The second UK Probate Research Awards was held on 6 February at London’s DeVere Grand Connaught Rooms, the Bdaily reports.
Presented by BBC’s Nikki Bedi, the awards, sponsored by the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), Red Inc, Just Clear and Finders International gives recognition to the probate research profession and those that work with it. The article highlighted that probate research leads to a constant stream of fascinating news and personal finance stories with the evening celebrating excellence and best practice.
Unofficially known as ‘The Probies’, the article showcased the winners of the night, including law firms, probate researchers, paralegals and support services firms across the UK.
The article reported that the highlight of the evening was the winner of the Best Human Interest Story award, Margaret Abbotts. Margaret, 81 from London, has survived The Blitz during the war, had polio and, despite being told she could never give birth, went on to have four children.
Margaret had not known she had a half-sister who died intestate and she went on to inherit an unexpected windfall, the article said. The story was featured on ITV’s This Morning with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, in addition to features in the Daily Mail and The Guardian.
The article also listed the other winners of the night:
Best Probate Law Firm, Scotland: McClure Solicitors
Best Probate Law Firm, North of England: Ramsdens Solicitors
Best Probate Law Firm, Central England: Wilson Browne
Best Probate Law Firm, South England: Irwin Mitchell
Best Probate Law Firm, South East & London: Martin Tolhurst Solicitors
Best Probate Law Firm, Wales: Hugh James Solicitors
Best Property Clearance Firm: Just Clear
Best Probate Research Paralegal: Emma Bell of Finders International
Best Probate Deputyship Firm: Owl Guardian Services
Best Human Interest Story: Margaret Abbotts
Best International Probate Researcher: Carmelo Guarino
Best Community Contribution: Tilly Bailey Irvine
Best Probate Research Insurance Provider: Aviva Legal Indemnities
Outstanding Achievement in International Probate Research: Antoine Djipka from ADD Associés, France.
Best UK Probate Research Company of the Year: Danny Curran of Finders international