SA Law LLP

Catherine Banks

Partner, Residential Property Lead | Real Estate

Partner | Family Law. Kiran specialises in helping families and individuals through the difficulties caused by relationship breakdown, particularly the financial issues that arise. Kiran advises on family law matters affecting children and has extensive experience in cases with an international dimension. He regularly acts for parents in disputes about residence, contact, lawful removal from jurisdiction and child abduction. Kiran has expertise in the legal challenges experienced by cohabiting couples; this includes financial provision for children of unmarried parents. It also includes cases brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 by separating cohabitants. Kiran has extensive family law experience in high-net-worth situations and have advised a number of senior professionals, entrepreneurs, professional athletes and sportspeople, celebrities and their spouses.

Partner | Head of Family Law. Marilyn specialises in divorce and all the difficulties that arise because of relationship breakdown, including the resolution of complex financial issues and all issues relating to children. Marilyn is an accredited mediator and a qualified collaborative lawyer, which is a system that promotes the use of non-adversarial techniques to negotiate agreements and settlements without Court proceedings. She is also accredited in Advance Financial Provision and Advocacy Provision. She is a Member of the Law Society Children Panel and experienced in advising and representing parents and grandparents, often in complex cases, and including cases where social services are involved.

Vincent Billings

Partner | Head of Corporate & Commercial Helping organisations and entrepreneurs to achieve their commercial objectives, Vincent works with established SMEs and invested start-ups. He has particular expertise in the property, retail, technology, and software sectors as well as creative agencies in marketing. Vincent helps those looking to buy or sell a business, or needing support on many other major transactions including mergers, management buy outs and buy ins. He advises on the corporate finance aspects of a deal for those looking to raise capital, or acting as lender or investor. Vincent also helps organisations with their corporate structures, applying company law to areas such as property, IT, security, supply of goods or services, sales, and marketing. He drafts contracts and agreements that establish clear expectations and can perform a health check on existing corporate documentation to ensure it is fit for the modern corporate environment. Working closely with clients, Vincent provides the most appropriate advice based on a clear understanding of an organisation and its offering. In the Business Today Lawyer Awards 2023, Vincent was recognised in the Thames Valley Top 10 Most Influential Lower Mid-Market M&A Lawyers hall of fame.

Paralegal (ACILEX) Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team As a Paralegal in the Commercial Dispute and Resolution team, she supports by helping SA Law’s clients and legal experts to bring transactions to a successful conclusion.

Partner | Commercial Property Jacqui deals with broad-reaching projects and portfolios across all property disciplines. With over 25 years’ experience Jacqui advises residential, commercial, and mixed-use developers on all stages of a project from site acquisition to disposal, including planning, licensing, construction, and promotion. Jacqui also advises lenders, borrowers, and sellers on the investment side of transactions. Another area of expertise is commercial landlord and tenant law, with experience of the retail sector where Jacqueline has worked with numerous high street brands. Proficient at dealing with the specific needs of leisure, healthcare, and sporting organisation occupiers.

Christine Caffrey

Senior Associate Solicitor | Employment Christine advises organisations and individuals in all areas of employment law, from maintaining harmonious employer-employee relationships to resolving disputes. She works closely with senior management and HR professionals to advise on employment contracts, policies and procedures. Christine also advises on specific employee-related issues such as disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, redundancy and restructuring. Christine regularly reviews and negotiates settlement agreements and gives advice to employees who are facing redundancy. She deals with tribunal proceedings in relation to a range of employment matters including unfair dismissal, breach of contract, discrimination claims and whistleblowing. In addition, Christine specialises in data protection law. This involves advising organisations on how to meet their legal obligation to manage and protect personal data and helping them address complaints and suspected data breaches.

Senior Associate Solicitor | Family Law. She advises in all aspects of the law in relation to families and partners, particularly supporting clients with relationship breakdown and a wide range of financial and children issues that can arise as a result. Many of her clients are high-net-worth individuals, especially those with complex matrimonial finances to divide. Julie is also experienced in resolving domestic violence situations. Dual qualified to practice law in England & Wales and the United States, Julie is extremely valuable for those with international families and relationships. Born in the former Soviet Union in the former Republic of Ukraine, under the surname Zhalkovsky, Russian is Julie’s native language. She is proud to assist Russian-speaking clients navigate the English family law system.

