Howes Percival LLP

Howes Percival LLP

howespercival.com

East Anglia

Lawyers

search
Chris Allen-Jones

Chris Allen-Jones

Chris qualified in 1996 and has the best part of 30 years’ experience specialising in Family Law.  He mainly advises on the consequences of relationship breakdown. Many clients will be married and divorcing but an increasing number will never have been married. He can help advise regarding the arrangements for children and on the financial consequences of the breakdown of the relationship. He is fully supportive of moves to resolve disputes outside of court where possible but is known for dealing with the larger, more complex and, above all, more difficult cases which often involves court. He also helps couples thinking about living together and/or marrying to protect themselves from the possible future consequences of relationship breakdown through the use of cohabitation agreements and/or pre or post nuptial agreements.
Will Bond

Will Bond

Will deals with a diverse range of commercial property matters and specialises in the development sector, primarily advising developers (including well-known house builders), landowners and promoters on residential and commercial developments. Will’s experience encompasses site acquisitions and disposals, strategic land agreements, landowner collaboration arrangements, overage deeds, buy-back and pre-emption agreements, exclusivity agreements, secured finance, corporate support work and landlord and tenant matters.  
Bethany Boucher

Bethany Boucher

Bethany is a Senior Associate Solicitor in the Planning team, based in our Norwich Office. Bethany advises on many aspects of planning law. She has been involved in advising some of the UK’s largest housebuilders, promoters and landowners on a range of development projects. Bethany has experience in negotiating complex s.106 and infrastructure agreements; legal audits of planning applications; planning appeals; judicial review; and advising on all aspects of planning law including enforcement and permitted development rights.
Emma Bowman

Emma Bowman

Emma joined Howes Percival as a Senior Associate in the Cambridge office in August 2022. Emma was previously at another Cambridge firm where she completed her training contract and then worked for 5 years post-qualification. Emma has experience in a range of commercial property areas including landlord and tenant work, portfolio management, sales and purchases, finance, infrastructure agreements, corporate support, and acting for buyers and sellers of development land. Emma originally studied veterinary medicine at Newnham College, Cambridge University in the 1990s and following qualification worked as a vet at practices in Lincolnshire and Cambridge for many years. Emma started studying law in 2012 and qualified as a solicitor in 2017.
Ruth Burrell

Ruth Burrell

Ruth has been working in commercial property for over 20 years and has developed a specialism in Lease Extensions and Leasehold Enfranchisement over the last 18 years. Ruth’s commercial property work encompasses working for landlords and tenants on leases of all types of commercial properties.  She also works for clients buying or selling commercial properties.  Ruth enjoys dealing with trickier aspects of property law, such as, restrictive covenants, unregistered land and adverse possession. Ruth is experienced in dealing with rights to enfranchise, rights of first refusal and lease extensions, both agreed and statutory.
Jamie Childs

Jamie Childs

Jamie is a specialist planning solicitor at Howes Percival, with a particular focus on securing legally robust and deliverable planning permissions for clients. Described as a “rising star” in the Legal 500 (2022), Jamie’s experience includes advising on a number of significant, high profile and contentious residential development projects. Jamie also regularly advises on a wide range of commercial, energy and retail projects. Jamie is regularly instructed by national and regional housebuilders, land promoters, investors, landowners and local planning authorities. Jamie has a proven track record of negotiating complex planning agreements on some of the largest development projects in the region. Jamie also has substantial experience in judicial review matters and in providing specialist advice on Environmental Impact Assessment, permitted development rights, highways matters, rights of way, assets of community value and town and village greens. Jamie’s experience also covers advising on a range of licensing law matters. Jamie has particular experience in advising clients on applications for new or varied premises licenses. Jamie’s combined expertise in both planning and licensing matters means he often provides valuable practical and strategic advice to developers, owners and operators of licensed premises.
Estelle Corner

Estelle Corner

Estelle is a specialist social housing solicitor who advises registered providers/housing associations, their subsidiaries, local authorities and developers on all aspects of affordable housing acquisition, development and disposal. She has gained broad experience in commercial property over 20 years of practice, acting for institutional landlords, real estate funds, Transport for London, NHS trusts, and national retailers before specialising more recently in social housing. Estelle acts on land led and S106 acquisitions advises on planning agreements and variations, easements, shared ownership site site-up and sales. Estelle is ranked as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500. She delivers training on topical issues in social housing and has co-hosted a Lexis-Nexis webinar on shared ownership.
Christopher Cubitt

