Tozers Solicitors LLP

Aimee Aspinall

As an Associate and Solicitor in Tozers’ Family team Aimee works in an empathetic yet structured way with private individuals from all walks of life. Generally, clients work with Aimee when seeking advice after a personal relationship has broken down, or if they see things panning out that way. She has a very good reputation locally for her financial remedy work. Aimee takes pride in recognising the emotive nature of these situations, whilst helping them make progress, advising clients about both financial and broader implications of a relationship breakdown. She is recognised for providing practical and constructive advice and support, in what is a challenging period for clients. Aimee works closely with her clients to make difficult situations less daunting and achieving an outcome they are happy with. Aimee completed her Law Degree at the University of Plymouth in 2011. After joining Tozers in 2015, Aimee qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2019 and became an Associate in 2021. She later undertook the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations and was admitted as a Solicitor in 2023. Aimee is a member of the Devon Resolution Committee, having previously sat on the Devon YRes Committee for a number of years and as Chair in 2021/2022. Aimee has also been recognised in the 2024 Legal 500 directory as a 'Rising Star' in the Tier 3 ranked Family team where she is described as "very compassionate and always looking to ensure that their clients achieve the best outcome".

Amy Cater

Amy is a Partner & Solicitor at Tozers and leads our specialist Planning team as well as working as part of our award-winning Parks team. Recently recognised in the 2024 Legal 500 directory, Amy and her team were ranked as a 'Leading Firm' for their top-rated planning work. "I have built a long and professional relationship with Amy Cater, whose knowledge on planning matters is enviable. Nothing is too much trouble for her, and her commitment is second to none." Since starting at Tozers Amy has grown the firm’s Planning team, advising on a diverse range of planning matters, working alongside caravan park and leisure businesses, residential developers, private individuals, local authorities, and wildlife trusts. She is a member of the UK Environmental Law Association. Amy qualified in 2007 and has over 15 years’ experience in both the public sector and private practice having worked as a planning solicitor in a local authority for several years and having previously trained at a leading law firm in London. This broad experience on ‘both sides of the fence’ provides Amy with an ability to navigate the intricacies of the planning system and local government administrative law. Amy advises on a broad range of planning and licensing matters across England and Wales, including both contentious and non-contentious work. Working alongside colleagues across the firm, including Litigation, Parks, Residential Property, Commercial, Charities, and Wealth Management, Amy provides advice on: Certificate of lawfulness applications and appeals Enforcement notice appeals and advice Judicial Review and Statutory Review Section 106 obligations for commercial and residential developments including affordable housing Preparing planning applications and planning appeals Wildlife and Habitats including Biodiversity Net Gain and Conservation Covenants Advice on Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Planning Footpath diversions and Highway Agreements Caravan Site licensing advice and appeals Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Statutory Nuisance Amy edits Butterworths Planning Law Service on the subject of Caravans and is joint editor of the Mobile Homes, Caravans and Campsites section of the Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents alongside Managing Partner, Paul Kelly.  

Amy Laver

Amy is a partner and solicitor who trained with Tozers before qualifying, working with corporate, charity and school clients. With over 10 years post qualification experience, Amy has specialist charity law knowledge with a particular interest in safeguarding matters for schools and charity clients. Amy is well positioned to advise on all aspects of corporate work for charities, schools and companies, including mergers and collaborations, incorporations and conversions. She has a strong track record and focus relating to corporate transactions and governance across those sectors. Centered on making things simple for clients whilst adding value through her sector specific knowledge, Amy always has the best outcome for clients in mind. Amy qualified as a solicitor in 2011, and has been recognised in the 2024 Legal 500 directory where she is described as "has a growing reputation in the sector, especially within academies" within the ranked Charities team and Corporate and Commercial team respectively. Chambers and Partners 2023 also ranks Amy as Band 2, saying "Amy brings realism to the table and clarity on complex issues." "At all times, Amy held our hands metaphorically through the process of buying a company for the first time. She did so with the skill and expertise of her field and empathy and compassion for our emotions and stress."

