Who We Are

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

Siobhan is the Head of the Residential Property Department. 

Siobhan has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 20 years and specialises in both Residential and Commercial property transactions. 

Siobhan has a vast amount of clients worldwide and has an excellent reputation with estate agents, mortgage brokers, surveyors and the like.

Recent Client Matters

• Sale of London Residence worth in excess of £5m,
• Refinance of commercial and residential portfolio worth in excess of £20m
• Purchase of block of residential units worth in excess of £50m

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor
• LLB Hons

Siobhan can be contacted by email: sac@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249205. 

Siobhan is assisted by Fatima Hussain, Paralegal within the Property Department. Fatima’s contact details are: Email: fyh@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 249209. 

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

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

• Acting for a protected party with brain and spinal cord injuries. Claim settled for £5.6 million.
• 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.
• Achieving a settlement of £1.81 million for a Claimant following a road traffic accident, despite the driver having be acquitted in the criminal proceedings.
• 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.
• Securing a seven figure sum for a client who had undergone above-knee amputation during hind foot surgery. Liability, causation and quantum all denied.
• 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

• Jonathan O’Shea – Article 2 Inquest where a man was able to take his own life whilst in a secure unit. Finding of neglect made by the Coroner.
• Isobelle ‘Issy’ Phipps – 17 year old who took her own life. Missed opportunities by GP & mental health services to intervene.
• 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. 

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 160 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims. 

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)

Ben can be contacted by email: BD@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: (0) 1273 249287. 

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. Sarah has a particular interest in advising in cases where allegations of coercive control are in play. 

• Child arrangements orders – living and spending time arrangements.
• Children – urgent applications, specific issue and prohibited steps orders -  vaccination, education, name change, temporary and permanent removal from the jurisdiction, enforcement of orders, instruction of experts and working with family consultants. 
• Financial remedies on divorce / dissolution of civil partnership -  business and trust assets, pension sharing orders, non-disclosure, litigation conduct 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, SEN, substance misuse, implacable hostility and allegations of coercive control, narcissistic abuse and alienating behaviours 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 mother at a Fact Finding hearing in which the very serious findings against the father of physical, emotional, sexual and psychological abuse and coercive control were made by the Judge after 4 days of oral evidence.
• Sarah has an interest in international relocation cases and has successfully obtained permission for her clients to relocate to Hong Kong, Greece and Malaysia. 
• 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
• Recommended in Chambers and the Legal 500

Recent client testimonials 

Sarah was wonderful throughout she was very knowledgeable of the Law but also very relatable as a person.  Sarah took her time to understand me and what my concerns were and was empathetic throughout.  Sarah was efficient and effective in representing me always giving me the best advice that I felt I could rely on.  I have no hesitation in recommending Dean Wilson. 

(Applicant Father – PSO) - 26 March 2026

Sarah can be contacted by email at SCP@deanwilson.co.uk or by telephone on 01273 249295

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

Fleur has three years experience as a Paralegal specialising in Private Client law, bringing a rich and varied background to her legal practice. Fleur draws on experience gained at her previous firm, alongside a strong foundation in healthcare and communications—having previously worked as a healthcare practitioner and as a medical journalist reporting on institutions such as the Royal College of Nursing and The Royal Marsden.

In addition to her legal and medical experience, Fleur has taught English across a range of levels, including to non-native speakers, GCSE, and A-Level students. This diverse skill set enables her to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear, accessible way particularly valuable when supporting lay clients navigating probate law.

Fleur is especially committed to guiding bereaved families through the probate process with sensitivity and clarity. She also provides crucial support on matters involving mental capacity and the safeguarding of estates, advocating with empathy and precision on behalf of her clients.

Qualifications

• 1:1 BA Joint Hons in English Literature & Creative Writing - Royal Holloway University of London
• CertTESOL English teaching qualification - Trinity College London

Fleur can be contacted by email FRJ@deanwilson.co.uk; or on her direct dial:  01273 249214

Joseph joined the firm as a Legal Assistant and has since been promoted to Paralegal within the Dispute Resolution team. He specialises in landlord and tenant possession matters and also assists with a broad range of general litigation work.

