Who We Are

Areas of Specialism

Ben is a Senior Chartered Legal Executive in the Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team. He specialises in complex personal injury and medical negligence claims, acting for the injured party or the families. He specialises in a wide range of life-changing injuries ranging from road traffic accidents, employment claims to severe injury medical negligence claims. Ben is also frequently instructed to represent families at inquest. 

Ben has dealt with a number of profile matters which have been reported in the regional, national, and international media. 

Recent Client Matters

Personal Injury

• Securing a £2million pound settlement for a man left brain damaged after a road traffic accident. The Defendant initially offered just £40,000 alleging that the Claimant was exaggerating his injuries.
• Settling a case for £1.3million on behalf of the family of a man killed by a hit and run driver.
• A substantial confidential sum for a Claimant who suffered a traumatic brain injury following a road traffic accident.
• Acting for Keith Tarry in a high profile claim against easyJet.
• £450,000 for a protected party who suffered a brain injury after his a chair he was sitting on collapsed.
• Settling a ‘secondary victim’ case two weeks before trial. Liability was denied on the basis that the Claimant had no right in law to damages but despite this, a favourable settlement was achieved.
• Obtaining £225,000 for a client who seriously injured his back during unsafe lifting practices at work.
• Acting for a client who suffered severe pelvic, wrist and head injuries after a fall from height at work.
• A substantial six figure claim on behalf of three daughters after their mother was killed in a road traffic accident.

Medical Negligence

• Concluding a claim at a settlement meeting before trial for £3.5 million where the Claimant, a young boy, suffered a significant brain injury after a brain abscess was missed by his GP.
• Obtaining a million pound settlement in respect to a failure to treatment an infection after orthopaedic surgery. 
• A six figure sum plus an apology on behalf of the family of a woman who died in hospital after mismanagement of a stomach ulcer.
• Obtaining a substantial six figure sum for a woman going blind though medical negligence.
• Settling a chronic pain claim in the Claimant’s favour two days into a four-day trial.
• Settlement and an apology on behalf of the family of a woman who died after a delay in diagnosing sepsis.
• Acting on behalf of the estate of a father who died as a result of a delay in diagnosing bowel cancer. The case was defended vigorously throughout but the settlement was achieved before trial.

Inquests

• Archie Jesty – 18 year old who took his own life following mental health failings
• Oscar Riley – a two year old who died after a brain tumour was not identified by medical professionals treating him – pro bono
• Reece Lapina Amarelle – who took his own life after he was discharged from a secure unit. A successful civil claim was later pursued.
• Catherine Robinson – a finding of neglect against a health trust who failed to provide appropriate treatment to a woman who later took her own life. Civil claim ongoing.
• Marcella Walton – a 16 year old girl who took her own life after failings in mental health treatment. The Coroner concluded that there were missed opportunities to intervene. Civil claim ongoing.

Human Rights

• Article 2 (right to life) claims on behalf of the family of Reece Lapina Amarelle
• Article 3 (torture & degrading treatment) & Art 8 (private & family life) group action claims on behalf of more than 70 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims. Ongoing.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

• First Tier Tribunal appeal on behalf of a man left with a traumatic injury following an attack with a bottle. 812% increase on compensation achieved.

Feedback

Ben works hard to get the best possible results for his clients. He is organised, has good analytical skills and a good eye for detail – Chambers & Partners 2024

Thinks outside the box – he sees and acknowledges my struggles – The Legal 500 2023

Years of relevant experience and can take cases forward and to successful conclusions with vigour – The Legal 500 2022

Truly outstanding professional – he is willing to go the extra mile and you can always rely on him to ensure clients get justice - Chambers and Partners 2022

Ben Davey was highly professional, diligent and constructively helpful in his explanations. Ben quickly identified the issues and provided a practical approach to deal with the issues in question and accordingly I have no hesitation in recommending him and his firm – Google review

Qualifications, Membership (& Directory Rankings)

• Senior Chartered Legal Executive (FCilex)
• Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
• Headway Panel Solicitor
• Major Trauma Signposting Partnership (Brighton)

Fatima is a paralegal in the Dean Wilson Residential Conveyancing Department. Fatima assists our Partner, Siobhan Cox with all of her Residential Conveyancing and Commercial Property matters.

Fatima is responsible for taking on delegated task, responding to new enquires and carrying out all required administrative duties.

Before joining Dean Wilson Fatima worked for HMCTS. Her primary role was as Clerk to the Circuit and District Judges. 

Fatima has a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Sussex and hopes to be completing a Master’s degree in the near future. Away from work and studies, Fatima enjoys traveling and badminton.

