Partner and national Head of Real EstateAdrian has considerable experience in the real estate sector, advising both public and private sector organisations in project strategy and the implementation of portfolio and business change management from a legal perspective.
I specialise in bringing claims for clients who have been the subject of unlawful acts committed by police officers and by the state. I bring civil claims in the County Court and High Court for assault; false imprisonment; malicious prosecution; violations of the Human Rights Act; and discrimination under the Equality Act. Since 2001, I have acted successfully for clients in complex civil jury trials, in addition to securing many damages settlements over the years for the wrongs committed against them. I also assist them in bringing complaints about police misconduct to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. I represent clients who have been unlawfully detained by the government under immigration powers. In addition, I act for clients who have been assaulted whilst in prison, either by prison officers or other inmates, well as challenging their conditions of detention. I have brought several successful Court of Appeal cases establishing innovative changes in the law. In 2016, I was shortlisted for the Law Society Excellence Awards in the 'Human Rights Lawyer of the Year' category. Notable Cases: - R (Johnson) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2002] (unreported) Successfully challenging the timing of reviews considering a life sentence prisoner’s suitability for release after the tariff period had ended - Mason v Ministry of Justice [2008] EWHC 1786 (Admin) Securing compensation for man after a prison failed to release him in time to benefit from the Home Detention Curfew scheme - R (Graham) and (Allen) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] Prison LR 316 Representing two prisoners in a judicial review - The High Court found that handcuffing the prisoners to prison officers during serious medical treatment was “inhuman or degrading” and an infringement of their human rights - R(Cakir) and (Bhatt Murthy & Others) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 755 A challenge in Court of Appeal against the Secretary of State’s abolition of a compensation scheme for victims of miscarriages of justice - Copeland v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2014] EWCA Civ 1014 Representing a client whose successful High Court compensation claim for assault, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution was appealed against by the police. The Court of Appeal upheld the claim, establishing and confirming important legal principles for all malicious prosecution claims. - Zenati v Crown Prosecution Service and Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2015] 1 All ER 124 Securing compensation for a man who was kept in custody weeks after evidence had proved his innocence. The Court of Appeal held that Human Rights legislation obliges the police to diligently bring such evidence to the court’s attention as soon as they can.
Using the knowledge and experience that he has developed in over 10 years as an employment lawyer, Andrew works closely with clients to provide tailored employment law advice and support. He gives practical and commercial advice on employment law issues. This includes supporting businesses with their employment documentation, together with more complex staff matters such as reorganisations, discrimination disputes, TUPE and business mergers and acquisitions. Andrew also regularly speaks at employment law seminars and runs training and update sessions for HR professionals and management teams.
My areas of specialism are mental capacity, education and public law. I work with individuals who are unable to make decisions on important aspects of their lives. This can mean their care, residence or contact with their family members or friends. In addition, I work with individuals who are deprived of their liberty in care homes or hospitals as well as family members who seek representation in these disputes. In my education work, I help parents and young people facing disputes with education providers. This includes special educational needs, exclusion, admission and policy challenges. I also advise clients with their challenges to schools, colleges and local authorities. In my public law work, I challenge decisions made by public bodies which may be unlawful or be breaching an individuals’ human rights. These public bodies include local authorities, funding bodies and central government.
Angela is a well-respected Senior Associate who plays a key role in the Serious Injury team at Irwin Mitchell. Angela specialises in complex personal injury claims, mostly` representing Claimants who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries and serious orthopaedic injuries/amputations.
Anna is a Senior Associate Solicitor and an APIL accredited Senior Litigator. Anna deals with cases involving brain injuries and complex orthopaedic injuries, including amputations. Anna is also a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers and represents victims of child abuse in cases being brought against both individual abusers and institutions including schools, the church and local authorities.
I am a partner who specialises in representing women and children injured through pregnancy, obstetric, or gynaecological treatment as part of my broader clinical negligence caseload. No one can turn back the clock but provided we can prove treatment was negligent, we can at least provide some financial security for the future and if possible in the process of the investigation, provide answers about what went wrong. I was awarded the Law Society Solicitor of the Year Award 2021 for my work in this area and I am ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners guides.