Christopher Cubitt

Chris is a commercial property Partner leading the Development team in our Norwich office. He has extensive experience of acting for developers, promoters and landowners on high value strategic land transactions such as options and conditional contracts, promotion agreements and collaborations. On commercial developments he also advises on disposals and investment management of subsequent lettings. Chris enjoys working closely with clients so as to understand their aims and objectives and to deliver practical, commercial advice.
Katharine Danks

Katharine Danks

Katharine is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association which recognises her detailed knowledge of various aspects of agricultural and rural issues including trusts, taxation, land law, agricultural holdings, Town and Country Planning and the Common Agricultural Policy. Katharine has experience in acting for landowners, landlords, tenants and lenders in respect of agricultural property matters including agricultural holdings act advice, farm business tenancies, acquisitions and disposals (including overage, options and other strategic land agreements) and secured lending on agricultural land and entitlements. Katharine leads complex matters for agricultural clients involving agricultural and rural property, farming partnerships, tax and trusts issues. Katharine trained at Eversheds LLP and qualified into the Real Estate Development team in 2006. Post-qualification Katharine gained over three years’ experience at Eversheds dealing with a range of property matters, from complex promotion and option agreements to deeds of easement and reports on title. Katharine joined Howes Percival LLP in January 2014.
Ollie Flowers

Ollie Flowers

A Legal Director in our Corporate, Commercial and Banking team in Cambridge, Ollie specialises in corporate transactions and has considerable experience of advising on a wide variety of work including M&A transactions, fundraisings, restructurings, joint ventures, share schemes and general corporate advisory work. Ollie acts for a wide variety of clients including entrepreneurs, private companies, LLPs and partnerships, including on transactions involving venture capital and private equity parties. Ollie works with clients in a wide range of sectors including technology, automotive, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and media.
Michael Green

Michael Green

Michael specialises in commercial disputes with a particular emphasis on company/shareholder disputes, partnership advice, restraint of trade disputes, technology based disputes, professional negligence claims, contract disputes, agency disputes, contentious trusts & probate and insolvency. His clients include BDO, Mazars, RSM, Bens Cookies, many in the automotive industry and Cambridge tech companies. Michael is a Fellow of the Association for British Recovery Professionals (R3) and full Member of the Association of Contentious Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). He has extensive experience of litigating in the higher courts and is ranked Tier One in legal directories being described as “commercially minded, astute” and “a leading individual in litigation and insolvency”. Michael is appointed as Special Administrator by the High Court upon several estates. He is also a Solicitor-Advocate and is dual qualified as a barrister.
Tessa Haskey

Tessa Haskey

Tessa's specialisms are landlord and tenant, sales and purchases of commercial property, and banking work. She negotiates leases, mainly for owners of commercial property portfolios and advises on landlord and tenant legislation. She acts for banks and private lenders in relation to their property work. She deals with sales and purchases of commercial land and buildings; including advising on overage and clawback and Stamp Duty Land Tax issues. Having worked in industry herself, Tessa has a good understanding of how businesses operate and is aware of the commercial pressures on business clients. Ranked as an ‘Eminent Practitioner’ in the Chambers and Partners (2020 edition)
Leon Head

Leon Head

Since joining Howes Percival in 2012, Leon has worked on an array of matters ranging from fraud litigation, contentious individual and corporate insolvency, debt recovery, contentious probate, general commercial litigation, property litigation, estates, commercial property, planning and employment for individual, business and government clients. Leon is now a solicitor specialising in contentious insolvency matters. After completing the Legal Practice Course in 2012, Leon joined the firm as a paralegal. He commenced his training contract in 2016 and qualified as a solicitor in 2018. Leon is now a solicitor specialising in contentious insolvency matters based in the Norwich office.
James Henderson

