Payne Hicks Beach LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

‘This is a long established and highly successful team with real expertise. It is in many of the high profile cases particularly in the area of trusts. It invariably achieves a good outcome for its clients’.

‘Jessica Henson is an excellent addition to the team. A real expert with great experience, she provides pragmatic and sensible advice to clients. Richard Manyon is something of a force of nature but a real expert who knows the area inside out. He is an excellent tactician’.

‘Excellent quality in a young practice; will be market leaders for years to come’.

‘Richard Manyon and Jess Henson both already have a huge profile in this area; Charlotte Henshall is a very good associate’.

‘What sets PHB apart is the incredible value for money for clients. They have top tier individuals and experience with high-value and complex disputes, but they do not charge the same sorts of rates as larger firms. They are also a constantly growing practice, with new individuals at every level being introduced each year’.

‘The entire team at PHB is very smart, switched on to the issues in these areas but also easy to deal with and highly proactive. Richard Manyon is one of the standout partners in this area in the country. He has been a huge part of why PHB has built such a big following in these areas’.

‘The team has vast experience in dealing with high value and complex disputes and has a deserved first-rate reputation. They have the benefit of being able to draw on the expertise of their brilliant private client team, which is invaluable where as so often happens tax considerations shape the litigation or its settlement’.

‘Richard Manyon is incredibly bright and an excellent strategist. He has quick and sound judgment and an ability to cut through the distractions to the essence of a problem. The rest of the team is fantastic too including the knowledgeable and incisive Jessica Henson and Charlotte Henshall who is so bright and committed’.

‘The PHB family team has exceptional experience of the most complex international family law disputes. Very few other firms have this level of experience. Hand-in-hand with this the firm delivers a very personal service, giving clients the assurance that both their case and their welfare are being cared for with utmost attention.’.

‘Baroness Shackleton is the stand-out partner in this field. Her depth of experience is hard to match. The personal quality of the care she gives to her clients is, in my experience, unmatched. Fiona’s instincts for the finer points of a case are extraordinary; she uses this insight to assemble the expert team for the job and leads that team from the front and inspirationally’.

‘Baroness Shackleton is remarkable for her ability to cut through nonsense and see what is really going on. Ben Parry-Smith is sensible yet tenacious. Sarah Williams is patient beyond belief, Katie Parkes and Camellia Buckmaster are incredibly bright, efficient lawyers and they are all well supported by excellent paralegals and other support staff. Catherine Costley is a superb lawyer and champion for her client. They are a great bunch’.

‘PHB has an unparalleled reputation in the field of family law. I have experience of their modern families practice, which is excellent. Sarah Williams is a stand-out individual in my view. She has an outstanding knowledge of modern families and fertility law issues. She is a member of the ‘Modern Families Pod’, to which only those with expertise and significant experience of these issues are invited. I am a member of the pod, and can support Sarah’s wide-ranging experience in this area. Joshua Moger is one to watch. He’s ambitious, hardworking and full of ideas‘.

‘Ben Parry Smith is the new Baroness Shackleton: urbane, exudes confidence, a sophisticated approach to the knottiest of problems. Baroness Shackleton is unique. The most intuitive solicitor in London with the most impressive rolodex. Nick Manners is stand out. Managing hugely complicated and high profile cases with ease. He is also a pleasure to deal with which enables a conciliatory approach when possible’.

‘Catherine Costley, hardworking and able. Matthew Booth, thorough and sensitive. Philip McGuirk, experienced and intelligent. They are first-class’.

‘Ben Parry-Smith – a partner whose star is in the ascendant, clients love him and he gets on well with the other side, which often takes the heat out of a case. Simon Beccle- immensely supportive of clients and always accessible. Victoria Hingston – new partner and absolutely the future of the firm. When Baroness Shackleton retires, Victoria is her natural successor. Ben Parry-Smith – similarly a start of the new generation of lawyers at PHB. Luke Scarratt – young and keen and one to watch’.

‘Philip McGuirk is a shrewd and thoughtful planner of cases.. Rebecca Cockcroft thinks tactically about her cases from day one. Clients have the reassurance of knowing where their case is going from almost the first meeting, and she has the unerring good judgment to get them to the planned conclusion with the minimum of stress’.

‘Small expert team with high levels of service and advice unique in a world of large firms.’

‘Professional, knowledgeable and experienced. Well written clear unfussy advice which is on point.’

‘Payne Hicks Beach has a particular niche in acting for high net worth individuals facing persecution in their country of origin and seek to resist removal from the UK. This complex asylum/human rights work is conducted by a small number of firms, and PHB does it especially well.’

‘Payne Hicks Beach has a glittering reputation in business immigration. The firm conducts the full span of work applicable to commercial immigration law. In addition, given the firm’s strength in cases involving human rights and asylum, the solicitors at PHB have particularly innovative ways of addressing problems which arise beyond the ‘tick box’ approach mandated by the Home Office.’

