No Fault Divorce

Last week over 150 Resolution members gathered in Parliament to call for ‘No Fault Divorce’.

Resolution represents family justice professionals including the Family Solicitors at Girlings Solicitors who are committed to supporting couples to achieve a solution to family disputes in a non-confrontational way. Currently parties...

'No Fault Divorce'

On 13 October 2015 there is to be a motion debated in the House of Commons as to whether there should be the introduction of a 'no fault divorce'. At present whilst the single ground for a divorce or civil partnership dissolution in England and Wales is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, to prove this specific facts have to be shown, such as adultery, unreasonable behaviour,...

2015 Autumn Statement: key property announcements

On 25 November 2015, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne delivered his Autumn Statement and made the following key property announcements:

Prioritising Housing in London: The government has continued to attempt to tackle the lack of housing, particularly low cost housing. Prioritising housing in London has long been on the agenda and it is good to see that...

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A bleak future for variation-in-writing clauses?

A clause specifying that all variations to a contract must be in writing is a common clause in commercial contracts of every description. Such clauses create certainty between the parties.

The Court of Appeal has however recently cast doubt on the effectiveness of variation-in-writing clauses in the case of Globe Motors Inc v TRW Lucas Varity Electric Steering Ltd [2016...

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Andrew Watson

Managing Partner

What My Clients Have Said

Andrew Watson handled the claim brought against my husband’s estate. The final outcome was very satisfactory and I was kept fully informed throughout. My family and I will always be very grateful to you.

Andrew acted on our behalf in relation to our claim against an estate which had been entirely rejected by the executors and their solicitors. We ultimately reached a satisfactory settlement. I found Andrew to be attentive, diligent and determined in achieving this on our behalf.

Andrew acted for us in relation to a challenge against a Will in respect of which my wife and I were substantial beneficiaries. We were entirely satisfied with the tremendous work that he did and the result that was achieved and are very grateful to him.

A friend recommended Andrew Watson at Girlings. After arranging a meeting with Andrew and discussing my case he told me what he could do and the time it would take. Andrew took up my case and things started to move very efficiently and affectively from then on. Throughout the case I was kept informed and my case was soon settled after many wasted months with the first solicitor.

Andrew Watson at Girlings in Canterbury, agreed to take on an extremely complicated case for me. I had asked other Solicitors in the area before meeting Andrew and nobody thought it would be possible to proceed. I was so pleased when Andrew regarded this as a challenge and enthusiastically set about making a case….The outcome was a great success.

The service I received was second to none and very satisfactory.

I've had many occasions to be thankful that I engaged you to undertake the work. You've always been clear and direct with me. I've valued your advice and your business-like way of going about things and I've trusted your judgement. Ms B A Kelly

Andrew Watson was very supportive during the legal exchanges; he instilled confidence and imparted dignity. Mr R T Brown

Dispute Resolution

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Andrew deals with dispute resolution and contested probate and has a track record in achieving favourable outcomes for clients in what are often complex, difficult and emotional cases. He is also the Managing Partner of Girlings.

Meet Andrew Watson, Head of Contested Probate:

Andrew uses his probate and litigation experience to help clients – some of whom have had their cases rejected by other solicitors – to achieve a positive result. His clients include executors, trustees and family members. Andrew is a highly experienced Solicitor and his reported cases include Paine v Catlins (2004), Hogg v Dover College (1990) and Wood and Another v Smith and Another (Court of Appeal – 1993).

He was admitted as a solicitor in 1986 and upon qualification joined the Dispute Resolution Department at Girlings Solicitors (then Girling Wilson and Harvey). He has since worked on a wide range of civil litigation and commercial contract disputes, professional negligence matters, land disputes and boundary issues as well as contested debt recovery and enforcement cases.

My Specialisms

Andrew has particular expertise in:

Contesting a will
Contentious Probate Disputes
Pursuing and defending claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 as amended.

Andrew uses his probate and litigation experience to help clients – some of whom have their cases rejected by other solicitors – to achieve a positive result.

He continues to appear as an advocate as and when required. In addition to conducting proceedings in the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal, Andrew has been involved in many mediations.

Andrew is married with three children.