Who We Are

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

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.

Notable Cases

• X v D [2023] EWFC 332 (B)

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.” 

Julian can be contacted by email: JBH@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249223. 

Areas of Specialism

Tom is a Senior Paralegal in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence department. He currently assists Ben Davey and Jessica Edwards and assists on a variety of cases ranging from moderate to high-value catastrophic injury cases involving brain injury and spinal cord injury.

Recent Client Matters

• Tom recently closely assisted in securing a successful seven-figure settlement for a Claimant who had suffered life-changing and permanent injuries arising out of a road traffic accident. Part of the claim included obtaining the cost of single-level accommodation and future care until the Claimant’s end of life.
• He has also assisted in several and various five and six-figure settlement sums for injuries arising out of road traffic accidents, clinical negligence cases, accidents at work, and secondary victim claims for psychiatric injury.
• Tom assists Ben Davey with pro bono work assisting families of the deceased to obtain legal representation at inquests, primarily for cases arising out of the failure of mental health services. 
• This includes the 5-day inquest into the death of Archie Jesty, an 18-year-old who sadly took their own life after failings by mental health services.
• He also assisted with the inquest into the death of Issy Phipps, a 17-year-old who took her own life. During the inquest, the Coroner ruled that failures by mental health services and NHS trusts had contributed to Issy’s death.
• Tom is assisting in the ongoing Article 3 (torture & degrading treatment) & Article 8 (private & family life) group action claim for more than 160 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims.

Tom can be contacted by email: TSG@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 032346. 

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

Areas of Specialism

Christiana joined the firm in January 2025 as a trainee Solicitor and is currently undertaking her first training seat in Personal Injury and Medical Negligence. 

Prior to Christiana joining the firm, she worked in the Residential and Commercial Property department at another local Brighton firm, gaining hands-on experience with drafting TR1 forms, filing SDLT returns, managing client communications, and handling initial case administration. This experience has enhanced Christiana's attention to detail and developed her organisational and client management skills.

Christiana is fluent in both English and Greek, which enables Christiana to communicate effectively with a diverse range of clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree: Graduated with Upper Second-Class Honors from the University of Kent.
• Legal Practice Course (LPC): Achieved a Pass with Commendation from BPP University.

Christiana can be contacted by email: CRC@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 032365. 

Areas of Specialism

Katiee is a Solicitor Apprentice 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)

Katiee can be contacted by email: KEG@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 032310. 

Areas of Specialism

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

Qualifications

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

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

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

Areas of Specialism

Nicholas is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution team.

Having been admitted as a solicitor in 1982 he has  a wealth of experience and there are few areas of Litigation and Dispute Resolution with which he has not been involved over his long career with the firm be it general contract or building disputes lease renewals equine law or even Admiralty matters 

He has in particular always specialised in Landlord and tenant matters – both residential and commercial – and has a substantial practice advising and acting for letting and managing agents  and their landlord clients locally, and both  in London and throughout the Country 

He is also an acknowledged expert in Liquor Licensing matters for Pubs clubs and restaurants and regularly appears before Licensing committees both locally and  further afield  promoting his client’s applications 

Underpinning all his dealings for his clients is a determination to be efficient and most importantly, cost effective.

Recent Client Matters

• Acting for a well-known and respected agent in a multi-party dispute and achieving settlement
• Obtaining  a complicated Premises License for the social areas of a multimillion pound residential development 
• Successfully defending a Review application brought by the Police seeking to revoke a large Public House’s Premises license.
• Advising a national chain of letting and estate agents on a review of their legal procedures and documentation

Qualifications

• Solicitor
• LLB Hons

Nicholas can be contacted by email: NP@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249203. 

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

Georgia is a Senior 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

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

Beth has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 8 years and assists with plot sales, often off-plan.

Beth works closely with the team which comprises David Hodge (Partner) Sinead Dye (Associate Solicitor), Amy Edwards (Solicitor), Isabelle Svensden (Paralegal) and Beverley McLoughlin (Assistant).  The team always look for solutions and takes 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.  

Beth can be contacted by email: bxa@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249263

Area of Specialism

William is a recent first-class law graduate from West of England University. This is Williams's first role in law and he is currently assisting the team on Landlord and Tenant matters including the possession proceedings by way of Section 8 and/or Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

Qualifications

• First Class Honours LLB Degree from the University of the West of England

William can be contacted by email: WXI@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249255

Katie is a Paralegal in our Court of Protection team with a focus on supporting clients with acquired brain injury to manage their finances. Assisting client's with anything from paying a dog-walker to buying a house, arranging insurance to applying for benefits. 

Katie has experience with the following:

• Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs
• Liaison with the Court of Protection and Senior Court Costs Office
• Management of client assets and finances

Since joining the team, Katie has worked on building the projects of bespoke homes, specially adapted for adolescent clients with complex physical and domestic needs. These properties represent build costs in excess of £3.6m.

Membership 

• Member of Professional Deputies Forum

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 works with both landlords and tenants and also works with providers of insurance cover for landlords. 

Additionally, Sara has experience in regard to breaches of lease in relation to running Holiday Lets, with Dean Wilson LLP acting for both leaseholders and freeholders. 

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

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

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.

Laily graduated from Sussex University in 2024 after completing her Law with a business and management degree. While at university, Laily took part in the legal clinic providing legal advice and guidance to clients on immigration matters. 

In Laily's role as a paralegal in Residential Conveyancing, she assists fee-earners and Solicitors with all aspects of a sale, purchase, re-mortgage, transfer of equity and general administrative duties.

Laily's future plans are to take the SQE 1 & 2 LLM to become a solicitor. In Laily's spare time, she enjoys travelling and taking long walks. 

Qualifications

• Law with business and management LLB (Hons) at Sussex University 2024.

Laily can be contacted by email: LT@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032364