James Henderson

James is a specialist commercial property solicitor and Partner in our Development team. He has a high level of experience from over 20 years advising landowners, investors (including institutional funds) and funders on all aspects of land acquisition, development and disposal. He regularly gives specialist advice on option agreements, conditional contracts and overage arrangements. He has advised funders on numerous forward funding and other development projects relating to commercial and residential BTR schemes. He has advised on complex mixed-use sites promoted and developed through joint venture vehicles and other partnering arrangements. James is very experienced at working either within or as an extension of client teams, in collaboration with other advisors, to understand the important underlying commercial needs and drivers behind projects. He enjoys partnering in this way to help clients find commercial solutions by advising on legal issues in the wider business context, to achieve the best outcome.
Susanne Hinde

Susanne Hinde

Susanne specialises in investment property, and commercial landlord and tenant matters covering the leisure, retail, office and life sciences sectors. Susanne has extensive experience in working with a variety of clients including businesses on the Cambridge Business Weekly “Killer 50” List, Cambridge colleges, pension funds, charities, not for profit organisations as well as family-owned businesses. Clients say that Susanne is pragmatic and approachable, and is good at understanding their business needs. Susanne started her career in Nottingham where she qualified as a solicitor in commercial property.
Joseph Keeping

Joseph Keeping

Joseph is a Senior Solicitor in the Estates team based in our Norwich office. He specialises in a wide range of private client matters including Wills, Estate Administration, Powers of Attorney, Trust Administration, Estate Planning and Court of Protection work. Joseph joined Howes Percival in December 2020 having previously worked and trained at another local regional firm. He qualified as a Private Client solicitor in February 2018. Joseph is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) having achieved a distinction in the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates (England & Wales). Joseph was awarded a Worldwide Excellence Award for achieving the highest overall mark across all 2023 graduates.
Anna Kelly

Anna Kelly

Anna specialises in contentious trusts and probate disputes. She has extensive experience advising clients in respect of claims pursuant to the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, Will validity claims, the removal of executors and trustees, claims concerning domicile disputes and proprietary estoppel claims. Anna is committed to helping her clients resolve their dispute in the most pragmatic and cost-effective manner and appreciates the delicate and sensitive nature of this type of litigation. Clients say: ‘Anna Kelly stands out. She is greatly valued by her clients, as she builds a clear understanding of their needs and offers sensible, expert advice. She is also highly organised and efficient.’ 
Jamie Kidd

Jamie Kidd

Jamie advises on contentious property issues encompassing residential, commercial and agricultural land. He has detailed experience in relation to asset management concerns such as rent review and dilapidations, development and joint venture disputes, and the impact of insolvency. Jamie has a particular interest in overage, rights of light, rights of way, adverse possession and enfranchisement. Jamie has enjoyed success before the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal, the Land Registry Adjudicator, the First Tier and Upper Tribunal, the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 has consistently recognised Jamie as a leader in his field since 2004. Clients comment that he is "strategic", “efficient and sensible” and “always produces advice which is spot on”.
Tom Lawrence

Tom Lawrence

Tom specialises in advising high net worth families and business owners on their wealth and succession arrangements. The Legal 500 recognises Tom as being ‘vastly experienced’ and a ‘leading individual’ for tax, probate and trusts in Norwich and the surrounds. His expertise include advising on complex Trusts and Will planning together providing associated tax advice; the administration of high-value estates and post-death restructuring; the formation, administration and termination of Settlements and connected asset rearrangement. Tom is a STEP qualified lawyer who can take on appointments as an Independent Administrator in difficult Estates. Tom is the current Chair of the Norwich and Norfolk Branch of STEP and is a keen cyclist racing for Team Strada.
Stuart Maggs

Stuart Maggs

Stuart has spent many years advising his clients on how best to arrange their affairs to keep them simple and understandable, while meeting their requirements and minimising tax implications. This includes strategic advice for families and trusts on their business and personal matters, including preparing wills, estate planning (onshore and offshore), trusts, powers of attorney. He works closely with the property and corporate teams on aspects of business and family succession for corporate and property structures, negotiating with HMRC where required. He regularly presents seminars and workshops on topical tax issues and is a committee member of East Anglia’s Chartered Institute of Taxation. Chambers & Partners note “the quality of his work is exemplary.” Stuart is Head of Tax and is a Partner in the Estates team at Howes Percival, dealing with landed estates, high net worth individuals and business owners. He is a Chartered Tax Advisor and has spent many years devising planning arrangements that are suitable for the needs of his clients, ensuring they provide the right mix of tax efficiency and practicality. Stuart has become a leading authority on the government’s changes to inheritance tax and its impact on family farms. In December 2024, he gave evidence to the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs select committee which can be viewed here.
Helaina Mann