Partner and Head of Employment and Data Protection | Employment Chris advises organisations and individuals on all aspects of their rights and responsibilities in both employment and data protection law. Advising employers on procedural issues such as disciplinary and grievance matters, Chris has extensive experience in collective redundancy/restructuring programmes and transfer of undertakings for business ownership transfers and service provision changes. A large proportion of Chris’ work involves dealing with employment tribunal litigation and negotiating directly with opponents or via ACAS. Chris also advises individuals who are undergoing redundancy or restructuring programmes, including advice on the processes that their employers should be following, how to handle consultation meetings, and negotiating redundancy compensation packages. Giving comprehensive data protection advice, including advising on and undertaking data audits to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018, Chris advises on making and managing data subject access requests, drafting data protection documentation, managing data breaches, and also assists in resolving disputes.

Associate Solicitor | Real Estate

Partner and Joint Head of Real Estate | Commercial Property An experienced commercial property specialist, Gary advises on all aspects of commercial property, offering particular expertise in investment, residential/commercial development and property management. Gary also advises on future income generation through the retention of overage rights on disposals. He deals with the property aspects tied to major corporate transactions and real estate finance, including ‘Etridge’ compliant third party advice. Gary’s sector and industry experience is equally broad, with niche expertise in retail, leisure, manufacturing and education. He undertakes portfolio management work for national shopping centre and high street retailers, and deals with complex industrial development and associated infrastructure works.

Associate Solicitor | Property Litigation Team Simon specialises in Property Disputes, including all types of Landlord and Tenant disputes relating to both Commercial and Residential Properties acting for both Landlords and Tenants, Freeholders and Leaseholders (e.g. Lease Forfeitures, Possession claims, Disrepair claims, Service Charge disputes, nuisance neighbours/harassment/anti-social behaviour issues. He also handles disputes relating to Private Property such as TOLATA ownership disputes, boundary disputes, building disputes, party wall act agreement disputes. Simon predominantly works with individuals and families to help resolve any property related disputes and issues they may have. However, he also has experience working with management companies to help with issues they may have with tenants or leaseholders.

Senior Associate Solicitor Simran specialises in complex relationship and divorce matters involving children, most notably wardship and international child abduction. She is experienced in helping individuals and couples with all legal aspects of their relationship, and the issues that can affect them after a relationship breakdown. In addition, Simran represents individuals who wish to relocate , both domestically and internationally, as a result of or following relationship breakdown. This often involves resolving many of the complex issues of national and international law that arise. She also advises on many cases that involve drug/alcohol use, domestic abuse and other serious welfare concerns. Her accreditations include the Law Society's Advanced Family Panel.

Partner, Head of Property Dispute Resolution| Property Dispute Resolution Team I advise residential and commercial property owners, investors and developers on a wide range of complex issues with a view to avoiding disputes where possible. I also help clients to navigate around and find practical solutions to resolve disputes when they arise. I cover a broad spectrum of property matters including residential and commercial landlord and tenant, possession claims (including claims against tenants, occupiers, squatters), adverse possession, rent and service charge recovery, breaches of lease and commercial and residential statutory lease renewals. Yezdan frequently work with developers, freeholders, landlords and leaseholders in connection with development disputes. This includes advising on airspace and rooftop development, party wall and boundary disputes, as well as right-to-light, for both claimants and defendants. She works closely with the firm’s Real Estate team on many types of property matters. In particular, she advises on issues relating to option and overage agreements and taking steps to secure vacant possession of commercial units and warehouses for redevelopment.

Principal Associate Solicitor | Real Estate Team Victoria advises on a range of clients including local developers, charities, lenders and high net worth private clients on all aspects of commercial property. She has a particular expertise in property development and works with both developers and landowners in respect of residential, commercial and mixed use sites, both locally and nationally. She has a significant amount of experience in drafting and negotiating promotion agreements, put and call options, joint venture agreements and conditional and unconditional contracts. She also has considerable experience of landlord and tenant matters, including agreements for lease, leases, licences to assign and deeds of surrender.

