Oxford: 01865 950972 Marlow: 01628 951283 London: 020 3883 1288


Accolades & Awards

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The Burnside Partnership and our staff continue to be recognised for our expertise in our field of practice.

Here is what's being said about us & how our work is being recognised...

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    The Association of Lifetime Lawyers

    Solicitors, Alison Craggs, Joanna Ensor and Anna Boucher are proud members of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers - some of the most qualified lawyers supporting vulnerable and older people. #
    Lifetime Lawyers are there for people throughout their lifetime - often when they are at their most vulnerable and when circumstances are most complex. This is important because when people don't have access to specialist legal advice, the impact for them and their loved ones can be devastating. Find out more about the Association by visiting www.lifetimelawyers.org.uk 


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    Legal 500, 2024, Leading Firm

    This year, our firm has again been listed as a Leading Firm for our private client work in Legal 500, 2024, with Anna Burnside, Tara McInnes, Daniel Vernede, Joanna Ensor and Alison Craggs being recommended. 
    This is what was said about us:
    Boutique firm The Burnside Partnership comes recommended as ‘highly esteemed, with a national reputation for the quality of their work’ and handles the full-range of private client work, with particular emphasis on tax, trusts, wills and estate planning. Team leader and co-founding partner Anna Burnside is highly experienced in the space and is a full member of STEP. Alison Craggs is a key contact for trusts, probate and power of attorney work.
    In terms of our contentious practice, we 'regularly advis[e] high net worth individuals with media backgrounds, The Burnside Partnership thrives in Inheritance Act and proprietary estoppel claims, in addition to will disputes. With over two decades of experience, Tara McInnes leads the team from Oxford and has been described as an ‘excellent lawyer’ who advises charities, not for profit organisations and trustees.'
    Testimonials:
    ‘The practice is highly esteemed, with a national reputation for the quality of their work. They provide a high-end service to rival any other private client practices.’
    ‘The Burnside Partnership is committed to growth, with a dedicated and dynamic management team. As a female-led firm, they are leading the way in terms of innovation, with particular focus on apprenticeships and a passion for encouraging and supporting social mobility.’
    ‘The team is superbly put together, showing professionalism and personality in equal measure, whether at their Oxford or Marlow offices. We have been thoroughly impressed with their level of expertise, responsiveness, understanding and attention to our clients’ needs and goals.'
    ‘The team prides itself on being experts in the field.’

    ‘The Burnside Partnership is a boutique law firm specialising in private client and associated work. The contentious probate practice fits in well with the firm’s practice, so all estate planning, administration and associated requirements are resourced from one firm.’

    ‘Tara McInness is fair, compassionate, and professional at all times.’


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    Legal 500, 2024, Leading Individual

    We are pleased that Anna Burnside has been listed as a Leading Individual and Alison Craggs, a Rising Star in the legal directory, Legal 500 2024.


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    2023 Private Client Modern Law Awards

    We are proud that our firm was the winner of the category, Private Client Teams - Tax & Trusts at the 2023 Private Client Modern Law Awards.
     The Awards celebrate and champion the work being delivered across the Private Client industry.


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    2023 eprivateclient Excellence Awards

    We are delighted our firm is a finalist in the eprivateclient Excellence Awards 2023.

    The Awards are focused exclusively on recognising the outstanding achievements of firms across the UK and offshore legal, tax, fiduciary and advisory professions over the past year.


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    2023 Private Client Modern Law Awards

    We are delighted to be shortlisted in two categories 'Supporting the Industry' and 'Private Client - Tax & Trusts' at the 2023 Private Client Modern Law Awards. The Awards celebrate and champion the work being delivered across the Private Client industry.  


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    2022 eprivateclient Top Law Firms 2022

    We are delighted to be featured in 2022 eprivateclient Top Law Firms. 
    The rankings recognise the top private wealth law firms and departments across the UK.  


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    Legal 500 - Leading Firm 2023

    We are delighted that The Burnside Partnership has again been recommended in the 2023 Legal 500 UK directory, along with lawyers, Anna Burnside, Tara McInnes, Daniel Vernede and Alison Craggs. In addition, our Contentious Trust and Probate team, led by Tara McInnes, has been rated as ‘one to watch’. Alison Craggs has again been recognised as a ‘rising star’. About Anna Burnside, it was said "she is by some way the most trusted private client lawyer I know. I have referred many clients to her and all are uniform in their praise for Anna’s dedication, expertise and, very importantly, her humanity and sensitivity."


