Who We Are

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

Sophie is the Head of the Court of Protection team specialises in professional deputyships for acquired brain injury and elderly clients, with over 10 years’ experience handling complex Court of Protection cases. Sophie is also a Professional Trustee. Sophie regular advises on:

• Professional Deputy for elderly and vulnerable clients. 
• Lay Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare matters. 
• The management of client’s property and assets 
• Lasting Power of Attorneys

Recent Client Matters

• Sophie has been appointed as a Professional Deputy for an elderly gentleman with dementia following a referral from Social Services. Sophie’s appointment has protected the gentleman’s assets from fraud, to which he was previously a victim of, and has ensured security for his future. Sophie has aided an increase to his care, equipment and allowed access to funds for social activities, greatly improving his quality of life. 
• Sophie has offered expert guidance to parents who wished to be lay deputies for their child. Sophie drafted complex applications for both Health & Welfare and Property & Financial Affairs and secured the required Court Orders to allow the parents to best support their child. 
• Sophie was appointed as a Professional Deputy for a young man as his previous Deputy was retiring. Sophie has utilised her warm and compassionate nature to build a strong trusting relationship with the young man to provide assurance that his finances will continue to be managed in his best interests.

Qualifications, Membership 

• Ranked in Chambers since 2020
• Dementia Friend
• QEF Legal Clinic Advisor
• Member of the Professional Deputyship Forum

Areas of Specialism

David Barling is one of the Partners in the Property Department and has considerable experience in all types of Commercial Property Law.

David acts for a number of property investors and property companies on a wide scale and is used to dealing with very high value transactions.  David also deals with mortgages and in particular, high value loan market association type mortgages.  

David is also experienced in Local Government work having been a member of a number of Councils over the years latterly West Sussex County Council.

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

Jake has been working in Conveyancing for 4+ years and assists the Residential Conveyancing department at Dean Wilson in a wide range transaction including Sales, Purchases, Remortgages, Auctions and Transfers of Equity. 

Jake graduated from the University of the West of England with 2.1 honours (LLB Hons) degree. Jake is aspiring to obtain his CQS qualifications to develop within the department and become a licenced conveyancer. 

Recent Client Matters

Jake has been beginning to run files from start to end with senior overview and direction. This has included Sales, Purchases and Transfers of Equity cases. 

Qualifications

2:1 Degree (LLB Hons) from University of the West of England

Jake can be contacted by email: JAP@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032336.  

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

Poppy is a Paralegal in the Court of Protection team. Poppy spent two and a half years in the Commercial Property Department and recently moved to Cout of Protection to apply her caring and conscientious approach to:

• 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 

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)

Areas of Specialism

Amanda is the Finance Director for Dean Wilson LLP and has over 20 years of experience in both this field and practice management.   She is responsible for the overall financial management and performance of the firm.  She enjoys looking at new and improved ways to make the financial process and reporting more efficient and seamless from both a management and fee earning perspective.  She works closely with the James Chadburn, the Managing Partner in supporting the firm’s plans for future growth and development. 

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. 

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 Poppy Spencer, Paralegal within the Real Estate Department. Poppy’s contact details are: Email: ps@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 249225. 

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. 

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

Areas of Specialism

I am a Solicitor specialising in personal injury and medical negligence claims. I qualified as a Solicitor in March 2022, having previously spent 4 years working with the team assisting on high value catastrophic injury cases involving brain and spinal cord injury.

I only act for the injured party (Claimants). My specialism is working with people who suffer serious injuries, which may have been caused by:

• Road traffic accidents including Cars, Bicycles and Pedestrians
• Accidents at work
• Accidents on public property/highways
• Medical Negligence/Injury

Recent Client Matters

I have previously reached settlement for my clients who have suffered a range of injuries including fractures, soft tissue injuries and PTSD. Following an accident, a client’s day to day life is affected. My role is to secure compensation for client’s whose ability to work and earn has been impacted and to help them meet future treatment needs on a private basis to assist their recovery.

I am currently assisting my colleague, Ben Davey, with the David Fuller inquiry and compensation scheme, and we act for many the affected family members.

• Personal Injury
• Medical Negligence 
• Inquests

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor (LLB Hons)
• Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
• Major Trauma Signposting Partnership (Brighton)

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

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

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

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

Julian is a highly experienced family practitioner who heads up the Family Department. Julian is a trained Collaborative lawyer and Mediator. Julian is Top Ranked in the Chambers Legal Directory with testimonials including “a really good lawyer, experienced, calm and can fight his client’s corner with flair and creativity without making the dispute intractable.”

