Machins Solicitors LLP > Luton, England > Firm Profile

Machins Solicitors LLP
28 Dunstable Road
LUTON
LU1 1DY
England

Private client > Family: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 1

The ‘fabulous‘ practice at Machins Solicitors LLP provides clients with ‘exceptional quality and diligence‘ when assisting with adoption orders, child assessment orders, and care orders. The ‘outstandingKathryn Ainsworth co-leads the team from Berkhamsted, and the ‘incredibleSarah Ashby co-leads the team from Luton. Ainsworth is a specialist in divorces and separations concerning children, financial arrangements, and businesses, while Ashby frequently acts for family members, interveners, and guardians with her ‘brilliant knowledge‘ of matters involving sexual abuse, death of a family member, and non-accidental injury. Berkhamsted’s Richard Phillips has ‘excellent judgement‘ when advising on the negotiation of separation agreements, and pre-nuptial agreements involving overseas assets. Sadie Glover joined the team in August 2023.

Practice head(s):

Kathryn Ainsworth; Sarah Ashby

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They have a strong team of lawyers with a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of family law. Machins is a fantastic unit that stands apart from other firms by virtue of the exceptional quality and diligence they provide, alongside phenomenal client care. They work tirelessly to ensure the processes are flawless, facilitating the best outcomes for clients.’

‘Sarah Ashby is a real asset to the team. She is an incredible solicitor who works extremely hard and deals with all of her cases with great sensitivity and care. She gives pragmatic and robust advice to clients and deals with her opponents fairly and firmly. She is a force to be reckoned with in the court room, and has brilliant knowledge of the law and is a fantastic solicitor. It is always a pleasure to work with Sarah and she really does go the extra mile for her clients.’

‘Kathryn Ainsworth is absolutely no-nonsense and gives frank advice which is always correct. She is brilliant at telling clients what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear. I would always recommend her in any case where you need a lawyer to cut through the nonsense and just get to grips with the issues.’

‘Richard Phillips has always impressed me, he is sensible and focused on getting the best possible outcome for his clients. Richard has excellent judgement and is a pleasure to work with. He gives good, sensible, commercial advice and ensures that any cases that can settle do.’

‘Covering all areas of Family Law, Machins have unrivalled expertise at all levels of seniority. Calm and measured, whilst fighting their clients’ corner with a level of commitment that is hard to match. They are courteous and professional. The family team have a great depth of experience and knowledge.’

‘A fabulous family team. Very proficient, strong and with an excellent reputation. They are an excellent team of solicitors with a strong wealth of experience in all areas of family law. They are always a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend them.’

‘I have been very pleased to work with Richard Phillips during my divorce. I feel confident he really understands my situation and has consistently given me sound and thorough advice. He has a kind, reassuring and pragmatic approach that is so helpful during what has been a very stressful process. I feel he has gone above and beyond to see my case to where it is today and his recommendations have proven to be spot on time and time again.’

‘Kathryn Ainsworth and Richard Phillips are both outstanding. They have a constructive and approachable manner which encourages successful negotiations. Both parties benefit from such an approach.’

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 2

Based in Luton, the ‘professional and efficient‘ team at Machins Solicitors LLP continues to have broad expertise in commercial contracts, GDPR regulation, and private equity investments. Practice co-head Jon Alvarez has varied experience spanning private equity investments, distressed sales, and corporate governance, in addition to his focus on commercial property transactions. Co-head Max Lesser is adept at advising on shareholder agreements and M&A relating to private companies, whereas associate Sarah Liddiard regularly assists clients with the disposal of shares into share schemes and trusts.

Practice head(s):

Jon Alvarez; Max Lesser

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Great to work alongside as they keep things simple for non legally trained people (like me), however at the same time they complete the task(s) robustly. I also believe they take the time to understand the client and this enables a strong relationship and also stronger commercial outcomes.’

‘Easy to talk to, flexible in approach. Have taken the time to get to know our business and therefore our risks and opportunities, I believe this helps us drive better results over and above ‘the norm’.’

‘The team at Machins were a pleasure to work with and at all times were professional and efficient.’

‘John Alvarez and Max lesser were our main contacts who made a great team to handle our complex project, leaving no stone unturned and examined in detail to ensure a positive outcome. Throughout the process they were very communicative and always on hand to discuss proceedings. Throughout the process they remained totally professional whilst developing a good rapport with out team.’