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    Chambers High Net Worth - 2022

    We are delighted The Burnside Partnership has been ranked again in this year's Chambers High Net Worth guide. We're particularly pleased to see that our approach to teamwork has been recognised, with the following being said:

    "It's an excellent team of people," that are "very responsive and proactive." "They are very good at teamwork, bringing in the right team member with the right expertise at the right moment."

    In addition, Senior Partner, Anna Burnside has been ranked again, with the following endorsements:

    "[Anna] is exceptional". "Her advice is excellent and she always delivers it in an easily understood manner, regardless of the high complexities often involved." "Anna has a great commercial outlook and delivers fantastic outcomes for clients in a professional and proactive manner."

    Partner Tara McInnes has also been ranked, with the following endorsement:

    "Tara is an excellent, pragmatic solicitor with a keen eye for detail. She grasps factual and legal disputes very well and her advice to clients is always commercially practical."

    Tara represents private clients in a range of contentious matters, including Will disputes and proprietary estoppel claims.


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    Finalist - eprivateclient Excellence Awards 2022


    We are delighted our firm is a finalist in the eprivateclient Excellence Awards 2022. This the second year in a row we've made the cut, winning our category last year.
    The Awards are focused exclusively on recognising the outstanding achievements of firms across the UK and offshore legal, tax, fiduciary and advisory professions over the past year.

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    Anna Burnside - 2022 eprivateclient 50 Most Influential


    We are delighted that our co-founder and Senior Partner, Anna Burnside has been listed in the 2022 eprivateclient 50 Most Influential - the definitive rankings of the key players in the UK and global offshore private client practitioner sector.

    The list said of Anna Burnside:

    "Anna has practiced as a private client lawyer for over 25 years. In 2015 she established The Burnside Partnership with co-founder, the late Fiona Wheeler. In a little over six years from opening the firm’s doors with one office and only three members of staff, the firm has grown rapidly to nearly thirty staff, in three offices, Oxford, Marlow and London. This growth has been in no small part due to Anna’s extensive network of contacts and her reputation within the industry and amongst clients, together with her vision to create a unique firm dedicated to its private clients and providing the highest standards of expertise and client service."
     

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    Winner, Most Rewarding Charity Initiative


    We were delighted to win this award at the British Wills & Probates Awards 2021, in recognition of our work with the Fiona Wheeler Charitable Foundation. 
    The Foundation was established in memory of our co-founder, Fiona Wheeler who very sadly died at the end of 2019, only in her mid-thirties. Fiona was a strong advocate of initiatives to support social mobility and the trustees of the Foundation decided to focus its work on this cause, allowing our firm and those who were close to Fiona to honour and remember her and the work she did to support young people.
     

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    Legal 500 2022, Leading Firm


    We're very pleased to be listed as a leading firm in Legal 500, 2022, with Anna Burnside, Della Burnside, Tara McInnes, Daniel Vernede and Alison Craggs being recommended. Alison Craggs is also listed as a Rising Star.

    This is what was said about us:

    The Burnside Partnership is a niche private client law firm advising on wills, trusts, probate, inheritance tax planning, estate administration, lasting powers of attorney, deputyship and Court of Protection issues. Practice head Anna Burnside, supported by her sister Della Burnside are the 'very successful driving forces behind the business.' The rapidly growing team has further strengthened its offering through the hires of Alison Craggs from Blake Morgan LLP in September 2020 and Tara McInnes from Shoosmiths LLP in February 2021. Alongside its lawyers, the team has also bolstered its tax expertise by recruiting chartered tax advisors and a tax professional.

    Testimonials

    ‘City levels of expertise and service in the private wealth field’

    ‘Anna Burnside and Della Burnside are the very successful driving force behind the business.’

    'Exceptional technical ability, highly personable and bespoke service, understanding of different lived experiences of clients and true understanding of diversity.’

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    Recognised as a Top Law Firms 2021.


    This year we have again gained the accolade of one of eprivateclient's Top Law Firms 2021.
    The rankings are a detailed examination of the top private wealth law firm and departments in the UK. 


