By Location
By Service
Our People
Andrew Linton
Managing Partner
Solicitor
Dispute Resolution
Employment
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 323alinton@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Andrew joined Buss Murton Law in 1995 and in 2015 became the firm’s Managing Partner. He is the head of the Employment Department, acting for both employers and employees. Andrew specialises in providing advice to employers on all aspects of employment law ranging from employment contracts for their senior executives to group redundancy arrangements. He also advises senior executives on their terms of engagement, revisions to their terms and conditions and, where necessary, negotiating their severance packages.
He has experience of all forms of dispute resolution ranging from the Employment Tribunal through mediation and arbitration to High Court action.
Expertise
Exit negotiations
Employment contracts
Service contracts
Settlement agreements
Redundancy
Disciplinary and grievances
Staff handbooks
Discrimination and equal opportunities
Employment Tribunal claims
Dismissals
Business reorganisations and redundancy
Restrictive covenants and business protection
Maternity and paternity rights
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations
Alternative Contact:
Gemma Barker
01892 502 385
gbarker@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- How Uber Is Transforming Employment Law in the UK
- The end of zero-hour contracts?
- Christina Bassett appointed Branch Manager at Buss Murton’s East Grinstead Office
- Buss Murton announces Kerry Carter’s appointment to Partner
- Breaking up is hard to do
- Criminal sanctions for residential landlords who breach the right to rent scheme that came into force on 1 December 2016.
- Managing Partner Andrew Linton talks to the Times of Tunbridge Wells
- Dunorlan Fireworks 2016
- Buss Murton Announces Four Partnership Promotions
- Neighbours: When the Red Mist Descends, Don’t Let Costs Go Down the Drain
Memberships
- Employment Lawyers Association
Helen Batt
Partner
Chartered Legal Executive
Residential Property
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 376hbatt@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Helen joined Buss Murton in 2008. She is a member of the Institute of Legal Executives and qualified with a distinction in Conveyancing Law and Practice, as well as in 3 other heads of her ILEX exams in 2012. Helen became a Partner in 2016.
The majority of work Helen undertakes on a day-to-day basis is dealing with freehold and leasehold residential sales and purchases, unregistered land, shared ownership purchases, sales of part of land, equity releases, mortgages and remortgages, joint ownership agreements, assured shorthold tenancy agreements, deeds of variation and lease extensions.
Helen has established proactive relationships with local estate agents to ensure that clients receive a seamless service in dealing with their most valuable asset.
Expertise
Sale and Purchase of Freehold and Leasehold properties
Unregistered land
Shared ownership schemes
Assured shorthold tenancy agreements
Deeds of variation
Mortgages and remortgages
Lease extensions
All non-contentious residential property work
Alternative Contact:
Kashmir Lightbody
01892 502 336
klightbody@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- Stamp Duty Changes July 2020
- Final Call for Help to Buy ISAs
- Varying charges between solicitors on conveyancing quotes?
Kerry Carter
Partner
Associate Chartered Legal Executive
Private Client
Residential Property
Office : Cranbrook
01892 502 304kcarter@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Kerry is an Associate Chartered Legal Executive in the Property and Private Client departments. After obtaining a First Class BA degree in Politics from Southbank University in 1993, Kerry went on to study Law and qualified as a Fellow in 2004 whilst working at a firm in Chancery Lane, London, specialising in property matters. Kerry became a Partner in 2017.
Kerry has many years experience advising in all areas of residential property work including freehold and leasehold property, unregistered land, equity release advice, new-build developments, shared ownership, declarations of trust, powers of attorney, transfers of equity, sales of land, auction properties, leasehold enfranchisement and the Help to Buy scheme. She has extensive experience in dealing with high value transactions and the accompanying complexities of dealing with listed buildings together with associated land.
Kerry also advises on all areas of Private Client work including Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney, as well as post death Deeds of Variation in relation to Inheritance and Capital Gains Tax.