Caroline Ryan

Caroline is a graduate of the University of Wales, qualifying as a solicitor in 1993. She spent ten years as a Director at a niche family law firm before joining Tozers as a Consultant Solicitor in 2014, then in 2021 became Head of Private Family within the family team. Caroline works with private clients, helping them navigate the financial consequences of divorce. She specialises in complex cases with her expertise including the resolution of situations including family business, trust funds, farms, property portfolios, parks, inheritance. and pre-acquired wealth. She has gained a wealth of knowledge in dealing with pensions including public sector pensions to include Armed Forces, Police, Fire Service, NHS, Teachers and Local Government. Holding a trained specialism as a collaborative lawyer, Caroline is also a member of Resolution. Mentioned in the Legal 500 directory stating that, "Caroline Ryan was extremely supportive and very knowledgeable about procedures. She advised me confidently and all communications were efficient, effective and appropriate". Caroline has also been ranked as a Band 3 solicitor in Chambers & Partners 2024 directory, stating that "Caroline's expertise was phenomenal. She has an extremely thorough knowledge of her field.".   WORK Recent cases Advising Husband, a partner in a holiday park business and also a partner in the family farm in divorce proceedings where the Wife asserted she had an interest in properties owned by the Husband with his Brother and Mother. Successfully protecting Husband’s family assets Advising Wife in divorce proceedings. Husband having been suspended as a partner in his dental practice. Successfully obtaining an order for Wife to obtain interests in property, business and pensions. Advising Husband, high earning equity partner of a London Actuaries in divorce proceedings. Providing advice to enable parties to reach agreement. Advising retired bank manager in respect of financial proceedings brought by Wife ten years post pronouncement of Decree Absolute. Advising in particular re: pension issues.  

Clair Hemming

Clair qualified as a solicitor in 2001, and as a Partner in Tozers' Medical Negligence team, acts for people at all stages of their lives, from infants and children right through to those in retirement. She is focused on putting clients at ease, whilst developing a trusted, strong working relationship. Her particular expertise is in high value and complex neurological injury claims. Clair is particularly strong at helping people get answers or find out what went wrong in their individual circumstances. She aims to make a real difference to people’s lives through securing damages and ultimately their future. Recognised as a notable practitioner and ranked as a Band 2 for Clinical Negligence in the Chambers & Partners UK 2024 legal directory, with clients saying "She always keeps us up to date with emails and information, and she guides us to explain matters and terminology when needed. We always manage to overcome any issues that arise" and "Clair pulls all the stops out and leaves no stone unturned" and "Clair is competent and very good". Clair has also been recognised in the 2023 Legal 500 directory receiving feedback that says: "Clair Hemming has just been amazing, she has often come up against hurdles in our case, but has always managed to source a solution.". Clair holds a Trustee role of a National Charity for disabled people, as well as being an accredited member of the Law Society Panel for Clinical Negligence, and a member of the Devon and Exeter Medico Legal Society. Her in-depth understanding of many medical conditions and experience bringing negligence claims on behalf of clients has helped Clair develop an acute understanding of the sensitivity and importance of each individual client’s situation.