Qualifications

• LLB Hons – University of Sussex

Fatima can be contacted by email: FYH@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249209

Areas of Specialism

Sarah is a Partner in the Family team, who specialises in complex Children Act litigation (private law), Financial Remedies on divorce, cohabitation agreements and disputes, and protection from domestic abuse.  

• Child arrangements orders – living and spending time arrangements
• Children – specific issue and prohibited steps orders -  vaccination, education, name change, temporary and permanent removal from the jurisdiction, enforcement, parental alienation
• Children – contact to grandparents
• Financial remedies on divorce / dissolution of civil partnership -  business and trust assets, pension sharing, litigation and financial conduct
• Pre and Post-nuptial agreements
• Separation and cohabitation agreements 
• Domestic violence injunctions

Recent Client Matters

• Sarah regularly represents parents in private law proceedings where mental health issues, substance misuse, and allegations of coercive control, narcissism and parental alienation are a central feature.
• Sarah negotiated a financial settlement in which the client received an 80% share of the equity in the family home, and maintenance for five years to provide the client with time to attain financial independence without undue hardship. 
• Sarah recently represented a father at a Fact Finding hearing in which findings were made against him, but following engagement in a DVPP, parenting courses and therapy, the father was able to secure an order for shared care of the parties’ two children. 
• Sarah regularly settles financial remedy cases by way of advice during mediation, voluntary disclosure and solicitor-led negotiations, avoiding the cost and stress of contested proceedings for her clients. 

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor (PGDL) City University 
• Resolution Accredited Specialist Family Lawyer – Complex Financial Remedies
• Resolution Accredited Specialist Family Lawyer – Children Law Private 
• Resolution qualified Collaborative Lawyer
• Member of Resolution 
• Chambers - Legal 500

Areas of Specialism

Duncan advises clients on a range of contentious issues including commercial lease renewals, dilapidations, rent disputes, forfeiture, construction disputes and trusts in land.  He also advises on property related professional negligence disputes and development issues such as boundary disputes and easements.

His other main area of practice corporate insolvency and bankruptcy and in particular, litigation arising out of transactions at undervalue, preferences and issues regarding directors.

Duncan has good experience of broader commercial issues including contractual disputes and debt recovery.  

Recent Client Matters

• Acting for a landlord in a successful application to the Land Tribunal for a declaration of breach of lease owing to the tenant (a housing authority) placing residents in their properties who abused drugs. 
• Acting for the liquidator of a well-known company bringing a successful claim against a director for breach of fiduciary duties.
• Successfully acting for a defendant company in a multi-million pound claim relating to unpaid commission for investment introductions.
• Successful defence against a winding up petition on the basis of unfair prejudice brought against company and its sole director
• Numerous successful outcomes to arrears and insurance claims for both tenant and landlord arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Duncan can be contacted by email: drw@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249236. 

Areas of Specialism

Daniel is an Associate Solicitor who specialise 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).
Daniel is assisted by Melissa Birkhead, Paralegal, within the Dispute Resolution Department.
Melissa’s can be contacted by email (mrb@deanwilson.co.uk) or on her direct dial (01273 032340).

Areas of Specialism

Karl is the Head of Department of the Residential Property Department and manages the fee earners within the team as well as the paralegals/support staff. 

Karl has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 13 years and specialises in all aspects of Residential property transactions. 

Karl has an excellent reputation with estate agents, mortgage brokers, surveyors and the like and is sought after by property developers and local estate agents.  

Karl’s specialist areas are newbuild sales and purchases with or without help to buy involvement, although Karl does deal with residential and buy to let sales, purchases and re-mortgages on a day to day basis and has a wealth of knowledge in this respect. 

Qualifications, Membership 

• LLB Hons

Karl can be contacted by email: ksp@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249248. 

Karl is assisted by Lauren Gillman, Paralegal within the Property Department. Lauren’s contact details are: Email: lg@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 032321. 

Areas of Specialism

After undertaking a varied training contract with the firm, Hermione qualified into the Employment department in September 2023. Before qualification Hermione spent her final seat in the Employment team where she gained experience advising both employers and employees on a variety of matters.

Hermione provides continuing support to employers on a range of areas of employment law. She has previously worked with clients advising on matters such as maternity leave arrangements, Working Time Regulations and redundancy procedures. Hermione is also involved with litigious matters recently assisting an employer defending a race discrimination claim brought in the Employment Tribunal. 

Hermione has experience with undertaking a range of drafting tasks. She can assist with preparing, reviewing and updating contracts of employment, staff handbooks, consultancy agreements and disciplinary procedures. 

Hermione also provides advice to individuals and has previously advised employees on matters such as unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. Hermione also has experience with advising on settlement agreements.