Expertise
Residential Property
High value transactions and the accompanying complexities of dealing with listed buildings together with associated land
Sale and Purchase of Freehold and Leasehold properties
Unregistered land
Equity release
Newbuild developments
Shared ownership schemes
Declarations of Trust
Transfers of equity
Sales of land
Auction properties
Leasehold enfranchisement
Help to Buy scheme
Bridging finance
All non-contentious residential property work
Private Client
Wills
Probate
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Post death Deeds of Variation in relation to Inheritance and Capital Gains Tax
Commercial Property
Commercial leases
Lease assignments
Option agreements
Promotion agreements
Commercial mortgages
Bridging finance
Melanie den Brinker
Partner
Barrister and Collaborative Lawyer
Family and Divorce
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 326mdenbrinker@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Melanie was called to the Bar in 1984. For over 10 years she practised as a Barrister in a specialist set of London family law chambers, regularly appearing in the High Court and conducting a number of cases in the Court of Appeal.
Having taken a career break to care for her children, in 2003 she joined the Buss Murton family team. Melanie is now a partner and head of the family team. Her expertise and wide experience gained both from her time at the Bar and at Buss Murton, enable her to assist and advise on all areas of family law. She now specialises in high net worth financial cases and in complex children cases including those where a parent wishes to move abroad with children.
Melanie is one of the area’s most experienced and active collaborative lawyers and, where possible, strongly supports the resolution of issues through negotiation, rather than through the courts. She is a founder member of the local collaborative lawyers’ group and has given lectures to other family lawyers on collaborative law. Melanie is a member of Resolution (the organisation of family lawyers) and strongly supports the association’s aim to resolve issues in as fair and amicable way as possible.
Expertise
Divorce and civil partnership
Arrangements for children on divorce and separation
Financial arrangements on divorce and separation
Co-habitation and Separation Agreements
Removal from the jurisdiction
Change of Name
Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
Alternative Contact:
Louise Huxstep
01892 502 338
lhuxstep@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- Child Arrangements Orders in the UK: What You Need to Know
- How to choose your divorce lawyer
- How to share Christmas
- Varying Spousal Maintenance Payments after Divorce
- Putting Children First: Should their views be heard in Court?
- “Dr Foster” – How NOT to separate!
- Summer holidays – the last straw?
- First baby showers and now divorce parties are coming to the UK!
- Transgender father denied the right to see his children
- Is there such a thing as a ‘good divorce’?
Memberships
- Resolution (the national organisation of family lawyers)
Graham Edwards
Partner
Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 306gedwards@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Graham joined Buss Murton in December 2003 having previously practised in Bromley and Dartford.
Graham qualified in 1980 and has since the early 1990s specialised in non-contentious Private Client work in particular estate administration, the drafting of Wills, the administration of the affairs of the elderly and contested and non-contested applications to the Court of Protection on behalf of those incapable of dealing with their own affairs. He has also acted as a Professional Deputy approved by the Court of Protection and as a Professional Attorney
Graham is a Partner in the firm and having spent 5 years at the Tunbridge Wells office, he then headed up the Cranbrook office and Private Client team there and then took on the role of managing the Dartford Office before his return to Tunbridge Wells in December 2019.
Graham is also the Treasurer and occasional player for Meopham Cricket Club, one of the oldest Cricket Clubs in Kent and a keen football and rugby spectator although does regularly play 5 a side football for those above a certain age!
Expertise
Private Client
Estate Administration, Taxation and Distribution
Deeds of Variation of Estate
Wills
Administration of the affairs of the Elderly
Court of Protection applications (both contested and non-contested)
Lasting Powers of Attorney (both creation and registration and operation)
Alternative Contact:
Ellie White
01892 502 391
ewhite@bussmurton.co.uk
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Daldeep Jaswal
Partner
Solicitor
Commercial Property
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 324djaswal@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
After obtaining an LLB honours degree in Law at the University of Kent at Canterbury in 2000 and successfully completing the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London, Daldeep (known as ‘Dal’) joined Buss Murton in September 2001 as a Trainee Solicitor and qualified in 2003.