Tracy Lacey-Smith

Joint Managing Partner and Joint Head of Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Tracy guides clients through commercial disputes using mediation, settlement negotiations or litigation as necessary. She has over 16 years’ experience in all forms of dispute resolution, acting for a wide range of clients across varied sectors including education, healthcare and not for profit. Her considerable expertise includes enforcing restrictive covenants, shareholder and boardroom disputes. She also advises on complex contractual matters, professional negligence issues, insurance matters and intellectual property concerns.

Senior Consultant | Commercial Team Robin's primary specialism is advice to property clients, who benefit from 30 years of experience spanning all aspects of this fascinating sector. He has a passion for commercial property projects, where he helps to steer investors, developers and other clients towards greater success in their acquisition, development, letting and disposal objectives. Niche aspects of his expertise include advice to offshore property trust companies, and working with lenders and borrowers on secured lending initiatives. He also has experience in health-related property ventures, including the purchase and sale of dental practices and pharmacies. Outside property, he advises on corporate transactions, helping organisations, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals to acquire and dispose of businesses. His services to high net worth individuals also extend to private client matters, which enables him to build a strong advisory relationship spanning key aspects of their personal and professional lives.

Partner | Employment Law. Beth helps organisations and individuals to realise opportunities and resolve disputes within the employment relationship, including where there are allegations of physical, emotional and financial distress. As a specialist adviser on senior executive matters, Beth considers issues of remuneration and terms of employment as well as opportunities for growth and conflicts in the employment relationship at a senior level. Much of Beth’s work centres around issues of discrimination, equal opportunities and gender equality, representing employers and senior professionals, including solicitors. Her clients come from a broad range of sectors including financial services, media, recruitment, luxury goods, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Beth also helps employers and employees navigate the opportunities and challenges of the new era of agile working and a remote workforce.

Principal Associate Solicitor | Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution An experienced commercial disputes lawyer, with expertise in urgent injunctions, Clare brings extensive experience to contract disputes. This includes, but is not limited to construction of terms, allegations of breach and misrepresentation. Clare regularly provides companies with commercially astute advice prior to the termination of agreements, so that this step can be taken knowing the implications and the risks. For private individuals, Clare advises on professional negligence claims, predominantly against solicitors, as well as on probate and inheritance disputes. Clare has particular interest in education law, advising schools and universities on sensitive issues including withdrawals and exclusions of pupils, bullying, discrimination and the recovery of unpaid fees. Her education work also includes advice to parents on issues such as appeals against school admissions and pupil exclusions.

Saira Mahmood

Associate Solicitor | Corporate & Commercial As a Solicitor in the Corporate & Commercial team, I support by helping SA Law’s clients and legal experts to bring transactions to a successful conclusion.

Sharon Mitchell

Consultant | Corporate & Commercial Sharon works closely with directors, managers and entrepreneurs to optimise key legal aspects of their organisation such as intellectual property rights, IT contracts, funding, acquisitions, joint ventures and day-to-day operations. She is also an experienced adviser on international channels to market, including multi-level marketing and franchising. Her wide range of client work and experience includes working in house and providing legal awareness to other professionals. This brings a breadth of expertise that allows her to quickly identify the legal implications of an organisation’s situation and objectives, whether transactional or ongoing. Sharon helps clients to define strategies that enable them to achieve those objectives with the minimal risk to their venture.

Associate Solicitor | Employment Emily covers a broad range of employment law matters, advising both businesses and individuals on contentious and non-contentious employment-related matters. She helps employers and employees achieve favourable commercial outcomes with minimal legal risk. Emily advises organisations on matters such as drafting staff handbooks, contracts and company policies that meet their specific objectives, as well as supporting clients with strategic advice on day to day legal and HR issues impacting their business. Where required, she also acts for organisations defending them against Employment Tribunal claims. Individuals ask for Emily's advice on their employment rights, in particular when advising employees on a settlement agreement. She supports them through the negotiation process, and is also able to negotiate a favourable exit package on their behalf.

