Who We Are

Areas of Specialism

Clayton is a Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team, specialising in residential property repossession under Section 8 and Section 21. Clayton helps landlords navigate the legal process with clear advice and practical support, making complex procedures feel more manageable. 

Qualifications

• University of Leeds (LLB Hons)

Areas of Specialism

Sara is a Paralegal in the Commercial Property Department. Sara assists Scott Gair in a wide range of Commercial Property matters such as handling the initial onboarding for clients, undertaking legal research and preparing and negotiating legal documents. 

Qualifications

Sara went to the University of Brighton from 2014 to 2017 doing Accounting & Finance. In 2023 Sara completed her Master of Laws (LLM) achieving a 2:2.

Following on from Sara's LLM she started studying for her Solicitors Qualifying Exam's and has completed (SQE1) and is preparing to undertake her Solicitors  (SQE2) to qualify as a Solicitor. 

Sara can be contacted by email smh@deanwilson.co.uk or on direct dial 01273 032317 

Areas of Specialism

Daniel is a Senior Associate Solicitor who specialises in Property Litigation matters. Daniel has experience in dealing with landlord and tenant disputes for both residential and commercial properties, real estate disputes, lease extensions and enfranchisement. Daniel also deals with contractual disputes, debt collection, claims under the Consumer Credit Act, and takes a keen interest in taxi licensing having been instructed in the leading case of Kaivanpor v Sussex Central Justices (High Court).

Recent Client Matters

• Claim for possession of a residential property upon the grounds of redevelopment;
• Opposing a claim for a new lease of a commercial property (pursuant to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954) based upon alleged breaches of leasehold covenants;
• Appeal against a noise abatement notice served by the Local Authority upon a well-known and highly regarded local restaurant;
• Appeal against the revocation of a taxi licence by Brighton & Hove City Council.

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

• Solicitor (LLB Hons)
• Committee of the Sussex Law Society
• “Solicitor Daniel Dickson is well regarded for his work on disputes involving forfeiture and breach of contract”; “A well led property team has meant that there are various up and coming junior solicitors learning from talented partners and are being prepared to be the next stars. Daniel Dickson requires particular mention” – Legal 500, 2022

Daniel can be contacted by email (djd@deanwilson.co.uk) or on his direct dial (01273 249232)

Areas of Specialism

David has a wealth of experience and heads up the firm’s Commercial Development Team.  David has 40 years of experience in the property sector acting largely for developers, investors, dealer’s and high net worth individuals along with their family offices.

David specialises in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions and heads up a team specialising in Options, Promotion Agreements, Conditional Contracts, Infrastructure Agreements, Planning Agreements and Investments Properties as well as looking after some substantial and diverse property and land portfolio’s which his clients have built up over the years – many of Davids clients have been with him for 25 years or more.  

David works closely with the team which comprises Sinead Dye (Associate Solicitor), Amy Edwards (Solicitor), Isabelle Svendsen (Paralegal), Beth Allen (Paralegal) and Beverely McLoughlin (Assistant).  The team always look for solutions and take a flexible and pragmatic approach – the team are proactive, not reactive and the culture is “how” can we make this deal happen when obstacles are presented. The Team are experienced in acquiring land (often site assembling) and taking the development through to the sale of individual units and we deal with developments comprising single units to in excess of 150 units.  The team are also experienced in land trades and are not fazed in dealing with sites with a GDV in excess of £100m  

David can be contacted by email: dh@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 249. 

Areas of Specialism

Poppy is a Solicitor Apprentice within the family department. Before embarking on the Solicitor Apprentice journey Poppy has paralegal experience within both the Court of Protection and Commercial Property Departments.