‘Ability to explain legal terms and principles in easy to understand layman’s language.’

‘Sarah Liddiard – excellent.’

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 2

The ‘thorough, outcome focused and highly skilled‘ team at Machins Solicitors LLP advises a variety of clients, including SMEs, high-net-worth individuals, and start-ups. Neil O’Callaghan heads up the Luton-based practice, and has longstanding experience in handling shareholder and insolvency disputes, using his ‘great tactical and legal instincts‘ to advise directors and shareholders. Associate Holly Baker exhibits ‘outstanding attention to detail‘ when assisting with commercial and property disputes, while associate Benedict Smith is particularly adept at advising clients on contentious probate issues.

Practice head(s):

Neil O’Callaghan

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team has a strong litigation offering, which offers specialist advice. They are a thorough, outcome focused, highly skilled team, with a pragmatic approach to achieving results for their clients.’

‘Holly Baker has a strong practice covering commercial, and property litigation as well as some insolvency. I trust Holly to do a good job, be a commercial thinker and get the best outcome for clients. She operates at a level beyond her PQE. Holly has outstanding attention to detail, and is highly engaged, responsive and pro-active. She goes the extra mile for her clients, understands their requirements, and finds solutions.’

‘Holly Baker stands out, her promptness, attention to detail, thoroughness, and foresight mean she provides her clients with an excellent service. Holly deals with difficult mediation cases and is meticulous in her work. She is always measured with her advice, I would not hesitate to recommend her as an effective solicitor to anyone contemplating litigation.’

‘Neil O’Callaghan has great tactical and legal instincts, and is thorough and focused on getting the outcomes his clients want and need.’

‘The team is approachable and empathetic. They listen and base their advice on practicable solutions.’

‘Great collaboration between members with extensive knowledge.’

‘I strongly recommend Machins, their preparation in litigation and their multi-disciplinary knowledge has ensured that I can leave the legal aspect to one side.’

‘Their understanding of cases, in particular, Benedict Smith and his support, both legal and emotional. Understanding my needs, appointing only the necessary external advice.’

Employment > Employment: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 2

Jointly led by Jackie Cuneen and David Rushmere, the ‘absolutely fantastic‘ team at Machins Solicitors LLP serves a varied client base consisting of high-net-worth individuals, start-ups, and multinational corporations. Dividing her time between Luton and Berkhamsted, Cuneen maintains a technology and financial services focused practice and often advises clients on collective redundancies and TUPE transfers, and the ‘remarkable‘ Rushmere has ample contentious experience, frequently acting in tribunal claims.

Practice head(s):

Jackie Cuneen; David Rushmere

Other key lawyers:

Sorcha Monaghan; Philip Bain

Testimonials

‘David Rushmere’s knowledge of his field, and his ability to interpret, explain and communicate complex law and related issues is remarkable. He is an expert communicator and negotiator.’

‘My family has dealt with Machins for many years, Machins deliver first class, excellent legal advice from experts within a broad range of specialisms. They take time to get to know their clients and providing a tailored, personal service of the highest possible standard.’

‘It is evident that they are a team of professionals who strive to deliver a high-quality, personalised service. Everyone I’ve had contact with has been professional, thorough and proactive, which gives a sense of confidence in their ability to handle my case, they manage to do this with such a high level of expertise and efficiency. I have no hesitation in recommending Machins.’

‘David Rushmere is not only very pleasant and professional, his depth of experience is evident and he’s clearly an expert in his field. David takes the time to understand the detail. His communication is excellent and his expert advice clear. Most importantly to me, David understands my personal priorities and aims in bringing, and has shown great respect for my beliefs and values.’

‘The team were really approachable, responsive, and had compassion and empathy. The whole process was straightforward and user friendly and I think the personal touch they provided would have been lacking from a larger firm.’

‘I believe Sorcha Monaghan and David Rushmere are thorough, fair, and transparent in fighting cases, and establish justice. I would highly recommend Machins Solicitors LLP to anyone seeking experts in employment law.’

‘Machins Solicitors LLP is absolutely fantastic, the whole team has been ever so helpful. Phillip Bain has filled me with confidence that we will come out on top.’