Senior Associate Solicitor | Family Liz is a solicitor specialising in family law, with a particular focus on divorce, financial settlements, and children matters.She has a vast experience handling cases involving children (which often involve addiction or domestic violence issues), non-molestation orders, and occupation orders under the Family Law Act. She is particularly passionate about supporting clients through children’s issues, which I find incredibly rewarding. Throughout her career, I have had the privilege of working with a wide range of individuals and families, helping them navigate some of the most challenging and emotional times in their lives. Her clients come from all walks of life, be they married or unmarried , parents or grandparents. Every client is unique, which is why Liz tailors her advice to their specific situation. Liz prides herself on being empathetic, a good listener, and always putting my clients’ needs first. Mediation can lead to a more efficient and cost-effective resolution, and Liz supports its use where possible. However, when mediation is not the best approach in your particular situation, she provides clear advice on your other options, including negotiations through solicitors and the possibility of issuing Court proceedings when necessary.

Liam Orton

Associate Solicitor | Wills, Trusts & Probate Team Amy has experience in administering estates and obtaining Grants of Representation, whether there’s a valid Will or the estate falls under intestacy. I regularly work with complex, high-value estates and advise on matters such as Business Property Relief. She also assists with preparing Deeds of Variation and Memoranda of Appropriation to help reduce inheritance tax liabilities wherever possible.

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Lucianna O\'Neill

Associate Solicitor | Real Estate Team

Associate Solicitor Protecting the interests of families lies at the heart of what Sonal does and she has a special interest in children law. Sonal advises a diverse profile of clients and is pleased to be trusted by high net worth individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, homemakers, those with links to/assets in multiple jurisdictions; as well as extremely vulnerable clients including domestic abuse victims, people affected by mental health issues and physical disabilities. In particular, she works with victims of domestic abuse to obtain protective orders. Her approach is empathetic and compassionate, and aims to find a collaborative way forward in emotional situations, especially where children are involved. Sonal is also a trusted ally to the LGBT community and is experienced in advising on family law issues faced at all stages of relationships by all family structures. In particular she is well placed to advise upon civil partnership, dissolution & divorce.

Senior Associate Solicitor | Commercial Team Saira advises on non-contentious commercial property matters including acquisitions, disposals, transactional landlord and tenant matters, and the property aspects of corporate transactions. Experienced in acting for both SMEs and high-street names, her clients include financial institutions, retailers, pharmacies, coffee houses and manufacturing businesses, amongst others. In any transaction, Saira focuses on understanding the client’s key goals and needs so she can put a strategy in place to complete the transaction in the most time efficient manner.

Senior Associate Solicitor | Employment Gita's expertise spans most areas of employment law and HR related issues including performance, disciplinary, grievances, discrimination, maternity or family leave issues, unfair dismissal, and redundancy. She advises on both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, drafting, reviewing and advising on contracts of employment and on workplace policies and procedures to ensure they are compliant with UK legislation and fit for purpose. She also routinely negotiates and advises on severance or exit packages (settlement agreements). Both businesses and senior employees come to Gita for help finding the best solutions to work related issues that arise during the employment relationship and after termination.

Partner | Corporate & Commercial Team Nikki is a solutions-focused lawyer with extensive in-house experience, bringing a wealth of operational and commercial insight. Her comprehensive background spans contract drafting and negotiations, litigation, and corporate governance, equipping her with the skills to navigate complex legal landscapes. She has worked across a broad range of sectors and sizes of businesses in both private practice and in-house, with a particular focus on healthcare, sport, media, and broadcasting. This diverse experience has honed her ability to address sector-specific challenges and opportunities. As a highly versatile and effective communicator, Nikki excels at building strategic partnerships within businesses. Her role as a trusted adviser has been spotlighted by her tenure on boards and executive management teams, where she provided critical updates on legal, risk, and compliance matters, and reported to boards as company secretary on key approval issues.

Catherine Robson

Associate Solicior | Wills, Trusts, & Probate Catherine helps clients with crucial aspects of their personal lives, particularly protecting their financial assets. She drafts and amends Wills and advises on the mitigation of Inheritance Tax. Catherine administers estates of all sizes and can also assist with the preparation and registration of Powers of Attorney and applications to the Court of Protection.

