lifetime Lawyers as its development officer and in 2010, became its chief operating officer. In January 2014, she was appointed as its chief executive.

Darren is ‘the property expert who has dedicated his career to the world of Private Client Law’. Since 2013 Darren has pioneered services to assist legal professionals and their clients, for property related to Probate, Court of Protection, and Trust. Until Darren created and introduced these services, the way solicitors handled property matters looked very different. It is his work in innovating services that has gained him recognition from organisations such as The Law Society – who approached PLG in 2024 to collaborate as their Probate Property Specialists. Darren also writes Thought Leadership Articles for The Law Society and is the very first property expert to speak at their Private Client Conference.

Anthony joined The Society of Will Writers in 2016. Since 2020 he has held the position of Managing Director and alongside the day-to-day operations of the SWW, he helps develop and manage relationships with SWW members and partners, key industry stakeholders, and the public. As an advocate for training and professional development, Anthony champions the SWW’s aims of raising standards in the will writing profession. Providing access to services, educating, and guiding its members, as well as giving vital consumer advice to the public is all part of how the SWW under his leadership achieves its aims.

Neil Fraser is a partner at Fraser and Fraser, one of the UK’s leading probate research and legal genealogy firms, renowned for its innovation and integrity. Joining the firm in 1998, Neil became a partner in 2007, steering the practice toward regulatory excellence and transparency. A passionate advocate for professional standards, he founded the Association of Probate Researchers (APR) and has driven the adoption of CILEX Chartered Paralegal qualifications within the sector. Neil was honoured as the UK Paralegal of the Year in 2021, reflecting his dedication to raising industry benchmarks. With extensive experience managing complex, multi-jurisdictional estates, he is the figurehead of the industry.

Sue is a leading industry expert, acknowledged for her independence, experience and reputation as a serious thinker about the legal sector and its future. After a career of approximately 40 years in Banking, established her own consulting business, in 2021. She is an independent Non-Executive Director at Switalskis Solicitors, where she is involved in the group’s financial management and performance, is a Management Board member, chairs their Director’s Remuneration Committee, and sits on their EDI committee. Additionally, Sue advises a sole practitioner on succession planning for the owner’s planned retirement, is a Management Board member for a growing law firm with turnover c£16M, and acts as an independent consultant for a large legal services group expanding through acquisition.

Holly Chantler is an award-winning solicitor specialising in mental capacity law at Morr & Co LLP.  She is the author of A Practical Guide to Assessing Mental Capacity and A Practical Guide to the Court of Protection and a co-author of The Law Society’s Elderly Client Handbook and Butterworth’s Law and Finance for the Older Client and regularly lectures on these issues.  She is a director of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers and The Professional Deputies Forum and sits on the Court of Protection Rules Committee.  She is ranked in Chambers and the Legal 500, where it has been noted “Holly Chantler is a leading practitioner and very much at the top of her field”.

Emily Deane TEP is an internationally qualified solicitor having practised in the UK, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. She specialises in all aspects of the private client industry including wills, property, tax planning, estate administration, onshore and offshore trusts. As Technical Counsel and Head of Government Affairs at STEP she informs public policy and promotes best practice in the private client industry, working with global regulators, lawmakers, and stakeholders.

Tasnim is the founder and Managing Partner of Private Client Solicitors, a boutique law firm in Manchester. Tasnim acts for entrepreneurial clients, business owners, landed gentry and ultra-high net worth individuals in all matters related to estate planning and wealth protection, nationally and internationally.  Tasnim also advises a vast amount of wealthy non-domiciled clients and has a specialist interest in Shariah and Charity Law.  Tasnim is Trailblazer, Northern Power Woman 2024 and Northern Powerhouse Private Client Lawyer of the Year 2025 . Tasnim is a regular panel expert.

I am the founder of Philip Anthony Associates Limited and have been involved in will writing and estate planning for over 20 years ago I am based in Manchester. During this time, I have helped many thousands of families with their estate planning needs. I have in the past been a fellow of the SWW. I was one of the original members of the advisory panel when the BEST foundation was set up.  BEST is a professional body dedicated to advancing standards in estate planning sector I have had the honour being Chairman of this organisation since May 2023.

After a successful career in training and management, Chris joined the Legal Services industry in 2014. He began as a Probate Consultant for Co-op Legal Services, helping individuals during distressing times. In 2017, he moved to Kings Court Trust, supporting Will writers and estate planners with probate needs. Chris built a strong reputation in the estate planning community, forging valuable relationships. In 2021, Chris joined ZEDRA, focusing on integrating and promoting its Probate service. Recognising the need for better learning opportunities for Will writers, he created the Do More. Achieve More Estate Planning Group, offering technical, personal development, and product-based sessions. He also launched the monthly partner newsletter, The A to ZEDRA. Chris’s efforts earned him a nomination for the 2022 Industry Champion award at the BWAPs, though he remains humble, driven by his passion for helping people, he is also on the Advisory Board for the BEST Foundation and a Trustee for Charity helping children with disabilities.

Annam has over 10 years’ experience in advising clients on all types of inheritance and trust disputes. This involves acting for Executors and Trustees in high net worth matters. Annam prides herself on working closely with clients to reach the best commercial outcome for them. She is known for providing clear and pragmatic legal advice throughout the process. Annam is also a full member of ACTAPS, the Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Specialists and a member of ConTrA, The Contentious Trusts Association. Annam has also been recognised in the Legal 500. In addition to assisting clients, Annam is a committee member for Women in Wills and the National Contentious Probate Lead for the group. Annam has an interest in AI and its impact in the legal field. Annam also provides support to non-contentious private client practitioners through regular educational seminars.

Sam founded Octopus Legacy in 2016 after his mum died suddenly in a car accident. The period that followed was overwhelming – filled with endless calls, legal paperwork, and admin, all while he was trying to process his grief.

Following these events, Sam started Octopus Legacy, now the fastest-growing estate planning company in the UK. It has a mission to make the experience of losing someone easier for those left behind, helping people plan for death and find support after a loss.

The company is part of Octopus Group, best known for Octopus Energy, and has helped over 700,000 people write their estate plans and access practical, emotional, and legal support after a bereavement.

With a background in finance and brand management, and shaped by his own experience of loss, Sam brings a customer-first mindset and tech-led innovation to the world of estate planning.