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Property investment firm shut down after stealing £2.85 million of investors’ money

A property investment firm has been wound up after misappropriating at least £2.85 million of investors’ money, it has been …

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TUI to refund thousands of customers after CMA intervention

Tourism operator TUI has today announced that it will refund tens of thousands of customers whose holidays were cancelled as …

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Investment group wound up after cheating investors out of £525,000

A bogus investment group has been wound up in the High Court after defrauding investors of at least £525,000, it …

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Intellectual Property: IPO extends interrupted days provision

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) had today updated its guidance for trade mark applications and obligations in respect of continued …

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Government launches investigation into unregulated investment firm London Capital & Finance

The Government has launched an investigation into both the investment firm London Capital & Finance (LCF) and finance watchdog the …

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Cadbury loses trademark on purple chocolate packaging

Just when we have learned that McDonalds’ EU mark was successfully attacked by Supermac’s, a smaller fast-food firm in Ireland, …

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Siblings win acrimonious High Court battle

Two brothers who own a property development empire have won a high-profile High Court battle. Nick and Christian Candy had …

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B&M accused of copying mum’s festive-themed product

A businesswoman is looking to launch legal action against a major retailer, which she has accused of copying a festive …

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Two of our Partners recommended by leading legal guide

Two Partners at Carter Lemon Camerons are celebrating after receiving recommendations from one of the legal profession’s most respected directories. …

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Judge rules in dispute

A businessman has won a High Court battle relating to a £15million deal he was alleged to have struck in …

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Meet the team

Alexandra Grigorian

Alexandra Grigorian

Team Assistant - Litigation

Alexandra is a Team Assistant in the litigation department at Carter Lemon Camerons. She assists solicitors with their cases, including drafting responses to clients, preparing bundles for court hearings, mediation and arbitration and supporting clients throughout the litigation process.

Before joining the firm, Alexandra worked at a Mayfair based private equity firm supporting the partners and investment team and managing the firm’s investment pipeline.

Prior to joining Carter Lemon Camerons, she gained an LLB (with hons) in Law at the University of Kent.

Outside of work, Alexandra can be found performing live music in London, playing a variety of sports and collecting records.

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020 7406 1000 - AlexandraGrigorian@cartercamerons.com

Partner - Employment

Andrew Firman is a partner in our corporate & commercial team. His corporate practice concentrates on buying and selling mainly owner-managed SMEs and associated advice on contractual and banking documentation work. His employment practice covers all aspects of contentious and non-contentious work for both employers and employees. His charity practice majors on compliance and amalgamation matters.

Transactions

In his work, Andrew looks for proactive and pragmatic solutions derived from a proper understanding of the client’s perspective and against the background of the commercial constraints.

Career highlights include

running a David v Goliath style battle for a former employee of a US based bank related to the late vesting of share options following that employee’s termination at a time when the US markets were in freefall
negotiating, finalising and drawing down for an off-shore SPV borrower at £310M facility to buy a group of companies which owned, as an investment, the London HQ of a multinational corporation
reaching settlement terms on a long running shareholders’ dispute concerning a company running a niche members’ gym in a close knit area of London

More recently, Andrew has advised upon

the purchase of owner-managed companies across a number of different sectors by a leading SME investor, incentivising existing management via equity and loan note positions in the purchasing entity
sale by owner managers of a London based estate agency business with multiple sites, whilst preserving the sellers’ ability to continue business activity in the sector
sale of SPV off shore companies holding UK property assets
multi facility refinancing of a major UK specialist facilities maintenance company with asset based receivables, property, cashflow and recovery loan scheme elements
the negotiation and documentation of departure terms for the CEO pioneer of a cutting edge national charity
the position of a charity trustee in connection with disqualification proceedings and interim manager appointment by the Charity Commission in respect of two charitable trusts

Andrew has over the years enjoyed advising many owner-managed SMEs on the range of their needs for commercial, employment and dispute related legal advice, something for which the firm has received increasing recognition through awards, repeat and new business which in turn goes to the depth of the relationships the firm has with its clients and its target market in terms of size of business clients.

Andrew was educated at Nailsea School and holds degrees in law from Manchester and Leicester Universities. He qualified as a solicitor in 1995. He is a co-author of a Practical Guide to Drone Law.