Helaina Mann

Helaina is a solicitor working in the Corporate team in Norwich. She advises clients on different corporate transactions including share and asset sales and purchases, company and group re-organisations, shareholder agreements, and raising finance (debt and equity). Helaina has experience advising numerous clients within the health and social care sector on various matters ranging from complex reorganisations and disposals to national care providers to discreet corporate advice to GPs.
Patrick Manning

Patrick Manning

A former City solicitor, Patrick is a member of Howes Percival's Insolvency Service team. Having joined the firm in 2005, he advises on and is responsible for the conduct of directors disqualification proceedings on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS). He has trial experience both in the High Court and county courts as well as wide experience of negotiated settlements in defended claims. Patrick also undertakes investigations on behalf of BIS in relation to directors misconduct. Patrick trained and qualified with City of London firms, working for a number of years post-qualification in litigated insurance claims for UK and international insurers and reinsurers.
Jay Mehta

Jay Mehta

Jay is a specialist planning solicitor at Howes Percival. He is experienced in all areas of planning law and supports his clients with the delivery of strategic residential development including large urban extensions and allocations, in addition to commercial, agricultural and renewable energy projects. Recommended in the Legal 500, Jay’s clients include national house builders, promoters and local planning authorities who describe him as having “excellent judgement and very good attention to detail”. Over the years, Jay has accrued significant experience in judicial review and planning appeals. He has defended countless developers and local planning authorities against challenges to planning permissions, with continued success in the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Many of these cases are now considered to be leading authorities on matters such as Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. Jay is therefore relied on by many applicants and local planning authorities to guide them through the application process to ensure planning permissions may be secured robustly and the development may proceed without delay. Jay also has considerable experience in drafting complex section 106 agreements and highways agreements for schemes across the country, and provides regular advice on other matters such as enforcement, certificates of lawfulness, compulsory purchase, town and village greens, listed buildings consent and permitted development rights.
Faye Meredith

Faye Meredith

Having previously trained with the firm, Faye re-joined Howes Percival in March 2023 as a Director in our Banking and Finance team. Faye has a wealth of experience of advising both lenders (including banks, funds, alternative lenders and private capital) and borrowers on all aspects of banking and finance transactions including general corporate banking and acquisition, leveraged and real-estate finance. Faye’s experience spans both domestic and cross-border banking transactions. Faye joined Howes Percival in March 2023.
Alan Millband

Alan Millband

Alan is a leading regulatory and business defence lawyer with considerable experience across the regulatory spectrum, particularly in health safety and environmental matters. He advises on all kinds of regulatory compliance issues, and represents clients who are subject to action by enforcing authorities (such as HSE, Local Authorities, Environment Agency, Police, and CQC). He is an extremely effective magistrates’ and coroners’ court advocate as well as an entertaining and engaging public speaker. Alan acts for clients ranging from small businesses to national and multi-national organisations. In the health and safety field he is the editor of a leading sector text book and a guest lecturer at the University of Derby.
Jonathan Mumby

Jonathan Mumby

Jonathan joined the employment team in March 2019. He provides clear, concise and practical advice on a range of employment issues. Jonathan has acted for nationwide charities and independent retailers, and has dealt with the variety of challenges posed in each situation. With a background ranging from a small family agricultural business to a regional leading insurance firm, Jonathan has experience of the practical issues created from the employment relationship. Jonathan studied Law at the University of Hull and completed post-graduate studies at BPP Cambridge.
Simon Murphy

Simon Murphy

Simon advises on contentious property issues encompassing residential, commercial and agricultural land. Simon spends most of his time advising on asset management issues including possession claims, the forfeiture of leases, dilapidations, service charge disputes and lease interpretation. He also advises on trespass, overage, rights of light, rights of way, adverse possession and enfranchisement. Simon is based in the Cambridge office. Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 have consistently recognised Simon as a leader in his field commenting he ” is best known for commercial landlord/tenant work for retailers, leisure clients and landed estates”. Simon is a member of the Property Litigation Association.
Jo Nicholls