At the age of 25, Dal set up Buss Murton’s first standalone Commercial Property Department. Three years later he became one of the youngest Solicitors to be appointed Partner at Buss Murton. Dal is now the Partner in charge of the Property Department across its four offices, the firm’s Senior Responsible Officer for its Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation and he is also the Training Supervisor for the firm’s Trainee Solicitors.
Dal specialises in advising commercial clients on their property needs, in particular, landlords, tenants, developers and financiers.
Expertise
Commercial Property
Acting for landlords and tenants in relation to commercial leasehold premises
Acting for developers acquiring, disposing or refinancing land and in relation to site assembly
Acting for banks, independent lenders and other financiers in relation to property financing
Sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold business premises
Advising both developers and land owners on option agreements
Residential Property
Advising in relation to the residential conveyancing process and matters
Alternative Contact:
Sharon Jenner
01892 502 364
sjenner@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- Daldeep Jaswal elected President of the Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and District Law Society
- BREXIT: What Does the Future Hold for the Property Market?
- Homeowners Beware of Fraudsters
- Government Extends Permission to Convert Office to Residential Developments
Memberships
- President of Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & District Law Society
- Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table
Alex Lee
Partner
Solicitor
Company and Commercial
Employment
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 362alee@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Alex leads the Company/Commercial team at Buss Murton. He joined the firm in 2012 from his own boutique corporate firm that he started up in 2010, bringing with him 20 years’ experience in leadership positions as in-house corporate counsel for such companies as FremantleMedia Limited (the makers of the X Factor and Grand Designs) and as Head of Corporate Strategy and General Counsel for the Jamie Oliver group of companies. Educated in New Zealand and the UK, and having worked with global organisations, Alex has gained significant experience, and led and contributed to high profile international media acquisitions and business strategy.
As a result, Alex is not only able to advise on the legal aspects of an enterprise’s business, but is also able to bring a unique perspective having been involved in the operational aspects of those enterprises. In addition to these insights, Alex has also been at the heart of a number of change management projects, and led transformation and integration initiatives.
With this wealth of experience, Alex can advise on a broad spectrum of company and commercial law. These include corporate and business acquisition and disposals, debt financings, corporate finance, insolvency, restructuring, and corporate governance right through to employment (non-contentious and contentious), commercial contracts, agency arrangements, data protection and intellectual property.
Alex brings to the firm the passion he also exhibits in his interest in sailing and classical guitar. Originally qualifying in New Zealand, he still supports the All Blacks (and everyone else playing Australia). He qualified as a solicitor in the UK in 1990 and obtained a Masters of Law from the London School of Economics in 1991. He regularly speaks on such subjects as the legal and business impacts of social media, data protection and cybersecurity.
Expertise
Company Commercial
Incorporations
Corporate and business acquisition and disposals
Debt financings
Corporate finance
Insolvency
Restructuring
Corporate governance through to employment
Shareholder agreements
Cross Option arrangements
LLP Incorporation
LLP Agreements
Employee shareholder arrangements
Commercial contracts
Agency arrangements
Intellectual property
Exploitation and protection
IT and website development
Data protection
Franchising
Dispute resolution
Employment
Employment contracts
Service contracts
Settlement agreements
Redundancy
Disciplinary and grievances
Staff handbooks
Business reorganisation and redundancy
Employment Tribunal claims
Dismissals
Consultancy agreements
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations
Employee share schemes
Alternative Contact:
Harriet Chivers
01892 502 366
hchivers@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- Employment Update – April 2020
- CBILs (Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans) and Guarantees
- Furlough – Getting it right
- COVID-19: Advice for businesses in turbulent times
- The Problem with Sole Director-Shareholder Companies using Table A Articles
- The General Data Protection Regulation – It’s Coming Ready or Not
- Compensation for Late Payments of Commercial Debts
- Employment Tribunal Fees Decreed Unlawful
- When is a Contract a Contract?