‘Kathryn Bradbury – a longstanding star of immigration law, Kathryn heads up the immigration team and runs a very tight ship. She is able to combine skilled legal analysis with practical solutions and committed client care skills. Matt Ingham is a rising star and is able to efficiently handle extremely complex cases while also maintaining high standards of client care. Cases handled by Matt frequently involve legal proceedings in multiple different countries, as well as within the UK, and push legal boundaries. I cannot recommend him highly enough.’

‘Incredibly strong immigration offering, complemented by the wider private client areas. A truly unique technical proposition, delivered with a highly personalised service.’

‘Kathryn Bradbury – the best immigration lawyer in London and my go to choice for any client case.’

‘PHB takes an entrepreneurial and strategic approach to a practice area that can often be treated as a commodity by firms. The team has the insight and intelligence to serve as strategic advisors to businesses and individuals.’

‘Matt Ingham impressed with his tactical nous, effective client handling and strategic insight.’

‘Matt Ingham is excellent – good with clients, dogged, intelligent, solution-focused.’

‘Responsive, a pleasure to deal with and willing to give real advice’.

‘A very knowledgeable and conscientious team that always strives to go the extra mile to assist us, and make us feel valued and important. The team collaborates well, so nothing is missed, but yet, no unnecessary overlap. Very clear and concise billing. Technology excellent, particularly useful of late with online meetings’.

‘Fantastic love of all things Rights of Way! What more could you ask for. Simon Blackburn has been a detail-driven and supportive lawyer who has allowed us to get to effective results’.

‘Simon Blackburn is one of the best landed estates lawyer of his generation; very experienced, very commercial and very personable. Bethany Milchem is relatively junior but is excellent at dealing with clients and a cheerful soul’.

‘It is rare to find a strong rural team in London and whilst the cost associated with procuring legal services in the capital can sometimes put off clients who would otherwise source their advice locally, there are times when quality of expertise and speed of response justifies the extra outlay, as here’.

‘This practice stands out for me because the personnel involved were always available, they stuck to their estimate despite the work being significantly more complex than initially anticipated and Simon Blackburn ensured that the various aspects of the trust and property work were marshalled and delivered on time to ensure a satisfactory conclusion‘.

‘Simon Blackburn – where Simon’s approach really stands out is in the care and effort that he takes to build relationships both with the other professionals involved and in this case with the counterparty to a divorce who sought to frustrate the legal process in train. Suffice it to say that his good bedside manner and diplomacy prevented on several occasions a difficult situation from escalating‘.

‘Simon Blackburn and Michael Parkinson are highly intelligent individuals and men of sound judgement. Their advice is invariably good and perceptive‘.

‘I have been a client of the firm for nearly 40 years. They have a real understanding of trust management and the attendant legal and financial challenges. I have found them good strategic thinkers, tactically innovative, good at execution and very personable’.

‘Freddie Bjorn –  has introduced some useful new perspectives regarding the current operation and future development of my grandfather’s will trust which has been assisted by PHB for over 50 years. He responds promptly and concisely to all queries and provides useful advice regarding opportunities and harms’.

‘The team adopts a holistic and pragmatic approach to a client’s financial affairs recognising the dynamics that apply to families. They are able to engage well across the various generations thanks to the personable way in which they provide their advice. Basil Dixon, Clare Hetherington, Verity Sherwin’.

‘Standing somewhat in the shadow of the firm’s more famous Family practice, the Personal tax, trusts and probate team of Payne Hicks Beach has quickly established itself as one of the leading practices in the UHNW and Family Office market, every bit the equal of some of the more established names. The quality of the firm’s client base is testament to this. The Payne Hicks Beach team is a pleasure to work with, and collaborate well with other service-providers (trustees/accountants etc.) all in pursuit of the client’s best interests’.

‘Basil Dixon combines his natural charm and personable approach, a huge breadth and depth of expertise with clarity of communication that cuts through the noise to the heart of the issue. His client service is second to none. Clare Hetherington is a future leader in the making, with professional poise beyond her ranking. Verity Sherwin is definitely one to watch’.

‘I find the team at PHB extremely knowledgeable, but able to get out of the ivory tower to give practical advice’.

‘Martin Paisner is a recognised champion in the Charities arena. Robert Brodrick is very personable, and wise beyond his years. Rosamond McDowell is well grounded, certainly far more than a safe pair of hands’.

‘Technical strength wedded with interpersonal skills – a necessity in the private client world! I thoroughly enjoy working with Robert Brodrick – he is responsive and collaborative, technically strong and amiable’.

‘Ane Vernon and her team were superb. All the senior team were easily accessible, attuned to the objective, confident in their delivery and totally committed to getting the right outcome.’

‘Ane Vernon is probably one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with – and I have been working with law firms both UK based and global teams for over 30 years. She is technically excellent, supportive and empathetic (rare in a lawyer), available out of hours whenever her wise counsel was required and perhaps the most important element, non-judgemental.’

‘A real depth a specialism in a relatively niche area.’

‘Ane Vernon is extremely knowledgeable and thorough.’