Jo Nicholls

Joanna has significant experience of all types of commercial property work, specialising mainly in real estate development, but also dealing with acquisitions and disposals; landlord and tenant matters for clients’ property portfolios; and acting for investors in high value commercial properties. Joanna has significant commercial property experience and has progressed her career with the firm since qualifying as a solicitor, establishing a strong loyalty with both her clients and the business.
Jonathan Parker

Jonathan Parker

Jonathan is a specialist social housing solicitor who works with housing associations, local authorities and private house-builders on all aspects of non-contentious social housing. Jonathan is a key player in the sector, particularly within East Anglia, and is known for his clear, jargon-free legal advice. Jonathan has a keen interest in the development of new social housing and advises clients on affordable housing planning obligations including negotiating and varying section 106 affordable housing provisions. He also has extensive experience purchasing and selling section 106 allocated affordable housing, and negotiating options, conditional contracts and development agreements. Originally from Lincolnshire, Jonathan moved to Norfolk in 2011 to study law and is firmly rooted in the county having now worked for two of its largest law firms.
Morris Peacock

Morris Peacock

Morris joined Howes Percival in 1999 after having previously acted for directors in respect of both civil and criminal proceedings and also for insolvency practitioners on civil recovery actions. Morris has acted for the Insolvency Service for over 20 years and been the client partner since 2008 overseeing disqualification, investigation and public interest winding up work. Morris is an Advisory Editor to Mithani: Directors Disqualification, a member of the R3 Eastern Region Committee and leads a team described by Chambers as “incredibly effective in directors’ disqualification matters”. Cases of note include Re Skyward Builders Plc, Re Crystal Palace FC (1986) Limited, Re Vintage Hallmark Plc, Secretary of State v Aaron & Others, Re Luton Town Football Club, Re Granville Technology Group Limited (Tiny Computers , Time Computers) Re UKLI, Re Wrapit, and Re BHS.
Matthew Potter

Matthew Potter

Matthew has a wealth of experience in all areas of employment law both litigation and advisory. Matthew provides commercial solutions for employers with particular experience of large scale TUPE transfers in both the private and public sectors; restructures; employment tribunal litigation and High Court injunctions. Matthew also has a keen interest and experience over many years in the food and beverage sector acting for clients in established businesses in as diverse product lines as meat and poultry to international wine importers. Matthew writes and presents frequently on employment law issues providing updates and training to clients. He recognised by both Chambers and Legal 500 as a leader in his field. Matthew joined Howes Percival in 2017 as a Partner having previously headed teams in the Eastern Region. In addition to his employment practice, he is also a school governor and trustee of an independent school and a member of the advisory board to a regional theatre company.
Oliver Pritchard

Oliver Pritchard

Oliver is a senior corporate lawyer with over 20 years’ experience leading teams of lawyers advising on company sale and acquisitions involving trade and PE, management buyouts, joint ventures and group restructurings.  He has acted for a diverse range of clients ranging from large corporates, institutional investors, owner managers, successful entrepreneurs and public bodies. Oliver has particular expertise in advising on transactions in the health and social care sector, where he is recognised as a leading lawyer nationally in the Chambers and Partners Legal Directory (2024 edition). He is head of the firm’s health sector group.
Victoria Sandell

Victoria Sandell

Victoria is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution team, based in our Cambridge office. Victoria was listed under 'Rising stars’ by the Legal 500 2021. She has a wide range of experience advising on all aspects of complex commercial disputes including contractual disputes, company/shareholder disputes, negligence claims against professionals, fraud (including cyber fraud), judicial review claims and insolvency matters and proceedings. In addition she is also experienced in advising on contentious trusts and probate matters. Victoria takes a keen interest in her clients’ businesses and strives to find a practical solution for them. She works closely with her clients to factor in commercial and other external pressures that impact on decision making. As well as County Court and High Court litigation, Victoria also has considerable experience effectively using Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures. Victoria has close attention to detail and is able to provide legal advice on complex matters in a pragmatic way.
William Shirley

