Hamlins LLP

Andrew is a Consultant in the Media and Entertainment team and is recognised as one of the leading Defamation Lawyers in the country. Andrew has unrivalled experience in advising high profile political figures on national and international reputational issues. He has dealt with many leading High Court cases where jurisdiction has been in issue, including Papandreou v Time Magazine, Bachchan v Dagens Nyheter, Schapira v Ahronson, Berezovsky v Forbes and Jameel v Dow Jones.

Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood

Aselle is a Partner in the Corporate Team and the Real Estate Finance Team. Aselle has a corporate law background and specialises in corporate acquisition and real estate finance. She acts for banks and property investors in corporate transactions and secured lending transactions, drafts and negotiates corporate documents, facility agreements and security packages to facilitate a range of high value investment and development transactions. Clients like Aselle’s ability of managing complicated transactions effectively and achieving results in timely manner and to the clients’ satisfaction. Aselle is a Russian speaking solicitor qualified in both England & Wales and the CIS.

Ben Kilshaw

Ben joined Hamlins in 2002 and is a Partner in the Real Estate Department heading the Construction team. He has a wide range of experience in commercial property and construction law. Ben acts for property investors, occupiers, leisure operators and receivers and advises on non-contentious construction law, acting for developers and occupiers. He negotiates on behalf of clients with consultants and contractors on building contracts and all manner of professional contracts.

Callum Galbraith

Callum is a Partner in and head of the Media Disputes team. Callum has in depth experience of the media and entertainment industries and is therefore adept at responding to and dealing with the wide range of disputes within this sector. Callum has worked in media since the start of his career and has acted for high profile figures from, in particular, the music industry. A major part of his practice has focused on protecting the reputations and private lives of those in the public eye and media glare from intrusion and harassment. Callum has obtained landmark damages for his clients (winning over £1 million in phone hacking damages) and a number of widely reported public apologies and judgments. He is equally proud of his achievements in the prevention of publication or dissemination of true or false information (through injunctive relief where necessary) achieved through an assertive and carefully considered approach. Acting with discretion and building long-lasting relationships are key objectives and his work has been commended in the legal directories on a number of occasions. His media practice includes advising and taking action in respect of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the Data Protection Act 1998, copyright infringement, passing off and breach of confidence claims. He is an expert in dealing with disputes arising out of publications on social media. As an entertainment litigator, Callum has successfully pursued numerous copyright claims (including royalty audits and songwriting disputes) and contractual claims (such as management, publishing and recording contract disputes) for various household names. Callum is acting for Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and Sadie Frost in their unlawful information gathering/ phone hacking claims against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.

Christopher Hutchings

Chris is a Partner in the Media Disputes team. He has specialised in media law for 28 years, acting for individual and corporate clients both as claimants and defendants, in leading privacy and libel cases including Douglas v Hello! and recently Ali v Channel 5. Chris has also a wealth of experience in pre-action reputation management, successfully preventing publication of damaging allegations or private information and data of his clients. His team are increasingly instructed on issues concerning online publication, including social media, and have significant experience in persuading search engines to remove material based on the developing ‘right to be forgotten’.

Diana Featherstonhaugh

Diana Featherstonhaugh is a Consultant in the Real Estate Team. Diana has extensive experience in relation to all aspects of commercial property, particularly investment property including acquisitions, sales and management advising regulated and unregulated property funds, lending institutions property developers, private companies and individual investors; she has particular expertise acting for fixed charge receivers advising on complex issues.

Ellen Gallagher

Ellen is a Partner in the Media Disputes team. She is a skilled litigator with extensive experience of representing high-profile clients ranging from senior politicians to renowned individuals in the media, entertainment and sports industries as well as entirely private individuals. Ellen advises clients on all aspects of media law, including in relation to defamation, infringement of privacy, breach of confidence, data protection, copyright infringement, harassment, and image-based abuse. She works on the phone hacking litigation against News Group Newspapers (in respect of which Hamlins is the Lead Solicitor) and MGN Limited. She is also experienced at providing pre-publication advice. Ellen prides herself on providing clear and pragmatic advice to secure the best possible outcome for her clients, whilst recognising the need to protect their reputations and private lives. Ellen is a Solicitor-Advocate and was also called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 2018.

Giles Bright

Giles is a Partner in our Commercial Disputes practice. Giles qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and during the last 25 years, has built a reputation as a commercially astute lawyer who is energetic, resourceful and brings a whole-hearted commitment to his work. Giles provides clear advice which is tactically sound and supported by precise legal knowledge. Giles represents a wide range of clients, from private individuals to large companies across a diverse number of sectors. He is highly experienced in all aspects of commercial litigation and dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. He also acts as a Supervising Solicitor, appointed by the High Court to supervise the execution of search and seize orders.

