Seddons > London, England > Firm Profile
Seddons Offices
Seddons
120 New Cavendish Street
W1W 6XX
England
120 New Cavendish Street
W1W 6XX
England
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Seddons > The Legal 500 Rankings
Private client > Family Tier 4
The ‘wonderful’ family team at Seddons offers ‘a boutique service’ dealing with ‘large-scale litigation‘. ‘Immensely experienced’ team head Neil Russell is a go-to for divorce cases, nuptial agreements, and cohabitation matters. The ‘superb‘ Catherine Hancock joined the team in September 2023 from legacy firm Axiom DWFM; she is a mediator with notable experience in complex children law matters. In January 2024, David Thompson moved over from JMW Solicitors LLP, and Kate Ryan joined the team from IBB Law in February 2024.Practice head(s):
Neil Russell
Other key lawyers:
Catherine Hancock; David Thompson; Kate Ryan; Victoria Spencer
Testimonials
‘Catherine Hancock is a consummate professional and has vast experience. She is a gem and approachable and a rare find. She is extremely knowledgeable. She is the opposite of a cold, brash lawyer and I would recommend her highly to any of my colleagues.’
‘Neil Russell is immensely experienced and brings a commercial wisdom to cases as well as excellent legal acumen. He has a well deserved following and builds strong relationships with his clients.’
‘Seddons provide a high quality service to both lay and professional clients.’
‘Seddons are a wonderful team. They offer a boutique service but often deal with large scale litigation.’
‘There is a real focus on always ensuring matters are resolved outside of court where possible and they have real strength in their ability to resolve matters through alternative dispute resolution.’
‘Catherine Hancock is superb. There is no detail left out and no stone left unturned. She is hugely thorough and really cares about her clients and her cases.’
‘Seddons provide practical, sensible advice, delivered in a compassionate way.’
‘Victoria Spencer is an excellent solicitor who is always meticulously prepared. She routinely demonstrates excellent judgment and gives clear, sensible advice.’
Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 4
Seddons often acts for international high-net-worth individuals who are mobile and have assets in multiple jurisdictions. Stuart Crippin leads the team, which regularly works with UK residents, non-UK domiciled, and international clients on all aspects of UK law. The practice is skilled at coordinating closely with its clients’ accountants, bankers, financial advisors, and trustees. Lewis Edwards advises individuals, families, trustees, and businesses, both in the UK and overseas, on a wide range of tax-related issues.Practice head(s):
Stuart Crippin
Other key lawyers:
Zoe Pearse; Lewis Edwards
Testimonials
‘Stuart Crippin and his team at Seddons represent the pinnacle of legal expertise and client-focused service. Their practice stands out for its unwavering commitment to excellence, meticulous attention to detail, and a genuine dedication to client success.’
‘Potential clients will find that the team’s strengths lie in their profound legal knowledge, exceptional negotiation skills, and the ability to deliver bespoke solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.’
‘One of the key capabilities of Stuart’s team is their seamless blend of traditional legal wisdom with modern innovations. They have embraced cutting-edge technology to streamline processes, ensuring efficient and transparent communication with clients.’
‘Working with Stuart Crippin from Seddons has been an exceptional experience, making him and his team stand out prominently among competitors.’
‘Stuart’s remarkable legal acumen, coupled with his genuine passion for client advocacy, sets him apart in the legal field.’
‘Stuart’s team reflects his high standards and commitment to excellence. The associates working alongside him are not only highly skilled but also exhibit a strong work ethic and attention to detail. They collaborate seamlessly, leveraging each other’s strengths to deliver outstanding results.’
‘Clear defined roles within the team, good clear instructions. Stuart Crippin very approachable and knowledgeable.’
‘Zoe Pearse is a phenomenal lawyer. Her ability to distil complex cases into understandable English for clients has been extremely useful.’
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 5
Seddons delivers ‘a Magic Circle service for mid-market (and top-end) clients’. The team is experienced in banking and commercial litigation, IP matters, and restructuring and insolvency, as well as wills, trusts and probate disputes. Christian Smith is a corporate, shareholder and commercial agency disputes specialist. John Melville-Smith acts in contested trust, probate and inheritance claims and Steffan Taylor has an ‘excellent legal brain’. In January 2024, David Wheeler stepped down as partner, but remains a consultant, while Marvin Simons retired from practice in December 2023.Practice head(s):
Christian Smith
Other key lawyers:
John Melville-Smith; Steffan Taylor; David Wheeler; Mark Allan
Testimonials
‘Excellent client care – on top of the law, strategically astute, and perfectly suited for individual litigants or SMEs.’