William Shirley

William has over 13 years’ experience in acting for Government departments, including the Insolvency Service and HMRC, and has acted for the Insolvency Service in particular in high profile and complex directors disqualification proceedings and also in relation to winding up companies that are trading contrary to the public interest. William also works with the Insolvency and Corporate Recovery team and deals with a broad range of both contentious and non-contentious corporate and personal insolvency matters. William also advises businesses and business owners on their duties, options and responsibilities when facing financial difficulties.
Georgia Short

Georgia Short

Georgia joined the Commercial Property team as a Senior Associate in October 2023. Prior to joining Howes Percival, Georgia spent four years at a prominent Norwich firm dealing with a wide range of commercial property matters including all aspects of landlord & tenant law, acquisitions, disposals and refinancing. She also regularly assisted the corporate team with the real estate aspects of share and asset deals. Georgia has experience advising landowners and developers on easements, overage, options and conditional contracts.
Gordon Simpson

Gordon Simpson

Gordon has over 20 years experience of handling contentious disputes. He has the technical expertise to handle complicated and high value commercial claims through to trial, but combines this with a flexible approach to look for practical and cost effective solutions. After several years working in Manchester, Gordon was head of a litigation team in Norfolk before joining our commercial litigation team in Norwich. Gordon likes to develop strong business relationships with clients, to help them through the litigation process and identify ways to avoid litigation in the future.
Robert Starr

Robert Starr

Rob is a specialist regulatory lawyer who advises companies and individuals on a wide range of regulatory issues. He has extensive experience of representing clients under investigation by enforcing authorities including the HSE, CQC, Environment Agency, Police and Fire Authorities. He also appears regularly before the Coroners court in relation to fatal accidents. A former prosecutor with the Serious Fraud Office, he not only has an in depth understanding of the approach of regulators, but has managed large complex cases and undertaken numerous internal investigations into fraud, corruption and whistleblowing allegations. Rob has lectured frequently on issues such as health and safety, director’s duties, crisis management and corporate compliance. In 2011 he was invited to speak at Washington University on the impact of the UK Bribery Act as part of an international panel of anti-corruption experts.
James Stephen

James Stephen

James is a senior corporate lawyer who takes a pragmatic and solutions-focussed approach when advising clients. He has over 25 years’ experience of advising on corporate legal matters including domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, fundraisings, corporate reorganisations and general corporate advisory issues. James acts for clients of all sizes including public and private limited companies, LLPs, partnerships and entrepreneurs. His clients operate across a range of sectors. Client feedback on James in the most recent Legal 500 Directory includes the following: 'James Stephen is simply superb. Professional, thoughtful, considerate, caring. Incredibly hard working.' 'James Stephen. Experienced and confident advice. Work is accurate and well thought through with all facets of the deal covered. James is a calm and steady pair of hands to have on any deal team.' 'James Stephen…has excellent knowledge and brings a very pragmatic approach to getting deals done.'
Richard Strange

Richard Strange

Richard is a Senior Associate in the Commercial Property team, based in Norwich. He acts for developers and landowners on a wide range of commercial and residential development projects. Before joining Howes Percival, Richard worked in Real Estate Finance, advising a broad range of lenders and borrowers on secured lending, property development finance and portfolio transactions. Richard qualified as a solicitor in 2017 and is known for his thorough, pragmatic and commercially focused approach, ensuring that clients objectives are delivered effectively.
Phillippa Summerlee

Phillippa Summerlee

Phillippa advises individuals, businesses, insolvency practitioners and government clients in respect of a variety of insolvency related contentious disputes including breach of duty claims, debt claims and claims for antecedent transactions. She works with clients to find the best way to resolve their issue be it through a form of alternative dispute resolution or litigation. Phillippa trained at Howes Percival, gaining experience in a number of departments before choosing to specialise in litigation and qualifying into her current department.
Elizabeth Thomas

Elizabeth Thomas

Elizabeth is a commercial property specialist with a focus on working with property investors, corporate occupiers, charities and clients in the public sector. She has in-depth experience across a range of commercial property matters, including conditional sales and purchases, option agreements, agreements for lease and property management matters. She has over eight years of experience in advising education bodies (including Universities, Cambridge colleges, FE institutions and private providers) in respect of their portfolios and is used to working to tight timescales in order to achieve the desired result by the necessary deadline. Elizabeth’s practice also includes buying and selling student accommodation and she has acted for a number of overseas property investors in this sector, steering them through the complexities of the UK market. Following one such acquisition, Elizabeth was described by the client as “responsive, focused, hardworking, punctual, cool as a cucumber and just an all-round pleasure to deal with”.
Richard Turner