Hana Ghale

Hana is a Senior Associate in our Real Estate team. Hana has experience dealing with all aspects of corporate real estate including: Asset management; Commercial investment acquisitions; Real estate finance; Freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals; Land promotion and option agreements; Landlord and tenant matters: lease renewals, sale and lease backs. Hana’s commercial awareness has been boosted by in-house experience at Wolverhampton City Council and Molson Coors Brewing Company (UK) Limited. Hana is often described by clients as the person who drives matters to completion, taking a sensible and commercial approach. Hana has experience dealing with a wide variety of clients from developers of commercial and residential property, landlord and tenant clients, high net worth individuals and landowners and listed companies.

John Leasure

John is a Partner in Hamlins' Real Estate team. Having previously been based in the United Arab Emirates, John is well-versed in advising clients from all backgrounds and experience levels – from seasoned investors to those whom may be may be making their first foray into UK real estate. John’s clients operate in a variety of market sectors, including retail, hotels and leisure, healthcare and light industrial and John is known for targeting his advice to the key commercial drivers of the businesses which he supports. John’s instructions often involve cross-jurisdictional advice and he is used to working closely and effectively with clients’ other professional advisors around the globe.

Joseph Holder

Joseph Holder is Senior Partner and a Partner in the Real Estate Team. Joseph has 30 years’ experience of acting in the whole range of commercial real estate transactions, from the sale and purchase of nationally-known shopping centres to high street shops, from trophy office blocks to simple office suites, from industrial estates to owner occupied industrial warehouses and from multi million pound portfolios to individual tertiary properties. He has also developed a strong residential investment practice dealing with sales and acquisitions of blocks of flats and individual flats and houses. He deals with general landlord and tenant transactions and management as well as matters under the 1967 Leasehold Reform act and the Leasehold Reform Act 1993.

Kate Andrews

Kate is a Partner in the Real Estate Disputes Team. Kate is a property litigator who adopts an advisory and dispute resolution role, as well as a litigious one, on a wide variety of high profile real estate disputes. Kate deals with various breaches of leasehold covenants, including dilapidations, service charges, applications for consent to assign/underlet/alter, rent reviews and other landlord and tenant issues. She also deals with contractual and development disputes, including specific performance claims, injunctions, rights to light, restrictive covenant issues, joint venture disputes, party wall act disputes and the redevelopment of business premises. In her time, Kate has also dealt with some boundary disputes, and is now dealing with a number of cases regarding business rates and the complexities of the statutory exemptions and reliefs. Kate acts on high profile real estate disputes for clients including high net worth individuals, property funds and developers. She is a keen advocate of alternative dispute resolution and has been able to settle a number of complex legal dispute at mediation or by without prejudice discussions. Clients describe Kate as an extremely talented property litigator, who goes the extra mile for her clients, finding a solution to every problem.

Katherine David

Katherine is a Partner in our Commercial Disputes practice. Katherine has broad cross-border litigation, dispute resolution and advocacy experience gained at a number of leading law firms in the Midlands, the Channel Islands and London. She has resolved disputes by negotiation, mediation and arbitration and is an experienced and formidable litigator. Katherine is experienced at leading large and complex matters across multiple jurisdictions and has experience working for a leading offshore magic circle firm. Her matters often have a cross border element and Katherine has frequently worked in cases with a value of up to £80 million pounds. Katherine works quickly and efficiently while maintaining exceptional client service, and has obtained injunctions on the same day as instruction, alongside obtaining worldwide freezing orders and various interim orders.

Laura Daly

Laura is a Principal Associate in the Commercial Disputes Team. Laura is experienced in acting for private and public companies as well as individuals in a range of disputes which have included commercial contracts, professional negligence and indemnity, fraud, privacy, product liability, property and commercial agency. Laura is currently also assisting the Media team with the large scale NGN phone hacking litigation where Hamlins are Lead Solicitor, and the MGN phone hacking litigation. Laura is commercially minded and understands the need to resolve disputes cost-effectively. She has first-hand experience of the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution, having led many without prejudice meetings and mediations.

Lauren Twidale

Lauren is a Senior Associate in the Media and Entertainment team. Lauren has experience with a range of commercial litigation matters with a particular focus on the media sector with defamation, privacy, reputation management, data protection and copyright infringement claims. Lauren has extensive experience with phone-hacking claims, assisting with claims brought by individuals against both News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers.

Mark Hurst

Mark joined Hamlins as a partner in 2004 having trained and worked in a top tier City firm and he is now head of the real estate team. He acts for a number of property companies, off-shore funds and high net worth individuals dealing with all aspects of non-contentious commercial property. Mark’s specialist experience includes large portfolio sales and acquisitions and dealing with complex portfolio re-financing and re-structuring as well as the more standard sales, acquisitions and lease/management work.

Martin Ochs

Martin is a Partner in the Entertainment, Media and IP team. Martin has wide experience of contentious IP and commercial litigation, particularly in the media and entertainment fields where he focuses on contentious music and copyright litigation.

