THE strength and depth of north Cumbria’s legal sector is underlined by the publication of the 2016 edition of the Legal 500.

Carlisle law firms Baines Wilson, Burnetts, Butterworths and Cartmell Shepherd all appear in the annual directory, endorsed by the Law Society and famed for its accuracy and no-nonsense advice.

The volume lists the country’s top 500 law firms and is used by businesses to choose a solicitor with an expertise in a particular field.

It is also read avidly by lawyers to weigh up rivals.

Baines Wilson, Burnetts and Cartmell Shepherd earn a mention in the corporate and commercial section.

Specifically John Wilson and the “professional, reliable and practical” Andrew Hill at Baines Wilson, Nick Hodgson at Cartmell Shepherd, and Michael Walby and John Noctor at Burnetts – the latter praised for his ability to “communicate complex matters in a non-technical manner”.


Nick Hodgson, Cartmell Shepherd The same three firms are recommended for commercial litigation.

Martin Stafford and Isobel Milburn at Baines Wilson, Peter Stafford at Cartmell Shepherd, who is described as a “first-rate litigator”, and Patricia Hall and James Johnston at Burnetts.

Sian Spencer, praised last year for her “strong real estate litigation credentials”, left Burnetts in December to join Napthens in Penrith.

Under employment law, the guide praises the “highly competent” team at Burnetts led by Kuba Strycharczyk, along with consultant John Morris, Joanne Stronach and Natalie Ruane. Joanne Holborn and Tom Scaife at Baines Wilson are also recommended, the latter for providing “superb levels of service”.

Burnetts’ Angela Curran is the sole Cumbrian entry under clinical negligence.

But Butterworths Solicitors and Cartmell Shepherd both appear for personal injury claims.

The Legal 500 praises the “appropriate, concise and professional advice” from Deborah Flynn and the “first-rate” Carol Fish at Cartmell Shepherd, and singles out Catherine Oakley, Jonathan Ditchburn and the “excellent litigator” Andrew Kirkpatrick at Butterworths.

Burnetts’ Patricia Hall is recommended for professional negligence claims.


Michael Walby, Burnetts Cartmell Shepherd has long figured in the Legal 500 for its expertise in agriculture and estates law.

This year’s entry singles out department head Jonathan Carroll, and says the firm has a particular strength in acting for landlords in connection with wind, solar PV and hydro schemes. Burnetts figures too for its expertise in the sale and purchase of farms, renewable energy projects, and agricultural tenancies.

The guide recommends practice head Richard Miller and the “efficient, speedy and tenacious” Diane Barnes.

Peter Stafford and Stephanie Johnson at Cartmell Shepherd are the only Cumbrian entries under contentious trusts and probate.

Simon Mortimer and Amy Fallows at Burnetts, and Julian Nelson and Caroline Smith at Cartmell Shepherd, are recommended under family law. It also mentions that mediator and collaborative lawyer David Kendrew joined Cartmells from Bendles in February.


Jonathan Ditchburn, Butterworths For personal tax, trusts and probate, the Legal 500 highlights the team at Burnetts for “real strength in depth”. Martyn Wrightson, Emma Baker and Sharon Fleming are named as the key contacts. Similarly, Joanne Jeeves at Cartmell Shepherd is recommended for acting for elderly clients in Court of Protection matters.

The firms also pick up mention for expertise in education, commercial property, handling commercial leases, agricultural property and land developments, land securities, estate development and site assembly for developers.