Associate Solicitor Anoushka specialises in acting for individuals buying and selling residential properties in central London and throughout the UK. In addition, Anoushka works closely with Trust and Tax specialists and is often involved in the sales of properties held by trusts, as well as acting for internationally registered trust companies transferring properties to their ultimate beneficial owners and other beneficiaries in a trust structure. The properties in question may form part of a portfolio or be the client’s main residence. Her client base ranges from first time buyers to seasoned, multiple property owners and she regularly works with HNW and UHNW individuals. She endeavours to offer practical, bespoke, advice and always looks to efficiently find solutions to any complicated problems which may arise. Anoushka works closely, and builds strong relationships with clients and agents throughout transactions, ensuring that all parties are kept fully informed from the outset. Should any additional advice be required that is outside of her expertise e.g. tax advice, she is quick to identify this and will refer clients to specialists qualified in that area.
I am a Partner specialising in Medical Negligence. I predominantly focus on obstetric cases resulting in brain injuries arising from asphyxia or hypoglycaemia. My work also covers a range of other areas including paediatric brain injury, Erb’s palsy, wrongful birth, maternal injuries and spinal injury. I have been Head of the London Medical Negligence department since January 2021. I sit on the Medical Negligence Executive Board as well as IM’s Risk Forum and Technical Strategy Group.
Partner and Head of Real Estate in London and head of Investment and Asset Management.
Balbinder has worked on numerous high values, complex cases. She is an active member of Resolution and very highly regarded amongst her peers. She has an excellent rapport with clients and is well known for her client care skills and patience in dealing with difficult clients. Bal abounds in tact, confidentiality, discretion. Wins the confidence of her clients in the most difficult and trying circumstances. Described as “unflappable and calm” yet she has the ability to present a steely side and fights hard for her clients. She is a winning combination of strong, sensible and hard working.
Ben joined the team in 2015, and was made up to Senior Associate in February 2020. His focus is on the private company space and acts on a wide range of domestic and international transactions, including M&A, venture capital and private equity investments, joint ventures and reorganisations.
Senior associate Specialisms Divorce Children law Civil Partnerships Cohabitation/Living Together Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements Pre-Nuptial and Cohabitation Agreements Divorce and Finances International Family Law International children
Associate Solicitor Catherine regularly acts and has considerable experience of dealing with complex property disputes for commercial and individual clients across a range of sectors including development, retail, housing and corporate occupiers. Catherine is regularly instructed and advises on all real estate dispute matters including freehold and leasehold disputes, landlord and tenant disputes (residential and commercial), complex and conditional break clauses, dilapidations, breach of restrictive covenants and recovery of rent and service charge. In addition to this Catherine is growing and developing her specialisms in business rates and rights of light and is regularly writing articles for the property publications on business rates and has been quoted within the press. Catherine has also provided training to RICS on rights of light and service charge disputes.
Charlie joined the team in 2011 and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2021.
Daniel is a finance partner who joined the firm from King Wood & Mallesons SJ Berwin in February 2014. He is an acquisition finance specialist but also has substantial experience in debt restructuring, fund financing, real estate finance and debt portfolio disposals. Whilst at SJ Berwin he advised numerous clients including Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, Lloyds Banking Group, Duke Street, Lion Capital and Intermediate Capital Group PLC.
Danielle specialises in acting for senior executives and achieves excellent results in cases against large corporations. Many of her clients work in the creative industries including TV and print media and she has built a formidable reputation in this market
Debbie specialises in M&A, joint ventures, equity fundraisings and shareholder agreements. She also advises companies as they prepare for sale.Debbie has a particular focus in the Technology and Real Estate sectors.