Endurance Arthur

A clinical negligence solicitor and Partner, Endurance heads and manages Tozers’ Medical Negligence Team. Working with claimants who have suffered life changing injuries as a result of substandard care by GPs, hospitals and private practitioners. Her primary aim is to help those affected to bring a successful claim for compensation so they can look forward to a future in which their needs, arising from avoidable injuries will be met. Through her years of practice, Endurance appreciates that going through the claims process can be challenging for claimants and their families. Qualifying in 1995, Endurance has been a member of the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel since 1999. She is ranked as a Band 1 practitioner for Clinical Negligence in Chambers & Partners 2024 directory, where it says "She is just delightful. She never gets flustered, prepares her cases beautifully and gets good results.". Endurance has also been named as a Leading Individual in Clinical Negligence in the Legal 500 directory where she has been praised as "unflappable". Knowledgeable across a broad range of cases such as, Erb’s palsy, cerebral palsy, cauda equina and spinal injury, acquired brain injury claims, gynaecology claims and claims arising from infection, such as sepsis, and encephalitis. Endurance has developed particular expertise in birth claims such as Erb’s palsy and cerebral palsy and in Kerniterus and cauda equina claims. Working within a team of very skilled and dedicated lawyers, Endurance works to get the best outcome for our clients whilst maintaining principles of decency and humanity. In the course of her work, she is privileged to work with some of the best Counsel and medical experts in the field of medical negligence. Endurance also works with charities and pressure groups such as the Erb’s Palsy Group and Cauda Equina Syndrome Association who are striving to improve standards of care for patients and to reduce the number of avoidable injuries within the healthcare system. In addition to her work with clients, Endurance set up the firm’s CSR committee, which she has chaired since 2010. In that time Tozers have raised funds for and assisted many local charities.   WORK Recent cases Endurance achieved a record settlement of £19.92 million pounds for a 9 year old girl who suffered cerebral palsy as a result of a mismanaged birth. In an extremely complicated claim, Endurance also achieved a settlement of £2.9 million for the additional brain damage a 13 year old client suffered because of a 10 minute avoidable delay in her birth. Despite the loss of the obstetric records, Endurance achieved damages of £1.326 million including future proofed payments for a young woman who sustained a severe brachial plexus palsy during her birth. Endurance obtained a settlement of £664,000 for a claimant with pre-existing mobility and urinary problems, who suffered Cauda equina syndrome because of delayed diagnosis and treatment. Endurance obtained 7-figure damages settlements for several of the children who suffered brain injuries because of substandard surgical care at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Grainne Staunton

Gráinne is a Partner and Solicitor at Tozers. As head of the firm’s Wealth Management team, she is an expert in negotiating the tricky and technical detail of Inheritance tax and navigating the succession planning process. She translates this into straightforward advice focused on protecting her clients’ interests. Putting her clients at the centre of what she does is key to Gráinne’s approach. She is keenly aware of the aims of those she acts for – and adept at tailoring her guidance to meet those needs. With countless years’ experience and a breadth and depth of expertise, Gráinne is equally as confident steering clients through the establishment of a trust, the detail of a Court of Protection application, or the thoughtful writing of Wills. As lead partner of the High Net Worth sub-team, she specialises in succession planning for farm and business owners, along with other high net worth individuals. She builds strong relationships, often acting as advisor for many generations of the same family. This is reflected in her role as lead partner for the Vulnerable Clients sub-team, where she works as a trusted legal partner to safeguard the wellbeing and needs of her clients. Gráinne is deeply proud of the commitment and skills of the Wealth Management team, which has grown in strength under her leadership and is recognised by the Legal 500 directory as a Tier 3 ranked Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate team. She is also lead Director for Tozers Trust Corporation Limited, through which Tozers acts as Executor, Deputy and Attorney. This involves the careful management of around £55 million of assets. Gráinne is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and regularly shares her expertise, presenting at seminars on all topics, especially to the British Holiday and Home Parks Association (BH&HPA).

