Craig Ridge

Partner

Accepting new clients via ReviewSolicitors

I lead the contentious trusts and probate team, having joined Higgs as a Partner in December 2019. Prior to joining Higgs I was a Partner of another large regional law firm. I have been advising on all contentious aspects of probate, estate administration and trusts for over eighteen years. Typically, I assist clients contemplating or facing challenges to wills; disputes between executors/trustees; disputes between executors/trustees and beneficiaries; and claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. I assist with situations involving the invalidity of wills or trust documents as well as errors within the administration of estates or trusts. I am able to advise upon the rectification of errors and deal with professional negligence claims. I act for beneficiaries, executors and trustees (both lay and professional) and people with prospective claims within an estate or trust. My particular expertise involves dealing with complex or high value estates and trusts, typically involving businesses and property or investment portfolios, however, the team at Higgs is able to guide parties through the contentious elements of all trusts and estates.

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 297907

  • Based in Brierley Hill, West Midlands
  • Licensed for 23 years

Accepting new clients via ReviewSolicitors

I lead the contentious trusts and probate team, having joined Higgs as a Partner in December 2019. Prior to joining Higgs I was a Partner of another large regional law firm. I have been advising on all contentious aspects of probate, estate administration and trusts for over eighteen years. Typically, I assist clients contemplating or facing challenges to wills; disputes between executors/trustees; disputes between executors/trustees and beneficiaries; and claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. I assist with situations involving the invalidity of wills or trust documents as well as errors within the administration of estates or trusts. I am able to advise upon the rectification of errors and deal with professional negligence claims. I act for beneficiaries, executors and trustees (both lay and professional) and people with prospective claims within an estate or trust. My particular expertise involves dealing with complex or high value estates and trusts, typically involving businesses and property or investment portfolios, however, the team at Higgs is able to guide parties through the contentious elements of all trusts and estates.

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 297907

  • Based in Brierley Hill, West Midlands
  • Licensed for 23 years

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4.5
Excellent
90%
Value for
Money
95%+
Success
Rate
95%+
Would
Recommend
Communication 4.8/5
Initial Impressions 5.0/5
Approachability 5.0/5
Documentation Accuracy 4.8/5
Legal Knowledge 5.0/5
Value for money 4.5/5
Expertise

Experience

  • FBC Manby Bowdler

    SRA-approved manager - Member

    Until Present

Languages spoken

  • English

Opening hours

Monday 08:00–18:00
Tuesday 08:00–18:00
Wednesday 08:00–18:00
Thursday 08:00–18:00
Friday 08:00–18:00
Saturday (Closed)
Sunday (Closed)

3 Waterfront Business Park, Brierley Hill, DY5 1LX

Reviews

4.5 /5 6 Reviews
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Julia

Empathy and efficiency

As the joint executor of my late mother's estate, I had reached an impasse with the other executor, a sibling, in relation to the family home where they resided. Neither I nor our third sibling had any objection to them having the property but required our interest in it to be bought out. The sibling residing there believed it to be their property alone, despite having the rules of intestacy pointed out numerous times since the death of our mother two years previously. Unfortunately I was obliged to go down the contentious litigation route to fulfil my duties as an executor. It has taken a distressing 12 months to finally conclude this emotionally fraught, but legally a comparatively straightforward matter. From my initial contact with the firm I have been treated with great understanding and kindness as well as consummate professionalism by everyone I've dealt with. This empathy combined with efficiency has certainly made the process as stress free as it could be under the difficult circumstances. I would particularly like to commend Craig Ridge, Georgia McCutcheon and Elizabeth Tolmie for all their help.

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Higgs LLP

Dear Julia, Thank you for your heartfelt review. We are so pleased to hear that we were able to provide you with understanding, kindness, and consummate professionalism during what was undoubtedly a distressing and emotionally fraught time. Best regards, Higgs LLP

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Adrian

Wills, Trusts & Probate

Defending a contentious will claim

I contacted Craig Ridge of Higgs and attended a meeting at their offices ,Craig was courteous and understanding he explained the process and made it easy to understand. His approach was practical and professional throughout . Craig is personable guy with an in depth knowledge of his field, he is also a superb strategist .After presenting a comprehensive response in defence the claimant withdrew his claim and Craig recovered a substantial amount of the costs from the claimant .I would have no hesitation in recommending Craig and his team

Solicitors tagged in
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Higgs LLP

Thank you for sharing your experience, Adrian! We’re delighted to hear about your positive interactions with Craig and the successful outcome. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re proud to have a team that delivers both professionalism and expertise.

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Emily

Wills, Trusts & Probate

Very helpful

I had a great experience with Higgs, they helped me through a tough legal process.

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Higgs LLP

Hi Emily. Thank you for sharing your positive experience with Higgs. We're glad to hear that they were able to help you through a tough legal process. If you have any further legal needs or questions, feel free to reach out.

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Kathy

Verified
Wills, Trusts & Probate

Excellent

The solicitor that I dealt with was absolutely excellent and very professional. Craig Ridge spent a lot of time gaining all the information that he needed to assess the case. He was thorough and very intelligent, quickly summing up the points of the case. I would highly recommend him. The company is more expensive than others, but it’s a case of you get what you pay for.

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A representative from Higgs LLP responded to this review

Thank you for your review, it’s great to hear that you had a good experience using Higgs LLP. We’ll pass on your feedback to the relevant department.

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James

Verified
Wills, Trusts & Probate

WDJ ESTATE

WDJ ESTATE. My father died in 2010 and the executors, one of which was my brother and the other his solicitor, failed to finalise the estate correctly or indeed progress it at all. My father was in a farming partnership with my brother and he bequeathed his half share to me. Whilst the estate remained unresolved, my brother continued farming without having to buy me out of the partnership. The conflict of interest was obvious and in effect he had 'claimed Squatters Rights' over the partnership and refused to be shifted. I was forced to take legal representation early in the process but the tactic of doing nothing and delays continued year after year. The first executors were removed after six years and replaced but he proved to be just as bad if not worse. By 2018 I had instructed three different solicitors who had all failed to make any progress whatsoever. My faith in the legal system was at rock bottom. I could not believe that executors could act with such impunity and that solicitors seemed unable to do anything about it but were content to allow the situation to rumble on forever. Meanwhile, my legal costs were mounting with nothing to show for it. I simply did not know where to turn. Later in 2018 I made a random but very fortuituos telephone call to Manby Bowdler Solicitors and explained my situation to Mr Craig Ridge. I quickly realised that he was in a completely different class to my previous solicitors. He knew immediately that legal action should be taken and exactly what action that should be. When he later moved to Higgs & Sons I soon followed him. Not only does he clearly know exactly what he's doing but he knows all the right people to contact to prepare my case such as forensic accountants and barristers. My case went to mediation in 2020 and we were thoroughly prepared. As a result we achieved a better outcome than might have been expected. Whilst having a strong case was the basis of a good result, I believe that Craig's reputation and that of my barrister carried a lot of weight both with the defending solicitor and barrister. I'm sure the mediator would also have been impressed by the total professionalism of my representatives. Summary: I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Mr Craig Ridge of Higgs LLP Solicitors for any dispute resolution services.

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Reply by profile image of Megan Roberts

Megan Roberts

Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.

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Other Reviews

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Verified Client

Verified

Litigation / Dispute Resolution

Craig & Andrew did a great job.

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