Leathes Prior is delighted to welcome five new Trainee Solicitors to the firm
Leathes Prior is delighted to welcome five new Trainee Solicitors to the firm: Alex Robinson, Eleanor Chapman, Georgia Sartin, Kirsty Chaplin, and Maggie Berry.
Leathes Prior is thrilled to welcome five new Trainee Solicitors to the firm: Alex Robinson, Eleanor Chapman, Georgia Sartin, Kirsty Chaplin, and Maggie Berry.
Alex Robinson graduated with a first-class history degree from Durham University in 2017 and completed a Masters in History at the University of Oxford in 2019. He went on to study for the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies (GDL) at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in 2021 where he obtained a Distinction and was awarded the UEA Law School Prize for best performance in the GDL final assessment. He then received a Distinction in the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law (ULaw) in 2022. Alex starts his Training Contract sitting in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team with Partner, Mike Barlow who specialises in commercial disputes.
Eleanor Chapman graduated from the UEA in 2021 with a 2:1 in Law. During her time at university, Eleanor volunteered at Norfolk Community Law Service as their team leader for the Employment and Discrimination clinic and was Treasurer for the UEA Law Society 2019/20 and 2020/21. Eleanor then went on to study the LPC LLM with ULaw at their Norwich campus part-time, while working at LP assisting Senior Associate, Lily Beel and will now be completing her Training Contract sitting with Partner, Stephen Wilson in the Residential Property Team.
Georgia Sartin studied at the University of Birmingham, obtaining a 2:1 degree in Philosophy followed by the GDL at the UEA. Georgia went on to complete her LPC LLM with ULaw and ended her studies with a trip to Southeast Asia for 3 months.. Georgia joins LP to begin her Training Contract initially sitting in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team with Partner, Darren Bowen who specialises in property disputes.
Kirsty Chaplin graduated from ULaw in 2022 with a first-class honour’s Law degree. During her time at University, Kirsty volunteered with the Citizens Advice Witness Service at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court and received a Provost Award for her commitment and dedication to vulnerable witnesses. Kirsty joined LP in July 2022 assisting Partner, Howard Catherall the Regulatory & Criminal Defence Team and will now be completing her Training Contract in the same team, whilst undertaking her LPC studies part-time with Ulaw.
Maggie Berry graduated from the UEA in 2021 with a 2:1 degree in Law. Maggie went on to complete an LLM in International Commercial and Competition Law, graduating in 2022 and completed the LPC with ULaw in 2023. During her studies at the UEA Maggie was heavily involved with the Mooting competition and was the UEA Law Society President for the year 2020/21. Before joining LP, Maggie worked in-house as a Paralegal. Starting her training with LP, Maggie’s first seat is with the Family Team, with Partner, Alisdair Douglas.
Training Principal Sarah Appleton said “One of the best bits of my job as Training Principal is getting to handpick new talent to join the firm. As a firm we are really committed to growing our own talent who one day will take their places round the partnership table, and the fact that we have five Trainees staring with us this year is a testament to how seriously we are taking that commitment. It is a privilege to nurture our Trainees’ development over the next two years, and I am really excited to see what this group have in store for us – I have no doubt big things!”
The firm is pleased to welcome all five Trainee Solicitors and wish them the best of luck.
Changes to qualifying period: Time to rethink probation periods?
From 1 January 2027, the qualifying period is reducing from two years to six months. But the reality is that the new law will apply to all employees who have already accumulated at least six months of continuous employment by this date. This means that now is the right time for employers to be reviewing their employment contracts and rethinking strategies on probationary periods.
Proposals for reform of cohabitation rights on the death of a cohabitating partner
Georgia Sartin, a Solicitor in our Property and Contentious Probate Team explores the government’s recent open consultation ‘a fairer end to relationships’ published on 5 June 2026, , in respect of the proposals for reform for cohabitants in the intestacy framework and 1975 Act claims.
Changes to qualifying period: Time to rethink probation periods?
From 1 January 2027, the qualifying period is reducing from two years to six months. But the reality is that the new law will apply to all employees who have already accumulated at least six months of continuous employment by this date. This means that now is the right time for employers to be reviewing their employment contracts and rethinking strategies on probationary periods.
Proposals for reform of cohabitation rights on the death of a cohabitating partner
Georgia Sartin, a Solicitor in our Property and Contentious Probate Team explores the government’s recent open consultation ‘a fairer end to relationships’ published on 5 June 2026, , in respect of the proposals for reform for cohabitants in the intestacy framework and 1975 Act claims.
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Who is accountable for maternity safety? The case for a maternity commissioner following the birth trauma inquiry.
The safety of maternity services in England has been under intense scrutiny in recent years, now, a national campaign has been launched for the appointment of a dedicated Maternity Commissioner.
What is the difference between a share sale and an asset sale?
When running a business, company founders and shareholders will inevitably, at one stage or another, want to consider potential succession options, the most prominent being an exit by way of trade sale. Hugo Persad, Trainee Solicitor in our Corporate Team provides an overview of what the difference is between a share sale and an asset sale.
UK GDPR Update: What the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 Means for Organisations
While several updates under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 came into force on 5 February 2026, the next key development for organisations is still to come. From 19 June 2026, organisations will be legally required to implement a formal complaint handling process for data protection matters. This is a significant shift, placing greater emphasis on resolving issues internally before they escalate to the regulator.
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Selling a Probate Property: A Guide for Executors
Acting as an Executor can feel daunting, especially if there is a property which needs to be sold as part of the estate administration process. If you have been appointed as an Executor and you are unsure where to begin, here are some key things to consider.
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Leathes Prior's Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team Secure Settlement for Client
Kate Smith (Senior Associate) and Kimberley Nelson (Paralegal) were instructed in relation to a workplace personal injury claim, and successfully secured a five-figure settled for the client.
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New Restrictions to Charitable Giving: What You Need to Know
Changes to UK tax law regarding charitable giving took effect from 6 April 2026. Following legislative amendments in the Finance Act 2025-26, the generous tax exemptions associated with charitable gifts - specifically Inheritance Tax (IHT) exemptions - will be restricted to gifts to UK-registered charities. Ejike Ndaiji, Partner in our Wills, Trusts, & Probate and Charities Team explains...
Employment Rights Act 2026: The New Trade Union Right Of Access - Will it matter?
The Government has now published its response to the “Make Work Pay: Trade Union Right of Access” consultation which means we are now one step closer to properly understanding what these new access rights really will be.
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Spring Statement 2026 - An Overview
With the Government having restricted itself to one fiscal event a year in the form of the Autumn Budget, the Spring Statement is perhaps not the dramatic moment it used to be. It is more a chance for the Government to respond to events and economic forecasts than to set policy for the future.
Charity of the Month: Sue Lambert Trust
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting the Sue Lambert Trust as our Charity of the Month for February 2026. Sue Lambert Trust is a leading charity in Norfolk offering free therapeutic counselling and support services to survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
