GABY HARDWICKE - Key Persons


Alexandra Smith

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Solicitor
  • Senior Associate Solicitor, Private Client
Alexandra graduated with honours in History and Politics at the University of East Anglia, after which she qualified as a Solicitor in 2010. Prior to joining Gaby Hardwicke, Alexandra worked at a local law firm for a number of years where she completed her training contract, specialising in Private Client work since 2017. Alexandra joined Gaby Hardwicke's Private Client Team in 2019. Her specialisms include: Wills Probate Lasting Powers of Attorney Outside work, Alexandra enjoys reading and cycling and has in the past taken part in a number of charity bike rides. Alex also sings with a local choir, performing pieces from musicals, film & opera.

Anna Goodwin

Job Titles:
  • Graduate Trainee Solicitor
  • Graduate Trainee Solicitor, Private Client
Anna joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2024 having graduated with a law degree from the University of Bristol. She then successfully completed the Legal Practice Course and a Masters in Law at BPP University. As a trainee solicitor at Gaby Hardwicke, Anna is gaining experience through ‘seats' in different areas of law, including private client, commercial, property and disputes. Outside work, Anna enjoys painting, running and travelling.

Anna Kirova

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Solicitor
  • Associate Solicitor, Private Client
Anna graduated in law, with honours, at the University of Surrey. She then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course with commendation and then her training contract. Anna has specialised in private client work since 2019. Before joining Gaby Hardwicke, she worked at other local law firms. Anna's specialisms include:-

Antony Caulfield

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner, Solicitor & Chartered Tax Advisor, Private Client
Antony is both a qualified solicitor and a chartered tax advisor. He provides specialist expertise in Wills, estate planning, personal tax and trusts, all aspects of probate and estate administration and managing the affairs of the elderly. He holds an honours law degree from Cardiff University and was admitted as a Solicitor in 1999, since when he has specialised in Private Client work. As well as being a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation Antony is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and The Association of Lifetime Lawyers. He is also Vice Chairman of Age UK East Sussex.

Barnaby Bose

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor / Employment Law
Barnaby graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a first class honours degree in law in 2019. He then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course and a masters in legal practice, earning a distinction. Prior to joining Gaby Hardwicke, Barnaby honed his skills working as a paralegal before embarking on his training contract with a local law firm. He qualified as a solicitor in 2024. Barnaby deals with a broad range of employment matters, including but not limited to drafting contracts of employment, holiday pay issues, redundancies and TUPE. Barnaby has a keen attention to detail and strives to make things as easy and straightforward as possible for clients. Outside work, Barnaby has an interest in classical music, having played both the clarinet and the piano for over 10 years. He also enjoys keeping fit by running and weightlifting.

Beth Ronnie

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Solicitor

Callum Garlick

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Solicitor
  • Associate Solicitor, Property Dispute Resolution
Callum joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2021 having graduated in Law, with honours, from the University of Sussex. He then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course. He was admitted as a Solicitor in 2023. Prior to joining the firm, Callum worked in personal injury and clinical negligence from both legal and insurer perspectives. Callum prides himself on his enthusiasm and passion, providing an attentive and supportive service. Outside work, Callum enjoys writing fiction such as novels and screenplays, and history. He also enjoys boxing and Brazilian Ju jitsu.

Cara Grant

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner, Private Client
Cara grew up in Bexhill after which she attended Birmingham University to read Law with French. She spent a year of her four-year course in Limoges and is fluent in French. After graduating with honours she attended the College of Law for her Legal Practice Course, which she passed with a Commendation. Cara joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2003 and has been a Solicitor since 2005, since when she has specialised in Private Client work. She is a fully qualified member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). She undertakes a wide variety of work as a traditional family solicitor including: Wills, probate and trusts Personal taxation Powers of Attorney Court of Protection cases In her spare time Cara plays golf at Highwoods and badminton for Cooden.

