Craig Petrie - Managing Partner

Craig spent the first part of his legal career working as a civil litigator advising both private and commercial clients.

Since July 2018, Craig’s primary focus has been law firm management and he now has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the group of law firms comprising of Fitzhugh Gates Solicitors, Eric Robinson Solicitors and The Merriman Partnership (trading as Merriman Solicitors). Craig was appointed as Managing Partner of Fitzhugh Gates Solicitors in August 2024.

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• BA (Hons) Politics degree – University of East Anglia.
• Graduate Diploma in Law & Legal Practice Course (LLB (Hons)) – College of Law (York).
• Admitted as a Solicitor in September 2010.
• Appointed as Managing Partner in August 2024.
• Managing Partner of Eric Robinson Solicitors since July 2018 (www.ericrobinson.co.uk).
• Managing Director of The Merriman Partnership Limited (trading as Merriman Solicitors) since June 2023 (www.merriman-partnership.co.uk)

Experience and Expertise

• Over 16 years working in dispute resolution dealing with commercial and contract disputes, residential and commercial landlord and tenant matters, professional negligence and tort, as well as advising in relation to disputes concerning Wills, trusts and Estates.
• Extensive experience pleading and defending commercial contract disputes across various sectors of industry and dealing with the recovery of commercial debts.
• Advising in relation to professional negligence claims.
• Matters concerning commercial property including contested lease renewals and the serving of statutory notices, issues of disrepair and breach of lease covenants, and the termination of commercial leases including forfeiture and relief from forfeiture.
• Residential property litigation including all aspects of possession claims and disputes concerning adverse possession, easements, covenants, rights of way, boundaries, and Party Wall Act matters.
• Co-ownership disputes including Trust of Land and the Appointment of Trustees Act claims.
• Disputes concerning Wills including making and resisting claims for financial provision pursuant to the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependents) Act 1975.
• Claims in relation to disputes between Executors/Trustees and beneficiaries and disputes between Executors/Trustees.
• Experience in representing clients in proceedings in various courts and tribunals including the County Court, High Court, the Court of Protection and the First Tier Property Tribunal.
• Advocacy.
• Negotiating settlements and alternative forms of dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration.
• Departmental supervisor.

Telephone : 01273 461 381
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