Away from the office Andrew, married to a local GP and of occasional use to his three children, enjoys running and cycling and being involved in various ways in his local church and the fantastic community that is SE24.

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020 7406 1000 - AndrewFirman@cartercamerons.com

Paralegal - Property

Becky joined CLC in December 2017 as a Team Assistant in the firm’s Property department, supporting the team with both residential and commercial property matters. In October 2018, Becky became a paralegal at the firm, specialising in residential property and secured lending transactions.

Becky has gained experience in varied areas of residential conveyancing and secured lending and is able to run residential sales, purchases, transfers of equity, financing, and refinancing. Becky has also worked on the property side of corporate transactions (acquisitions and disposals of SPV companies) as well as de-enveloping of properties on behalf of overseas corporate clients and assists in commercial property transactions. She has travelled to Asia a number of times to see clients and contacts face to face and is highly regarded by clients from SE Asia and the Arabian Gulf.

Having completed her Graduate Diploma in Law in 2016, she is currently studying towards her Solicitors Qualifying Examination, with the aim of becoming a qualified solicitor with a passion for property work and property related advice and projects.

In her free time, Becky enjoys going to the gym and reading.

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020 7406 1000 - BeckySmith@cartercamerons.com

Paralegal - Immigration, Company Commercial

Carmen is a paralegal with over 7 years’ experience in immigration. Her calm and efficient manner ensures matters are dealt with as quickly and cost effectively for clients as possible.

Carmen provides general support to fee earners and Partners within Company Commercial and Immigration teams. She assists in the day-to-day functions of the Immigration team including all aspects of casework and assisting in the preparation of applications. Under direct supervision, Carmen acts as a caseworker on straightforward cases, and supports solicitors in more complex matters. She reviews client queries and drafts responses for review by solicitors and prepares documentation for application under a wide range of visa routes with great skill. As part of the Company Commercial team, she has reviewed share purchase agreements, drafted escrow agreements, prepared bundles for mediation and recently attended a successful mediation meeting over a contract dispute.

She holds degrees in Airline and Airport Management (First-Class Honours), and International Politics and Economics (2:1).

Outside of work, Carmen plays the piano, enjoys trying new activities (the latest being paddle boarding) and is an active church member.

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020 7406 1000 - CarmenLoke@cartercamerons.com

Partner - Commercial Property

Chris Picardo is a partner in the Commercial Property team specialising in transactional property work and property management advice. Chris advises investors, developers, business occupiers and individuals on a variety of commercial property transactions including acquisitions, disposals, property finance, the negotiation of business leases and portfolio management. Chris is regarded by a number of clients as a member of their team. He adds value for those clients by retaining a knowledge of and an interest in their portfolio of investments, and their business needs, so that he can efficiently see ways to get results for them.

Recent projects include:

acting for the buyer on the purchase of a chemical plant in North London, with involvement from the initial bidding process until occupation of the site, working throughout with the client’s environmental consultants
leading the commercial property due diligence on the disposal of the shares in a group of investment and development companies owning in excess of £30m of office, retail and industrial property
the sale of London industrial premises to a global drinks manufacturer
representing a leading global shipbroker on the relocation of its London headquarters
acting for a City of London investment management company on its exit strategy from leasehold premises and its acquisition of more than 23,000 sq ft of leasehold premises in Bishopsgate

More…

Chris graduated in Law from the University of Reading and studied the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Guildford.

Chris was admitted as a solicitor in 1999 and joined Carter Lemon working in the Commercial Property team.

In his free time Chris enjoys travel abroad (more recent destinations including Peru, Chile, Argentina, San Francisco and the South of France), reading, running and spending time with his family.

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020 7406 1000 - ChrisPicardo@cartercamerons.com

Dominic Geodjenian

Dominic Geodjenian

Consultant - Family Mediation Dispute Resolution Criminal

Dominic Geodjenian is a seasoned lawyer and mediator. He has experience in divorce and private law proceedings, including applications for financial claims upon divorce or child arrangements orders. He is a trained Higher Rights Advocate, and conducts his own advocacy within proceedings. His longstanding client following is testimony to his outstanding, conscientious practice.

