Richard Watson

Richard is a Director and Head of the Private Client team based at our York office. Richard joined our firm in February 1997.

Having studied law as an undergraduate, where he was a Power Contract Prize winner, Richard returned to York in March 1987 when he qualified as a Solicitor.

Richard specialises in charity law and charitable trusts, especially in respect of nature conservation charities, housing law, contentious probate and wills and trusts.

Richard was appointed as an Assistant Coroner for North Yorkshire Eastern Area in 2005.

He has served as Sheriff of York in 2010–2011 and was appointed an Honorary Alderman by City of York Council in 2011, having served on the City of York and Ryedale District Councils.

He is a member of the Court of the University of York and is a Trustee of both the York Archaeological Trust and the York Civic Trust. During 2018/19, he has taken office as President of the Yorkshire Law Society and acting as Under Sheriff.