James Orpin

Partner & Solicitor

James Evans

Partner & Solicitor

Jill Headford

A Commercial Dispute Resolution Partner and experienced Court and Tribunal Advocate, Jill specialises in resolving disputes and is a member of the Property Litigation Association. Qualifying as a solicitor in 1990. Jill specialises in a number of legal areas, with her interests including: Land and property disputes – for example over boundaries, covenants and rights of way, often with major commercial or strategic significance. Adverse possession Issues arising on sale or purchase of property Liability for landslip, coastal erosion and flood Landlord and Tenant matters, acting for landlords, both commercial and residential. Employment Law advocacy in the employment tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal for large national clients. Intellectual Property disputes. Jill heads a small team of IP Lawyers who advise on brand protection including registration of trade marks, protection of copyright and the law relating to the internet and data protection. Equine Law. A keen horsewoman and owner of four horses (you can never have too many!) and a successful BD competitor, she has many clients with equine connections and very considerable experience of resolving horse related disputes.   WORK Recent cases Achieving a highly successful outcome for clients in a dispute about the rights over an industrial estate which they were entitled to exercise in conjunction with the lease of their factory. The rights were not expressly included in their lease but were crucial to the operation of their business. Resolving a long-running, sixteen party dispute about contributions to the cost of upkeep of a commercial estate road, eventually requiring issue in the Chancery Division of the High Court but settled early in the action. Acting on behalf of a wildlife trust in defending a claim brought by a neighbouring landowner who denied their right of access to their nature reserve. Guiding and achieving a successful team move from a professional practice against fierce opposition from the remaining partners. Team now prospering in its new practice. Annulment of bankruptcy of a client who owned c.£3m freehold assets necessitating careful negotiation with the Trustee in Bankruptcy (represented by a city firm and specialist insolvency counsel) and the petitioning creditors (a national utility supplier represented by in house legal counsel). Obtaining a landmark ruling for a limited company in a claim against Barclays for mis-selling a complex hedge fund derivative product (these arrangements are also known as “SWAPs”, “interest rate hedging products” or “IRHP’s”) Defending a group action against a holiday park owner based on misrepresentation about holiday use Substantial settlement against a commercial landlord who unreasonably refused to consent to the assignment of a lease Injunction claim against an outgoing recruitment agency employee for breach of restrictive covenants and mis-use of confidential information Setting aside an erroneous court order which wrongfully purported to dispose of trust assets Successful settlement of a claim arising out of terms of use of an online trading platform.

Louise Barber

Louise is an Of Counsel in Herbert Smith Freehills' International Arbitration, Public International Law and ESG Disputes practice in London.

Paul Kelly

Paul leads Tozers’ Parks team. He is national legal adviser to the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA). He provides strategic advice about how the changing legal landscape affects parks. He also works with his colleagues to raise awareness of the changes and manage their impact on park businesses, for example, by writing guidance in industry journals and speaking at BH&HPA events. Paul is a trusted adviser to many park businesses, identifying risks and opportunities and making sure that they are well represented if a dispute arises. His recent work includes advising on the Mobile Homes Act, consumer contract and data protection law, as well as leading BH&HPA’s judicial review work. Paul qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and is the firm’s managing partner. He was president of the Devon & Somerset Law Society for the 2021/2022 term.

Rebecca Roberts

Rebecca is a Partner & Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial team. She deals with business and company sales and acquisitions, restructurings, investments and joint ventures. She also advises on governance matters and on commercial agreements. Typically, Rebecca will act for private corporates, SMEs, owner managed businesses and family businesses across the South West. With each matter she enjoys breaking things down and getting to the heart of what matters to her clients. While the acquisition and sale process is well established, no transaction or business is the same. Rebecca is described in the Legal 500 directory for 2024 as "very approachable and has great commercial awareness" within the ranked Corporate and Commercial team. Rebecca qualified as a Solicitor in 2010. Prior to joining Tozers in 2021, she worked on corporate transactional and advisory work at two other regional law firms based in Exeter. Recent examples of work include: Acting for private individuals on the sale of two very substantial pub and hotel businesses. Acting on a complex corporate re-organisation consisting of multiple companies holding property investments to ultimately achieve two distinct corporate groups and aid succession and tax planning. Acting on the sale of a local and well known independent private school to another independent school with a linked property sale. In her spare time she enjoys getting outdoors with her two young children.

