BBS Law

Partner and Head of London Property & Secured Lending Avi is a specialist in property and secured lending and jointly heads the London offices of BBS Law. Clients appreciate Avi’s commercial approach and an ability to find solutions where they may not seem so obvious. Avi’s experience and knowledge of the property and secured lending sectors enables him to apply a broad perspective to transactions. Avi’s property clients are predominantly investors purchasing, selling or leasing commercial property as well as lenders securing their interests against property. Avi undertakes work across various sectors including office, retail, industrial and leisure and health. When it comes to Secured Lending, Avi acts for a number of banks as well as several bridging lenders on a variety of different lending scenarios including rooftop developments, single unit and portfolio finance. Combined with the work Avi does for his investor clients on the borrowing side, Avi has a broad knowledge of the secured lending sector enabling him to provide clear and practical solutions to his lender clients. Avi has a strong background in technology and its use within the legal sector and seeks to bring a modern approach to ensure the best possible solution for clients.

Partner Vicky supports businesses providing employment law and HR advice on a full spectrum of employment issues. She works closely with HR teams to develop their knowledge and experience and to gain a full understanding of the operational issues of the business she is representing. Vicky also acts for Claimants, with a focus on company directors and senior management. She provides advice regarding service agreements, restrictive covenants and negotiates exits and settlement agreements. Vicky also advises in relation to data protections issues. The work she undertakes is across the board, including in an employment context, commercial contracts and other related areas.

Managing Partner and Head of Corporate Dov is the Managing Partner of BBS Law and Head of the Corporate Finance Department. Dov has been working in corporate law since he qualified in 1998. Dov loves his work and very much enjoys the challenge that each day brings. Dov specialises in a broad range of Corporate Finance and has a particular expertise in transactional work. Over the last three years Dov has developed a specialism in EOT transactions and now also acts as a Trustee for a number of EOT’s across the country. Dov works with clients across a number of sectors but his particular focus is on acting for entrepreneurs and smaller owner managed businesses. Dov’s clients often comment on his ability to stay calm in a transactional situation where challenges can often arise. Recent experience Advising a national based project management company on a series of acquisitions followed by a large investment from an international competitor. Acting for a series of companies in relation to the sales of the companies to an Employee Ownership Trust. Acting for an angel investor who has carried out a series of private investments into a broad range of UK private limited companies. Working for a number of group companies in respect of reorganisations and demergers. Providing advice to joint venture parties and guiding them through the process of the setting up of the joint venture vehicle. Advising throughout and preparing all relevant documentation to deal with the partnership and joint venture created. Advising clients on the creation of the relevant structure and vehicle needed for the particular investment to be made by the client and in particular very often bringing a commercial solution to the challenges created. Acting for an international freight logistics and express courier specialist in relation to a £15 million investment by a growth capital investor. Dov’s particular expertise lies in providing clients with constructive commercial advice which is focused and clear despite the complexity of the instructions and situation. Dov’s clients are looking for a high level of service which he provides with a calm, friendly and responsive approach to each situation.

Partner David specialises in commercial litigation. He is noted by clients for handling sensitive, complex and urgent cases with a strong mix of tenacity and commerciality. David helps clients deal with a broad range of disputes including breach of contract claims, shareholder disputes and professional negligence claims. His practice covers general commercial litigation in both the County Court and the High Court including experience in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. David advises clients in relation to intellectual property matters including contentious trade marks disputes, passing off, copyright, databases, designs, patents and disputes involving confidential information. He regularly advises clients in the High Court and IPEC (Intellectual Property Enterprise Court) including obtaining urgent injunctive relief. David has particular expertise dealing with Trust and Probate claims. His practice includes trust disputes, making and defending claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, challenging and defending wills, disputes over co-ownership of property included in an estate, claims arising against Executors and professional negligence claims against solicitors and will writers. Recent Experience Bringing a multimillion-pound claim on behalf of a national retailer for breaches of their trade mark, copyright and passing off. Obtaining urgent injunctive relief for a property developer client to restrain breaches of confidential information by a former employee. Defending a substantial multi-million-pound claim for complex breaches of contract and implied terms relating to the Oil and Gas industry. Advising on a high value shareholder disputes including a claim for an Unfair Prejudice petition and relevant arbitration procedures. A £200m case brought against one of the UK’s largest ecommerce business. Defending a £40m claim brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Acting for the claimants in a multi million pound trust dispute described by the Judge as “the single most complex and challenging case he has ever seen in his career”. Advising on cross border I.P disputes including enforcement of judgments. All forms of ADR, particularly mediation and arbitration.