Cathy Allen

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner, Property Dispute Resolution
Cathy holds an honours degree in Law with German from Warwick University, and went on to complete the academic stage of her legal training at the College of Law in London. She then joined a large City firm for her training contract, where she qualified as a Solicitor in 2005, specialising since then in property litigation. Cathy spent four years working in the City, acting for people, businesses and charities in relation to the full spectrum of property dispute matters. In 2009, Cathy moved to Devon and spent three years heading up the property litigation team in a Devon practice. After starting a family in 2012, Cathy moved back to the south east and returned to the City firm where she'd trained. She joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2016. Cathy has acted for a number of high-profile clients, including a Premiership football club in relation to a judicial review relating to its new training ground, a pop star regarding his freehold purchase and many national charities regarding their property portfolios. Cathy's specialisms include: Landlord and tenant issues regarding residential, commercial and rural property - e.g. lease renewals, possession claims, service charge disputes, dilapidations, recovery of arrears, break clauses, rent reviews. Planning issues - e.g. planning appeals, judicial review. Party wall matters. Boundary disputes and rights of way issues. Restrictive covenants. Leasehold enfranchisement - e.g. lease extensions and freehold purchases. Trusts of land (e.g. claims under TOLATA 1996). Environmental issues - e.g. contaminated land. Outside work, Cathy enjoys most musical pastimes, playing sport when she can, and is kept busy with two young sons.

Charlotte Wilde

Job Titles:
  • Chartered Legal Executive
  • Chartered Legal Executive, Private Client
Charlotte joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2019, having completed a Law Degree at the University of Winchester in 2017 and subsequently a Diploma in Legal Practice with Chartered Institute of Legal Executives Law School. Prior to joining Gaby Hardwicke, Charlotte worked in London in the Intellectual Property sector. Based in the firm's Bexhill Private Client Department, Charlotte specialises in Probate and the Administration of Estates. She prides herself on being approachable and considerate in the way she handles matters. Outside work, Charlotte likes to keep fit by attending exercise classes. She is also a keen baker and loves testing out new recipes on friends and family.

Chloe Risby

Job Titles:
  • Graduate Paralegal, Corporate Finance and Commercial Agreements
Chloe joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2023 having graduated with first class honours in Law from the University of Brighton. Prior to joining the firm, Chloe worked at a local firm of Solicitors where she gained experience in the Company and Commercial Department. Chloe's area of work is in corporate transactions, including share and asset sales and purchases. Outside work, Chloe enjoys reading, running, cycling and martial arts (taekwondo).

Christiana McKeown

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Solicitor

Christopher Moye

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate Solicitor / Commercial Property
Christopher holds an honours degree in Law from the University of Bournemouth and after completing his degree he undertook the Legal Practice Course at the University of Cardiff. He completed his legal training at an East Sussex law firm and joined Gaby Hardwicke shortly after qualifying as a solicitor in the spring of 2017. He has specialised in Commercial and Residential Property since then.

Colette Payne

Job Titles:
  • Representative for East Sussex Maternity Voices Partnership
  • Senior Associate Solicitor / Personal Injury
Colette joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2023 having graduated with first class honours in Law and European Legal Studies at the University of Kent. She then successfully completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, London with distinction. She qualified as a Solicitor in October 2014. Colette has always acted only for claimants. She is passionate about acting exclusively for people who have suffered injuries. She has experience in a wide variety of matters including industrial disease, road traffic accidents, psychiatric injury, delay in diagnosis and orthopaedic trauma. She has achieved strong results for victims of mesothelioma as well as representing families at inquests into the deaths of their loved ones due to a failure to diagnose and treat sepsis. Colette has spent the last few years specialising in representing children who have suffered a brain injury as a result of medical errors or collisions. She is experienced in working on complex claims, including cerebral palsy and stroke. She is driven by a desire to secure compensation as soon as possible to help her clients rebuild their lives and access the support and rehabilitation they need to thrive and enjoy life post-injury. Colette is also an IPSEA-qualified special educational needs advisor. She has successfully challenged local authorities in the First Tier Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal to improve the educational provision in her client's Education and Health Care Plans. Being passionate about the difference charities can make to our clients' lives, Colette has raised money and awareness for children who have been affected by brain injury. She took part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride, Blenheim Triathlon, and the Big Half Marathon to raise funds for Young Epilepsy. She has also raised funds for The Child Brain Injury Trust, Cerebra and Contact. Outside work, Colette is a service representative for East Sussex Maternity Voices Partnership. She is committed to working alongside parents and health professionals in Brighton, Hove and Mid Sussex to improve local maternity services.

