Martyn Carr

Although born in Norfolk, Martyn Carr's family stretches back generations into Colchester history. One great grandfather was a substantial clothing manufacturer in the town and his grandfather practised as a Solicitor in the nearby town of Clacton.

He chose the University of Wales in Cardiff for a Law Degree, as opposed to Queen Mary College London and Hull University (where he would have had the pleasure of then being lectured by his future Partner John Hawkins). As a young man in Norfolk he was able to find summer work on the land and, as a student, spread his talents from canning strawberries to working with turkeys, and once metamorphosed as a security guard in Cardiff.

He joined the firm, as an Articled Clerk in 1980 and has remained. He became a Partner in 1984 and he was appointed as our Senior Partner in 1996. As an Articled Clerk he trained in all disciplines of the law, but found little interest in litigation or conveyancing and was groomed by Peter Benham to take over Trust and Probate work on the latter's retirement. Examining his decision to move into this area he concluded, "There is a lot of personal client contact in this work, and it includes a lot of non-lawyer work. Many of my clients are elderly and I like working with them. I enjoy practising law because, either in my own designated area or elsewhere, I find everyone is different, there is an infinite variety of people. It is challenging work. I like to think that I make a difference to people's lives."

A founder member of the local Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners, he is also a Trustee of the local Hervey Benham Charitable Trust and of the Victor Batte-lay Trust, which helps in the running of the Minories Art Gallery in Colchester. He is also a member of his local Parochial Church Council.

Hill walking in the Lakes is an annual past time; standing on touch lines on windy Saturday afternoons (encouraging his son to run even faster…) is more seasonal. He is able to remember playing in the (now long defunct) Sparling Benham & Brough mixed netball team.

As well as his role as senior Partner of the firm, he heads the Wills, Trust & Probate Department, which has expanded to assist its clients to meet the increasing complexity of Estate Trust and Inheritance law. He particularly specialises in helping the elderly and in planning what can be done to minimise the tax implications for the family, whether by Trust, Gift or Wills. Much of his work comes by way of personal reference. A Vice President of the Tendring Hundred Farmers Club, he retains an interest and practice in providing advice to the firm's many agricultural clients.

At home he supports his wife Sara in her frequent roles in the Dedham Players and she assists the firm by, amongst other things, directing gradual redecoration of the firm's Colchester offices.