Poppy has experience with the following: 

• Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs
• Liaison with the Court of Protection
• Providing collaborative support to Litigation Solicitors
• The management of client’s property and assets 

Recent Client Matters

• Poppy works alongside the deputy for an elderly gentleman with Dementia. Poppy has arranged for his property to be maintained, equipment to be installed, and for social activities to be re-introduced into his life.
• Poppy works collaboratively with litigation solicitors, architects, surveyors, and the client’s parents to purchase and renovate a ‘forever home’ which was adapted for the young client to meet his complex needs both now and long into his future.
• Poppy provided collaborative support and information sharing to litigation solicitors to evidence the expenditure and losses experienced by a client for his multi-million-pound settlement.

Qualifications, Membership 

• Member of the Professional Deputies Forum
• Dementia Friend 

Poppy can be contacted by email: PS@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: 01273 249225. 

Areas of Specialism

Georgia is a Legal Executive in the Court of Protection Team. Since joining the team in 2018, Georgia is an emerging talent, rapidly establishing herself as a highly capable practitioner in high‑value and complex deputyship work. Her strong analytical skills, proactive approach, and natural ability to connect with clients and professionals alike have already made her an invaluable member of the department.

Georgia has experience with the following:

• Lay Deputyship for Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare matters
• The management of client’s property and assets
• Coordinating with benefits agencies
• Complex Budgets and cashflow planning
• Collaborative support with Litigation Solicitors and Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Recent Client Matters

• Georgia has facilitated the support of a client with complex substance abuse issues. Georgia has provided consistent, reassuring support to the client and has overseen the input of a new multi-disciplinary team purpose built to support the client in their recovery.
• Georgia works alongside the deputy for an elderly gentleman with Dementia. Georgia has arranged for his property to be maintained, equipment to be installed, and for social activities to be re-introduced into his life.
• Georgia has provided thorough support for a vulnerable adult who is transitioning from a Care facility into private accommodation. Georgia has worked with the professionals involved to ensure that the private accommodation is prepared and suitable for the move. 
• Georgia played a pivotal role in a significant deputyship for a minor with complex cerebral palsy. She oversaw the procurement of highly specialised equipment tailored to the child’s evolving needs, ensuring compatibility with both clinical recommendations and the family’s home environment.
• Georgia successfully applied to the Court for Family Care Payments, securing long‑overdue funding for a family, following a previous rejected application and a two-year process.

Qualifications, Membership 

• Member of the Professional Deputyship Forum
• Dementia Friend

Georgia can be contacted by email: gk@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 032316. 

Areas of Specialism

Natalia is a highly competent paralegal who has a range of transactional experience in corporate matters. She has been assisting the Company Commercial department in share and asset acquisitions and disposals, company restructuring and various other complex matters. Her main responsibilities include drafting legal documents, intensive researching, and providing assistance through due diligence processes. She has independently taken charge in leading matters and has previously completed transactions under supervision which has earned her great appreciation amongst clients. 

Recent Client Matters

• Regularly assists one of the largest property agents in the UK to acquire letting and block management agents across the country.
• Assisted on Company restructuring for a digitally based health clinic.
• Assisted a client on the acquisition of a real estate agency and completed the transaction under supervision.

Qualifications, Membership 

• LLB Hons

Natalia can be contacted by email: nxr@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032332. 

Areas of Specialism

Lily is a Solicitor in the firm’s Dispute Resolution department, specialising in Landlord and Tenant matters. She assists with leasehold disputes, lease extensions (both statutory and informal), freehold acquisitions (both collective enfranchisement and first right of refusal claims), right to manage claims, licences for alterations and deeds of variation. 

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

• Law Degree, LLB Hons
• Legal Practice Course, LPC
• Law, Business and Management, MSc

Memberships

Dean Wilson is a member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (“ALEP”). ALEP promotes best practice by vetting organisations to ensure a consistently high level of service so that leaseholders and freeholders can contact ALEP members with confidence.

Lily can be contacted by email: LSH@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032326 

Lily is assisted by Molly Hamilton, Senior Paralegal within the Dispute Resolution department. Molly's contact details are - email: MOH@deanwilson.co.uk and direct dial: 01273 249264.

Areas of Specialism

Rebecca is a Solicitor in the General Litigation team and specialises in dispute resolution, breach of contract, construction disputes, property litigation - including possession claims and debt recovery and enforcement. 

