Meet the Judges

Nick is the founder and managing director of the W&P Legal Group, this October he is celebrating the 21^st  anniversary of the firm.

Over the past 20 years Nick has grown from a recently redundant compliance officer to be known as the most respected estate planner in the UK (not his words). Nick is a member of the Society of Will Writers (SWW) Professional Standards Board (PSB) and a Fellow of the Society, he is a Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) Chartered Paralegal and a qualified civil and commercial mediator, specialising in probate disputes. He is also a full member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and serves on their worldwide disciplinary panel.

A national and international speaker on Private Client issues, Nick has been a tutor at the College of Will Writing for the past three years and has taught the CILEX Private Client syllabus to aspiring legal executives and solicitors for over ten years. He first served the industry back in 2013 as a member of the Legal Services Board consumer panel when they investigated the potential regulation of the industry and has been active in the governance of the sector ever since. He authored the PSB’s response to the competition and markets authority investigation into the sector, and helped shape the final guidance. He wrote the Oversight and Governance sections of the SWW code of practice and the guidance on the sale of Asset Protection Trusts that was issued by the PSB at the start of 2025.

When not working Nick will be on holiday, riding his bike, touring in his motorhome (sometimes all 3 combined), or arranging drinking games at industry events.

The W & P Legal Group is –

Will & Probate Services – our Will writing and Estate Planning arm

Bright Legal Solicitors – our SRA regulated ABS undertaking reserved activities for the group and our clients.

W & P Professional – offering support services to the estate planning sector

Property and Estate Solutions – Probate property management

Home Clearers Ltd – Probate property clearance

Prepareforcare.co.uk – online care information and resources

UK Legal Storage – Secure document storage

Karen has over 25 years’ experience in the legal, property and mortgage market. She has worked in several senior management positions which include three conveyancing panel management companies.

Following the sale of Easier2move in 2010 (which Karen co-founded) to My Home Move (now Simplify), Karen took up the role of Corporate Sales Director. Karen was an owner and Director of Lawyer Checker, a company which provides risk management products to law firms. Karen also co-founded Solve Legal, now known as Today’s Media, which incorporates three leading legal publications. Solve Legal introduced the British Wills and Probate Awards in addition to the British Conveyancing Awards. Karen co-founded Collaborative Conveyancing and CCAI with her long term business partner Chris Harris in 2022. The company offers various solutions to law firms utilising AI including Voice AI assistants for law firms.

Ian is Head of Legal for Farewill and Dignity Legal Services. Alongside his legal practice, he is a former Chair of the Law Society’s Wills & Equity Committee (now the Private Client and Estates Committee), on which he continues to serve. He is also a member of STEP’s UK Technical Committee and member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers. He contributes to a range of industry working groups covering HMCTS, HMRC, probate reform, legal technology and the future of will writing following the Law Commission’s proposals for reform. Combining extensive practical experience with a passion for innovation and professional standards, Ian brings a broad perspective to the judging panel and is delighted to support the British Wills & Probate Awards once again.

Nicola has personal experience of the trauma resulting from having outdated Wills and no Powers of Attorney, and, since launching Morecambe Bay Wills in 2019, she has made it her mission to help others. Passionate about educating people, inside and outside of the industry, she ensures that MBW’s service is at the heart of her local and professional community, sharing the company values of charity, empathy and integrity.

In the last 7 years, Nicola and the team have looked after thousands of clients in Lancashire, Cumbria and North Wales, growing the business through acquisition and new regional brands. The growing team of 8 women have won several awards for their service, expertise and community and charity work. MBW has now donated well over £55,000 to local charities from a percent of every invoice raised. The team also give up hundreds of hours each year volunteering locally, and last year launched their own Community Fund to give half their profits away in small grants to those doing meaningful work in their area.

Nicola is a Fellow of the Society of Will Writers and elected to their Professional Standards Board. In this role she has developed and delivered a mentoring scheme and been instrumental in several “Best Practice” projects benefitting Society members.

Nicola and her team have won several industry and business awards, including several successes at the British Wills & Probate Awards. Sheis most proud of being named “One to Watch” (Practitioner of Year) in 2023. Drawing from her background in process, IT, change management, and global leadership she has shaped her own firm’s processes and systems, been involved in high level discussions about the challenges faced by practitioners dealing with the Office of the Public Guardian, and been asked to speak at several industry events.  

Her passion for this work is driven by personal experience and the desire to see innovation in her own firm and the wider industry.

Helen is an Estate Planning Consultant at Heritage Estate Planning, where she provides friendly, professional guidance on wills, lasting powers of attorney and wider estate planning. Based in the South East of England, she works closely with clients to create personalised plans that reflect their wishes and protect their loved ones.