Deborah has a wealth of experience having practised Family Law in London for more than 25 years. I specialise in advising clients including high net worth clients on a range of financial remedy applications and children’s matters. Deborah has also acted for a number of clients with international, cross jurisdictional and religious elements including Talaq and the Get. She acted for Galina Besharova in the largest divorce settlement in the UK in 2011 and following this she was the Times Lawyer of the Week.
Deborah is partner in our London employment team advising senior executives and directors. She advises on all aspects of employment law including: Whistleblowing All types of discrimination including pregnancy/maternity, sex, race, age and disability discrimination Equal pay Bonus disputes Unfair dismissal Redundancy Settlement agreements Grievances and disciplinary issues. Deborah has significant experience in the financial services sector negotiating high-value settlements and litigating complex claims. Many of her cases settle confidentially without progressing to a full merits hearing.
I have a wealth of experience in acting on behalf of people who sustain serious injuries abroad, and foreign nationals who are injured in England. I have pursued cases on behalf of clients in over 40 jurisdictions worldwide and have particular expertise in dealing with complex jurisdictional and foreign law issues. I also specialise in accidents taking place on board ships and aircraft. I have represented clients all the way up to the Court of Appeal, the UK Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union and have achieved record breaking results on behalf those most seriously injured. I am an expert in Brexit-related issues as they apply to seriously injured clients, navigating their cases through to a successful conclusion in a post-Brexit world.
International commercial dispute lawyer advising on international trade and sales of food, agency and distribution, contractual disputes and ‘shareholder disputes’, conflicts of law and jurisdiction. Reported cases: Re Portbase Clothing; Else (1982) Ltd v Parkland Holdings (CA); Glencore International v Bank of China (CA); Klickner Holdings v Klickner & co.
Edward has extensive experience and knowledge of all areas of contentious and non-contentious turnaround and insolvency matters, regularly lecturing on the subject. Edward has developed a wide client base comprising, insolvency practitioners, financial institutions, major creditors and distressed companies creating a strong reputation for dealing with difficult problems in a commercial and innovative way.
PartnerGeorge acts for entrepreneurs, individuals, companies, private banks, family offices, non-UK law firms and trust companies, with a particular focus on Francophone Europe and Africa, especially Mauritius.
Partner/ London Head of IP & Media/ London Head of Business Legal Services
Helen is a leading private wealth partner with over 20 years of experience in her field. She specialises in bespoke tax and estate planning involving complex trust and company structures for domestic affluent individuals and entrepreneurial wealth creators, business owners and senior executives including those at large PLCs with significant equity stakes. She leads the national team’s UK business wealth practice and understands the complexities and interaction of private and corporate taxes and the commercial rationale of transactions alongside the personal aspects driving the planning. She has significant experience advising close company participators on structuring and re-structuring their shareholdings to maximise tax efficiency for them and their families and to facilitate their overriding objectives. This often involves working alongside founders to ensure that their business interests are structured tax efficiently from the outset for personal tax efficiency and including advice throughout the evolution of the business including planning in advance of sale and post-sale to facilitate a tax efficient exit and succession. Helen also advises alongside her corporate partner’s on management buy-outs and employee ownership trusts. As well as advising on existing structures, Helen also creates and advises on the use of personal and family investment companies for controlled wealth transfer purposes. She recently authored two chapters of the Law Society Guide to Inheritance Tax on lifetime planning for business owners and planning using alternative vehicles for estate planning.
PartnerHeads of the asbestos disease team, helping to recover compensation for sufferers of serious illness due to workplace exposure to asbestos both in the UK and overseas. 20 years of experience in pursuing claims for victims of mesothelioma, including those who worked or lived close to the infamous J.W. Roberts factory in Leeds. Has assisted the families of many clients who have been fatally injured in accidents at work, in agriculture, working on the railways or working in the construction industry. Represented the claimants in the Court of Appeal case of Cox v Transco and the reported case of Gardner v C. Watson & Sons, an important case in terms of insurance cover in mesothelioma. His team has recovered more than £200,000 for hospices following the decision in Drake v Foster Wheeler.