Sebastian Cussons-Mercado

Managing Associate Sebastian has particular expertise in assisting clients with matters relating to taxation. Sebastian advises on a range of private client issues, including trusts, succession planning, complex Wills, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, income tax, probate, powers of attorney and domicile. In addition to being qualified as a Solicitor, Sebastian is also qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser, which enables him to provide in-depth advice on the tax implications of trusts and other structures. Sebastian takes a thorough approach to all aspects of work, identifying the best opportunities to mitigate tax and to deliver the best possible result.

Partner and Head of Private Client Richard is the head of our Private Client team. Richard’s areas of expertise include Wills, trusts, estate planning and the administration of estates. He regularly advises high-net-worth individuals on the options for asset protection through Wills, linking with any nuptial agreements that may be in place. Many of Richard’s clients are entrepreneurs or have substantial wealth and Richard is able to offer advice in connection with the preparation of wills and the organisation of his clients’ estates so that their assets pass in a tax-efficient manner. Richard takes pride in being able to think “outside the box” when approaching such matters. Richard has extensive experience in advising on international matters, including the laws relating to non-doms and cross-border estate planning (both of which can be notoriously complicated.) He also has a wealth of expertise in advising elderly clients.

Partner Andrew is an experienced commercial litigator with a particular expertise in company related disputes. Andrew has over 20 years’ experience in advising his clients on a broad range of litigation and dispute resolution matters with a particular emphasis on contractual disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes and contentious insolvency matters (acting for both directors and insolvency practitioners). Andrew also has significant experience in advising both employers and employees on issues arising out of contracts of employment, particularly relating to the enforcement of post-employment restrictions. Andrew regularly advises on matters that require obtaining urgent injunctive relief. Andrew also advises on property matters (particularly Landlord and Tenant disputes), professional negligence matters, construction disputes and intellectual property disputes. Andrew provides advice at all levels of courts and tribunals, ranging from County Court to the Court of Appeal and have significant experience of pursuing alternative despite resolution including being involved in numerous successful mediations. Recent experience Defending a multi-million pound claim relating to the enforceability of a personal guarantee arising out of loan transactions. Advising director/shareholder of a property development company in dispute with co-shareholder involving complex accountancy issues. Advising former employee both in a High Court trial and the Court of Appeal in relation to claims arising out of the enforceability of contractual “non-competition” clauses. Advising property receivers in successfully seeking possession of extensive farm/rural premises following a contested trial. Advising company in a claim against a former shareholder/employee in complex issues arising out of contractual restriction clauses. Defending a claim including a freezing order brought by liquidator against former director. Advising minority shareholder in longstanding and complex company dispute involving issues relating the intellectual property owned by the company. Advising residential home owners in complex dispute with their neighbour Landlord in relation to claims of breach of lease and forfeiture. Advising Charity in proceedings against The Charity Commission for an appeal against the appointment of interim managers.

Managing Associate Aron acts for a wide range of clients across a broad variety of sectors including professional negligence, landlord and tenant disputes, insolvency litigation, contractual disputes, debt recovery and construction disputes. Aron is regularly retained by clients for his pragmatic and commercial approach to solving disputes. Aron will always look at the objectives of his clients and, where possible, seek to resolve disputes in a way that minimises costs and attempts to avoid court proceedings. Where this is not possible, Aron is more than happy to conduct litigation with determination and where required, aggression to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients. Aron has expertise dealing with all aspects of landlord and tenant work (acting for landlords with large portfolios, major industrial tenants as well as small standalone landlord and business tenants) including dealing with forfeiture, residential possession claims, trespasser claims, dilapidation claims and LTA renewals.