After more than 25 years in a corporate career, Helen brought her strong customer service background into estate planning, combining sensitivity with practical expertise. She is known for her clear communication, compassionate approach, and commitment to giving clients confidence and peace of mind when making important decisions about the future.

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.

Louise is a highly respected Private Client Lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience advising individuals, families and business owners on Wills, Trusts, Probate and succession planning. Formerly Senior Partner of a successful high-street practice, she spent a decade building and leading the firm before its recent sale. Louise is now focusing on specialist Private Client work as a freelance Legal Consultant. A recognised leader within the legal profession, she has been actively involved with the Suffolk & North Essex Law Society for many years and recently completed a distinguished two-year term as President. Renowned for her technical expertise, commercial insight and commitment to professional standards, she is a trusted voice within the Private Client Sector.

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 trying to process his grief.

Since then, Sam has helped over 1 million people write their estate plans and access practical, emotional and legal support after a bereavement.

As a tech entrepreneur, Sam is one of the leaders in AI-enabled professional services. He believes AI will transform the sector by removing mundane tasks, increasing compliance and freeing humans up to do what they do best: help other humans.

Darren is responsible for introducing property services to the legal sector that have become the ‘go to’ for private client professionals across the UK.

From IHT Compliant Valuation Reports through to Property Sales, these new, pioneering methods help to keep solicitors compliant whilst guaranteeing the maximum value of the estate is always achieved.

In addition to his day job as Co-MD for PLG, Darren also writes ‘Thought Leadership Articles’ for The Law Society and The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, and he has also set up a Round Table Group that focuses on multiple private client related issues, including service provider compliance; the first of which took place at the TWAP Festival this year.

David is a highly respected figure in the UK legal services sector, with over 15 years’ experience driving innovation, growth, and excellence across legal landscape. As Chief Revenue Officer at Premier Solicitors, David leads on national partnerships, acquisitions, and strategic development. He is known for his commercial acumen, collaborative leadership, and commitment to raising industry standards. David is a trusted voice in the industry, often sought for his collaborative approach to innovation, operational scale, and client engagement. Passionate about making quality legal services more accessible, he continues to champion sustainable growth and ethical business practices across the legal landscape. Now returning as a judge for the third consecutive year at the British Wills and Probate Awards, David brings insight, integrity, and a passion for recognising outstanding achievement in this vital area of legal practice.

Caroline Sandiford was the Estate Planning Consultant of the Year 2025. With over 12 years of experience as a Company Director and professional Estate Planner, she is a multi-qualified Legal Executive who provides much more than just a standard Will writing service.

As a current Panel Member for the CILEX Policy Professional Panel, Caroline operates at the forefront of the profession.

She specialises in complex Legacy Architecture, including Wills, Family Trusts, and Lasting Powers of Attorney, as well as specialised Business Continuity planning for SME owners.

Born, bred, and based in Bury, Lancashire, Caroline serves families and business owners throughout the North West and across the UK. Her core mission is to provide clients with complete peace of mind, ensuring that their hard-earned assets are protected.

Caroline holds an elite suite of professional credentials—including Aff.STEP, ACILEx, MAAT, and MSWW—and is an independent member of the Best Foundation. Her clients benefit from a highly prescribed, regulated process that combines legal rigour with a deeply personalised, family-focused approach.

Caroline Sandiford was the Estate Planning Consultant of the Year 2025. With over 12 years of experience as a Company Director and professional Estate Planner, she is a multi-qualified Legal Executive who provides much more than just a standard Will writing service.

As a current Panel Member for the CILEX Policy Professional Panel, Caroline operates at the forefront of the profession.

She specialises in complex Legacy Architecture, including Wills, Family Trusts, and Lasting Powers of Attorney, as well as specialised Business Continuity planning for SME owners.

Born, bred, and based in Bury, Lancashire, Caroline serves families and business owners throughout the North West and across the UK. Her core mission is to provide clients with complete peace of mind, ensuring that their hard-earned assets are protected.

Caroline holds an elite suite of professional credentials—including Aff.STEP, ACILEx, MAAT, and MSWW—and is an independent member of the Best Foundation. Her clients benefit from a highly prescribed, regulated process that combines legal rigour with a deeply personalised, family-focused approach.

Charlotte is the Legal Services Director at Kings Court Trust, an award-winning provider of probate and estate administration services in the UK. She joined the company in February 2015 and brings almost 20 years of experience in the field. She is a STEP-qualified Solicitor and acts as the final escalation point for technical referrals across the business. Charlotte also provides guidance and support on regulatory requirements and ensures that specialist knowledge is always up to date across the business. She also frequently shares her expertise and insights on estate administration through various webinars, blogs, and publications. Charlotte’s dedication to education and client support underscores her role as a trusted expert in the probate sector.

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.