- Limitation Period for Loans
Alex Smith
Partner
Head of Finance & Operations
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 309asmith@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Alex joined Buss Murton in 2007 as a Business Analyst having previously worked in the shipping industry. Thereafter he headed up Buss Murton’s IT and Management Information Team, then became Financial Controller in 2013, and was appointed as the firm’s Practice Manager in June 2015. In June 2016, following the firm’s move to an Alternative Business Structure, Alex was appointed the firm’s first non-lawyer Equity Partner.
Alex oversees all aspects of finance & operations at Buss Murton and acts as the firm’s Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA).
Kristy Underwood
Partner
Chartered Legal Executive Advocate
Employment
Family and Divorce
Private Client
Office : East Grinstead
01892 502 312kunderwood@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Kristy joined Buss Murton as an Associate in November 2015. She has over 25 years’ experience in family, general civil litigation, criminal, Wills & probate and financial planning areas of law.
In 2003 Kristy was admitted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and in 2008 she became one of the first six Legal Executives in the country to obtain higher rights of audience as a Chartered Legal Executive Advocate in Family Proceedings. She undertakes the majority of her own advocacy.
Since 2001, Kristy has been a full Member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors’ Family Law Association) and adheres fully to their Code of Practice attempting to achieve a fair and amicable settlement.
Kristy specialises in all areas of family law, wills and probate and employment law.
Expertise
Employment
Settlement Agreements
Family
Divorce and civil partnership
Co-habitation and Separation Agreements
Arrangements for children on divorce and separation
Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA)
Special Guardianship Orders
Financial arrangements on divorce and separation
Declaration of Trusts
Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
Removal from the jurisdiction
Change of Name
Independent legal advice
Enforcement
Private Client
Wills
Probate and estate administration
Lifetime planning
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Declaration of Trusts
Alternative Contact:
Shivangini Pithadia
01892 502 340
spithadia@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
Memberships
- Resolution (the national organisation of family lawyers)
Edward Walter
Partner
Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 320ewalter@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Edward is a Partner in the Private Client Department. He started practising Private Client Law in 2000, initially as a solicitor in a well-known firm in Tonbridge and thereafter with several well-known East Sussex firms before joining Buss Murton in July 2014. Edward became a Partner in 2015.
He advises and acts on all aspects of Inheritance tax planning and Capital Gains tax planning. He also acts in Probate administration matters and post death Variations for Inheritance tax and Capital Gains tax purposes. He also regularly advises clients regarding the making of their Wills, Powers of Attorney, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Declarations of Trust with respect to client’s properties.
He undertakes the full range of advice and work with respect to Trusts and advises on associated tax implications of those actions. He also advises generally on (tax) domicile and residence issues.
He regularly advises and acts on the registration of Lasting and Enduring Powers of Attorney, the making of Statutory Wills and gift applications at the Court of Protection.
Expertise
Inheritance Tax Planning
Capital Gains Tax Planning
Wills
Probate and estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Declarations of Trust
Court of Protection
Estate Planning
Taxation advice
Succession strategies
Residence and domicile matters
Trusts
Alternative Contact:
Ellie White
01892 502 391
white@bussmurton.co.uk
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- The Dangers of DIY & Online Wills
- Who should benefit when you die?
- Inheritance Tax proposals and the impact upon “Bank of Mum and Dad” and first time buyers
- What to do when a person dies
- Government scraps planned increase in probate fees
- Falling house prices and lnheritance Tax
- HMRC investigates well over 20% of all taxable estates
- Inheritance tax – what the future may hold…
- I have received an inheritance which I do not wish to keep. What can I do?
- Latest News on Social Care Cost Funding
Gail Anthony
Licensed Conveyancer
Residential Property
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 303ganthony@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Gail is a Licensed Conveyancer in the Residential Property Department. She acts for clients in all areas of residential conveyancing and specialises in dealing with purchases through the Government Help to Buy Schemes for clients. Other areas which Gail has experience in are equity release schemes, transfers of equity, lease extensions and remortgage transactions.