Julian’s focus is on resolving, not creating conflict, encouraging negotiation, and finding solutions.  Julian is adept at bringing a calm, focused and if necessary, robust approach to contentious and complex financial situations. Julian will bring empathy and solutions to child related matters. Julian will strive to find the approach which will best benefit the individual and to prepare them for life after separation.

Julian’s specialties :

• advising on high net worth and complex separations, involving businesses, Trusts, and pension issues

• dealing with cases using the Collaborative model

• resolving childcare disputes

• advising on pre and post nuptial agreements

• advising on cohabitation disputes

Recent Client Matters

• Acted for a Wife in Financial Remedy proceedings overcoming Husband’s refusal to provide full financial disclosure and comply with the Court timetable. Secured Penal Notices and multiple Cost Orders against the Husband and an excellent outcome for the Wife.
• Acted for a Wife in Financial Remedy proceedings that involved 5 hearings including obtaining a Legal Services Order. Secured significant lump sum for housing, repayment of debts and spousal periodical payments throughout the child’s minority.
• Acting for a Husband following a long marriage where Wife has issued Financial Remedy application. Included instruction of a single joint expert to value a company in which both parties are shareholders, a dispute in relation to matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets and the treatment of foreign assets. Successfully resolving matters outside of the Court process.

Qualifications

• Solicitor BA (Hons)
• Member of Resolution
• Founding member of Brightpod ( Collaborative Group) & Sussex Family Solutions (inter-disciplinary network of family professionals)

Recognition

Chambers ranked No 1 in Family/Matrimonial - “extremely experienced, sensible and really resolution-focused.” ‘Julian is one of the toughest negotiators but one of the most charming men you will ever meet.’

Legal 500 Ranked – “an experienced practitioner who is well known and respected by opponents and the judiciary.” “straight talking, trustworthy and well respected locally.” 

Areas of Specialism

Natasha is a Paralegal in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence team, and assists Ben Davey and Jessica Edwards with a variety of cases involving:

• Severe orthopaedic injury
• Brain injury
• Amputation
• Inquests
• Psychiatric injury

Recent Client Matters

• Natasha is assisting in the Article 8 (private & family life) group action claim for more than 120 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims.
• Natasha has recently assisted on the settlement of a case involving a pedestrian who was struck by a car resulting in orthopaedic, dental and brain injuries. 

Qualifications, Membership

• LLB (Hons)
• LLM Law – International Human Rights Law
• Currently studying towards the SQE (Solicitor Qualifying Exam)

Areas of Specialism

Neel has diverse transactional experience advising clients on share and asset acquisitions and disposals, secured and unsecured lending, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements and company restructuring. He also advises on a wide range of commercial contracts for the supply of goods and services for well-established local and national clients covering music, arts and culture, close protection security, education and training, recruitment, travel and so forth. 

Neel has a strong focus on client care and a commercially focused approach, which has led to him establishing a reputation for always completing matters on time and within budget. Neel dedicates himself to providing clients a personal service and creating long-standing relationships to help businesses continue to succeed during their life cycles. 

Recent Client Matters

• Neel regularly assists one of the largest property agents in the UK to acquire letting and block management agents across the country.
• Neel acted for a property developer in raising circa £40 million for a new property development in Hove.

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor

• LLB Hons

Neel can be contacted by email: nku@deanwilson.co.uk or on his/her direct dial: 01273 249 224. 

Area of Specialism

Izabela is a proficient paralegal specialising in property litigation.

Izabela independently handles residential possession proceedings and is experienced in dealing with disputed matters. She consistently strives to resolve conflicts, seeking to achieve the best outcome for her clients.

She also works closely with a Partner to assist in various types of disputes, including title disputes, forfeiture under commercial leases, lease variation, and determination of service charge reasonability.

Recent Cases

Regularly acts for the Legal Protection Group in nationwide property possession proceedings.

Successfully handled a case involving the eviction of a trespasser in which she achieved a favourable financial resolution for the client, avoiding the need for court proceedings.

Assisted in representing an RTM company for an application to the First-Tier Property Tribunal for the determination of service charge reasonability and the variation of a lease.

Qualifications

Izabela graduated with a First-class degree from the University of Law, Guildford, and holds an award for the highest average mark at her campus.

Izabela can be contacted by email: ixt@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273249296.

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

Amy has recently joined the Commercial Development team in 2023 successfully completing her training contract with Dean Wilson LLP. Amy studied the LPC after completing the GDL with the University of Law part-time whilst working at Dean Wilson LLP as a paralegal.

Amy has experience in dealing with a variety of commercial and residential property transactions, including acquisitions and sales of freehold and leasehold land for both Landlords and Tenants, refinances and re-mortgages for commercial and residential properties and dealing with development site set-up requirements. 

