Fellow
Richard Roberts
Richard Roberts BA, TEP, CTAPS has been a private client solicitor for over 40 years, all of which was with Gedye and Sons of London and Grange over Sands. He was a student at St Johns from 1976 to 1979. His practice areas covered a wide range of work with the emphasis on trusts, contentious probate, wills and estate planning. He has a wide range of experience with both Court of Protection matters and estate administration. He was a member of the Law Society’s Wills and Equity Committee for nine years, the last three (2011-2014) as its Chair. The Committee regularly responded to Consultation Papers on all aspects of wills, probate, charity law, trusts, and associated taxation.
Richard generously sponsors the annual St John’s and St Chad’s Photographic Competition which challenges members of both colleges to capture photos depicting what makes everyday life, work and play at St John’s so extraordinary.
During his career Richard frequently lectured to professional and lay groups alike and he has also written regularly for legal periodicals, primarily on the softer skills aspects such as the emotional side of dealing with probate.
As he approached retirement he moved back to Durham, to live in one of the apartments behind the Cathedral and has increasingly contributed to the daily life of Johns. He is a trustee of a number of charities and tries to play a significant role within each one. His real love though is a good classic car – and currently he runs a 1974 Rover 3500 V8 as well as two rather more modern ‘classics’. All are driven regularly as he enjoys his other love – good food in the countryside.