Daniela Bushe

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner, Commercial Disputes
Daniela graduated with honours in Law at the University of East Anglia, after which she undertook the Legal Practice Course at the University of Westminster. Thereafter she completed her training at a Hertfordshire law firm and qualified as a solicitor in April 2009. Most of her training was spent in litigation. Upon qualification she moved to a Brighton and London-based firm and continued to practise in commercial dispute resolution. She remained there until joining Gaby Hardwicke in October 2012. Daniela is a Partner in our Commercial Dispute Resolution department at the Eastbourne office. Her caseload includes a wide range of commercial disputes. In particular, her practice covers contractual disputes (to include business to business disputes and acting for businesses against consumers), professional negligence claims, intellectual property disputes, passing-off actions, debt recovery for businesses and a wide range of landlord and tenant (commercial and residential) disputes, including but not limited to possession claims, contested lease renewals, etc. She acts for both claimants and defendants and has acted for a wide range of businesses.

David Cooper

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Solicitor
  • Senior Associate Solicitor, Private Client
David joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2021 having qualified as a Solicitor in 2017. He graduated in Law from Southampton Solent University after which he completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London. Prior to joining Gaby Hardwicke, David gained experience in the private client field initially at the firm in Sussex where he qualified, and then at a major Kent practice. He specialises in wills, powers of attorney and probate. David prides himself on being a good listener, empathetic and approachable. Outside the office, David enjoys DIY, walking and swimming.

Debra Frazer

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Member of Resolution
  • Partner / Family Law
  • Specialist
Debra is a partner in the firm and a specialist family law solicitor with over 30 years' experience. An active member of Resolution, Debra is committed to working in a constructive and non-confrontational way to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients. Debra is a trained family mediator and a Resolution-trained collaborative lawyer, and she uses the skills she has developed to negotiate on behalf of her clients to obtain the most favourable agreed outcomes possible. On occasions, however, negotiating an agreement is not possible, and court proceedings may be necessary. In those cases, Debra works tirelessly for her clients and can call on a team of trusted and experienced professionals including barristers, accountants, independent financial advisers, family coaches and child experts to guide her clients through what can be a challenging process. Her clients say that she goes ‘the extra mile' for them and they feel well supported. Debra specialises in advising both married and unmarried couples experiencing relationship breakdown, covering both financial issues and arrangements for children. She also has expertise in same-sex marriages and civil partnerships. In recent years, there has been an increase in clients wanting to protect their pre-acquired assets. Debra can advise and prepare Pre & Post Nuptial Agreements, Pre-Civil Partnership Agreements and Co-habitation Agreements. Additionally, she frequently drafts Separation Agreements. Additionally, Debra is a specialist in advising and representing clients who have suffered domestic abuse. She understands how difficult it can be for people in abusive and toxic relationships to seek help, but she is able to call on her years of experience and knowledge in guiding her clients through such matters. Currently Debra is a co-chair of Resolution's Standards Committee which promotes high standards of practice for all members of the organisation including the preparation of Guides to Good Practice and Guidance Notes for use by its members. Away from the office Debra enjoys walking, travelling and exploring different countries as well as spending time with her family.

Dr Frederick Goodwin

Dr Frederick Goodwin founded the firm in Hastings in 1889 and was joined in practice by Ralph Gaby three years later. Goodwin retired from the partnership in 1894 and Gaby continued alone until Allen Hardwicke became a partner after the First World War and the firm's title altered accordingly.

Elaine Scott-Rebera

Job Titles:
  • Associate Solicitor / Commercial Disputes
Elaine joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2023, having completed a law degree at the University of Sussex and subsequently her LPC and Masters (with distinction) at the University of Law, Guildford. Prior to joining the firm, Elaine worked at a local law firm where she gained experience in a wide range of commercial dispute matters. Her specialisms include contractual disputes (business to business and business to consumer), shareholder and partnership disputes, debt recovery for businesses, professional negligence issues and IP disputes. Outside work, Elaine enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking her two dogs and paddleboarding when the weather permits.

Elena Thompson

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Solicitor
  • Associate Solicitor, Private Client
Elena originally studied Drama at the University of Kent and went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Law. She subsequently completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law qualifying as a Solicitor in 2020. Prior to joining the firm, Elena worked at another local firm of solicitors where she trained and qualified as a solicitor. Elena's specialisms include Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Declarations of Trust and Administrations of Estates. Elena prides herself on being approachable, whilst giving honest and realistic advice to clients. Outside work, Elena enjoys netball, cooking, watching stand up comedy and spending time with friends and family.

