John Groundwater
Partner
Wills & Probate, Advising the Elderly, Estate Planning
Having completed his articles at the firm of Hague & Dixon in York, John qualified as a solicitor in 1963 and joined the firm of Heddon & Brayshay (as it then was) in 1965. He became a Partner in 1969 and was appointed as Senior Partner in 1992, by which time the firm had become known as Eccles Heddon.
Throughout his time with the firm, John has been an ever present figure at the Ripon office. He has become an established and well respected member of the Ripon legal community and has provided an element of continuity for many of the firm's established clients and their families, for whom he has acted on numerous occasions. John is also a past President of the Harrogate & District Law Society.
Now semi-retired, John remains based at the firm's Ripon office, where he deals primarily with private client work, focusing particularly in the area of wills, probate and estate planning. Having spent a large part of his career as a ‘general practitioner', John also has considerable experience in a number of other areas, including property work and litigation. He now limits his work to those areas with which he is able to deal most efficiently on a part-time basis.
At various times, John has been on committees of numerous local organisations. During their spare time, John and his wife like to travel whenever possible. Closer to home, John enjoys various outdoor activities, including walking, gardening and fishing, and his sporting interests include golf and rugby union. John also has a keen interest in wine, antiques and fine art.