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    Shortlisted for Boutique Law Firm of the Year, The Lawyer Awards 2021


    We are delighted to have been shortlisted for Boutique Law Firm of the Year at the Lawyer Awards 2021.
    The Awards are the largest celebration of legal excellence in Europe.
    The winner will be announced on 1st November.

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    Leading Lawyer, Chambers High Net Worth 2021


    Anna Burnside was recognised as a notable practitioner. 
    Chambers made the following comment:
    Anna Burnside regularly advises wealthy individuals and families on tax, trust and estate planning, as well as lasting powers of attorney. A source comments: "She has always delivered an exemplary service and is able to deliver complex solutions in a clear and concise manner." A peer says: "She is very astute. She is very commercial."

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    Leading Firm, Chambers High Net Worth 2021


    The Burnside Partnership was recognised as being well known for advising high net worth clients on a comprehensive range of private client matters, including estate administration, trusts and IHT planning.
    A source says: "The Burnside team are excellent. They have achieved that balance between a deep understanding of the relevant law and the ability to place clients sufficiently at their ease so that they are able to get to the nub of any issue or concern and then find appropriate and pragmatic solutions." Another source agrees, saying the team has "genuine specialist expertise, impeccable client service and excellent technical skills."

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    Winner of Private Client Law Firm (Boutique) at the eprivateclient Excellence Awards 2021


    The Burnside Partnership was awarded the title Private Client Law Firm (Boutique) at the eprivateclient Excellence Awards 2021. 
    These prestigious Awards are focused on recognising the outstanding achievements of firms across the UK and offshore legal, tax, fiduciary and advisory professions over the past year.

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    Alzheimer's Society Dementia Friends


    The Burnside Partnership has extensive experience of working with vulnerable adults. Senior Solicitor, Alison Craggs is a member of the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends initiative and appears on the Alzheimer’s Research UK list of solicitors. Alison has worked with many clients affected by dementia.

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    Proud supporter of Remember a Charity



    The Burnside Partnership is a proud supporter of Remember a Charity. 
    Many of our clients include a gift for charity in their Will, once family and friends have been looked after. Are there any causes you are passionate about? Every gift, large or small, makes a huge difference. Find out how to leave a gift in your Will.

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    Solicitor Firm of the Year 2020



    The Burnside Partnership has been recognised as the leading national law firm in the Wills & probate industry. 
    The award was won by The Burnside Partnership at the British Wills & Probate Awards 2020. The Awards were introduced to highlight achievement and recognise the successes of those in the Wills and Probate sector.

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    Top Law Firm, 2020



    The Burnside Partnership has again been recognised as one of the UK's top law firms by the eprivateclient for its work within the private wealth sector.

    eprivateclients is the leading website and news service for private client practitioners. Its rankings are an in-depth analysis of the top UK law firms providing high quality private client services to wealthy individuals and families based both domestically and internationally. The list reflects not only the size of firms' Private Client teams, but also their reputations within the private wealth sector and the emphasis placed upon looking after wealthy clients and their families. 

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    Leading Private Client Lawyer, Chambers HNW 2020



    In Chambers HNW 2020 edition, Anna Burnside was once again recognised as a leading Private Client lawyer.

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    British Wills & Probate Awards, 2020


    The British Wills & Probate Awards 2020 celebrate excellence within the Wills & Probate industry. 
    This year, The Burnside Partnership is shortlisted for Solicitor Firm of the Year (National).

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    Leading Firm, 2020


    The Legal 500 assesses the capabilities of lawyers and law firms across the world with comprehensive research which is brought up to date every year. Their research encompasses views from peers within the industry, contacts and networks and interviews with clients.
    In its 2020 edition, The Burnside Partnership was once again recognised for its expertise.

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    Leading Firm, 2020


    The Legal 500 assesses the capabilities of lawyers and law firms across the world with comprehensive research which is brought up to date every year. Their research encompasses views from peers within the industry, contacts and networks and interviews with clients.
    In its 2020 edition, Alison Craggs was recognised for her expertise as a 'Next Generation Lawyer'.

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    Leading Private Client Lawyer, 2019


    In Chambers 2019 edition, Anna Burnside was again recognised as a leading Private Client lawyer.
    She was described as being "really helpful...and it was a pleasure to deal with her." 

