Bernadette Baker
- Experience
Bernadette leads Birketts’ Private Wealth Disputes Team.
Bernadette is a longstanding member of ACTAPS – the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists. She has a wealth of experience in advising private individuals and trustees on cross-border inheritance disputes, Will disputes, Inheritance Act claims, Court of Protection applications, estate administration issues, breach of trust and proprietary estoppel claims.
Bernadette is a recognised leader in her field with a proven track record of resolving complex trust and probate disputes.
Bernadette is recommended by Chambers High Net Worth [UK 2024] and ranked in Band 1. In this edition, a client notes “Bernadette is very experienced, competent and knowledgeable as a lawyer.” Another adds “Bernadette is very good. She is technical and commercial.”
In the previous edition, a client said “Baker is brilliant: so clued up and has a real knack for this.” Another added “She is amazing. She’s responsive, collaborative and clued up.”
Bernadette is recommended and named as a ‘Leading Partner’ by Legal 500 [UK 2025].
Bernadette qualified as a Solicitor in September 2004.
Bernadette is recommended by Chambers High Net Worth [UK 2023] and ranked in Band 1. In this edition, a client said “Baker is brilliant: so clued up and has a real knack for this.”. Another adds “She is amazing. She’s responsive, collaborative and clued up.”
In the previous edition, an interviewee notes: “Her biggest strength is her ability to listen to clients and give consideration to the best approach. Her communication skills are excellent.”
Bernadette is recommended and named as a ‘Leading Individual’ by Legal 500 [UK 2024]. Clients in this edition say: “Bernadette Baker is a star. She is totally capable in all areas. She is polite, caring, honest and does exactly as she promises. She has, from day one, been an asset to me and the firm and in the future will be the only legal firm I will ever use”. Another client comments “Bernadette Baker is an exceptional litigator. She is very experienced, sensible, and objective. A pleasure to deal with on disputes” another adds “Bernadette Baker is wonderful to work with and skilled not only legally but in managing her team and clients”.
In the previous edition clients note: “Bernadette Baker is tenacious and clever. She will fight very hard for her clients but recognises the need to resolve differences and reach a negotiated settlement. She is a skilful practitioner and she ably leads her team. I have no hesitation in recommending her.” Another adds “Bernadette Baker and her team have been excellent at listening, understanding and trusting the information we’ve provided, and in acting accordingly.”
In the previous edition, clients note ‘The team is led by Bernadette Baker, and it is clear that the junior members of the team both trust and respect her. The confidence they have in her knowledge and skills makes for a smooth-running team which benefits the clients.”
“Bernadette Baker not only has the experience required in this area, but she listens to her clients, takes careful account of the evidence and the law, and works very closely with Counsel to protect her clients’ interests. She is clearly respected by her colleagues and by Counsel which instils much-needed confidence when working through the distressing process of contentious probate law.”
“The whole process for myself and my siblings with dealing with Birketts, in particular Bernadette Baker, was made so much easier for us to cope with due to brilliant communication from start to finish – from everything to dealing with the case through to price breakdowns. Brilliant.”
“Bernadette Baker dealt with our case and we couldn’t have wished or asked for a better legal representative for us – outstanding. Especially at a very difficult and upsetting time for myself and my siblings, having just lost our father and his Will being contested; everything was explained, the process, the progression; we felt nothing was left unanswered – A fantastic solicitor and someone I definitely would not like to come up against.”
Bernadette qualified as a Solicitor in September 2004.
Awards and Memberships
Bernadette Baker – very sensible and assured. Gets right to the heart of the issue.
Legal 500 [UK 2025]