Emily Hearn

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Solicitor
  • Associate Solicitor, Private Client
Emily joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2023 having graduated in Law at the University of East Anglia. She then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law with distinction. Prior to joining the firm, Emily worked at a local law firm where she completed her training contract. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2021. Emily's specialisms include Probate and Administration of Estates, Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Emily is empathetic, friendly and happy to discuss sensitive topics of life and death. Outside work, Emily enjoys going to the cinema.

Emma Kolkman

Job Titles:
  • Graduate Trainee Solicitor, Employment Law
Emma joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2023 having graduated in Geography from the University of Manchester. She then successfully completed the Legal Practice Course and Masters in law at the University of Westminster. Prior to joining the firm, Emma worked at a local firm in their Dispute Resolution Department. As a trainee solicitor at Gaby Hardwicke, Emma is gaining experience through ‘seats' in different areas of law, including Commercial, Property and Disputes. Outside work, Emma enjoys rock climbing and cooking.

Emma Symonds

Job Titles:
  • Senior Conveyancing Executive / Residential Property
Emma joined the firm in 2004 as secretary to the Head of the Residential Conveyancing department but quickly progressed to her current role as a Conveyancing Executive. She has more than 20 years' experience of working in conveyancing. She has experience in dealing with residential sales and purchases, remortgages and also new-build plot purchases.

Fraser Argyle

Job Titles:
  • Paralegal, Personal Injury
Fraser joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2022, having graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees first in History from the University of Birmingham and subsequently in Law from the University of Sussex. Fraser is meticulously attentive and a fast and ready learner who is always seeking to improve his knowledge and understanding of the law. Outside work, Fraser enjoys reading graphic novels, spending time with friends and keeping fit by going to the gym and playing football for his local Saturday league football team.

Gary Winterton

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • in 2000 As IT Manager
  • Partner ( Non - Solicitor ) Head of Finance & Administration
  • Partner and Head of Finance & Administration
Gary joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2000 as IT Manager. Whilst at Gaby Hardwicke he studied for an MBA and became a partner in 2010 with a place on the Board of Management. He has responsibility for all the information technology, finance, personnel and facilities functions of the firm. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Institute of Legal Finance and Management (ILFM).

Gemma Blatchly

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor
  • Graduate Trainee Solicitor / Commercial Property
Gemma joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2022 having graduated with a law degree from the University of Southampton. She has gained experience within the legal profession having previously worked in support roles across several departments in the firm. As a trainee solicitor at Gaby Hardwicke, Gemma is gaining experience through ‘seats' in different areas of law, including Commercial, Property and Disputes. Gemma is approachable, dedicated and has a strong attention to detail. Outside work, Gemma enjoys cooking, paddleboarding and going to the gym.

Giles Robinson

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner / Family Law
Having graduated from the University of the West of England with an honours degree in Law, Giles has worked exclusively in family law since qualifying as a solicitor in 1990. Before joining Gaby Hardwicke in February 2006, he was a partner in a well-known Canterbury firm. Giles has extensive experience in helping clients with issues arising from the breakdown of their relationships (or as they enter into those relationships), whether they are married, unmarried or in a civil partnership. He provides specialist legal advice on: Issues arising from divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships and separation (including assets and finances). Children (including child residence, child contact disputes, special guardianship orders, child support and child maintenance, paternity disputes and adoption). Pre-nuptial agreements (pre-nups), post-nuptial agreements (post-nups), cohabitation agreements (also called living together agreements). Giles combines an extensive knowledge of the law with realistic and practical advice, providing clients with sympathetic, steadfast guidance at what is often a very stressful time. He is a member of the leading national family law organisation Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association) and the Family Law Panel of the Law Society. For 17 years, Giles combined his regular practice with delivering lectures to fellow solicitors around the country on a variety of family law topics, for Central Law Training, enjoying a national profile. Outside work, Giles is passionate about public speaking and is a member of both Battle Speakers Club and the Eastbourne Speakers Club. He also enjoys walking, golf and squash.