Simon Mansfield

Simon is a Partner in Tozers’ Medical Negligence team, supporting clients who have suffered serious injuries as a result of negligent medical treatment. He also assists bereaved families with inquest representation. Combining a high level of professionalism with a friendly and sympathetic approach, Simon acts for clients in a wide variety of circumstances ranging from families who have lost loved ones as a result of medical negligence to catastrophic spinal and birth injury cases. Whilst fighting as hard as he possibly can to get the best possible result for his clients, Simon also recognises the need to help them through the process of understanding how their injuries have affected them and what the future holds. Qualifying in 2011 and as an accredited member of the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel, Simon has a breadth of experience dealing with clinical negligence claims. He is aware that his work often deals with complicated issues and medical terminology, and on that basis Simon ensures he takes time to explain the situation and courses of action in a way that his clients can easily understand. Chambers & Partners 2024 ranked Simon as Band 3 for Clinical Negligence, stating "Simon is excellent, knowledgeable and professional at all times. He shows great compassion and empathy." and "Impressive and well informed. He works hard to get good results." and "Simon Mansfield exhibits very good knowledge and control in very complicated cases.". Simon has also been recognised in the 2024 Legal 500 directory as part of the 'Top Tier' Clinical Negligence team where he is described as "very professional, empathetic to my case and always answered my questions in a timely manner". Simon knows that when people have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one as a result of clinical negligence, that they can often feel as though their lives are falling apart around them. Recognising they are likely to be worried about what the future will hold and often under significant financial stress, for example if they cannot work.

Stephen Burtchaell

Head of Social Housing

Stephen Jennings

Partner and Solicitor

Sue Halfyard

Sue is a Partner and Chartered Legal Executive in the Wealth Management team. She is hugely experienced in dealing with estates of all forms and masterful at helping Executors and Administrators navigate the complexities of the probate process. As a skilled probate lawyer and lead partner for the firm’s Probate & Estate Administration sub-team, her aim is to remove some of the burden at an already difficult time. She does this by taking clients through the practicalities as simply and efficiently as possible, whether the estate is straightforward or complex, contains a variety of assets or involves assets held in other countries. Her friendly and pragmatic advice has made her the go-to contact for many generations of families. Sue is also highly experienced across the full spectrum of wealth management matters, working with clients on the careful writing of a Will as well as advising on powers of attorney and a wide range of deeds and documents. Based at the firm’s Teignmouth office, she is a keen and active member of the local community. This includes acting as trustee of the Alice Cross Community Centre, a charity helping the local community, and as a member of the Legacy Committee for Rowcroft Hospice. Sue is recognised by the Legal 500 directory as a key figure in the Tier 3 ranked Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate team. In her role as lead partner for the Probate & Estate Administration sub-team, she ensures the focus is kept on the client at all times, to provide sensitive and practical guidance. Alongside this, Sue is a Director of Tozers Trust Corporation Limited, through which Tozers acts as Executor, Deputy and Attorney.

Tony Wood

Tony leads the Specialist Legal Aid Team in our Newton Abbot office. Tony specialises in care proceedings where the represents children who are the subject of care proceedings, instructed by their Guardian, parents and grandparents and conducts almost all of his own advocacy. Tony also deals with other aspects of family law with over 20 years' experience including divorce and separation and matrimonial finance together with representing parents in private law family disputes. Recently Tony has represented both children, parents and grandparents in cases where children have suffered serious injuries and where there has been extensive medical evidence obtained and where the Court have had to make Findings as to who was the perpetrator of those injuries. Tony is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel, and has been recognised in the 2023 Legal 500 directory as the leader of the Tier 3 ranked Family team and a "confident and persuasive advocate with a detailed knowledge of his cases." He qualified as a solicitor in 1988.

Vernon Clarke

Vernon works with a wide range of clients including country landowners, farmers, property developers, pension funds and charities. He acts regularly in sales, purchases and leases of high value London properties, historic houses and large rural estates. He also has a wealth of experience in a range of other property matters such as development land deals, holiday letting businesses, solar parks, buy-to-let portfolios, woodlands, fisheries and sporting rights. An Oxford graduate who trained with Tozers, Vernon qualified as a solicitor in 1986 and has been a partner since 1989. He is highly responsive and aims to provide clients with a fast, friendly and efficient service. Vernon is a member of the Agricultural Law Association, the Charity Law Association, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Country Land & Business Association. He is active in the voluntary sector, having served for many years as a trustee of Devon Wildlife Trust, and of a charity providing therapeutic learning and sheltered employment for people with disabilities. He is a past Chair of Exeter Historic Buildings Trust and is a trustee of a North Devon almshouse charity. He also serves as a school governor. Outside of work he enjoys country pursuits, is a keen sportsman and an avid supporter of Swindon Town FC.