‘Seddons are well respected and often punch well above their weight in the market.’
‘The team offers an experienced and user-friendly Privy Council agency service.’
‘A Magic Circle service for mid-market (and top-end) clients in a wide variety of business disputes involving some of the most complex legal issues. The team is capable and undaunted.’
‘Christian Smith is an outstanding litigator. He works tirelessly for his clients and has a natural ability to secure good results. His analytical skills, combined with an intuitive commercial approach, make him a great lawyer.’
‘Christian Smith is across the detail; at the same time, he is alive to bigger-picture points (commercial alternatives to litigation and desirability of settlement).’
‘Steffan Taylor is a superb associate (one of the best some clients have worked with). Super-efficient, excellent legal brain and winning client manner.’
‘Steffan Taylor is conscientious and contributes good ideas and strategic thinking.’
Work highlights
- Acted for Andrew Crump (and associated companies) in defending an approximately £50m deceit/unlawful means, conspiracy and negligence claim (arising from the sale of investment properties).
- Acted for Angus McKay in pursuing an approximately £20m secret trust and will rectification claim.
- Acted for B & J Investments in its claim for approximately £4m, being profit shares and loan repayments that arose from a hotel development-related joint venture agreement.
Seddons > Firm Profile
From Fitzrovia, Seddons advises their UK and international clients on corporate and commercial law, residential and commercial real estate, disputes, employment and HR issues, reputation management, wealth management, family law and more.
Striving to achieve the best possible outcome for clients, with the professional and personal skills needed for sensitive and complex matters, working alongside other professionals to protect clients’ financial and legal interests. They advise those from varied backgrounds, with an emphasis on business owners and professionals, and regularly act for high-profile clients, understanding the importance of preserving confidentiality and absolute discretion.
Seddons offers a discreet and integrated service which combines all relevant practice areas of law within a single strategic approach.
Types of work undertaken
Real estate: the commercial property team acts for banks, investors, developers, high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and restaurateurs, and covers all aspects of real estate. The team is known for its highly commercial, prompt and efficient advice on matters including leasing, sales and acquisitions, investment, development, finance, and planning.
The real estate finance team advises institutional lenders, dedicated bridging financiers and property syndicates, covering all aspects of bridging and short-term lending arrangements, as well as mid-to-long term secured facilities. The firm’s long-standing relationships with some of the biggest players in the industry give it a unique perspective.
The residential property team handles sales and acquisitions, tenancy agreements, and non-contentious landlord and tenant matters. Clients include domestic and international clients, and range from first-time buyers to high-net-worth individuals, and from investors to lenders.
The dedicated leasehold enfranchisement team advises freeholders and flat owners in connection with the acquisition of freeholds of houses or blocks of flats, collective enfranchisement and lease extensions together with right to manage claims, rights of first refusal, and dealing with missing landlords. It has been involved in a number of landmark cases in this niche area of law. Seddons is an active member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners.
Corporate: organisations of all sizes turn to Seddons for a broad range of commercial advice, including: business acquisitions and disposals, corporate insolvency and rescue, private equity, joint ventures, agency, distribution and franchising, merchandising and sponsorship, terms of trading and supply agreements, corporate governance, e-commerce and IP. The firm’s relationships with commercial clients extend beyond just legal solutions, encompassing wider strategic support and advice.
Dispute resolution: partner-led teams bring and defend claims for clients. The firm regularly acts on behalf of, or against, high-profile personalities and organisations. Work includes property litigation, probate litigation, partnership disputes, intellectual property, corporate disputes, insolvency, asset tracing, and freezing injunctions. The firm also offers arbitration and mediation.
Family law: the firm strives to achieve the best possible outcome for clients, with the professional and personal skills needed for sensitive family matters, complex financial work and children issues. It also works with other professionals to protect clients’ financial and emotional interests. It advises those from varied backgrounds, with an emphasis on business owners and professionals, and regularly acts for high-profile clients, understanding the importance of preserving confidentiality and absolute discretion.
Private client: Seddons’ focus is on preserving clients’ wealth, pre-empting conflicts and protecting the interests of high-net-worth individuals and their families. It is uncompromising in defending clients’ interests and understands the need for absolute discretion and confidentiality. The firm draws on the in-house expertise and judgement of some of the world’s leading legal practitioners to provide a fully comprehensive service, finely tuned to client concerns and aspirations.