Recent Client Matters

• Rebecca successfully obtained a freezing injunction in the high court for her client to prevent the Defendant dissipating their assets ahead of high court action.
• Rebecca settled a complex high court case reported in the media in respect of a construction dispute – Rebecca achieved a three-figure settlement figure for her client.
• Rebecca settled a breach of contract dispute concerning bonus payments – this was settled ahead of a multi-track trial and achieved a very favourable financial result for the client.
• Rebecca has been instructed by and defended high profile clients in the music industry where Rebecca had the claim against them dismissed.

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor (LLB Hons)

Rebecca can be contacted by email: RR@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249212. 

Areas of Specialism

Court of Protection Deputy and Professional Trustee, Catastrophic Personal and Medical Injury Litigation and CEDR accredited Mediator. Frances has a passion for making a difference to lives and has dedicated her whole career to helping clients and their families who suffer from life changing injuries including birth injury, acquired brain injury, spinal, amputees and those with PTSD following serious accidents and traumatic life events. She is a formidable litigator and advocate, and often calls upon her mediation skills to assist her clients and team members with disputes and issues.

Frances has acted in several high profile cases in her career including:

• XVW & YZA v Gravesend Grammar Schools for Girls & Adventure Life Signs Ltd [2012] (Vicarious Liability in a Civil Rape claim)
• Jenkins v Young Brothers Transport Ltd [2006] (assignment of Conditional Fee Agreements)
• AA (Protected Party) v BB and another (2013) (Quasi-Deputyship costs and "stop start" PPO awards)

Many catastrophic personal injury and medical negligence litigation solicitors and Deputies nationally, trust her and seek her advice and support with their vulnerable clients.

• Professional Deputy managing £540 million of assets on behalf of vulnerable clients.
• Personal Injury Trust management
• Specialist in overseeing rehabilitation and building care teams, property purchase and adaptations.
• Professional Deputy Expert Witness Statements

Recent Client Matters

• Acting as a Professional Trustee for a young woman during and following a multi-million-pound settlement. Frances has supported the purchase of a ‘forever home’ and is currently adapting this with the assistance of specialist teams. Frances is working closely with the beneficiary of the Trust to ensure she is supported, protected, consulted, and can maximise her independence.
• Frances has been appointed by another firm as Financial Deputy for a young boy they represent in medical injury litigation. Frances has provided detailed robust expert evidence which has enabled significant damages to be recovered for Deputyship costs for the client’s lifetime. Frances is managing the multi-million-pound interim payment and will manage the final award to benefit the client including adapting his home to accommodate carers, a hydro pool, finding and working with his multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, employing a case manager, carers, managing investments, budgeting and ensuring an excellent quality of life for him.
• Frances was chosen as the “go to” Deputy for a solicitor in another firm who was retiring from Deputyship work. She has been trusted to take on all the deputyship work and every client has been happy with the transition. Frances and the dedicated team are skilled in managing changes for severely damaged clients.

Qualifications

• “Fellow” of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (“APIL”) 1996 - date
• Member of the Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors (“FOCIS”) 2013- date
• Member of the Professional Deputies Forum
• Kent Law Society (Member 1990 – date) Honorary Secretary (2003- 2010), President (2011-2012) TWDLS President (2010-2011).
• Ranked Band 1 Chambers and Partners – Personal injury - recognised as a leader nationally.

Frances can be contacted by email: FVP@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249207. 

Jonathan has recently joined us as Head of the Private Client Department, following 25 years at his previous firm.  

Jonathan is able to deal with all types of private client work, whether you require assistance with Wills, Estate Planning, Inheritance Tax, Lasting Powers of Attorney or administration of estates.  Jonathan is experienced in dealing with the most complex cases, which often involve tricky family dynamics.  

Jonathan has acted for many of his clients for many years, which is testimony to his passion, which is for exceptional, communication-led, client service.  Jonathan has managed and grown, high performing teams with regular communication at the heart of everything.