Gail joined Buss Murton in July 2014 having previously worked at another Kent firm for 12 years where she worked her way from a Secretary to a Conveyancing Assistant. In January 2012, she began studying to become a Licensed Conveyancer and qualified in September 2015.
Expertise
Sale and Purchase of Freehold and Leasehold properties
Shared ownership schemes
Government Help to Buy Scheme
Equity release schemes
Transfers of equity
Lease extensions
Mortgages and remortgages
All non-contentious residential property work
Alternative Contact:
Paula Craske
01892 502 337
pcraske@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
Memberships
- Council for Licensed Conveyancers
Laura Chapman
Paralegal
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 356lchapman@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Laura graduated from the University of Bristol with a law degree in 2011 and went on to complete the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London. During her academic studies Laura was a student member of the University of Bristol Pro Bono Law Clinic and volunteered at the College of Law with their LawWorks Mediation Scheme.
Following her legal studies, Laura gained experience as a paralegal at a family law firm in East Sussex. She then moved to another Kent law firm and worked as a probate legal secretary before being promoted to a legal assistant within the department. Laura joined Buss Murton in November 2015 and is a member of the Private Client team.
Expertise
Court of Protection
Probate and estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Alternative Contact:
Ellie White
01892 502 391
ewhite@bussmurton.co.uk
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
For the bulk of his career Alex has specialised in Estate Planning work for families, individuals, trustees and owner-managed businesses. This includes advice on taxation (mainly capital taxes such as IHT and CGT,) succession strategies, residence and domicile matters, Wills and Trusts.
Alex has a specialty in law for charities, advising many, both large and small, on their constitutional affairs, taxation and general commercial contracts. It helps that Alex has been the Chairman of a Hospice and is trustee of three other charities and has therefore hands-on experience of the issues that charities face day-to-day.
Alex has many years’ experience representing individuals who have lost the capacity to make decisions concerning their personal and financial affairs. He has been appointed by the Court of Protection to be Deputy (formerly Receiver) to a wide range of individuals in that role. Alex qualified in 1973 and after 18 years as a Partner in a provincial firm in Sussex, moved to London to join Campbell Hooper in Westminster. There he was a Partner and Head of the Private Client Department, a post he held for 10 years.
Expertise
Private Client
Estate Planning
Taxation advice
Succession strategies
Residence and domicile matters
Wills
Trusts
Charities
Constitutional affairs
Alternative Contact:
Ellie White
01892 502 391
ewhite@bussmurton.co.uk
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Memberships
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
Rebecca Daniels
Trainee Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 368rdaniels@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Rebecca is a trainee solicitor currently in the Private Client department.
Rebecca graduated from the University of Sussex in 2015 with an LLB degree in Law with Spanish. As part of this degree, Rebecca spent a year at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid studying EU law and becoming fluent in Spanish. She then spent a year and a half working as a paralegal in a Family Law firm, where she also started to study the LPC part time at BPP law school. After taking a year out to go to the Netherlands and obtain an LLM in Public International Law with a specialisation in Human Rights from Utrecht University, Rebecca returned to the UK to finish the LPC and completed it in October 2019.
Rebecca began her training contract in November 2019.
Lora Grogan
Associate
Family and Divorce
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 333lgrogan@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Lora has been part of the Buss Murton family team since 2001. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and qualified with distinction in Family Law and Practice.
Lora has wide experience in all areas of family law and predominantly advises clients who are divorcing or separating and who need to resolve issues relating to finances and children. Lora particularly specialises in complex residence and contact cases, including cases in which one parent wishes to take children to live in a different country.
Lora also works closely with Melanie den Brinker who is head of the family team to provide an expert and cost sensitive approach to matters involving complex and high net value financial cases.