Partner and Joint Head of Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Specialising in complex contractual disputes (often with cross-border elements) Rob has particular expertise in director/shareholder disputes and construction disputes. He advices individuals, SME’s and large corporates - often in the construction, media, entertainment and energy sectors - and has specialist expertise in sports litigation, acting for both individual sporting personalities as well as sporting clubs and organisations. Rob receives acclaim from clients and contemporaries. He is known for his ‘calmness in volatile situations’, ‘sharp and astute advice’ and for ‘bringing sharp focus to decision making moments.’

Joint Managing Partner and Real Estate Partner | Commercial Property Steve advises on all aspects of high-value and complex commercial property and corporate finance transactions. He also enjoys an exceptional reputation in strategic land disposals and has extensive experience of the opportunities and challenges that can arise during deals, particularly when multiple parties are involved. His portfolio of clients is drawn from a wide range of industries and sectors, with niche expertise in healthcare. Steve benefits from close contacts throughout the local and national property, brining extensive advantage to Steve's clients. As one of the founding partners of SA Law, Steve is a business owner and has first-hand insight into commercial imperatives and the need for practical and straightforward advice that demystifies the law for strategic leaders.

Senior Associate Solicitor | Commercial Team Joanna deals with all aspects of non-contentious commercial property work and have particular expertise in landlord and tenant matters, acquisitions and disposals, and asset management in the industrial, office, retail and investment sectors. She trained and practised at two international law firms before moving to work locally in 2017 and is used to dealing with a wide range of businesses from individuals and SMEs to national and international leaders. Her experience has given her first-rate legal knowledge, a strong commercial outlook and down-to-earth communication skills – she loves bringing these to her work at SA Law, where she enjoys getting to know her clients and working alongside them to meet their objectives.

Associate Solicitor | Wills, Trusts, & Probate Team Anne qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and specialises in supporting clients through all aspects of estate administration, whether or not a will is in place. She understands that this can be an emotionally difficult and overwhelming time, as bereaved individuals are often faced with a significant amount of paperwork and strict deadlines set by bodies such as HMRC. Her role is to ease that burden, guiding executors and administrators step by step through the process, right up to the distribution of the estate to the beneficiaries. Where there is no will, she advises on establishing entitlement under the intestacy rules and assists with tracing beneficiaries. If the deceased held assets abroad, she works closely with professionals in other jurisdictions to ensure a smooth administration process. Anne also advises clients on creating or updating their wills, offering guidance on how to legally minimise inheritance tax liabilities and protect assets from potential nursing home fees. In addition, Anne provides advice on safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries through appropriate estate planning measures.

Partner | Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution An experienced commercial disputes lawyer with extensive international experience, Simon specialises in commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation as well as advising on commercial contracts and dispute avoidance. Simon advises a wide range of English and US public private companies, partnerships, directors, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals. He has broad sector and industry expertise, and has successfully resolved contract disputes ranging from the quality of bread rolls to the implementation of complex IT systems as well as sensitive shareholder and partnership disputes.

Principal Associate Solicitor | Property Dispute Resolution Team Alex is a senior associate in the Commercial Litigation ad Dispute Resolution team and is head of Property Dispute Resolution. Alex helps organisations, families, and individuals to resolve challenges with properties they own or rent. He regularly acts for housing associations and local authorities, with extensive understanding of the challenges they face. Alex advises on issues relating to lease renewals, extensions, variations, rectifications, and terminations. He also helps with issues around service charges, possession, dilapidations, injunctions, forfeiture, constructive trusts, and leasehold enfranchisement. A key area of expertise for Alex is property development, where he works with owners, developers, and investors to resolve disputes that affect their projects. This includes helping clients to identify risks that could affect their developments and undertaking due diligence. Alex also represents clients in professional negligence cases relating to property, both bringing claims against property advisers, and defending them.

Senior Associate Solicitor | Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team Helen is a dispute resolution specialist with expertise in debt recovery. She advises clients on how to recover money as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, guiding them through all aspects of SA Law’s fixed-fee Debt Recovery Scheme and offering specialist advice on contested and complex debt situations. Helen also has a keen interest in education law, and currently acts for independent schools as part of her general practice. Having grown up in a family of teachers, she understands the demands on school places and regularly advises parents on school admissions appeals, exclusions, complaints of discrimination and SEN.