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David Catchpole

Partner

David Catchpole in glasses and blue suit and tie, in front of a pale background

What can I do for you

David specialises in trust and probate disputes with 25 years experience. He deals exclusively with these matters and has developed real expertise. He helps individuals and organisations like charities and higher educational establishments. He advises on testamentary capacity, undue influence, applications under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, proprietary estoppel and breach of trust actions.

Supporting your ambitions

David recently successfully acted for a client who had been promised all of his father's estate but who was due to receive very little under the intestacy rules as no will could be found. As with many cases of this nature, emotions were running high between the parties. Working closely with the client, David was able to use his specialist legal knowledge and years of experience to negotiate a compromise which satisfied the client while retaining some of the estate for other family members in what was a bitter feud.

What do others say

David is ranked in Band 1 in the Chambers High Net Worth 2025 guide, which acknowledges that he "really knows his stuff and he is someone we regularly refer work to. He is probably the go-to for Norwich." Sources also describe him as someone who "has been doing this for a long time. Nothing fazes him."

The Legal 500 describes David as "vastly experienced with excellent judgment. He is incredibly personable but the opposite of a pushover: he fights tenaciously for his clients always with a keen eye on their greater interests". 

Receiving positive feedback from pleased clients is really what makes his job worthwhile says David. He is very proud to be named in the legal directories as being a leader of "an exceptional team with great strength and depth".

What else should you know

David is a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) - and one of the few members of this prestigious organisation outside London.

He is a keen sportsman and regularly plays football, squash, badminton and golf. He also enjoys skiing and running.

What our clients say about us

  • I think Mills & Reeve are a wonderful firm. The support they have provided to us in a really difficult area has been brilliant, collaborative and commercially minded. The team were absolutely wonderful and a joy to work with. Amazing advice and support and a real collaborative effort with us. I can't thank them enough for getting us through some really tough times and doing so with an amazing can-do attitude.
  • They are friendly, fast, always available and always on top of the game. I tend to judge my legal team against the other side's legal team and never doubt Mills & Reeve is the better of the two.
  • All interactions have been very clear. Responses to questions have always been very swift and unambiguous. Our company, and my family, have used various services in Mills & Reeve with the same level of satisfaction.
  • I value the fact that Mills & Reeve are recognised as a good place to work in the UK Best Companies survey. This aligns with the values of our business and means that Mills & Reeve can share what is required to achieve this status with our business.

As many clients will testify, too many lawyers deliver the required legal expertise but fail to deliver an outstanding client experience. Which is why we always listen to our clients and constantly ask ourselves what we can do to deliver the results you expect.

You expect a close and attentive working relationship, with a lawyer that is responsive and available when you need them. You also want clear, pragmatic and commercial advice tailored to your needs, and transparency and certainty on costs. We completely agree. That’s why every day, through our culture and approach we are committed to delivering the exceptional results and service our clients expect of us.

Related sectors and services

  • Litigation and arbitration
  • Alternative dispute resolution
  • Dispute resolution for charities
  • Injunctions
  • Charities and social enterprise
  • Charity law
  • Private wealth
  • Private client
  • Estate, trust and will disputes

Contact David