High-profile lawyers hired by disinherited daughter (From The Northern Echo)
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High-profile lawyers hired by disinherited daughter
9:28am Saturday 13th October 2007 in News
FIGHTING THE WILL: Dr Chritine Gill, who is enlisting a major law firm in her battle
ONE of the highest-profile law firms in the country has been recruited in the battle over a disputed £1.25m will.
Mishcon de Reya was catapulted into the public spotlight when they represented Diana, Princess of Wales, in her divorce from Prince Charles, which was finalised in 1996.
They are also representing Heather Mills in her multi-million pound battle with former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, and last summer they were taken on by former Arsenal star Thierry Henry to handle his divorce.
Now the firm has been instructed by Dr Christine Gill, the North Yorkshire woman who has launched a legal battle for a share of her parents' wealth.
She was left devastated after her parents' death to discover their bequests excluded her and the family farm, Potto Carr, at Potto, near Northallerton, had been left to the RSPCA.
She has been trying to negotiate with the charity since discovering the contents of her mother's will in August last year.
Her father, who died in 1999, left everything to his wife, who in turn left the whole estate to the animal charity.
Dr Gill, who has a ten-year-old son, Christopher, with her husband, Andrew, did not receive a penny - despite spending years caring for her parents, living next door and helping out on the farm.
Yesterday, a spokesman for Mischon de Reya said they had no comment to make on the case at this stage.
However, Dr Gill told The Northern Echo: "I have instructed Mischon de Reya and they have advised me it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment at this time.
"They have just taken up the case and need time to get to grips with the matter."
The RSPCA has declined to comment, although it said it hoped the situation could be resolved without going to court. The farm, which covers 275 acres and has a range of farm buildings and 30 acres of woodland, has gone on the market and is being advertised for sale, through the York office of Savills, for offers in excess of £1.25m.
It is understood that, under the 1975 UK Inheritance Act, Dr Gill has until Monday to lodge court papers for a legal challenge.
