Kate Harris

Legal Director
  • Experience

Kate is a Legal Director in our Contentious Trusts and Probate Team based in the Cambridge office.

Kate is a full member of ACTAPS (the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) and has extensive experience advising private individuals, trustees, executors, administrators and beneficiaries in relation to a broad range of inheritance, estate and trust disputes including Will validity claims, estate administration issues, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and breach of trust claims. Kate can also advise in relation to claims for the rectification or construction of a will or trust document where the wording of the document is not clear.

Kate also works alongside Birketts’ Charities Team and draws on their expertise to advise charities and their trustees in relation to legacy disputes. This includes advising charity trustees in relation to their duties when faced with potential estate litigation, whether it be a challenge to a will or a claim for provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, as well as assisting charities who may need to advance a breach of trust claim if an estate of which they are a named beneficiary has been, or is being, poorly administered. Kate is also a member of the firm’s Equine Sector and is well-placed to assist with equestrian issues arising in the context of contentious estates and trusts.

Kate is committed to providing practical and cost-effective advice to her clients, whether they be individuals or charities. She has confidence in the benefits of alternative dispute resolution in the right circumstances and has helped to resolve numerous disputes using mediation and other forms of negotiation.

Kate was admitted as a Solicitor in 2012 having undertaken an undergraduate degree in English Literature and French at the University of Edinburgh before completing the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Guildford with a distinction.  

Kate is recommended and named as a ‘Rising Star’ by Legal 500 [UK 2024]. In this edition, a client notes “Kate Harris ensured that my position was protected. I have been made to feel confident in the expert guidance that I have been given”. In the previous edition a client says “I have worked with Kate Harris in particular and been hugely impressed by her robust and common-sense approach to difficult litigation. She is utterly reliable and will forge ahead to find a resolution.” Another adds “This team benefits from a wealth of experience across the board. In particular, Rachel Leech and Kate Harris make brilliant recent additions to the team.” Kate was also described as a “stand-out individual” in the team.

Kate was admitted as a Solicitor in 2012 having undertaken an undergraduate degree in English Literature and French at the University of Edinburgh before completing the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Guildford with a distinction.  

Kate is recommended and named as a ‘Rising Star’ by Legal 500 [UK 2024]. In this edition, a client notes “Kate Harris ensured that my position was protected. I have been made to feel confident in the expert guidance that I have been given”. In the previous edition a client says “I have worked with Kate Harris in particular and been hugely impressed by her robust and common-sense approach to difficult litigation. She is utterly reliable and will forge ahead to find a resolution.” Another adds “This team benefits from a wealth of experience across the board. In particular, Rachel Leech and Kate Harris make brilliant recent additions to the team.” Kate was also described as a “stand-out individual” in the team.

In an earlier edition, Kate was described as a “brilliant lawyer” and someone who inspires “great confidence” in her clients. She is also praised for her “pragmatic and calm approach to difficult issues and aggressive opponents”. 

Awards and Memberships

Legal 500 Rising Star 2024 logo

Additional resources

1135 Dispute A Will Logo MAR23 v7-01

Visit our Dispute a Will website

On our dedicated website for will disputes, you will find further information on the services that our Contentious Trusts and Probate Team offer

Kate Harris ensured that my position was protected. I have been made to feel confident in the expert guidance that I have been given.

Legal 500 [UK 2024]

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