Expertise
Divorce and civil partnership
Arrangements for children on divorce and separation
Financial arrangements on divorce and separation
Co-habitation and Separation Agreements
Removal from the jurisdiction
Change of Name
Alternative Contact:
Louise Huxstep
01892 502 338
lhuxstep@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- “I do”…until I don’t!
- Celebrity Divorces
- What is a Collaborative Divorce?
- Divorce law – welcome to the 21st century
- Online divorce applications but what about the financial settlement?
- Divorce Mythbusters
- 5 Tips for a cheaper divorce
- Does divorce inevitably mean war? The simple answer is no!
- Cohabitation Awareness
- Don’t Ignore Pensions on Divorce
Katie Holland
Associate Solicitor
Dispute Resolution
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 359kholland@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Katie joined Buss Murton in May 2019. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2006.
Katie deals with a broad range of contentious matters involving both individual and corporate clients. She also has extensive experience in regulatory professional discipline.
Katie has experience of dealing with breach of contract disputes, professional negligence claims and debt recovery.
She also has experience in advising both landlords and tenants in property disputes involving both commercial and residential properties. Katie is able to advise clients in respect of contested lease extensions and collective enfranchisement.
She also advises on disputes involving land including boundary disputes and adverse possession claims.
Katie has been responsible for investigating and preparing professional discipline cases on behalf of the largest global accountancy regulator. She is able to advise individuals in relation to their regulatory obligations in the wider context. Her experience extends through the initial investigatory stages, interim order, substantive hearings and appeals.
Alternative Contact:
Bethan Sutch
01892 502 369
bsutch@bussmurton.co.uk
Articles
- How to Deal with a Commercial Tenant Who Hasn’t Paid Their Rent
- Covid-19 and the Commercial Landlord
Memberships
- Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
- Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & District Law Society
Profile
Lucy advises on all aspects of private client work including Wills, probate and lasting powers of attorney. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2007 having completed her training at a local Sussex firm. Lucy subsequently worked “in house” for Lloyds Bank as an estates administrator and also within their legal team advising on technical issues relating to Wills, probate and trusts. Lucy joined Buss Murton in 2014.
Lucy also dealt with the contentious side of private client where claims arose from negligent Will drafting, questions of capacity of the testator when executing their Will or inadequate provisions being made for dependents within valid Wills.
Expertise
Wills
Probate and estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Court of Protection
Alternative Contact:
Ellie White
01892 502 391
ewhite@bussmurton.co.uk
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
Amanda Jardine-Viner
Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 348ajardine-viner@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Amanda is a Solicitor and Department Manager of the Private Client Department at our Tunbridge Wells office.
Amanda advises on all aspects of Private Client work, including Wills, Trusts and non-contentious Probate. She also specialises in Lasting Power of Attorney for both Property & Financial Affairs, Health & Welfare and Advance Directives as well as Court of Protection applications ( including Deputyships, Statutory Wills and Replacement Property Trustees).
Amanda studied for the LLM Qualifying Law Degree at Birkbeck College, university of London, achieving a Distinction and taking the prize for Highest Achieving Graduate. Amanda then completed the Legal Practice Course and the MSC in Law and Business at University of Law, Moorgate, for both of which she achieved a Distinction.
Prior to her legal career, Amanda completed a degree in English Literature at University of Reading. After completing her PGCE in secondary education, she taught English, most recently at Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School where she was Curriculum Leader.
Alternative Contact:
Ellie White
01892 502 391
ewhite@bussmurton.co.uk
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Michaela Lewer
Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 349mlewer@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Michaela is a solicitor in the Private Client Department at our Tunbridge Wells office. Michaela started practising as a fee earner in London in 2006 doing Wills and Powers of Attorney. She graduated with distinction in her GDL and LPC from BPP University College, and qualified as a solicitor in 2013 after successfully completing her training contract at a London firm and local Tunbridge Wells firm. Michaela subsequently worked for Richard Wilson Long Solicitors, McMillan Williams Solicitors, and Bishop Akers Solicitors before joining Buss Murton Law in 2021.