Managing Associate Leona advises on a variety of different property-related and secured lending matters acting for lenders, borrowers, commercial landlord and tenants and property investors. Leona’s main work areas are landlord and tenant matters, acquisition and disposals of commercial and residential property and property finance. Leona’s property clients are predominantly lenders securing their interests against property and business owners and investors purchasing, selling or leasing commercial property. Leona has particular expertise with secured lending, having worked with a number of high street banks, unregulated and regulated bridging lenders and borrowers on a variety of different lending scenarios, including re-finance, single unit finance, portfolio and development finance including heavy refurbishment bridging loans and development exit loans. Leona’s broad knowledge of the secured lending sector enables her to provide clear and constructive and practical commercial solutions to her clients and given the nature of her work Leona often works within extremely tight deadlines. Recent Experience £2.1 million purchase acting for a developer of a mixed used, part registered complex development site with the potential to create 7 flats and 3 retail units £1 million re-finance of property portfolio acting for the lender (1 freehold property and 11 leasehold flats) which completed in less than a week. Acting for the tenant, Salt & Pepper Manchester, on a commercial lease for their new commercial premises located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter in respect of their new business venture and expansion plans. £4.75 million auction sale of a Petrol Station on behalf of the Seller. Acting for the purchasers and dealing with the property aspects and due diligence on various corporate-led property deals and working closely alongside the BBS Corporate team. Acting for lenders and borrowers on high pressure re-finance deals involving both commercial and residential properties requiring quick turnaround.

Partner Rebecca is a partner working in the corporate team and based in the Manchester office. Rebecca has been working in corporate law since she qualified in 2006 and has always found the work to be challenging and enjoyable, with no two transactions ever being the same. Rebecca specialises in all types of corporate transactions, including acquisitions and mergers, joint ventures, corporate finance and company reorganisations. She works with businesses involved in a number of sectors with a particular focus on acting for entrepreneurs and small to medium sized owner managed businesses. Rebecca especially enjoys working with her clients to find practical, commercial solutions to their problems. Rebecca’s clients comment particularly on her commerciality and ability to complete complex transactions in a professional and efficient manner. Recent experience Acting for an international freight logistics and express courier specialist in relation to a £15million investment by growth capital investor. Advising the management team of a UK property and construction consultancy in relation to a minority investment by an overseas trade competitor as a prelude to a full merger of the businesses. Acting for the founder of an IT support services specialist in relation to the sale of the company to an employee ownership trust, the latest in a series of EOT transactions which the BBS Law corporate team has been involved with over the past two years. Advising the shareholders of a Cheshire based provider of accessible showering, general bathrooms, daily living, and kitchen solutions to a trade buyer. Acting for both sellers and buyers on a number of transactions involving the sale and purchase of a property in a corporate wrapper working closely alongside the BBS Law property team. Working on numerous group reorganisations and demergers including share for share exchanges, capital reduction demergers and section 110 demergers.

Managing Associate Jamie specialises in Private Client law. Clients note him for his personable and patient approach, whilst striving to ensure that he meets their objectives and achieves the best possible outcome for them tailored to their specific circumstances. Jamie’s areas of expertise include: Wills Inheritance Tax (IHT) Probate Deeds of variation Lifetime planning Powers of Attorney Trusts Matters relating to the Office of the Public Guardian.

Partner Business owners, property investors, overseas clients and high-net-worth individuals seeking to mitigate their Inheritance and Capital Gains Tax liabilities benefit from Priti’s 25 years of experience as a Solicitor and Chartered Tax Adviser. Priti is committed to providing the most suitable solutions, enabling clients to minimise their tax exposure whilst ensuring the protection of their assets. To this end, Priti works very hard to understand the client’s objectives and ensures her advice is tailored to their individual needs. Priti believes in a proactive approach and will explore possible tax planning opportunities with executors, trustees and beneficiaries through the use of deeds of variation, trusts and by making gifts to charities. Non-resident clients also benefit from Priti’s extensive experience advising on the use of double tax treaties, forced heirship rules and the legislation affecting foreign domiciliaries. Priti also holds the STEP Advanced Certificate in UK Tax for International Clients. Priti also prepares and registers Lasting Powers of Attorney covering both property and affairs and health and welfare issues and makes applications to the Court of Protection for family members to be appointed as deputy.

Partner Paul heads up the highly regarded Employment Team and was previously named in the Legal 500 as one of the leading employment lawyers in the North West specialising in acting for employment agencies and related businesses.