Leathes Prior welcomes four new Trainee Solicitors to the firm
Leathes Prior Solicitors is delighted to welcome four new Trainee Solicitors to the firm, Charlie Watkins, James Iron, Rose Woolterton, and Lily Stagg.
Leathes Prior Solicitors is delighted to welcome four new Trainee Solicitors to the firm, Charlie Watkins, James Iron, Rose Woolterton, and Lily Stagg.
The four trainees will rotate through various departments over the course of their two-year training contracts, gaining them invaluable experience and exposure to different areas of law. This approach will help prepare them to become well-rounded solicitors capable of delivering the best service to our clients across the firm’s wide-ranging practice areas.
Charlie Watkins graduated from the University of East Anglia with a LLB Law Degree in 2022. After graduating, he joined Leathes Prior as a full-time legal assistant in the Residential Conveyancing Team and was promoted to the position of Paralegal in February 2023. He continued this role full-time until September 2023, before going on to study the LPC with the University of Law, whilst continuing his role part-time at Leathes Prior, graduating in 2024. Charlie starts his training contract sitting in the Family Team working alongside Partner, Alisdair Douglas working on all things Family Law.
James Iron graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2023 with an LLB Law Degree. During his time at University, James volunteered with the Norfolk Community Law Service, first in the Debt Advice Team in 2021/22 before joining the Employment Team in 2022/23. He then went on to study the LPC at BPP University in Cambridge, graduating in 2024. James begins his training contract with LP sitting with Partner, Polly Langford in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team specialising in commercial disputes.
Rose Woolterton graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2023 with an LLB Law Degree. During her time at University, Rose volunteered at the Norfolk Community Law Service in the Employment Team, for two years, she also participated in both the Mediation and Legal Triathlon UEA Law Society competitions and was responsible for running the Legal Triathlon competition in 2022. She then studied the LPC with the University of Law at the Norwich campus, graduating in Summer 2024. Rose starts her training contact sitting in the Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team working alongside Claire Woolliscroft.
Lily Stagg graduated from University of East Anglia with an LLB Law Degree in 2023, and then went on to complete the LPC at University of Law, Norwich campus graduating in July 2024. Lily first joined Leathes Prior in October 2019 supporting the Residential Property Team on a part-time basis alongside studying Law at University of East Anglia. Lily rejoins LP to begin her Training Contract with her first seat being in the Commercial Property Team with Partner, Lucy Whipps.
Training Partner, Sarah Appleton commented: “I am very excited to welcome Charlie, James, Rose, and Lily to LP. Having shone during the recruitment process, I am confident that each of them will be valuable assets to the firm during their training and beyond. At Leathes Prior, we are passionate about developing the next generation of legal professionals, and I look forward to seeing their careers flourish over the coming months and years.”
The firm is delighted to welcome all four Trainee Solicitors and wish them the best of luck for the future at Leathes Prior.
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It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
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