Background

Hermione started with Dean Wilson as a paralegal in 2021. She read Law at the University of Sussex and completed her LPC at the University of Law, Guildford. During her time studying she also participated in schemes providing pro-bono legal advice. 

As well as employment matters, Hermione also has a keen interest in GDPR related queries and provides advice on employers obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR. 

Areas of Specialism

Annie has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 10 years and specialises in all aspects of Residential property transactions. 

Annie has an excellent reputation with local estate agents, mortgage brokers, surveyors and the like and has a large client base, built up over the years. 

Annie’s specialist areas are residential and buy to let sales, purchases and re-mortgages as well as transfers of equity’s. 

Annie can be contacted by email: amf@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249243. 

Annie is assisted by Chloe Whitehead, Paralegal within the Property Department. Chloe’s contact details are: Email: cdw@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 249245. 

Areas of Specialism

Francesca joined Dean Wilson in July 2022 as a solicitor in the commercial property team.

Francesca deals with a broad range of commercial property work ranging from sales and purchases, landlord and tenant matters, secured lending and due diligence title investigations in corporate transactions.

Francesca advises on all aspects of the landlord and tenant relationship and has experience acting for clients from private landowners, limited companies, charities and pension companies.

Qualifications

• Solicitor 
• BA Hons

Francesca can be contacted by email: fl@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032345.

Areas of Specialism

Faye is a paralegal specialising in Lease extensions and enfranchisements. Faye deals with matters such as Deeds of Covenant, Licences to Assign and Notices of Transfer and works closely with Claire Whiteman and Lisa Osborne.

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

• Faye is currently studying with CILEX alongside her work

Areas of Specialism

Melissa works in our Dispute Resolution team, assisting on a variety of contentious cases with a focus on residential property litigation. Specialising in possession claims, she operates her own case load and prides herself on creating longstanding relationships with her clients. Melissa is also experienced in assisting clients with matters such as breach of contract, contractor disputes, and common money claims.

Day to day activities include drafting notices, letters before action, and filing claim forms. Melissa also advocates for clients at possession hearings in local Sussex courts.

Recent Client Matters

Regularly working with a nationwide letting agent to aid landlords and tenants with property disputes.

Advocating for a client who hadn’t received rent payments for a significant period, leading to a possession order, rent arrears, and costs in the case being awarded.

Drafting a letter before claim for a leaseholder whose daughter with a disability had been refused permission for an emotional support dog to live in the property, resulting in the freeholder granting permission. 

Qualifications

LLB Hons

Melissa can be contacted by email: mrb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032340.

Areas of Specialism

James joined Dean Wilson LLP in February 2022, having worked in the Eastbourne area for approximately 10 years prior. James specialises in all aspects of Residential property transactions. 

James’ specialist areas are newbuild sales and purchases with or without help to buy involvement, as well as residential and buy to let sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of equity’s. 

James also provides Independent Legal Advice on Guarantees and Indemnities, where required. 

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor
• LLB Hons

James can be contacted by email: jf@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 032341

James is assisted by Charlotte Hazeldine, Paralegal within the Property Department. Charlotte’s contact details are: Email: cbh@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 032330. 

Areas of Specialism

Martina has worked at Dean Wilson LLP since July 2019, having previously had over 10 years of property and civil litigation experience at Brighton Law firms.

Martina runs a caseload of residential possession claims, service charge arrears matters and general property Litigation matters including Freeholder / Leaseholder disputes, Breach of Lease matters and Housing Disrepair claims. 

Qualifications, Membership

Martina is currently an Associate member of the Charted Legal Executives.

Recent Client Matters

Regularly Assist Managing Agents in Brighton with service charge arrears recovery.

Assists National Letting Agents recover possession of properties for their client’s via Section 8 and Section 21

Assist the Department with new enquiries by taking on varied property matters.

Areas of Specialism

Willam is a paralegal in our Dispute Resolution Department specialising in possession claims. William has experience in dealing with landlord and tenant disputes. William acts as the firsthand communication point for the team for any queries from clients or tenants.

Recent Client Matters

Assisting in claims for possession of residential property based on no-fault eviction, and breach of tenancy including:

• Animals in the property
• Damage to the property
• Arrears

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

• Bachelor of Law with Criminology (LLB Hons) from Oxford Brookes University

William can be contacted by email: wgs@deanwilson.co.uk or on direct dial: 01273 032354

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.  

Areas of Specialism

Kalia is a Paralegal within the Dispute Resolution team specialising in Landlord and Tenant Disputes. 

Kalia is a highly motivated individual who has experience managing her own caseload and always strives to achieve the best outcome for her clients. 

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

• LLB Hons