Jonathan also has a background in property work, contentious probate and Court of Protection matters, and therefore has a good working knowledge of how different areas can interlink.  Being able to recognise nuances, and the interrelationship between different aspects in cases, Jonathan believes, is hugely beneficial to providing proactive, joined-up, advice. 

Areas of Specialism

Erin assists our Corporate Commercial team in a wide range of corporate transactions including share and asset acquisitions and disposals, as well as shareholders’ agreements and company restructuring. Erin's main responsibilities include drafting legal ancillary documents, legal due diligence reports and carrying out research.  

Erin graduated from the University of Sussex in 2022 with a first class LLB. Erin aspires to qualify as a solicitor via the SQE route, solidifying her dedication to professional growth and contributing to the legal field with her expertise.  

Recent Client Matters

• Regularly assists one of the largest property agents in the UK to acquire letting and block management agents across the country.
• Assisting buyers in purchasing a hospitality business in Brighton;
• Assisting sellers and buyers of estate agency businesses; 

Qualifications, Membership 

• LLB Hons

Erin can be contacted by email: egb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249227.  

Abigail has recently graduated from the University of Southampton with an LLB (Hons) Degree in Law and has now begun her legal career at the firm, within the Corporate Department. In her role, she assists the team with various aspects of corporate transactions, including drafting legal ancillary documents, assembling legal due diligence reports and conducting research. 

QUALIFICATIONS

LLB Hons 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Abigail can be contacted by email: alb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249256.

Areas of Specialism

Melissa is a dedicated HR Officer with a passion for fostering a positive and supportive work environment. Melissa has a strong background in Law, having joined the firm as a Paralegal in Dispute Resolution before transitioning into human resources. 

Melissa oversees the general day-to-day employee relations, arranges training for the firm and manages the recruitment and onboarding process while ensuring a seamless employee experience. 

Melissa brings Percy, her adorable Golden Retriever pup, into the office. One of the firm's benefits is having a dog-friendly office. 

Qualifications

Melissa has completed her Level 3 CIPD and is currently undergoing Level 5. 

Melissa can be contacted by email mjf@deanwilson.co.uk, or on her direct dial, 01273 032329.

AREAS OF SPECIALISM

Molly is a Senior Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team, and specialise in Landlord and Tenant matters. Molly assists with lease extensions (both statutory and informal), freehold acquisitions, deeds of variations and a variety of Landlord and Tenant issues. 

Molly has over 5 years’ experience working in the legal industry, having previously worked in a local firm, which included working in Residential Property.

QUALIFICATIONS

History BA (Hons) 2:2 

Postgraduate LLM Merit 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Molly can be contacted by email: moh@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249264

Areas of Specialism

Scott is a highly experienced solicitor and heads up the firm’s Commercial Real Estate team.  With over 20 years of experience in the legal sector, Scott has established a reputation for providing excellent service, achieving positive outcomes for his clients and prides himself on taking a detailed yet commercial and pragmatic approach to his work.

Scott specialises in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions and the bulk of his day-to-day work involves working with property investors and landlords with considerable portfolios and dealing with the ongoing legal work that this typically involves.  

Scott specialises in licensing too.  Scott used to teach the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) at City College in Brighton and the Award for Licensing Practitioners (ALP) to Sussex Police and Sussex based Licensing Authorities.  This experience allows Scott to act for a number of clients with licensed premises, advising them on not only the commercial property aspects, but also the licensing elements too.  This places him in a unique position within the industry, specialising in both disciplines.

Scott is known for his dedication to his clients and his ability to provide clear and practical advice.  He takes the time to understand his clients’ needs and works closely with them to achieve their goals.

Recent Client Matters

• Involved in a large corporate acquisition which included over 55 commercial properties;
• Multiple eight figure portfolio refinances;
• Acquisition of a retail portfolio for over £10m;
• Refinance of commercial and residential portfolio worth over £5m

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor
• LLB Hons
• PTLLS

Scott can be contacted by email: sg@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249265.