John Hutchinson
Partner
Probate, Wills and Trusts
Commercial Property
Residential Property
01423 566666
john.hutchinson@raworths.co.uk
Background
Born in Harrogate
Educated: Manchester University
Previous roles: Cawthron Kelbrick Lane & Co (before merger with Raworths)
Treasurer of the Harrogate and District Law Society
Legal Specialisation
John has 30 years of experience practicing in Harrogate in respect of residential and commercial property, business leases, probate, wills and trusts and estate planning.
Experience
Examples of matters which John has advised upon include:
- Proving a will made by a man on active service in 1942 even though the will was not executed in the usual way
- Dealing with problematic “homemade wills” and deficiencies identified
- Deeds of variations and trust arrangements
- Tracing beneficiaries for large estates across the world
- All manner of issues relating to wills, trusts and estate planning
- Business leases for numerous businesses
- Acting for developers in respect of building sites and later sale of plots
- All manner of property issues both for commercial and personal clients.
In conservation
What is the biggest change you have seen to the delivery of legal services in your career ?
I think it has to the invention of e-mail and progress in IT more generally. This has resulted in business transactions sometimes proceeding to completion in a matter of days. Ironically, the pace of the average residential sale has slowed of late as a result of the problems in getting credit.
What one transaction in your career stands out in your memory ?
It has to be a large purchase of a property company.
What part of your role do you enjoy the most ?
I like starting from scratch with unusual drafting for a particular transaction and also the client relationships usually built up over many years,
How has the business community in Harrogate changed in the last 30 years of your practice in the town ?
I have to agree with what my colleague Neil Adamson says on this issue. There is not the close ties between the professionals and the intermediaries which there used to be. In particular, banks are national if not international organisations with a very different approach to business than some years ago when your local bank manager has considerable power and influence.
What do you think was the most obvious benefit of your former firm's merger with Raworths ?
A nice big umbrella so that we can service all our client’s commercial and private client needs.
What do you like best about living and working in Harrogate ?
The Stray is a unique feature. If only other towns could be designed in the same way with impressive green expanses.
What do you like doing in your spare time ?
M.O.T football and rugby league.