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 2

The team at Machins Solicitors LLP provides ‘first-class‘ advice on a myriad of issues, including the administration and planning of high-net-worth estates. Nic Pestell and Nicki Denton-Masih jointly lead the practice from Luton and Berkhamsted respectively. Pestell has significant expertise in the mitigation of inheritance, and provides ‘highly efficient and excellent quality‘ advice on the structuring of wills and trusts, and business succession, while Denton-Masih often handles Court of Protection applications for the removal of trustees, and obtaining grants of probate.

Practice head(s):

Nic Pestell; Nicki Denton-Masih

Testimonials

‘Machins provide first-class service and explain the process to clients in a manner that they understand.’

‘Nicki Denton-Masih gives prompt, highly efficient, and excellent quality advice in every instance. This has been done in a professional and yet friendly manner which has made me feel valued. I would recommend her strongly.’

‘Broad spread of experience. They provide first-class service in a timely fashion.’

‘Very helpful in times of need. Provides confidence in advice. Good firm.’

‘Nic Pestell is the most knowledgeable and approachable lawyer I have met in this field.’

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 3

Headed by Luton-based Neil O’Callaghan, Machins Solicitors LLP’s dispute resolution practice fields 'a team of top class, highly professional, proactive lawyers'. Highly recommended associate Holly Baker routinely acts for letting agents and residential landlords, and senior solicitor Janice Young focuses on commercial landlord and tenant matters. Benedict Smith is ‘commercially astute’ when handling contentious probate and trusts of land issues.

Practice head(s):

Neil O’Callaghan

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Benedict Smith is responsive and commercially very astute in addition to being a very good lawyer indeed. He is the whole package.’

‘Holly Baker is incredibly hard working and has a tactical awareness beyond her PQE. I have worked with Holly on three matters, one a multi-million property dispute. Holly had a fantastic tactical awareness (e.g. what disclosure should we seek, when should we send Part 36 offers) that belied her PQE. She was fun to work with. Unflappable during a crisis – of which there were many.’

‘Holly Baker goes beyond the call of duty for her clients. She has strong legal knowledge and tactical skills which ensures that her cases are run to their full potential.’

‘Easy to get hold of, very responsive on email. Friendly and approachable team. Knowledgeable in their relevant fields.’

‘We mainly deal with Holly Baker who is fantastic, she is approachable, helpful and we would recommend her.’

‘Janice Young is a hugely experienced and helpful property expert.’

‘A team of top class, highly professional, proactive lawyers with great communication skills.’

‘I cannot praise Holly Baker highly enough. She guided me through the process of repossessing a property and at all stages kept me in touch and well advised. Always approachable she was a complete professional and we would highly recommend.’

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 4

Machins Solicitors LLP is particularly seasoned in contentious probate disputes before the Court of Appeal and County Courts, Family Courts as well as the High Court. Head of the team Neil O’Callaghan is proficient in insolvency work, while Benedict Smith’s workload features activity in challenges to wills, the Inheritance Act in addition to trust disputes. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Luton.

Practice head(s):

Neil O’Callaghan

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Benedict Smith worked brilliantly at keeping myself and executors up to date a soon as they had any relevant information.’

‘Benedict Smith is extremely knowledgeable in his field; he is always available for me on the phone should I need to speak with him.’

‘Benedict Smith is genuinely caring in nature and always maintains high levels of professionalism in doing so. I have also worked with his junior assistants, and they display characteristics that clearly demonstrate Benedict’s ‘trademark’.

‘I am very happy with the level of care and service I receive from Benedict Smith, and I have and will recommend Benedict to others.’

‘I found Benedict Smith incredibly helpful in our dispute with our father’s widow, his approach was helpful in that we felt supported and protected at this very stressful time. He was very knowledgeable about the law as it applied to our situation.’

‘Patience and persistence by Machins eventually resulted in the case being resolved to our satisfaction. During the whole time we were given good advice and direction throughout the nearly 5-year period.’

‘Professionalism, effectiveness, accuracy, and clear communication. I have used Machins Solicitors LLP since 2020 and have been provided with an excellent and friendly service.’

‘I’ve worked with 3 teams in the firm and found them always to be very professional, co-ordinated and supportive.’

