ACTAPS Established

The Association was established on Monday 8 September 1997 for lawyers specialising in contentious trust and probate work. The launch meeting took place in the presence of Mr Justice Lightman and Chief Chancery Master Dyson.

The objects of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists ("ACTAPS") are to provide a forum for specialists to exchange experience, know-how and an appreciation of the law and statutes in this specialist area; to hold seminars, conferences and meetings for the discussion of contentious trust and probate issues; to promote the enhancement of the specific skills specialisation and expertise in this area by the provision of education and training and, where possible, to enable representations to be made to the appropriate governmental and judicial bodies in relation to contentious trust and probate issues.

Membership of ACTAPS, which costs £50 per annum, is open to solicitors, barristers and legal executives who are substantially engaged in contentious trust and probate law and practice. The idea to set up such an association originated from Henry Frydenson, principal at Frydenson & Co, who has specialised in this area for over 30 years. Henry Frydenson, Chairman of ACTAPS, commented:

"I have often considered that practitioners in this area would benefit from an Association which would facilitate the exchange of ideas, thus helping us to maintain a uniformly high standard of service in this specialist area".

Members of ACTAPS will endeavour to act in accordance with a voluntary Code of Conduct with a view to securing a faster and more cost effective resolution of a dispute.

Founding members of ACTAPS include representatives from Allen & Overy, Boodle Hatfield, Charles Russell, Goodman Derrick, Herbert Smith, Linklaters & Paines, Payne Hicks Beach, Speechly Bircham, Wedlake Saint, Winckworth & Pemberton and Withers. The then Chief Chancery Master Dyson commented on the Association:

"I must congratulate Henry Frydenson and the other founding members on this initiative which I am sure will be of great benefit to the public, and also of great assistance to the Chancery Division".

Master Winegarten (now Chief Chancery Master), one of the editors of Tristram and Coote's Probate Practice, added: "... it seems to me that the aims of the Association are entirely laudable and well in line with the current desirable trend to encourage litigants to settle their differences without resort to costly and lengthy litigation (or if that is not possible, to ensure at least that proceedings are conducted efficiently)".

Press enquiries to be addressed to Henry Frydenson, Chairman of ACTAPS: Frydenson & Co, Central Court, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AL, tel: 020 3178 8777 e-mail: henry@frydenson.co.uk