Employment: the firm’s employment specialists are dedicated to ensuring that its employer clients get the advice they need, when they need it. Whether it is general guidance on everyday HR issues or a difficult situation with an employee that has to be resolved urgently, Seddons considers the commercial, reputational and moral issues at stake. It provides HR legal assistance to employers across all sectors – including finance, retail, media, manufacturing, recruitment, professional services, travel and hospitality, and charities.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managing Partner | Simon Ross | [email protected] | |
| Corporate | Ilan Kotkis | [email protected] | |
| Dispute Resolution | Christian Smith | [email protected] | |
| Employment | Helen Crossland | [email protected] | |
| Family | Neil Russell | [email protected] | |
| Commercial Real Estate | Sangeeta Somchand | [email protected] | |
| Residential Real Estate | Howard Freeman | [email protected] | |
| Residential Real Estate | Emily Lui | [email protected] | |
| Real Estate Finance | Adam Miller | [email protected] | |
| Real Estate Litigation | Daniel Robin | [email protected] | |
| Real Estate Litigation | Leon Golstein | [email protected] |
Meet The Team(s)
Lawyer Profiles
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Rebecca Arnold | Rebecca is a Partner in the Commercial Litigation team, and Head of… | View Profile |
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Katy Berkley | Katy is a Senior Associate in our Real Estate Finance Team and… | View Profile |
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Rob Brooks | Rob qualified as a solicitor in 2013, joined Seddons in 2016 as… | View Profile |
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Katherine Burrell | Katherine is a Partner in our Real Estate Finance team and acts… | View Profile |
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Jenny Chan | Jenny is part of the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence team. Jenny… | View Profile |
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Stuart Crippin | Stuart is head of our Private Client team at Seddons, and has… | View Profile |
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Helen Crossland | Helen is Head of our Employment department. She has extensive experience in all… | View Profile |
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Lili Davarzani | Lili is a Partner in the Real Estate team and a highly… | View Profile |
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Natalie Dowding | Natalie is an Associate in the Property Disputes Team. Natalie’s work covers… | View Profile |
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Savvas Fiaca | Savvas has 30 years’ experience in Real Estate, both commercial and residential,… | View Profile |
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Howard Freeman | Howard is Co-Head of our Residential Real Estate team. With nearly 30… | View Profile |
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Ben Gillespie | Ben is a partner in Seddons’ Corporate Department and specialises in mergers… | View Profile |
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Leon Golstein | Leon is Head of our Property Disputes Team and a senior member… | View Profile |
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Lucy Green | Lucy is an Associate in the Real Estate Team. She represents private… | View Profile |
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Ffion Greenfield | Ffion is a Senior Associate in the Family team at Seddons. Ffion… | View Profile |
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Kyle Irvine | Kyle handles corporate transactional work, including company acquisitions and disposals, MBOs, and… | View Profile |
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Simon Jacobs | Simon is a Partner in the Commercial Disputes team who has acted… | View Profile |
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Farhana Khanom | Farhana is an Associate in our Dispute Resolution team. She joined Seddons… | View Profile |
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Ilan Kotkis | Ilan is the Head of our Corporate Department. He specializes in mergers… | View Profile |
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Emily Lui | Emily is Co-Head of our Residential Property Team, acting for homeowners, buy… | View Profile |
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Nick Mann | Nick is a Partner in the Residential Real Estate Team, with 12… | View Profile |
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Richard Martin | Richard is a Partner in both the Residential Real Estate and Commercial… | View Profile |
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John Melville-Smith | John is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution team, with over 20… | View Profile |
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Ben Menahem | Ben is an Associate in our Residential Real Estate department and acts… | View Profile |
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John Midgley | John is a Partner in the Property Disputes team and heads up… | View Profile |
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Adam Miller | Adam heads up Seddons Real Estate Finance Team, advising on all aspects… | View Profile |
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Moshe Moses | Moshe is a Partner in the Seddons Residential Real Estate team who… | View Profile |
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Simon Noonoo | Simon is a Partner in our Real Estate Finance team. He joined… | View Profile |
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Lara Nyman | Lara is a Partner with the Dispute Resolution team specialising in property… | View Profile |
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Zoe Pearse TEP | Zoe is an Associate specialising in private client work. She has experience… | View Profile |
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Paul Pierides | Paul is a Partner in the Residential Real Estate team and handles… | View Profile |
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Steven Porter | Steven has been qualified for over 42 years and having built his… | View Profile |