Work highlights

Real estate > Commercial property: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 4

The ‘first-class‘ practice at Machins Solicitors LLP covers a variety of issues, including advising on break clauses in leases, and landlord licenses. Simeon Clipstone heads up the Luton-based group with his longstanding expertise in asset based business sales and purchases, and licences for alterations. Nick Ginger handles the full range of matters, and has ‘significant experience‘ in commercial lease renewals and commercial premises acquisitions, and Santokh Singh has vast experience in advising on conditional contracts, Section 106 planning agreements, and overage agreements.

Practice head(s):

Simeon Clipstone

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team are able to deal with a wide range of commercial property matters for clients.’

‘Regardless of the task, they respond with the utmost care, never leaving even the minutest detail undone. Machins have a full suite of specialists and will assist where necessary with negotiations. Machins are excellent when it comes to commercial leases.’

‘Nick Ginger always makes us aware at all times of the legalities involved. He will provide assistance throughout.’

‘Nick Ginger and his team are first class.’

‘Highly experienced and commercially minded.’

‘Nick Ginger is relationship driven with significant experience across all areas of commercial property. Flexible and practical on all matters.’

Machins Solicitors is widely recognised as one of the region’s leading commercial firms. Progressive and well run, it has a reputation for being reliable, cost effective and highly professional.

The firm: Machins Solicitors has carried on business under the name of Machins since 1920 and can trace its roots back to a law firm that had opened for business in the late 1800s.  This year the firm is celebrating its centenary year.

With offices in Luton and Berkhamsted, it has a strong geographic reach, acting for clients not only in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire but also Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, the Thames Valley Corridor, London and internationally.  It has a growing team with expert lawyers offering a full range of business and individual legal services (aside from criminal).

Within the individual services sector, it has specialist niches in family and child care issues, as well as wills, trusts and probate, dispute resolution, employment and immigration. The firm works closely with highly respected counsel, actuaries, accountants, independent financial advisors, mediators and business valuers.

Within the commercial sector, our practice areas cover legal services from company and corporate law, employment law and commercial property law through to dispute resolution and immigration law services.

Types of work undertaken
Company commercial: Machins Solicitors has built up a strong commercial team with experts advising across a spectrum of disciplines, providing help to businesses, directors, institutions, societies, owners and managers. Over recent years, the department has seen a sustained growth both in the scope and the value of the work undertaken. Work includes all areas of acquisitions and mergers, joint ventures, contractual and compliance issues and intellectual property acting for a range of clients from sole traders to multinational companies.

Commercial property: The commercial property team continues to grow through its wide range of transactions providing advice to property owners, developers, investors, lenders and tenants. The firm’s reputation is built on sound practical judgement and experience acquired over decades. It acts for large property companies, sole traders, and local, national and international businesses. It is able to help with the full range of commercial property issues including property litigation, enfranchisement and lease extensions, site acquisition development and disposals, and agricultural holdings and farm tenancies as well as landlord and tenant issues and business lease renewals.

Employment:  In addition to advising a growing core employer client base on  business as usual employment matters and high-net-worth individual clients on their exit packages, the team is kept busy both in relation to litigation and corporate transactional matters, business advisory and dispute resolution advising on a number of injunctive disputes, multi-jurisdiction Employment Tribunal claims and TUPE transactions. The team also has particular expertise in relation to discrimination cases, specifically disability discrimination.

Immigration: Our specialist team has expertise across all aspects of UK immigration law and knows all the relevant procedures, policies and criteria assisting individual and business clients from asylum seekers to investors and entrepreneurs from the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Private client: With a team of six lawyers, the private client department continues to attract high-net-worth clients, many of whom are London-based. The department advises on wills, probate, contested probate, establishing trusts and trust management, tax planning and cross-border estates, deputyships and powers of attorney.

Family (private law): Machins has a family (private law) team in Luton and Berkhamsted who are all qualified solicitors performing to a high standard of excellence. Acting for clients throughout the UK and abroad, this growing department specialises in dealing with cases involving private high-net-worth individuals, particularly those with their own businesses, TV executives and bankers as well as work ranging from fixed-fee divorce, cohabitation agreements, pre- and post-nuptial agreements through to helping clients with complex private Children Act proceedings, mediation and collaborative law.

Family (public law): the team, based in Luton, excels in public law children proceedings and holds a legal aid franchise which enables the team to provide legal advice and representation in relation to public family law including applications for special guardianship orders and adoption including international adoption.