Partner James is experienced in working with private and public listed companies on a wide range of domestic and international transactions, including AIM and Main Market listings, M&A, venture capital and private equity investments, joint ventures and reorganisations.
Joanna deals with all non-contentious aspects of residential leasehold law. This includes residential conveyancing, landlord and tenant matters, lease extensions, individual and collective enfranchisement, freehold reversion sales and purchases, rights of first refusal, property finance and secured lending. Her clients include institutional landlords, lenders, individual tenants, collectives, and property development companies.
National head of Court of Protection. Has a team of people who help her to look after client’s financial affairs. They do this through either the Court of Protection or through a trust. Also able to advise on lasting powers of attorneys, enduring powers of attorneys, wills, deputyships, receiverships and various aspects of financial management. Published in the ‘Daily Telegraph’ and the ‘APIL’ journal.
Associate Julie is based in the aviation team in Irwin Mitchell’s London office, and deals with a variety of cases representing passengers, pilots, crew and their families, in a range of personal injury cases arising out of aviation accidents both here and overseas. She is a specialist in cross-border litigation and has been involved in many cases that have helped to bring about changes in the way in which foreign accident claims are approached by Courts of England and Wales. Julie has acted on behalf of British and foreign nationals involving employer’s, occupier’s and road traffic and ski accident liability throughout Europe, Package Travel claims worldwide, as well as those involving International Conventions including the Athens, Montreal and COTIF.
Kate is a senior associate (New Zealand qualified) and specialises in the international elements of UK taxation, trust law and asset structuring. Kate predominantly acts for high and ultra-high net worth individuals and families with intricate multi-jurisdictional affairs. She has extensive experience in providing complex cross-border tax and succession planning advice, and has developed a particular expertise in advising international family offices.
Associate Solicitor Rebecca has a specialist interest in wrongful birth and obstetric injury cases. Kate has handled numerous high value complex claims including an obstetric negligence case for a 15 year old boy who was brain injured when there was a delay in delivering him and he was starved of oxygen. The structured settlement capitalised at £24.3m.
Kunal has 19 years’ experience in the Restructuring and Insolvency industry, dealing with a broad range of both non-contentious and contentious work, focusing primarily on advisory and transactional work such as: Debt restructuring Business sales and acquisitions Lender security enforcement and enhancement Cross-border restructuring & insolvency He acts for a mixture of UK clearing banks, UK top 20 accountancy firms, insolvency practitioners, private equity houses, and asset-based lenders. He also works with international clients such as international accountancy firms, foreign and international banks, and foreign law firms. Kunal advises secured lenders on: Restructuring and refinancing of distressed loans Forbearance Standstill and modification agreements Undertaking contingency planning Strategic advice including in relation to security and risk assessment. Kunal also has extensive experience dealing with contentious / insolvency litigation matters, including misfeasance actions and wrongful trading actions, antecedent transaction recoveries, asset recovery and fraud investigations. Kunal regularly advises underperforming companies, boards of directors and investor groups on restructuring options and managing key stakeholders, and advises landlord creditors on enforcing their rights and dealing with tenant insolvency.
Senior associate.Specialisms: Accidents arising overseas, international travel, travel litigation.
Senior associate legal executive.Specialisms: accidents abroad, sickness abroad, holiday complaints, road traffic accidents, travel litigation, head injuries.
Louise advises on all aspects of residential property with a particular emphasis on residential investment, development and funding, high value conveyancing, landlord and tenant work (including rights of first refusal) as well as portfolio acquisitions, disposal and subsequent management issues.She has particular experience with high-end London residential property and currently acts for property investment companies, developers, private individuals, leaseholders and lenders in the residential property sector. Over the past year she has dealt with over £50m of Prime Central London new build property.