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Daniel Robin | Daniel is a Partner in our Litigation Department. He acts in commercial… | View Profile |
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Simon Ross | Simon is the firm’s Managing Partner and a member of the Residential… | View Profile |
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Neil Russell | Neil is a Partner and Head of our Family Department. He advises… | View Profile |
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Marvin Simons | Marvin is a senior member of our Dispute Resolution Team. He has… | View Profile |
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Christian Smith | Christian is the firm’s Head of Dispute Resolution and oversees the commercial… | View Profile |
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Sangeeta Somchand | Sangeeta is the Head of Commercial Real Estate department and an experienced… | View Profile |
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Victoria Spencer | Victoria is an Associate in the Family team at Seddons. She joined… | View Profile |
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Victoria Sterritt | Victoria is a Partner in the Family department at Seddons. She has… | View Profile |
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Christian Taylor | Christian has more than twenty years of experience in advising clients in… | View Profile |
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Chris Theodosiou | Chris is a Partner in our Residential Property Department. With over 15… | View Profile |
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David Wheeler | David has over 20 years experience of civil dispute resolution. He has… | View Profile |
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Thomas White | Thomas is a Partner in the Commercial Real Estate team, and has… | View Profile |
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David Wright | David has a broad range of commercial litigation experience acting for claimants… | View Profile |
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Ed Zneimer Zneimer | Ed specialises in Real Estate Finance and Secured Lending, advising a range… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 33 Number of other UK fee-earners : 39Languages
English Arabic Italian French Spanish Hebrew GermanOther
Press Coverage : https://www.seddons.co.uk/our-thinkingClient Testimonials
CLIENT: Lendinvest
COMPANY/FIRM: Lendinvest
TESTIMONIAL: The Real Estate Finance team at Seddons has adapted to our changing needs as our business has grown from strength to strength. We always know we can rely on them for their commercial approach to getting deals done quickly and effectively. They are a friendly team and a pleasure to work with and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
CLIENT: Mark Posniak, Managing Director
COMPANY/FIRM: Octane Capital
TESTIMONIAL: We have been really impressed by how quickly the Real Estate Finance team at Seddons have become one of our trusted advisers. Their knowledge and pragmatic approach to getting transactions completed makes a refreshing change and we have nothing but praise for the way they respond to our exacting needs and take care of everything.
CLIENT: Nic Potter, Director
COMPANY/FIRM: Commercial Acceptances Limited
TESTIMONIAL: As our trusted adviser for over 20 years, the Real Estate Finance team at Seddons understands our business and our culture and know exactly what needs to be done to facilitate our deals and ensure we have good security while working to tight deadlines. They often exceed our expectations with their speed of response and partner-led service.
CLIENT: Octopus Property
COMPANY/FIRM: Octopus Property
TESTIMONIAL: Having worked with the Real Estate Finance team at Seddons for a number of years, our confidence in them continues to grow. We are constantly impressed with their ability to assist in getting transactions completed swiftly and with the greatest care. A pleasure to work with, we see them as an extension of our own team.
CLIENT: Dorian Nineberg, Director
COMPANY/FIRM: FBSE Finance Ltd
TESTIMONIAL: Adam and his Real Estate Finance team at Seddons have acted for us for a number of years. They understand the nature of our business and we trust them to come up with creative solutions to ensure that our deals are completed quickly without compromising our security. They are always available and on hand to give commercial and pragmatic advice.
CLIENT: Guy Pink, Former CEO and Executive Head of HR
COMPANY/FIRM: Addaction
TESTIMONIAL: I have worked with Helen for many years and her team at Seddons have been instrumental in supporting the HR directorate at Addaction with advice that as you would expect, is legally compliant but also immensely practical. Helen has a real grasp of our organisation’s culture and the context in which decisions are taken. Her advice has enabled us to successfully resolve complex ER issues without recourse to tribunal and has saved us significantly both in financial terms but also in staff time. She is used extensively by the HR team to support their decision making and she is now simply part of the team, in a way that we couldn’t imagine how we managed without her.
CLIENT: Lisa Mack, Director of People
COMPANY/FIRM: Tate Enterprises and Tate Catering
TESTIMONIAL: I have worked with Helen for a number of years and have consistently enjoyed exemplary service from everyone in the employment team at Seddons. Helen always responds quickly to my queries and provides excellent advice with simple and practical solutions. I have complete confidence in Helen; I am constantly impressed by her efficiency, attention to detail and quality of work. Helen and the team are a pleasure to work with, providing outstanding support and I look forward to continuing working together in the future.”
CLIENT: Paul Woolf, CEO
COMPANY/FIRM: Strongroom Limited and Kings Theatre Trust Limited
TESTIMONIAL: We found ourselves in a very awkward HR situation. Helen stepped in immediately with very clear and robust advice. She was meticulous throughout the process drafting complex letters with great care and thought. On top of that Helen was very supportive of us through what was a difficult situation for us personally and business wise.