Testimonials

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  Professor Lesley King

  As an author and contributor of countless books, a former member of the STEP committee, the Law Society’s Wills & Equity Committee and an honorary member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists, Lesley's experience within the Private Client sector makes her lectures informative, complete, and of interest to all those involved in Private Client matters.

  Private Client Updates

  Professional Development Consultant • University of Law

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  Paul Sams

  Paul Sams decided he wanted to be a solicitor at seven years old. Since then he has become an award-winning nationally recognised expert in the field of residential property having been asked to lecture other lawyers across the Country.

  Paul has also been invited to speak on more than one occasion for Housing Associations and the RICS as well as other groups to help to educate other lawyers. Paul also deals with residential development work from site acquisition through to plot sales.

  His niche areas of work include New Build property work, Equity Release mortgages and leasehold enfranchisement (all of which he has written a book about for the legal profession) but predominantly his work involves property developers.

  Residential Conveyancing

  Partner • Dutton Gregory Solicitors

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  Sarah Sams

  With over 20 years; experience in residential conveyancing, I have been specialising in shared ownership for the last 14 years. Having initially worked for a regional law firm, who acted for several registered providers, I have seen transactions from both sides and understand how the process works from a registered provider’s point of view as well.

  I have been asked to provide training to housing associations and also undertake training for other lawyers in this specialist area.

  Residential Conveyancing

  Partner • Dutton Gregory Solicitors

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  Adam Pipe

  Adam has been a barrister since 1999 and practices in all areas of immigration and asylum law. For many years Adam has been ranked by Chambers and Partners as one of the leading Immigration Law specialists in the Midlands. The 2015 edition stated, “He is a case law guru who is always very well prepared in front of the Tribunal.”

  Adam regularly speaks at conferences and seminars around the country providing updates upon the latest developments in the law as well as sharing the latest legal developments on social media. In 2016 Adam was part of the Bar Standards Board’s Public and Licensed Access Review – Task Completion Group.

  Adam is a Contributing Editor to Butterworths Immigration Law Service and a Contributing Author to Lexis PSL. Adam was shortlisted for Barrister of the year at the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards in both 2013, 2014 & 2019.

  Immigration Updates

  Barrister • No 8 Chambers

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  Richard Snape

  Richard has been the Head of Professional Support at Davitt Jones Bould since 2002. He speaks at numerous courses for law societies all over the country, various public courses, in-house seminars within solicitors’ firm and has also talked extensively to local authorities and central government bodies. His areas of specialism include both commercial and residential property, in particular in relation to local government law, conveyancing issues, development land, commercial property and incumbrances in relation to land.

  Residential Conveyancing and Commercial Property Updates

  Head of Legal Training • Davitt Jones Bould

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  Mark Shelton

  Mark Shelton is a freelance legal trainer, having practised in major commercial law firms for thirty years. He qualified with Linklaters and has always specialised in property litigation. Mark was a Partner at Lawrence Graham, and has acted for major property investors, financial institutions and leading retailers. He was a Professional Support Lawyer for a number of years, most recently at Eversheds Sutherland LLP, working with the UK’s largest specialist real estate litigation team.

  Commercial Property Updates

  Commercial Property Management Law Trainer • CPM Law Training Ltd

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  Helen Forster

  Helen is the managing director of her law firm, HTF Legal, based in Yorkshire, She is a solicitor and trusts and estates practitioner and has spent over 14 years working in the private client sector. Over the years she has received numerous awards including the category of rising star in England and Wales in the Modern Law Awards in 2016, where she came second. More recently her firm has won “ inheritance firm of the year Yorkshire” in 2023. Her particular specialisms include tax planning and mental capacity work, and in addition she provides training and seminars around the country on the subject.

  Private Client and Court of Protection Updates

  Managing Director • HTF Legal Limited

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  Ruth Kirby KC

  Ruth has a primarily children law practice but also works in sports law and the Court of Protection. In her children work, she deals with all aspects of private and public law, including using wardship and the Inherent Jurisdiction cases. She has particular experience in representing high profile families and of avoiding going to court where possible. Ruth has been a qualified mediator for 20 years and an arbitrator for 3. She is dual-qualified and acts as an expert witness in Irish and European family law cases. She has rights of audience before the Irish courts. Ruth has lectured for many years including for Middle Temple, the Counter Terrorism Unit at the Met Police (SO15), the FLBA and the Irish Judicial College.

  Family Law Updates

  Barrister • 4pb

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  Catherine Wood KC CIArb

  Catherine is one of the country’s leading barristers in the field of private children cases. She is instructed in complex disputes between parents often involving relocation (both international and domestic), allegations of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and alienating behaviours. Catherine is an Arbitrator and a part time judge.
  

  Family Law Updates

  Barrister • 4pb