Member Article

Winners announced at second UK Probate Research Awards

The world of probate research was formally recognised and celebrated when examples of excellence and best practice were praised at the 2020 UK Probate Research Awards on 6 February at London’s DeVere Grand Connaught Rooms. Winners spanned the breadth of the UK, and internationally.

Presented by the BBC’s Nikki Bedi, the Awards, supported by the National Association of Licenced Paralegals (NALP), Red-Inc, Just-Clear and Finders International, gives recognition to probate research as a profession, which leads to a constant stream of fascinating news and personal finance stories, while providing an invaluable public service.

Results for the 2020 Awards, now in its second year, and unofficially known as ‘The Probies’, include law firms, probate researchers, paralegals and support services firms across the UK who have been evaluated for their outstanding quality of work. Highlights

The human interest story which captured the nation’s interest:

Margaret Abbotts, 81, of Putney London was a member of the public invited to The Probies, to receive the award for Best Story Of Human Interest. Having lead an extraordinary life to date, including surviving The Blitz during the war, polio and having been told she should never give birth, Margaret went on to have four children, and succeeded against all odds.

What she did not know was that she had a half-sister who died intestate (without a will), and that the efforts of probate researchers allowed Margaret to inherit what her sister had left behind. This lucky and unexpected windfall supports Margaret in her well-deserved retirement today. The story was featured on ITV’s This Morning with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, in addition to features in the Daily Mail and Guardian.

Company of the year

Heir hunting personality and regular on the BBC’s Heir Hunters, Danny Curran, founder of Finders International won in the category of Best UK Probate Research Company of the year, for a second year.

Alzheimer’s Society, the charity leading the battle against dementia, benefited from the silent auction which raised more than £2500,00 on the night – nearly three times as much as last year.

Details for the 2021 UK Probate Research Awards are soon to be announced.

Ends.

Winners

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

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Stoch .