QUALIFICATIONS

Degree – Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of York 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Joseph Phillips can be contacted by email: jcp@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 243.

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

Jo trained and practised at a silver circle corporate law firm for a decade before moving to a regional firm in Gatwick. When the opportunity finally arose to practise in Brighton 7 years ago, Jo jumped at the chance of joining Dean Wilson LLP. 

With almost 20 years’ experience, Jo specialises in all areas of non-contentious commercial property, property finance and development. She acts for a variety of clients: investors, developers, landlords, tenants, assignees in relation to refinancing, acquisitions, disposals, leases, management matters and development contracts.

Recent Client Matters

• Acquisition of multi-let office block
• Financing and refinancing of commercial portfolios
• Business acquisitions
• Leases and regears

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor
• BSocSc Hons
• Masters
• PgDL

Jo can be contacted by email: jnt@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249252. 

Jo is assisted by Katherine Glasson, Legal Secretary within the Real Estate Department. Katherine’s contact details are: Email: kg@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 249266. 

Areas of Specialism

Eimer is an experienced Paralegal in Dispute Resolution, specialising in property-related matters. Eimer primarily deals with landlord and tenant disputes and assists landlords in recovering possession of their property and any rental arrears that have accrued. Eimer also has experience dealing with broader Property Litigation matters including adverse possession, rights of way disputes and nuisance claims alongside general Civil Litigation. 

Eimer previously worked as a Paralegal in Conveyancing and later as a Paralegal in Property Litigation, while assisting interdepartmentally.

Recent Client Matters 

• Eimer assisted residential landlords recover possession of their property (and rental arrears) by way of both section 21 and section 8 of the Housing Act 1988.
• Eimer successfully settled a neighbour dispute arising from an alleged breach of easement early in proceedings.
• Eimer assisted in settling a high-value insurance dispute concerning alleged misrepresentation. 

Eimer’s Approach

Client satisfaction is at the heart of Eimer’s work as she understands the legal process is daunting, so maintains communication and breaks the process down to be better understood. Eimer aims to empower clients by using plain English and avoiding using legal jargon to give clients clear advice upon all of their options. Eimer is also a strong advocate for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Law (LLB Hons) from the University of Sussex
• ILSPA Legal Diploma
• Member of Aspiring Solicitors 

Melissa has over 10 years of experience helping clients complete matters efficiently and effectively. 

Melissa acts on a wide range of commercial transactions including;

• Acquisitions and disposals of commercial property (both freehold and leasehold and whether registered or unregistered);
• Commercial landlord and tenant work (acting for both landlords and tenants);
• Secured lending (acting for both lenders and borrowers); and
• Asset sales and purchases.

Melissa works with a range of clients and is known for her proactive approach to transactions.  Clients value her straight-talking advice, responsiveness and focus on commercial outcomes.

Qualifications

• Solicitor (LLB Hons)

Melissa can be contacted by email: mrr@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032375

Areas of Specialism

Duncan advises clients on a range of contentious issues relating to property including:

• Lease renewals
• Dilapidations
• Restrictive covenants
• Easements
• Boundary disputes
• Forfeiture
• Debt recovery
• Adverse possession
• Break rights
• Breaches of contract/lease terms
• Possession claims (both commercial and residential)
• Disputed mortgages and secured loans
• Trusts in land
• Tenants in administration/liquidation

Duncan’s other main area of practice is litigation arising out corporate insolvency and bankruptcy and in particular, transactions at undervalue, preferences, director conduct and trustee possession claims. 

Duncan has extensive experience of broader commercial issues including contractual disputes, debt recovery and professional negligence. 