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    Top Law Firm, 2019


    The Burnside Partnership has been recognised as one of the UK's top law firms by the eprivateclient for its work within the private wealth sector.
    eprivateclients is the leading website and news service for private client practitioners. Its rankings are an in-depth analysis of the top UK law firms providing high quality private client services to wealthy individuals and families based both domestically and internationally. The list reflects not only the size of firms' Private Client teams, but also their reputations within the private wealth sector and the emphasis placed upon looking after wealthy clients and their families. 

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    Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, 2019


    The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the achievements of apprentices and apprenticeship programmes.
    The Burnside Partnership was honoured to win Apprenticeship Employer of the year 2019.

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    Recognised for Expertise in 2019


    The Legal 500 assesses the capabilities of lawyers and law firms across the world with comprehensive research which is brought up to date every year. Their research encompasses views from peers within the industry, contacts and networks and interviews with clients.
    In its 2019 edition, The Burnside Partnership was recognised for its expertise and received the following commendation:
    "Outstanding niche private client firm The Burnside Partnership advises on wills, trusts, probate, inheritance tax planning, estate administration, powers of attorney, deputyships and Court of Protection matters; its practitioners are recommended as experts in their field, providing high-quality advice. Named partner and founder Anna Burnside is calm, thorough and knowledgeable, with a very high level of legal expertise, combined with practical common sense and flexibility. Burnside and Fiona Wheeler (a pleasure to work with) are cited as having client service which is second to none; every client is valued equally and treated with sensitive and genuine compassion."

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    Expertise in Private Client law, 2018


    Like Legal 500, Chambers researches and ranks lawyers and law firms across the world. Their High Net Worth edition covers private wealth management work and related specialisms.
    In their 2018 edition, Anna Burnside ("highly regarded") was recognised for her expertise and was noted as having "vast experience in the private client field."

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    Commendation from Chambers, 2017


    In Chambers 2017 edition, Anna Burnside achieved the following commendation:
    "Anna Burnside of The Burnside Partnership is noted for her "ability to explain the most complex concepts in simple, comprehensible language; she is a creative thinker and gets things done quickly and right first time. Burnside handles estate planning and execution, often with international implications, and has particular expertise in inheritance issues. One source notes that she "showed particular care and sensitivity, easing the process during a very difficult time," while another says she is "thorough, intelligent and easy to talk to, with excellent client-handling skills."

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    Top 35 Under 35, 2017


    eprivateclient is the website and news service for private client practitioners, whether solicitors, accountants, trustees, or IFAs. Their Top 35 Under 35 list recognises the rising stars of private client practitioners. Fiona was ranked on their list in 2017.

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    Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year, 2017


    The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards is open to apprentices living or working in Oxfordshire.
    In 2017, our then apprentice (now trainee Legal Executive), Chloe Penniston was named Advanced Apprentice of the Year and was chosen as the overall winner, being awarded Oxfordshire Apprentice of the year 2017.
    Chloe received the following commendation when receiving the award:
    "Chloe's commitment to the Apprenticeship and aspirations of how she would like to progress further are inspirational. She has demonstrated with confidence, maturity, aptitude and drive an alternative route into an admirable career. I believe she is a role model for this type of Apprenticeship."

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    Recognised Specialists in Inheritance and Succession Planning


    STEP is a pre-eminent worldwide professional association of private client practitioners. Anna Burnside and Alison Craggs are Full Members of STEP, meaning they are recognised specialists in inheritance and succession planning. We encourage all of our lawyers to become Full Members, which requires practitioners to study for specialist qualifications and have significant involvement in inheritance and succession planning.

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    Finalist in 2017


    The Oxfordshire Business Awards recognise and reward the excellence of Oxfordshire-based companies.

    The Burnside Partnership was a finalist in 2017.

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    New Business Award Finalist in 2017


    The West Oxfordshire Business Awards, New Business Award, recognises Oxfordshire-based businesses which have demonstrated evidence of growth, strength and stability and vision for future development.
    The Burnside Partnership was a finalist in 2017.

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    Shortlised, 2016


    The Law Society Excellence Awards recognise outstanding work in the legal sector.
    In 2016, The Burnside Partnership was shortlisted for their excellence in private client work.

Contact The Burnside Partnership

For more information on our services or how we can help, please get in touch.