Hannah Bambury

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner, Commercial Property
Hannah graduated with honours in History from University College London and qualified as a Solicitor in 2002. She joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2016, after 15 years working at the London office of an international law firm. Since qualifying as a solicitor, she has amassed a wealth of experience in all aspects of transactional commercial property work - in particular in the investment market - dealing with assets within various sectors such as offices, warehouses, retail units, hotels, care homes, leisure and industrial parks. Clients include corporate occupiers, private investors and more institutional investors and, on the finance side, Hannah has worked extensively with lenders such as HSBC, Santander, Lloyds, Barclays and RBS. Her specialisms include: Corporate occupiers Real estate finance Landlord and tenant Commercial investment Acquisitions and disposals Hannah has acted on the acquisition and disposal of both individual assets and property portfolios, together with the management of such assets. Hannah has also acted for a number of high-profile corporate occupiers, most notably in the digital business sector. She led the European HQ move of Expedia to a new London office and also acted for Facebook in its high-profile letting of 90,000 sq ft office premises in London. She has since headed up several other Facebook property transactions in London and throughout the UK, including the letting of 60,000 sq ft London office premises. Outside work Hannah enjoys reading, spin classes and spending time with her family and friends.

Hayley Tyler

Job Titles:
  • Conveyancing Executive / Residential Property
Hayley joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2020 after gaining her level 4 diploma in conveyancing law and practice. Hayley previously worked at a local conveyancing firm where she acquired expertise in residential freehold and leasehold sales and purchases. Hayley prides herself on her immaculate organisational skills and attention to detail. Outside work she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her cavapoo puppy, Franki.

Hermione Porter

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor / Employment Law
Hermione graduated from the University of Sussex with a First Class Honours Law Degree in 2023. She then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course with distinction. Prior to joining the firm, Hermione worked at a West Sussex law firm where she trained and qualified as a solicitor. Hermione deals with a range of both contentious and non-contentious matters, including advising on disciplinary and grievance procedures, Employment Tribunal claims, redundancy processes, GDPR matters, settlement agreements and reviewing and drafting contractual employment documentation. Hermione prides herself on her personal approach with clients, looking at the legal, practical and commercial implications. Outside work, Hermione enjoys swimming, baking and travelling.

Ian Hoare

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner, Commercial Property
Ian holds an honours degree in Law from the University of Kent, and qualified as a Solicitor in 2004. Ian joined Gaby Hardwicke in 2018 from a leading Kent firm. He has specialised in commercial conveyancing since qualifying as a solicitor. His fields of expertise include: Commercial property acquisitions and sales. Commercial leases (acting for both landlords and tenants) and lease dealings. Licences to occupy. Options, pre-emptions and conditional contracts. Deeds of easement. Overage agreements. Development site acquisitions. Auction purchases and sales. High-value residential property acquisitions, sales and mortgaging. Ian prides himself on providing clear, pragmatic advice, finding fast solutions to problems and placing his clients' objectives at the forefront of his approach. He has acted for a wide range of clients, of varying sizes and sectors, including the landlord of one of the UK's largest solar farms and a large national landowner on the sale of a substantial portfolio of unregistered properties at auction. He has also acted for numerous investor clients on the acquisition of freehold and leasehold properties in London. Outside of work, Ian is a keen amateur astronomer, with a particular interest in astrophotography. He volunteers regularly at open evenings at the Observatory Science Centre in Herstmonceux, informing members of the public about space and astronomy. His other interests include sailing, cycling and travel.

Iona Smith

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner / Personal Injury

James Mountford

Job Titles:
  • Partner

Jeremy Laws - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Managing Partner
  • Partner