Matthew Pryke

Matthew is the Managing Partner at Hamlins and leads the Commercial and Tech and Sport teams. He is widely recognised as an expert in intellectual property law, IT and commercial matters, particularly in the media, sports, leisure, travel, entertainment and creative industries. He has a broad client base with long-term partnerships across multiple disciplines. He advises clients across a range of creative and entertainment industries including television, modelling and sports and has acted for some of London’s biggest names in the bar, restaurant and nightclub arenas. He also has a solid client following in the technology sector. Matthew protects and increases his clients’ wealth, reputation and businesses to facilitate growth. He is trusted by his clients to provide confidence, solutions and strategic business advice. Working as so much more than a legal advisor, he is seen as a true business consultant. Matthew advises CEOs and senior management on how to create the best legal, technological and security governance strategies for their business. His practice covers a wide variety of contracts, often of a global or an international nature. He also has particular expertise in the structuring, negotiation and protection of tech-led arrangements. Matthew has extensive experience in developing, protecting and implementing commercial rights programmes for a large number of sports, media and entertainment organisations and events, advising on intellectual property, IT and media rights strategies. He is recognised for his strategic advice and expertise on the structuring and launch of new sports events and sports formats including SailGP, Tie Break Tens, The Hundred, Padel UK, Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), Zone Golf, Shoreseeker Challenge, A1 Grand Prix, innovative short-sided football concepts and The Shell Eco-Marathon, Tie Break Tens, SailGP, Shoreseeker Challenge and a number of other sports and digital concepts. Matthew is renowned for his knowledge and understanding of brand protection strategies having advised on the use of terms such as “FINE”, “GRAND PRIX”, “NEW LOOK”, and “FABÉRGE”. Matthew is also a Notary Public and a member of The Notaries Society. Matthew writes as a legal expert for many publications and has appeared on CNN and Sky News.

Penny Hunt

Penny is an Employment Partner and head of our Employment practice. Penny has more than 20 years’ experience in employment law gained at international firms. She provides strategic, proactive and practical advice to clients, both domestically and internationally, across a broad range of sectors, including tech, financial services and life sciences, with a particular focus on music, media, entertainment and sport. Penny advises employers on the full range of employment issues which arise during the employment life cycle, from recruitment through to redundancies, performance dismissals and executive exits. Her practice covers complex and sensitive investigations, grievances, disciplinaries, equal pay, whistleblowing, TUPE and industrial relations issues. Penny has also worked on secondment to a client during a well-publicised industrial relations dispute.

Sarah Daniel

Sarah is a Senior Associate in the Media and Entertainment team. Sarah has experience acting for a broad range of clients from high profile individuals to multinational corporations in respect of all aspects of media law including defamation, privacy and data protection. She is also involved in phone hacking litigation against News Group Newspapers and MGN Limited. Sarah is committed to providing tailored, practical advice to her clients’ individual needs.

Sarah Finch

Sarah is a Partner in the Real Estate Disputes team. She has a broad practice but with a particular focus on leasehold enfranchisement, rights of first refusal and disputes involving high value residential property. Her role is to provide advice, run lease extension and collective enfranchisement claims and conduct larger pieces of litigation in the courts and tribunals. Her clients include ground rent investor landlords, overseas investors and high net worth individuals.

Simon Gallant

Simon is a Consultant in the Media and Entertainment department. A Partner for many years with Mishcon de Reya, before running his own media law boutique, Simon has been consistently ranked as a leading individual in the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 Directories for Defamation/Reputation Management and Intellectual Property.

Vicky Stanborough

Vicky Stanborough is a Partner in the Commercial Property Department. Vicky joined Hamlins as a trainee solicitor in 1993 and became a partner in 1998. Vicky is experienced in all areas of commercial property including acquisitions, lettings and disposals and landlord and tenant issues. She has particular expertise in the leisure and parking sectors.

Victoria Camfield

Victoria is a Partner in the Real Estate team. Victoria is trusted by her clients to provide proactive commercial advice, confidence and solutions. She has expertise acting across a variety of real estate transactions from sales and purchases and day to day asset management, to complex financing, re-financing, joint ventures, development agreements and bespoke contracts for the promotion of strategic residential land. Victoria approaches transactions by operating as part of the client team and she has developed a number of long-term mutually successful client relationships. She acts for a broad range of clients including privately owned investment funds, AIM listed occupiers, developers of both commercial and residential property and strategic residential land promoters. Coupled with her development and investment work, Victoria has significant experience in the requirements of banks, funds and other institutions in secured lending, whether for acquisition or development. Victoria has been ranked in Chambers and Partners for a number of years, and is recognised for her “fantastic range of expertise” and for being “a very sensible, straightforward and clear-thinking partner” and “an absolute pleasure to work with”. Victoria joined Hamlins in 2021 from an international practice.

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