‘The firm’s spread of expertise in dealing with high net worth individuals means they are able to provide a bespoke cross-jurisdictional service.’

‘I have worked closely with Ane Vernon dealing with individuals engaged in disputes with educational institutions, and especially private schools. Ane’s attention to detail and strategic thinking is invaluable for clients. No stone is left unturned.’

‘ Emma and I have worked closely for a number of years and indeed continue to work closely as I provide specialist planning advice for her clients. Emma is top of her game. Clients remain loyal to her for the quality of her sound commercial advice and efficiency. Exceptional all round’.

‘A broad range of client focused lawyers with a superb level of experience of handling cases across the media law spectrum. Friendly and personable to deal with and thorough in their approach’

‘Lucas Moore is able to transfer significant experience in the commercial sector into disputes involving reputation issues. He is well-liked by his clients and has the capacity for demanding commercial disputes.’

‘Hanna Basha is an enormously experienced litigator on both the claimant and defendant side and has a great way with clients. She offers tactically sound and commercially astute advice.’

‘Andrew Willan is a superb partner who gets on top of his cases and provides excellent and carefully judged advice across the board.’

‘One of the strongest and most established boutique firms in this sector, always involved in high profile cases.’

‘Nick Grant – A star associate and one of the future leaders in the sector. Maya Mills – A strong and very hardworking associate with great experience.’

‘Dominic Crossley – He has, unsurprisingly, numerous clients who have returned to him if they find themselves needing assistance again. He has great tactical approach, a huge amount of experience and knowledge. He goes the extra mile for his clients. Well known and respected in this field.

‘Andrew Willan – Excellent understanding of the law and how to use it to best protect client’s interests. Very good at drafting compelling correspondence.’

‘Excellent integration between the contentious and non-contentious teams, and between partners and associates – an advantage of a relatively small and close-knit firm.’

‘This is a hidden gem in the London litigation market: PHB will make a client feel taken care of, while building the best team to suit the demands of any given case.’

‘PHB is a safe pair of hands operating in this market, which is the most important thing.’

‘An excellent team that works collaboratively with clients and Counsel – adapted well to remote and hybrid working, and always ready to go the extra mile.’

‘Lucas Moore is a standout partner. He is always looking for innovative approaches to cases, and works seamlessly with Counsel to devise strategy and arguments.’

‘Ane Vernon – 100% committed to her clients and a real team player.’

‘Georgina Bayley has brought real heft to the firm’s commercial litigation offering. She is very client focused, efficient, and absolutely brilliant.’

‘Georgina Bayley – excellent client skills combined with a deep knowledge of procedural and substantive law that she wears lightly.’

‘They offer very good value for money relative to their competitors in the City.’

‘I have had the pleasure of working with Chris Weaver and Kim Crangle on a discrimination, harassment and unfair dismissal case in the financial services sector. Chris and Kim are both exceptional litigators. Chris is commercial, whilst being technically very strong on the law. He is always a pleasure to work with and gives his all to his cases. Kim is very bright and has a great grasp of discrimination law. She puts her all in to fighting her client’s corner and defending their best.’

‘The people are dedicated,  incredibly hardworking, professional and always contactable. Their professionalism, understanding and adaptability‘.

‘Friendly, discreet and lethal in litigation. Rosamond McDowell – A joy to work with, combining tremendous fun with astonishing efficiency. James Bacon – Wise, calm and collected, a family could not have a more reliable solicitor of the old school’.

‘Rosamond McDowell – A joy to work with, combining tremendous fun with astonishing efficiency’.

‘James Bacon – Wise, calm and collected, a Family could not have a more reliable solicitor of the old school’.

‘As private client solicitors they offer well informed advice and guidance to families and have done so through the generations.’

‘Outstanding professionalism, hugely able and a history that speaks for itself. Andrew Berry and Marisa Beccarelli are outstanding.’

‘PHB is a first-rate litigation firm. The lawyers are capable of dealing with diverse claims efficiently whilst taking a strategic approach to ensure the best possible outcome for the client.’

‘Scott Goldstein is excellent. He is details focused without losing sight of the wider commercial and strategic position.’

‘Matthew Spring – working with Matthew is like working with a chess grand master – he is several moves ahead, meticulous in his planning, and an exceptional advocate.’

‘An extremely effective team able to handle complex property litigation disputes with great skill.’

‘Matthew Spring is an extremely able and knowledgeable solicitor with a phenomenal work ethic.’

‘Scott Goldstein is a highly effective litigator, bringing great experience and insight to every dispute he is involved in.’

‘Scott Goldstein is an excellent operator. Always ready to question facts and re-appraise opinions; he leaves no stone unturned.’

‘The quality of the service provided is second to none.’

‘A strong and established boutique firm in this sector, always involved in high profile cases.’

‘Hanna Basha is a highly experienced and knowledgeable partner in the field.;

‘Nick Grant is a star associate and one of the future leaders in the sector.’

‘Maya Mills is a strong and very hardworking associate with great experience.’

‘Hanna Basha is a leading expert in boxing disputes.’