Partner in the personal injury team in London office, dealing with both claimant and defendant work. Almost all her cases have an international aspect. Her main specialist area is European PI claims, in particular road traffic accidents, although she also deals with employers’ liability, public liability and some product liability (in conjunction with Antony Colman, a product liability expert). She speaks and writes German. She deals with substantial claims including catastrophic injury claims of over £2m. She specialises in cross-border claims involving jurisdiction and foreign law issues. Current claims (examples without names for confidentiality reasons). Dealing with claim for Belgian client injured in road traffic accident in England – serious injuries and issues of Belgian benefits and tax. Dealing with claim brought against our client by a claimant from another EU state, suffered amputation as a result of accident in England. Dealing with claim brought against our client arising out of accident at factory premises in Belgium.
Natasha is an Associate solicitor specialising in complex liability accident at work cases, road traffic collisions and public liability cases. She represents clients who have suffered serious orthopaedic injuries, amputations and psychiatric injuries and works closely with a community-based, demand-led charity that helps amputee families live life to the full. Natasha has experience in representing clients in their Applications to the Motor Insurance Bureau under the Untraced Scheme. Natasha also represents adult clients in claims following abuse.
Partner Nicola specialises in trust and estate litigation for high and ultra-high net worth individuals and families, often involving complex capacity issues. Nicola has particular expertise in claims for breach of trust, inter-family disputes in relation to the administration of estates and constructive trusts, Will disputes and setting aside transactions by reason of mental incapacity and undue influence. Her cases regularly involve multiple jurisdictions and recovering money held offshore. Nicola has enormous strength across the whole spectrum of Court of Protection work, with particular emphasis on contentious financial applications concerning the estates and businesses of those who may have lost capacity to manage them, financial abuse, gift and statutory Will disputes and the removal of attorneys and deputies.
PartnerPaul heads up our Real Estate Disputes team in London. He acts for a wide range of investors and developers on all contentious issues, with a particular interest in acting for corporate occupiers in the leisure sector. Paul has experience in a wide range of Court of Appeal, High Court and County Court litigation and has also been involved in mediations and arbitrations. Paul also deals with many issues for clients in the First-tier Tribunal. Paul also has considerable expertise dealing with development disputes, vacant possession strategies, rights of light, contractual disputes and other issues arising from the landlord and tenant relationship in both the commercial and residential context. He advises on business lease renewals and terminations, dilapidations, rent reviews, services charge disputes, rent arrears recovery, breaches of covenant, squatters and possession cases and all associated issues relating to landlord and tenant insolvency.In addition, Paul deals with professional negligence and fraud claims arising in the real estate context. His aim is to provide commercially driven solutions through advice, negotiation and utilising the various platforms for dispute resolution when required.
Peter is a Senior Associate solicitor, who is also an APIL accredited Senior Litigator and Brain Injury Specialist. He represents clients who have suffered severe and catastrophic traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, as well as serious orthopaedic injuries. As a cyclist and biker himself, Peter specialises in representing vulnerable road users who have been injured in road traffic collisions; he has recently worked to prepare Irwin Mitchell’s response to the Highway Code Consultation and is a campaigner for safer cycling.
Associate SolicitorRachael is a Court of Protection specialist and works predominantly with clients who have received multimillion pound settlements as a result of personal injury or medical negligence claims. Rachael’s primary focus is advising on deputyship matters and particularly on matters with on-going litigation claims. Rachael benefitted from training within the PI department for a 15 month period which has equipped her with knowledge to manage these files from the Court of Protection standpoint. Rachael works closely with the personal injury teams to manage interim payments for clients until their claims are fully settled as well as working closely with the professional Deputy to ensure that full and comprehensive witness statements detailing past and future Court of Protection costs are prepared to support the claim. Once a claim has settled, Rachael supports her clients with their everyday financial affairs. This may involve implementing a multidisciplinary team, buying and adapting a property that is suitable for their needs and investment of funds with Deputy approval. Rachael works closely with the client and their families advising and supporting them throughout the Court of Protection process.
