Tim Cary to retire after 38 years at the firm as Howard Catherall joins as Partner and Head of Regulatory & Criminal Defence

Tim Cary, Partner and Head of Regulatory and Criminal Defence at Leathes Prior, is set to retire as a partner on 30 April 2021.

Immigration
Criminal Defence
News

Tim Cary, Partner and Head of Regulatory and Criminal Defence at Leathes Prior, is set to retire as a partner on 30 April 2021. Tim qualified as a Solicitor in 1978 before joining Leathes Prior in 1983. Throughout the years, he has become widely renowned for his specialist expertise in a variety of areas including transport, crime, health and safety, immigration and licensing.

Tim has achieved an incredible amount during his career at Leathes Prior, with the firm’s client base benefitting hugely from his uniquely varied skill-set and breadth of knowledge. Tim’s level of expertise has earnt him a number of achievements, from being appointed as a part-time Immigration Judge in 1997 through to making various TV and radio appearances, including being on BBC’s Watchdog and Look East. Tim was also named in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for his continued work across the transport sector - an accolade reserved for those lawyers said by the Legal 500 to have been an elite leading lawyer in their rankings for at least eight of the last ten years.

Tim Cary said “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be involved in the development of the firm over the past few decades. As an integral part of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team led by Mike Barlow the firm is well placed to continue to provide clients with a reliable, top level service on all regulatory and defence issues.”

Thankfully Leathes Prior will continue to benefit from Tim’s expertise on a consultancy basis where he will concentrate on advising and assisting the firm’s commercial and private clients on immigration, nationality and visa issues. He will also continue as a part time First Tier Tribunal judge based mainly in London.

As Tim retires, Leathes Prior is delighted to announce that Howard Catherall will be joining as a Partner and the new Head of Regulatory and Criminal Defence, allowing the firm to continue providing the expert service to our clients that Tim has been leading on for so long. Howard has been a Partner for 13 years at a firm based in Ipswich and brings with him a wealth of experience. A leading regional and national lawyer renowned for his prowess in the fields of regulatory and criminal defence, road traffic, transport and logistics legal work, Howard is also, like Tim, named in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for his transport and logistics work.

Howard is a solicitor who has obtained his Higher Rights of Audience, meaning that he regularly appears as an advocate representing his clients not just in the Magistrates Courts but also the Crown Courts.

Howard will join Leathes Prior on 1 April 2021 and will look to further expand the firm’s offering in regulatory and criminal defence, and related areas. Howard said, “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Leathes Prior as a Partner, working with an incredible team of lawyers and building upon Tim’s legacy”.

Mike Barlow, Partner and Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution at Leathes Prior, said “Tim has played a big part in the success of the firm and we are delighted that he will continue to do so as he passes the baton to Howard. We are thrilled that Howard has decided to join us and I am sure that his knowledge, experience and professionalism will be valued by colleagues and clients alike.

We very much look forward to welcoming Howard to Leathes Prior.

Article by
Peter Lambert
Head of Business Development & Marketing
February 12, 2021
Article by
Leathes Prior Team
February 12, 2021
You might also like...

Maternity Services in England: Recent Reports and What They Mean for Families

In a follow up to our recent article on maternity safety, Polly Langford, Partner in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team has written on the findings of the Ockenden Report and what this means for families.

Polly Langford
01.07.2026

Competing uses of farmland - what the new Land Use Framework means for your business

The Government has published the Land Use Framework – which DEFRA says is “a plan for delivering new homes, nature restoration, clean energy and food security." Rebecca Allen, Senior Associate in our Agriculture Team explains what this means and what to consider for your business.

Rebecca Allen
29.06.2026

Court and Tribunal Fees: July 2026 Private Client Update

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has recently announced several proposed changes to fees payable to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). James Iron from our Wills, Trusts, & Probate Team explains...

James Iron
26.06.2026

Homebuying Overhaul to Streamline Sales and Lower Costs

On Friday 19 June 2026, the Government announced a significant package of reforms aimed at overhauling the homebuying process. Lily Beel, Partner in our Residential Property Team explains...

Lily Beel
19.06.2026

More industry insights

Stay informed with our latest legal insights.