Michaela advises and acts on all aspects of private client work, including Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, estate administration, deeds of variation, declarations of trusts and inheritance tax planning.
Alternative Contact:
Ellie White
01892 502 391
ewhite@bussmurton.co.uk
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Matthew Lewins
Solicitor
Commercial Property
Company and Commercial
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 314mlewins@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Matt joined Buss Murton in 2016 as a Trainee Solicitor after completing his GDL at Oxford Brookes, where he achieved a Distinction and won the GDL Prize, and his LPC at the University of Law, Bristol where he also gained a Distinction. Prior to beginning his legal career, Matt taught English at a high school.
Matt qualified into the Commercial Department in October 2018 specialising in Company Commercial and Commercial Property matters.
Expertise
Company Commercial
Corporate and business acquisition and disposals
Debt financings
Corporate finance
Corporate governance through to employment
Commercial contracts
Intellectual property
IT
Data protection
Dispute resolution
Commercial Property
Acting for landlords and tenants in relation to commercial leasehold premises
Acting for developers acquiring, disposing or refinancing land and in relation to site assembly
Acting for banks, independent lenders and other financiers in relation to property financing
Sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold business premises
Advising both developers and land owners on option agreements
Georgina Maxa
Trainee Solicitor
Dispute Resolution
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 357gmaxa@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Georgina is a Trainee Solicitor who joined the firm in September 2020. She has completed her first seat with a mix of Residential Property and Family in our Cranbrook branch, and is now in the Dispute Resolution team in our Tunbridge Wells office.
Georgina completed a BA degree in Philosophy at the University of Reading. During this time, Georgina took part in various initiatives abroad, including a study abroad scheme with the University of Mississippi and building a school for earthquake victims in Nepal with the charity Childreach UK.
She completed a law conversion course via a Masters in Law at the University of Brighton, gaining a Distinction. Finally, Georgina completed her Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, Guildford in June 2020 gaining a Distinction.
Alexandra Miles
Solicitor
Family and Divorce
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 336amiles@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Alexandra is a Solicitor in the Family department who joined the firm in September 2019. Alexandra qualified as a Solicitor in October 2021.
Alexandra completed her Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP University, Holborn and achieved a Commendation. She then completed her Legal Practice Course, also at BPP, and achieved a Distinction.
Prior to this, Alexandra completed a BSc degree in Animal Behaviour at the University of Plymouth. Whilst studying for her legal qualifications she worked as a Team Assistant in the Finance and Corporate Property sectors.
Margaret Sculpher
Associate Solicitor
Solicitor
Family and Divorce
Office : Cranbrook
01892 502 354msculpher@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Margaret qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and so is extremely experienced, having practised since then as a family solicitor working in local firms. She joined Buss Murton’s Cranbrook office in May 2020. As a collaborative lawyer and member of Resolution, Margaret is fair and realistic in her approach and aims to resolve family matters in an amicable and constructive manner wherever possible. Margaret sits on the committee for Resolution Kent. She lives locally and is familiar with Cranbrook and the surrounding villages.
Margaret offers clients a 30 minute free initial meeting which will enable you to consider your options and the best approach for you without obligation – please feel free to contact Margaret or her secretary Rosalin Pook to discuss.
Expertise
Divorce and civil partnership
Arrangements for children on divorce and separation
Financial arrangements on divorce and separation
Co-habitation and Separation Agreements
Removal from the jurisdiction
Change of Name
Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
Claire Shireby
Associate Solicitor
Private Client
Residential Property
Office : Cranbrook
01892 502392cshireby@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Claire started her legal career with an LLB(Hons) from the London School of Economics after which she trained as a barrister and was called to the Bar in 1989 and joined Buss Murton in 2014. She retrained as a Solicitor in Cambridge subsequently returning to her original home in Kent where she has worked for practices in Kent, Sussex and the City of London.
Claire specialises in residential property work but also undertakes some non-contentious private client work, particularly the administration of estates.