Jessie Hansford

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner / Family Law

Jo Weaver

Job Titles:
  • Senior Private Client Executive

Jodie Harwood

Job Titles:
  • Private Client Executive

Joel Ballam

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Solicitor

John Sanders

Job Titles:
  • Conveyancing Executive / Residential Property

Jon Fielden

Job Titles:
  • Senior Consultant / Commercial Property

Jonathan Midgley

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Senior Partner

Kate Scott

Job Titles:
  • Senior Family Law Executive / Family Law

Katie Bull

Job Titles:
  • Senior Licensed Conveyancer

Laura Grant

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Solicitor

Lauren Pope

Job Titles:
  • Conveyancing Executive / Residential Property

Lindsey Duinhoven

Job Titles:
  • Chartered Legal Executive

Lisa Treadgold

Job Titles:
  • Private Client Executive

Louise Burois

Job Titles:
  • Graduate Trainee Solicitor / Commercial Disputes

Lucy Hunting

Job Titles:
  • Associate Solicitor / Residential Property

Mark Williams

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner, Corporate Transactions and Commercial Contracts
Mark graduated with an honours degree in Law from Leicester University after which he qualified as a Solicitor in 1998. He has specialised in Corporate Finance and Commercial Law since then. Since joining Gaby Hardwicke in 1996 he has led the majority of the firm's high-value corporate and commercial transactions, including acting for clients based in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and America. Specialising in corporate finance and transactional work, including acquisitions, disposals and MBOs, Mark is responsible for the co-ordination of all legal services relating to such transactions and has frequently acted in deals to a value of £20 million. The department has the expertise, experience and personnel to advise on such transactions and always endeavours to bring a commercial, pragmatic approach and real added value to every deal.

Martin Davitt

Job Titles:
  • Associate Solicitor / Commercial Property

Mary Tran

Job Titles:
  • Private Client Executive

Melanie Verth

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Partner / Residential Property

Nadia Winn

Job Titles:
  • Associate Solicitor / Family Law

Paul Maynard

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Solicitor
  • Partner, Employment Law
Paul is a leading employment solicitor, who has a particular expertise in areas where there is often a cross over with other areas of law such as shareholder and partnership disputes, breaches of director and other fiduciary duties, the enforcement of post termination restrictions and the protection of confidential information and other intellectual property. He has been involved in many of the leading business protection cases of the last two decades including Crowson Fabrics v Rider [2007] - preparatory steps to compete being in breach of the duty of fidelity; Whitmar Publications v Gamage [2013] - the first injunction to prevent misuse of LinkedIn contacts; Planon v Gilligan [2022] - the correct approach to the enforceability of a non-compete clause and Willow Oak Developments v Silverwood [2006] - refusal to agree new restrictive covenants can justify dismissal. He has been instructed in many other cases that have been resolved successfully before judgment, including a long running business diversion claim by the F3 Group against two former directors, which settled for a substantial sum following successful applications for injunctions and specific disclosure. Paul is regularly sought out just to advise on business protection issues in the context of both disputes and transactions, having authored the UK chapter of a leading international textbook on the subject for the Centre for International Legal Studies in Salzburg. Paul takes pride in achieving innovative solutions to help businesses and business owners resolve their problems. He is regularly instructed in respect of partnership exits, derivative claims and unfair prejudice petitions, utilising his experience of both employment and commercial law to unlock often the most intractable disputes. Many employers, including some large London law firms, have Paul on speed dial to help with any of their employment law needs, whether it is to implement a workforce restructure, to undertake an independent investigation, to assist in a disciplinary or grievance process or to tenaciously defend an employment tribunal claim. Additionally, he is frequently instructed by schools and other educational establishments in both the private and public sector, care homes, dental practices and GP surgeries including their federations, occupational health providers and large employers in the tech and engineering sectors. Paul also represents senior executives, professionals and those from the sporting and media world. Upon qualification in 1998, Paul was awarded the Law Society's National Prize for Outstanding Achievement and in 2006 was awarded a master's degree in advanced employment practice with distinction from De Montfort University. He is one of the few lawyers in the country to successfully challenge the UK Government in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Pollyanna Cooke

Job Titles:
  • Graduate Trainee Solicitor

Rachel Cullip

Job Titles:
  • Senior Private Client Executive

Rebecca Sweetman

Job Titles:
  • Graduate Paralegal / Personal Injury

Richard Ostle

Job Titles:
  • Partner

Robert Benton

Job Titles:
  • Senior Conveyancing Executive / Residential Property

Robyn Edwards

Job Titles:
  • Licensed Conveyancer / Residential Property

Rory McColl

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate Solicitor / Residential Property

Ruby Perris

Job Titles:
  • Private Client Executive

Samantha Denham

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate Solicitor / Residential Property

Sandie Munden

Job Titles:
  • Private Client Executive

Sarah Priestman

Job Titles:
  • Senior Chartered Legal Executive / Residential Property

Sarah Smith

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Solicitor

Shelley Cole

Job Titles:
  • Senior Paralegal

Sophie Miller

Job Titles:
  • Paralegal / Corporate Finance & Commercial Contracts

Tahlia Winn

Job Titles:
  • Paralegal / Residential Property

Thomas Goodenough

Job Titles:
  • Graduate Trainee Solicitor

William Baker

Job Titles:
  • Associate Solicitor / Commercial Contracts