By Location
By Service
Expert Team
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:
jmarshall@bussmurton.co.uk
01892 502 377
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- Stamp Duty Changes July 2020
- Final Call for Help to Buy ISAs
- Varying charges between solicitors on conveyancing quotes?
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).
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
- Nil Rate Band Allowance – Part 3
- Nil Rate Band Allowance – Part 2
- Nil Rate Band Allowance – Part 1
- Lifetime Trusts
- 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
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
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
Lucy Head
Associate Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 372lhead@bussmurton.co.uk
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 now concentrates on Probate work and deals with a wide range of cases from straight forward low value cases to more complex work such as estates with agricultural land or business assets.
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
Associate 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
Sarah Karam
Trainee Solicitor
Commercial Property
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 360skaram@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Sarah is a Trainee Solicitor who starts her first seat’s in Company and Commercial and Commercial Property in March 2022. She joined the firm in January 2022 as a Paralegal in our Tunbridge Wells office.
She previously worked in contentious and non-contentious areas of family law as a Legal Assistant, and as a document review Paralegal in a litigation specialist firm before joining Buss Murton.
Sarah graduated from Bournemouth University in 2020 in LLB Law. She subsequently went on to complete the Legal Practice Course and obtained a Masters of Law from the University of Law in 2021, achieving a Distinction.
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
Jonathan Manser
Associate Legal Executive
Dispute Resolution
Employment
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 359jmanser@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Jonathan graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2009 with an upper second-class bachelor’s degree in Law with business studies.
He qualified as a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of legal Executives in 2019 and was promoted to partner in his previous firm in August 2019, prior to joining Buss Murton in 2022 as an Associate.
Jonathan specialises in Dispute Resolution and has a wide range of experience including in landlord and tenant disputes, property disputes, planning issues, company and commercial, consumer law, employment issues, defamation and civil harassment claims.
Jonathan takes a pragmatic approach to litigation, ensuring that the most efficient and cost effective courses are pursued.
Georgina Maxa
Trainee Solicitor
Private Client
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 in Residential Property in our Cranbrook branch, then in Dispute Resolution and Family in our Tunbridge Wells office and has just started her seat within the Private Client team in April.
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.
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
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 347humanresources@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.