Expertise
Residential Property
Sale and Purchase of Freehold and Leasehold properties
Unregistered land
Shared ownership schemes
Assured shorthold tenancy agreements
Deeds of variation
Mortgages and re-mortgages
Lease extension
All non-contentious residential property work
Private Client
Wills
Probate and estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Stephen Taylor
Solicitor
Commercial Property
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 343staylor@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Stephen joined Buss Murton in 2021 as a Solicitor in the Commercial Property Team. He completed his GDL and LPC at the University of Law, Guildford between 2007 and 2009 before completing his training contract with a large regional firm in West Sussex.
Prior to converting to a career in law, Stephen completed an Economic and Social History degree at the University of Leicester in 2004, following which he worked in the clinical trial industry in both data management and logistics roles.
Stephen deals with a broad range of commercial property work ranging from sales and purchases, landlord and tenant matters, secured lending and development work.
Expertise
Commercial Property
Acting for landlords and tenants in relation to commercial leasehold premises
Acting for developers acquiring, disposing or refinancing land
Acting for charities and housing associations in relation to transactional property work
Acting for self-invested pension schemes in disposal and acquisition of premises
Acting for banks, independent lenders and other financiers in relation to property financing
Sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold commercial premises
Advising both developers and land owners on option and promotion agreements
Dealing with first registration of properties at HM Land Registry
Pia Unwin
Licensed Conveyancer
Residential Property
Office : Cranbrook
01892 502 398punwin@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Pia has over 15 years conveyancing experience starting as a trainee legal executive and qualifying as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2017.
Pia deals with all aspects of residential conveyancing including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases of registered and unregistered property, sales of part, newbuild purchases, transfers of equity, remortgages, shared ownership and help to buy schemes.
Expertise
Residential Property
Sales and Purchases of Freehold and Leasehold properties
Unregistered Land
Newbuild Purchases
Shared Ownership sales and purchases
Declarations of Trust
Transfers of Equity
Help to Buy Scheme
Mortgages and Re-Mortgages
Deeds of Variation
Karen White
Associate Solicitor
Residential Property
Office : East Grinstead
01892 502 308kwhite@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Karen is a solicitor in the Property department and qualified in 2000, working in Residential Property since that time. Karen has worked in firms in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, before coming back to her Sussex roots in 2020. Karen joined Buss Murton in July 2021 and will be working at our East Grinstead branch.
Karen has many years’ experience advising in all areas of residential property work including freehold and leasehold property, unregistered land, equity release advice, shared ownership, transfers of equity, leasehold enfranchisement (agreed only) and the Help to Buy scheme.
Expertise
Residential Property
Sale AND purchase of Freehold and Leasehold properties
Unregistered Land
Equity Release
Shared Ownership schemes
Transfers of Equity
Remortgages
Help to Buy purchases
Agreed (not statutory)
Lease extensions
Alan Williams
Consultant Solicitor
Company and Commercial
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 510 222awilliams@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Alan trained and spent the early years of his career with international firm Bird & Bird. Subsequently he worked as an in-house lawyer in industry, spent some years as managing director of a group of management training companies, and founded his own law firm. With that background, he has acquired a wide range of commercial experience and awareness, and is well placed to view matters from a client’s perspective.
He joined Buss Murton as senior partner in 2007, and advises on corporate and commercial matters including shareholder arrangements, corporate governance, venture capital transactions, company acquisitions, joint ventures and share options, and on partnership and commercial agreements generally. He holds the Corporate Finance qualification granted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and is a co-author of Succession Solutions Manual, published in 2006 by Wolters Kluwer.
Expertise
Corporate and business acquisition and disposals
Partnership and commercial agreements
Corporate governance
Commercial contracts
Joint ventures and share options
Shareholder arrangements
Sports Club constitutions
Venture capital transactions
Patricia Simpson
HR Manager
Human Resources
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 347psimpson@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Pat has worked within a legal environment for many years and qualified as an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in August 2006. She is based in Tunbridge Wells and manages the HR function for all of Buss Murton’s offices.