View All

Maternity Services in England: Recent Reports and What They Mean for Families

In a follow up to our recent article on maternity safety, Polly Langford, Partner in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team has written on the findings of the Ockenden Report and what this means for families.

Polly Langford
01.07.2026

Competing uses of farmland - what the new Land Use Framework means for your business

The Government has published the Land Use Framework – which DEFRA says is “a plan for delivering new homes, nature restoration, clean energy and food security." Rebecca Allen, Senior Associate in our Agriculture Team explains what this means and what to consider for your business.

Rebecca Allen
29.06.2026

Court and Tribunal Fees: July 2026 Private Client Update

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has recently announced several proposed changes to fees payable to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). James Iron from our Wills, Trusts, & Probate Team explains...

James Iron
26.06.2026

Homebuying Overhaul to Streamline Sales and Lower Costs

On Friday 19 June 2026, the Government announced a significant package of reforms aimed at overhauling the homebuying process. Lily Beel, Partner in our Residential Property Team explains...

Lily Beel
19.06.2026

Charity of the Month: PaNDR

Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting the Paediatric and Neonatal Decision Support and Retrieval Service also known as PaNDR as our Charity of the Month for June 2026.

Rhiannon Bond
18.06.2026

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.

Daniel Hughes
16.06.2026

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.

Georgia Sartin
11.06.2026

Leathes Prior appoints new family law specialist

Leathes Prior are delighted to welcome Kirstin Wright, Solicitor specialising in family law to the firm.

Jessica Bullimore
10.06.2026

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.

Polly Langford
03.06.2026

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.

Hugo Persad
28.05.2026

Leathes Prior assists Blue Knot Topco1 on its acquisition of Green Pebble

Milan Pandit & Hugo Persad, both of the LP Corporate Team, recently assisted Blue Knot Topco1 on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of M&R Creative Designs Limited (t/a Green Pebble).

Peter Lambert
26.05.2026

Increase in statutory mileage allowance announced

Following the announcement on 21 May 2026 by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, HMRC has updated its Employment Income Manual to reflect the newly announced increase in the statutory mileage allowance for the 2026-27 tax year.

Daniel Hughes
22.05.2026

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.

Lucy Matthews
22.05.2026

Leathes Prior advises Biercafe Norwich Ltd on the acquisition of the Malt & Mardle

Leathes Prior Solicitors is delighted to have advised Biercafe Norwich Ltd on the acquisition of Norwich’s first micropub – The Malt & Mardle.

Peter Lambert
18.05.2026

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.

Anna Jordan
13.05.2026

Leathes Prior welcomes new agricultural specialist to the firm

Leathes Prior is pleased to welcome Rebecca Allen to our specialist Agriculture Team.

Peter Lambert
11.05.2026

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.

Rhiannon Bond
08.05.2026

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...

Ejike Ndaji
27.04.2026

Charity of the Month: Crohn's & Colitis UK

Leathes Prior are delighted to be supporting Crohn’s & Colitis UK as our Charity of the Month for April 2026.

Rhiannon Bond
24.04.2026

The Fair Work Agency: ERA 2025

The Fair Work Agency (FWA) was launched on the 7 April and is a new government body that has merged three previously separate agencies into one single regulator. Dan Chapman, Partner in our Employment Team explains what this means.

Dan Chapman
21.04.2026

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.

Dan Chapman
13.04.2026

Leathes Prior grows the firm’s People & Culture Team

Leathes Prior are delighted to announce that Jessica Bullimore has joined on a permanent basis as People & Culture Manager, further strengthening the firm’s investment in its people as it continues to grow.

Peter Lambert
08.04.2026

Leathes Prior advises Circuitlink on acquisition of Bowmonk

Leathes Prior Solicitors has advised Circuitlink PTY Limited on its acquisition of RJS UK Holdings Limited, trading as Bowmonk, a well-established UK manufacturer of vehicle testing and compliance equipment.

Peter Lambert
01.04.2026

Leathes Prior Announces Promotions for 2026

Leathes Prior announce eight key promotions across legal and operational teams

Jessica Bullimore
01.04.2026

Leathes Prior & Norfolk Community Foundation: Good for Good

Leathes Prior work in collaboration with Norfolk Community Foundation to support Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations through the Skills Exchange

Rhiannon Bond
23.03.2026

Get in Touch

By clicking submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Submit
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.