Amy works closely with the team which comprises David Hodge (Partner) Sinead Dye (Associate Solicitor), Isabelle Svendsen (Paralegal), Samanda Mazreku (Legal Assistant) and Beverley 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.

Recent Client Matters

• Involved in the ongoing plot sales at a large residential development site;
• Completion of a simultaneous headlease surrender and the grant of five sub-leases in a large commercial unit; and
• Involved in an ongoing refinance of a commercial portfolio worth over £32m.

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor 
• BA 
• MA

Amy can be contacted by email: ae@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is  01273 249 268.

David’s email is dh@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 249. 

Sinead’s email is sjd@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 270

Isabelle’s email is ixs@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249259

Samanda’s email is szm@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 263.

Beverley’s email is bm@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 242

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

Chloe has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for 6 years, 4 of the years in Residential Conveyancing. She helps with all the administrative tasks in the team and strives to help assist clients and other parties wherever possible.

Chloe has assisted Annie Fitzpatrick and the team with transactions such as sales, purchases, Transfers and re-mortgages making sure all of the administrative tasks are up to date. 

Chloe can be contacted by email: cdw@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249245.

Chloe is the assistant to Annie Fitzpatrick who is an Associate within the Residential Conveyancing team.  

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

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

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

Sara is a Senior Paralegal within the Dispute Resolution department and has extensive experience in all matters concerning residential possession claims. Sara represents both landlords and tenants and also works with providers of insurance cover for landlords. 

Additionally, Sara has experience in regard to breaches in relation to running Holiday Lets, from a lease perspective, acting for both leaseholders and freeholders. 

Sara is fluent in English and Norwegian and has a working knowledge of the Scandinavian languages. 

Recent Client Matters

• Acting for the landlord in a defended section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 claim with disrepair dispute and successfully obtaining possession order and costs
• Acting for the landlord in a defended section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 claim with subletting breach

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

• Bachelor of Law from University of Sussex (LLB)

Sara can be contacted by email: sn@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249276

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

Gabrielle is a solicitor in the firm’s Dispute Resolution team with over 20 years of experience in property litigation. 

Gabrielle’s commercial landlord and tenant practice makes up a core part of her workload. She acts for  both landlords and tenants on various issues, including breach of covenant, dilapidation claims, contentious lease renewals  and forfeiture. 

Gabrielle has a strong interest in real property disputes, especially arising from development of land. She acts in many cases concerning restrictive covenants, boundary disputes, easements and adverse possession. 

Gabrielle is the firm’s specialist on fire safety following the implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022 and associated legislation. She regularly delivers seminars to Managing Agents to keep them abreast of the changes in the law affecting all aspects of residential block management. 

Gabrielle also overseas the team’s insurance funded work where we act for Landlords in recovering possession of their properties let on shorthold tenancies.  

Gabrielle’s practice area is UK-wide and she conducts cases in various courts and Tribunals to include the Technology and Construction Court. 

Recent Client Matters

• Acting for an overseas company with a portfolio of UK properties in several dilapidation claims, including claims against the Secretary of State and Lloyds Bank PLC
• Acting for a group of flat owners in an action against its freeholder for remedial works to address fire safety defects at the building 
• Acting for developer in an application under Section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 to discharge restrictive covenants on land that preventing the construction of new houses 

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

• Solicitor LLB Hons
• Advanced Diploma in Litigation 
• Member of Property Litigation Association 

Recognition 

Gabrielle is ranked as a leading lawyer and next generation partner for property litigation by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. 

‘Dedicated and excellent in addressing the issues and working to resolve the dispute. Good communication and tailored service. Highly recommend.’

‘We are being advised by Gabrielle Moffatt. She has been supportive and extremely helpful in dealing with the complex and continuing problems we are facing, in a situation which involves dealing with some extremely aggressive and difficult people. We have received excellent advice and Gabrielle Moffatt’s thoroughness, helpfulness, professional and personable approach has been very supportive and beneficial during that time we have been seeking advice from her.’

"I have been extremely impressed and reassured by Gabrielle's attention to detail and professionalism. She has made an extremely stressful process vastly more bearable."

Gabrielle can be contacted by email: grm@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249253. 

Gabrielle’s secretary Vanisha Parekh’s can be contacted by email: vxp@deanwilson.co.uk or her direct dial 01273 032355.

Areas of Specialism

Michaela is a Senior Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team who specialises in Landlord and Tenant disputes.

Michaela graduated from the University of the West of England in 2014 and has nearly 10 years’ experience in the legal industry. Michaela joined Dean Wilson in January 2024 and has built her background in general litigation, including property litigation, personal injury, debt recovery and clinical negligence matters.

Qualifications

• LLB Hons (2.1) 

Michaela can be contacted by email: MCT@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249250.