Richard Turner

Richard specialises in advising on corporate transactions and has been involved in numerous acquisitions, mergers, MBO's and disposals acting for vendors, buyers and other institutions. Richard also regularly works on a wide variety of other complex corporate matters, including shareholder arrangements, joint ventures, reorganisations and partnerships. Richard is also well experienced in guiding clients through complex contractual matters and assists clients in finding practical commercial solutions to their requirements. Richard has deep experience in drafting and negotiating a spectrum of contractual arrangements including: - Business-to-business supply contracts; - Sponsorship agreements; - Reseller, manufacturing and distribution agreements; and - General terms and conditions of sale.
Ben Twitchen

Ben Twitchen

With over two decades of experience working in family law, Ben is based in our Cambridge office, specialising in dividing assets on divorce, as well as child arrangements, prenuptial agreements and injunctions. His clients include senior professionals in medicine and finance.  Ben takes a pragmatic approach, guiding clients to an early amicable outcome where possible, minimising the costs and stresses of the legal process. Having resolved many hundreds of cases, Ben understands the emotional challenges clients face during relationship breakdowns, and provides guidance in a supportive and empathetic way. Ben is passionate about options which enable clients to avoid contested court proceedings. He has been an accredited Collaborative Lawyer since 2006 and will be glad to explain how Collaborative Law can help resolve your case. Ben is well connected and able to help you find the right support for all the issues in your case. He is part of a huge team at Howes Percival with specialist colleagues in other legal departments. Ben also has a network of expert advisers in overlapping areas such as counselling, accountancy and financial advice. Ben was a partner for 12 years at Taylor Walton in St Albans and Harpenden, and Head of Department for over 5 years. He is an accredited mentor for Resolution, providing support for the next generation. His interests include sailing and golf.
Jan Tyler

Jan Tyler

Jan undertakes a wide range of private client work, specialising in estate planning for high net worth individuals and business owners. Her expertise includes trust creation and advice and associated tax advice; complex estate administration including agricultural and landed estates; and personal tax and succession advice. She is a recommended lawyer in the 2024 issue of The Legal 500, described as standing out “owing to her combination of expertise and professionalism with a compassionate and down-to-earth manner”. Jan is dual-qualified in Scotland, England and Wales.
Simon Warburton

Simon Warburton

Simon is an experienced banking and finance lawyer valued by clients for his wide-ranging knowledge and commercially minded approach. He has delivered a huge range of finance transactions for a wide variety of satisfied clients - from acting for large international banks on significant syndicated lending transactions, leading teams of lawyers in multiple jurisdictions, to acting for local borrowers on relatively small venture debt and real estate facilities. Whilst he has broad experience across all areas of banking and finance, he is particularly recognised for his expertise in asset based lending and financing receivables. Simon has spent a number of years working for large international law firms in the City of London interspersed with stints at highly regarded regional firms.
Alexandra Wilson

Alexandra Wilson

Alexandra is a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution team, based in our Cambridge office. Alexandra has a broad range of experience in commercial litigation, including shareholder/company disputes, partnership disputes and contractual disputes, as well as advising on insolvency and contentious trusts and probate cases. Alexandra is also a member of The Contentious Trusts Association (ConTrA). Alexandra has worked with a wide range of clients and strives to give practical and clear advice to clients, working closely with them to find commercial solutions. She is described in the legal directories as “impressive” with “an excellent grip on the law and all the details of complex casework. One to watch!”.
Georgia Wood

Georgia Wood

Georgia acts for a broad range of clients in contentious property matters affecting commercial, residential and agricultural land. Georgia has experience acting in a wide range of contentious property issues, including Land Registration matters before the First Tier Tribunal, adverse possession claims, interpretation and enforceability of restrictive covenants and landlord and tenant disputes. Her recent experience includes providing advice on subsidence, dilapidations, service charge disputes and a dispute over a development agreement before the Court of Appeal. She acts for a range of clients, including private individuals, landlords, tenants and larger organisations.