Local lawyers help steer Oak Tree Animals’ Charity into new era
March 5th 2026Two local lawyers are helping shape the future of animal welfare in Cumbria as volunteer trustees at Oak Tree Animals’ Charity. Rob Winder and Rebecca Armstrong are both Senior Associates at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, leading the firm’s Property Litigation and Will and Inheritance Disputes teams respectively. Both animal lovers, Rob and Rebecca jumped at the opportunity to become trustees at Oak Tree, with Rebecca joining two years ago and Rob…
Cumbrian legal firm shortlisted for national law award
August 28th 2025A Cumbrian legal firm has achieved national recognition after being named as a finalist in the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors is shortlisted for the best Contentious Wills & Probate team (Boutique) at the awards which celebrate legal excellence across the country. Rebecca Armstrong, who is Head of Will and Inheritance Disputes at Cartmell Shepherd, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for our specialist expertise in…
Cartmell Shepherd restructures Dispute Resolution team to highlight specialisms
July 29th 2025Leading law firm Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has announced three senior promotions this week, as part of a move to highlight specialisms within its Dispute Resolution team. Director and Head of Dispute Resolution Mark Aspin said: “Dispute Resolution encompasses a broad spectrum of legal work. While our team deals with the majority of ‘Civil Disputes’, we also employ recognised specialists in the areas of Will & Inheritance Disputes, Property Disputes, and Court of Protection,…
Cartmell Shepherd’s commitment to professional development results in four internal promotions
March 28th 2024Cartmell Shepherd has announced it has promoted four members of its team as part of its ongoing commitment to developing the legal services it provides to its growing client base. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has rewarded staff members for their endeavour and high level of expertise within their legal specialism to support the company’s continued growth. Rebecca Armstrong has been promoted to the position of Senior Associate Solicitor, Selina Gonzalez and…
Boy granted £50k from aunt’s estate as she had ‘taken on the role of mother’
November 7th 2022A 12-year-old boy has been granted £50,000 from his late aunt’s estate on the basis that he had been treated as a child of the family. Rebecca Armstrong Associate Solicitor in our Will Claims team reports on this recent case. The boy was taken in by his aunt shortly after his birth because his mother was unable to care for him herself. The aunt acted as the boy’s main parental figure until her…
Legal ruling has implications for farming inheritance rows
October 26th 2022A LANDMARK legal ruling could have far reaching implications in disputes over the future of family farms. Rebecca Armstrong, a Contentious Trust and Probate Specialist with Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said the judgment by the Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 19) would impact farming families who find themselves in legal battles over who will inherit the farm. Rebecca said: “The ruling was unusual in that it offered the parties a choice…
Siblings fail to overturn will involving the care of a parrot
October 6th 2022Three siblings have failed to overturn their stepmother’s will after she left everything to her biological son. Rebecca Armstrong Associate Solicitor in our Will Claims team reports on this recent case. The son claimed that his mother had changed the will after the siblings’ father died so that he could look after her parrot. The case involved 61-year-old Ian McLean and his siblings Sean and Lorraine, and their half-brother, a self-titled “Lord” Brett…
Man’s will found in draft form on computer ruled to be valid
July 25th 2022The High Court has ruled that a man’s will that existed only in draft form on a computer, but which was signed by two reliable witnesses, should be accepted as valid. Rebecca Armstrong Associate Solicitor in our Will Claims team reports on this recent case. Is a draft will legally binding in the UK? So, what of the question is a draft will legally binding in the UK? This is indeed a highly…
Restrictive covenant placed on MD ‘reasonable and enforceable’
May 12th 2022A veterinary company has successfully used a restrictive covenant to prevent its former managing director contacting its clients with a view of taking them to his new business. Rebecca Armstrong Associate Solicitor in our dispute resolution team reports on this recent case. The case involved Eville and Jones (Group) Ltd and Aldiss. As managing director, Aldiss was responsible for the day-to-day running of the business and held a 5% share in the company.…
Voice UK star wins inheritance dispute with her viscount brother
March 7th 2022The aristocratic singer and TV star Bo Bruce has won a court battle against her brother Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, Viscount Savernake, over their inheritance after their mother died. Rebecca Armstrong Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. Bruce, whose full title is Lady Catherine Anna Brudenell-Bruce, was a runner up on the TV series, The Voice and has had chart success with the top 10 album, Before I Sleep. She and her…