Commercial litigation: Machins’ commercial litigation team is well respected for specialist niches particularly in relation to shareholder disputes, insolvency and property litigation as well as standard contractual litigation of a commercial nature. It is widely recognised as one of the leading litigation firms in the region.

Department Name Email Telephone
Company Commercial Jon Alvarez jon.alvarez@machins.co.uk
Commercial Property Nick Ginger nick.ginger@machins.co.uk
Commercial Property Santokh Singh santokh.singh@machins.co.uk
Commercial Property Simeon Clipstone simeon.clipstone@machins.co.uk
Civil litigation Neil O'Callaghan neil.ocallaghan@machins.co.uk
Employment Jackie Cuneen jackie.cuneen@machins.co.uk
Employment David Rushmere david.rushmere@machins.co.uk
Managing Partner and Head of Family Department (Private Law) Kathryn Ainsworth (private family law) kathryn.ainsworth@machins.co.uk
Family Paul Owen (private family) paul.owen@machins.co.uk
Family Sadie Glover sadie.glover@machins.co.uk
Public Law Sarah Ashby (public family law) sarah.ashby@machins.co.uk
Private Client Nic Pestell nic.pestell@machins.co.uk
Private Client Nicki Denton-Masih nicki.denton-masih@machins.co.uk
Residential Conveyancing Eugene Pritchard eugene.pritchard@machins.co.uk
Residential Conveyancing Dipak Odedra dipak.odedra@machins.co.uk
Photo Name Position Profile
Kathryn Ainsworth photo Kathryn Ainsworth Managing Partner and Head of the Private Family Law Department
Jon Alvarez photo Jon Alvarez Partner
Sarah  Ashby photo Sarah Ashby Sarah Ashby is a Partner in the Public Family Law team.
Holly Baker photo Holly Baker Holly Baker is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team.
Simeon Clipstone photo Simeon Clipstone Partner
Jackie Cuneen photo Jackie Cuneen Partner
Nicki  Denton-Masih photo Nicki Denton-Masih Partner
Nick Ginger photo Nick Ginger Partner
Max Lesser photo Max Lesser Partner
Sarah Liddiard photo Sarah Liddiard Associate
Neil O'Callaghan photo Neil O'Callaghan Partner
Nic Pestell photo Nic Pestell Partner and Head of Private Client Department
David Rushmere photo David Rushmere Partner
Santokh Singh photo Santokh Singh Partner
Benedict Smith photo Benedict Smith Benedict Smith is an Associate Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team.
Number of UK partners : 16
Number of other UK fee-earners : 52
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Resolution

People are at the heart of our business and core to its future sustainability. We are committed to encouraging workforce diversity and inclusion and aim to be an employer of choice, maintaining a high reputation of employee care and consideration.

Machins Solicitors LLP believes our success is a direct result of the experience and quality of our employees. We are, therefore, committed to focusing our employment procedures and practices on maximising the potential of each individual. We believe this is best achieved by developing our employees’ talents, whilst recognising their differences. By treating people fairly and equally and by accepting and embracing their diversity, we can also improve our market competitiveness, enhance our corporate social responsibility and create an inclusive and positive working environment for all employees.

It is the policy of the Firm that no person acting on our behalf shall discriminate in any situation against another individual or group, directly or indirectly, because of age, sex, disability, gender re‐assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, paternity, race, religion and belief and sexual orientation. Machins Solicitors LLP also endorses the principle that the workforce at each location should reflect, as far as is reasonably possible, the community within which it operates. These principles apply to recruitment selection, training, promotion, transfer, pay and benefits and performance appraisal procedures, in addition to all terms and conditions of employment.

Our aims are as follows:-

  • To ensure equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and community
  • To offer fair treatment in every aspect of working life in Machins Solicitors LLP, from our written procedures through to every decision made
  • To promote a culture where each employee and colleague is treated with respect and dignity and recognises the value that a diverse workforce can bring

Machins Solicitors LLP also has a growing corporate social responsibility programme within Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. We ensure our local community, charity and pro-bono legal work; as well our environmental practices are a core part of our firm-wide business strategy.

We have strong links with local charities, schools and universities and strive to ensure our partners and staff work in partnership to share their expertise and knowledge. We are proud of the role our people play within the local community. Our ongoing partnerships and community programmes ensure we are dedicated to deploying our skills and experience to provide valuable and vital services which in turn promote more access to justice and social inclusion.