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 a property owner who acquired a large commercial premises subject to an unregistered 999-year lease; brought a successful claim under s.29(1) of the Land Registration Act 2002 for a declaration that the client purchased free of the lease and thereafter recovered possession.  
• Bringing a successful action for forfeiture of a long residential lease owing to the tenant making unauthorised structural alterations.
• Defending a client against a high-street mortgage provider taking sale and possession proceedings; no possession was ordered and the claim was settled.
• Acting for the liquidator of a well-known company bringing a successful claim against a director for breach of fiduciary duties.
• Acting for a defendant company in its successful defence against a multi-million pound claim relating to unpaid commission for investment introductions.
• Bringing possession proceedings (and successfully defending an appeal) against a tenant who used the client’s property for holiday lettings.

Feedback

“Duncan Wilks goes the extra mile. He takes the pressure from your shoulders and happily puts it on his.  He is excellent in his field.”

Legal 500, 2024

“Duncan took over a difficult and complex dispute for me.  He cut through the background noise, identified the real issues and formed a strategy.  He took control and found a solution which resulted in a favourable outcome.” 

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

Areas of Specialism

Rory is a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team specialising in construction law.

Within the construction field, he has experience in both contentious and non-contentious transactional matters.

In dispute resolution, he has experience in a wide range of areas, including breach of contract, insurance, dilapidations, trust and cohabitation disputes, and contested probate matters.

Recent Client Matters

• Helped a residential client in a construction dispute with a contractor over defective works, undertaking a high-value extension and renovation. The claim proceeded to trial and resulted in a judgment in favour of the client, ordering the builder to cover the costs of remedial works undertaken by an alternative contractor.
• Assisted a land developer in an insurance claim after the insurer refused to pay out, alleging that there had been a failure of fair presentation when the policy was entered. The case involved a grey area on the legal position under the Insurance Act 2015. A settlement was achieved in mediation before proceedings were issued, resulting in the developer receiving the majority of the sums originally claimed.
• Involved in a dispute over a land investment in which the defendant denied the claimant's (Rory’s client) entitlement to one-half of the property and/or the proceeds of sale. At trial, the court found in favour of the claimant, recognising a resulting trust over half of the property and ordering the defendant to pay the claimant’s costs.
• Drafts various contractual documents for clients, including Bespoke terms and conditions for a high-end landscaper; An amended RIBA 2018 contract for the construction of a new build property; Amended 2016 and 2024 JCT contracts and subcontracts.
• Instructed on multiple adjudications (representing employers, contractors and subcontractors) over the terms of a contract, payment cycles and notices, claims of contra charges for alleged overpayment and the validity of a contract termination. These resulted in the adjudicators finding in favour of his client
• Led three mediations in contested probate matters over the last year involving claims of proprietary estoppel and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. All three resulted in the settlement of the claims.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts, History, Literature and Culture

Solicitor (SQE)

Rory can be contacted by email: RFL@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 032336

Areas of Specialism

Joshua works in the Commercial & Corporate team at Dean Wilson. He works in mergers & acquisitions and acts on both sides of the transactions. Many of these transactions are in the estate agency sector. He has a wide range of commercial experience, having worked for many recruitment companies in litigation matters. 

Joshua focusses on his client’s intentions and makes those work to ensure that transactions are a client led and not lawyer led process. 

Joshua has acted in cases involving cross-border jurisdictional issues involving many companies in the EU and further afield.

Joshua grew up in Brighton and Hove, and then studied at UEA and the College of Law in Guildford.

Joshua enjoys riding his bike slowly up hills, a dry riesling, and small cups of strong coffee and speaking conversational French.

Qualifications

• Solicitor
• LLB Hons

Recent Transactions

• Large regional estate agent selling to a nationwide corporate acquirer;
• Acting for the Buyer of a hospitality business in Brighton;
• Acting for acquirers moving into new geographic areas and
• Acting for an estate agent in taking over a local competitor on their retirement.

Joshua can be contacted by email: jjb@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: (0) 1273 032337. 

Joshua is assisted by Natalia Revesz, Senior Paralegal within the Corporate & Commercial Team. Natalia’s contact details are: Email: nxr@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 032334.

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.