Rachael is an Associate who specialises in acting for Claimants who have been catastrophically injured as a result of accidents with an international element. She acts for individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and major orthopaedic injuries amongst others, as result of wide ranging accident circumstances including road traffic accidents, sports accidents and clinical negligence. The vast majority of Rachael’s cases involve applicable law or jurisdictional issues and arise from accidents abroad, including accidents in France, Spain, Austria, Mexico and New Zealand to name but a few.
Senior AssociateSpinal Cord Injury. Birth Injury. Rebecca has particular expertise in Neurosurgical cases and Cauda Equina Syndrome and maximum severity injuries sustained at birth leading to cerebral palsy. She has achieved multi million pound settlements for children and adults who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of medical negligence. She approaches her work with compassion and integrity providing excellent client care that is second to none.
Satpal is an Associate Solicitor specialising in complex personal injury and insurance law matters.
Sean is a Partner and heads the Court of Protection team in our London and Cambridge offices. He joined Irwin Mitchell in 2008, qualified as a Solicitor in 2012 and has since specialised in Court of Protection matters. As Partner, Sean heads the Cambridge office and jointly heads the London office, supervising a large team of Paralegals, Solicitors, Associates and Senior Associates. Sean specialises in the management of personal injury and clinical negligence compensation. He is a Director of Irwin Mitchell Trustees Limited and the Irwin Mitchell Trust Corporation and is regularly appointed by the Court of Protection to act as a professional Deputy for people who have lost capacity to manage their financial affairs, as well as acting as professional Trustee. The majority of his clients have received multi-million pound settlements and Sean supports them with their everyday financial affairs, from implementing investments to purchasing and adapting property, to supporting their rehabilitation. Sean regularly deals with and advises on a wide variety of Court of Protection applications, from complex property and Trustees Act applications, to dealing with contested transfers of deputyship and statutory wills, as well as Variation of Trust applications within the Chancery Division. He also acts as an expert witness for the court in Court of Protection matters.
Serena is a Senior Associate in the London R&I team and leads on the contentious asset recovery offering.
Sofie is a Senior Associate within Irwin Mitchell, an APIL Accredited Senior Litigator and APIL Accredited Brain Injury Specialist. She has extensive experience acting for clients with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and complex orthopaedic injuries. She has further demonstrable expertise in handling cases involving pain conditions including CRPS. Sofie’s focus in her work is on using the personal injury process to achieve rehabilitation, independence and a better quality of life for her clients
Stephanie is an Associate in the Serious Injury Department with over 14 years’ experience in catastrophic claims. Stephanie has conducted applications to both the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and Motor Insurers Bureau. Stephanie continues to represent clients with serious injury, but has a particular interest in sports injury claims and equine claims, which frequently entail complex liability issues.
Stephanie is an Associate Solicitor with experience in dealing with complex liability accident at work cases, road traffic collisions and public liability cases. Stephanie specialises in representing those clients who have suffered life changing injuries, including traumatic brain injury.
Victoria specialises in Court of Protection work, helping vulnerable people and their loved ones make decisions about their property and finances. She deals with the management of day to day financial matters for a large number of deputyship and trust clients, ranging from children to the elderly – including those who have received a damages award as a result of personal injury. This involves assisting with decisions in relation to investments, personal budgets, capital expenditure and coordinating property adaptations tailored to individual clients with disabilities. She also liaises with case managers, personal injury and clinical negligence lawyers, social workers and relatives to establish appropriate care regimes to make best interests decisions. Victoria is experienced in dealing with Court of Protection applications concerning appointment of deputies, replacement of incapacitated trustees for property, making gifts and statutory Wills and contentious Court of Protection applications concerning attorneys and deputies. She is a member of the Court of Protection Practitioners Association (CoPPA) and an affiliate member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP). She has recently gained a Distinction in the STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising Vulnerable Clients and was shortlisted for Young Practitioner of the Year at the STEP Private Client Awards in 2015. She is also a member of Irwin Mitchell's Parent Carer Forum - a safe online space to connect with fellow parent carers and discuss the issues that matter to you. Join the Parent Carer Forum on Facebook.
