Who We Are

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

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. 

Areas of Specialism

Katiee is a paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team assisting on a variety of major and routine legal matters within the department. Katiee manages her own cases and prides herself on getting the best outcome for our clients. Katiee is experienced in rent mediation and section 21 and section 8 claims. 

Katiee also leads the Welsh matters within the team giving her experience in both English and Welsh claims.

Recent Client Matters

• Supporting landlords who have not received rent payments from tenants for an extensive period of time. Drafting notices and proceedings to obtain rent arrears, possession orders and costs in the case.
• Advocating for a client who wishes to obtain their property back from a tenant who refuses to move out after the fixed term has ended.
• Working closely with a wide range of letting agents to assist landlords and tenants with property disputes.
• Drafting letters before action and filing claim forms to help clients get the best outcomes.

Qualifications, Membership 

• Bachelor of Law (LLB Hons)
• LLM Master of Law Degree
• Currently undergoing her LPC (Legal Practice Course)

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)

Areas of Specialism

Jasmine is currently in her first seat of her training contract working within the Dispute Resolution department alongside Claire Whiteman. Jasmine assists on a variety of property litigation matters including:

• Forfeiture under commercial leases
• Recovery of service charge and ground rent arrears
• Commercial debt recovery
• Disrepair issues
• Property related Professional Negligence 
• Property disputes involving issues of Trust law and Fraud

Prior to starting her training contract, Jasmine had previously paralegalled in the Dispute Resolution department specialising in residential re-possession claims in which she acted for Letting agents as well as private landlords on a national scale. Jasmine routinely advised on s8 and s21 proceedings, disrepair claims and debt recovery/ enforcement matters. 

Jasmine has also had extensive experience in the firm’s Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence department where she assisted the Head of Department, Alex Brown, with claimants who had suffered Personal Injuries, Criminal Injuries & Medical Negligence resulting in:

• Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord injuries
• Birth Injuries
• Amputations
• Severe Orthopaedic Injuries

Jasmine also had conduct of her own cases, securing settlements for client’s who have suffered injuries arising from the following circumstances:

• Road traffic accidents
• Accidents at work
• Falls in public places
• Clinical negligence 
• Criminal Injuries 

Jasmine is known for her commitment to her clients and ability to quickly understand key issues in resolving disputes. She is able to work collaboratively with clients to help them achieve the best outcome for their case.

Recent Client Matters

• Jasmine assisted in securing a settlement for a client who was incorrectly advised to undergo bladder surgery incorrectly for urinary incontinence which led to further difficulties including chronic pain.
• Jasmine assisted in settling a significant claim on behalf of a client who was left wheelchair bound after Maidstone Hospital failed to carry out a falls risk assessment which led to his injury.

Qualifications, Membership 

• LLB Hons Law
• LPC with LLM 

Jasmine can be contacted by email: jlc@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249246.

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.  

Samantha is currently undergoing her first seat as a trainee Solicitor in our Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team, assisting Alex Brown, head of the Personal Injury department with claims in relation to severe and life changing injuries resulting in: 

• Brain Injury 
• Birth Injury 
• Severe Orthopaedic Injuries  
• Spinal Cord Injury 

Samantha previously worked as a Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team running her own possession claims assisting landlords recover their residential property along with any rent arrears owed and a successful Judgment for their legal costs. 

Samantha worked closely with a well-known local managing agents to help clients achieve the best possible outcome. She also assisted senior members in the team with more general litigation matters. 

Qualifications

• 1st Class LLB Law (Hons)
• LPC LLM with Distinction in Professional Legal Practice

Samantha can be contacted by email: slb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249298. 

Areas of Specialism

Lisa has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 11 years in the Dispute Resolution Team and assists Claire Whiteman and specialises in Enfranchisement, Lease Extensions and Right to Manage, including:

• Licences to Assign.
• Deeds of Covenant.
• Deeds of Variation.

Lisa can be contacted by email: Lmo@deanwilson.co.uk or her direct dial: 01273 249234

Areas of Specialism

Zoe is an experienced paralegal specialising in property litigation and debt recovery. 

Zoe runs a number of contentious litigation cases independently and always seeks to achieve the best outcome possible for her clients. 

She works closely with Duncan Wilks to assist in high value disputes ranging from defended residential possession, forfeiture proceedings and contract disputes. Zoe is engaged with the firms debt recovery processes and is currently studying to qualify as a Legal Chartered Executive. 

Recent Client Matters

Zoe regularly acts for Landlords up and down the Country who are seeking repossession of their properties. 

Recently, Zoe successfully obtained Judgment at trial against a Defendant who had caused substantial damage to the Claimants property and arrears of over £30,000. 

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

• Law LLB

Areas of Specialism

James is a highly experienced solicitor and heads up the firm’s Corporate team and is Managing Partner of Dean Wilson LLP.  

James specialises in a wide range of corporate transactions with a particular specialism in the estate agency, residential lettings and block management sectors.  

James is known for his practical approach and dedication to delivering transactions within client expectations.  James’ client base ranges from national corporate household names, to regional players and owner managers.

Recent Client Matters

• Advised on a £35m acquisition of an estate agency group
• Advised on a £15m acquisition of an estate agency group
• Advised on the restructuring and investment into digitally based health platform

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor 
• LLB Hons

James can be contacted by email: jc@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249267. 

Areas of Specialism

Georgia is a Paralegal in the Court of Protection team. Georgia has been overseeing the administration in the team for four years and provides caring, comprehensive support to clients including:

• The management of client’s property and assets 
• Liaison with the Court of Protection
• Liaison with Cost Draftsman and SCCO
• Administrative support to whole team

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. 

Qualifications, Membership 

• Member of the Professional Deputyship Forum
• Dementia Friend

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), Samanda Mazreku (Legal Assistant) 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

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 Faye Cann, Paralegal within the Dispute Resolution department. Faye’s contact details are - email: FCC@deanwilson.co.uk  and direct dial: 01273 032353.

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

Lucy has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 7years and specialises in all aspects of Residential property transactions. 

Lucy’s specialist areas are residential sales, purchases and re-mortgages as well as transfers of equity’s. 

Lucy can be contacted by email: lac@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249272. 

Lucy is assisted by Jacob Pratley, Paralegal within the Property Department. Jacob’s contact details are: Email: jap@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 032336.  

Areas of Specialism

Lauren is an experienced Paralegal working for Partner, Karl Willmott-Post in the Property Department. She assists on all aspects of conveyancing transactions, specialising in; sales, purchases, remortgages and transfers of equity. Before changing careers, Lauren was a Project Manager in the Financial Investment industry, which gave her transferable skills to bring to her role at Dean Wilson.

Lauren is currently close to completing her legal studies with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives to progress in her career to become a Chartered Legal Executive.

Qualifications

• CILEX Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice
• CILEX Level 6 Student
• Mental Health First Aider

Lauren can be contacted by email: lg@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032321.