Dominic is also a qualified Mediator, having over 15 years experience in negotiation and dispute resolution. He was recently published in ‘Negotiateur’, a book by renowned crisis negotiators as an expert in the field. His strength is in problem solving and understanding the ‘bigger picture’. He prides himself on his client-focus and ability to provide clear and measured advice.

Dominic originally qualified as a criminal lawyer and has experience dealing with high profile cases, including serious violence, complex conspiracy and fraud matters. He also has experience in extradition, contesting international arrest warrants.

In his practice, Dominic covers:

Family

Divorce Financial settlements
Applications for Child Arrangements and Prohibited Steps Order
Domestic Abuse, Non Molestation Orders and Occupation Order
Investigating hidden assets
Enforcement of Orders
Spousal maintenance
Financial claims after a Foreign Divorce
Child Arrangements, Parental Responsibility
International relocation and foreign travel
Child Abduction and Custody disputes
Wardship
Grandparents rights and Step-parent applications
Special Guardianship
Care Proceedings
Pre and Post-nuptial agreements

Mediation & Dispute Resolution

Family mediation
Information Assessment Meetings (MIAM’s)
Civil mediation
Independent neutral negotiation

Crime

Business Crime
Criminal Fraud
Money Laundering
Tax investigations & Prosecutions
Confiscation
Extradition
Employee Fraud
Serious Violence
Sexual Offences
Public Order offences
Dishonesty Offences
Drug Offences
Driving Offences

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020 7406 1000 - DominicGeodjenian@cartercamerons.com

Partner - Commercial Property

Eleri Jones is a partner in the Commercial Property department at Carter Lemon Camerons, having joined in December 2019 from another City-based law firm.

She specialises in commercial property matters relating to the charity sector in addition to acting for a full range of commercial clients.

Eleri is experienced in acting in the sale and purchase of commercial and residential property, Development Agreements, Commercial Lease renewals and Licences, as well as advising on compliance with the Charities Act, charity governance documentation, the transfer of properties to CIO and the development and disposal of school land.

Amongst her notable cases, she negotiated and drafted a development agreement for a large residential development with leaseback to the freeholder, including provision of development by the purchaser and provision for overage. Eleri also acted on a large-scale financial restructuring of a care home business.

Eleri qualified as a solicitor in 1993.

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020 7406 1000 - elerijones@cartercamerons.com

Partner - Litigation

The Legal 500: Recommended lawyer 2020 Graham is a Partner in the litigation team and has specialised in professional negligence claims for over 20 years. He trained at Trowers & Hamlins, qualifying in 1992.

His recent successful cases include over 30 professional negligence claims arising out of an elaborate mortgage fraud, recovering over £5million on behalf of borrower/purchaser clients who have been defrauded into buying substantially overvalued “buy to let” properties.

He has also acted for a group of investors who had purchased properties ‘off plan’ in the Philippines that were either not built or were sold twice. In this case the investors brought successful claims against the negligent solicitors who failed to ensure that the purchase contracts were backed with the promised performance bonds that should have protected the buyers from default by the developer.

He has also acted in various other professional negligence matters, relating to solicitors, barristers, valuers/surveyors, accountants, financial advisors, banks and insurance brokers.

Graham takes pride in providing clear, concise and practical advice and is regularly contacted to offer expert comment on media reports relating to professional negligence and property.

He is on the register maintained by the London Solicitors Litigation Association of solicitors with experience of supervising and executing civil search orders.

Transactions:

Reported cases and cases of interest include:

Laib v Aravindan [2003] EWHC 2521 QBD, The Times [13/11/2003] – Claim against solicitors for loss of chance to pursue a negligence claim against a mortgage lender involving complex issues relating to limitation.
Vinayak v Lovegrove & Eliot [2007] EWHC 9009 – Claim against solicitors arising out of failure to advise that break clauses in leases could only be exercised by original lessee. Court held that losing solicitors could not compel disclosure of conditional fee arrangement.
Tavistock Repertory Guarantors Ltd v Gregory Rowcliffe Milners HQ02X2325 – Claim against solicitors who lost client the right to renew lease of theatre premises resulting in agreed damages of £2,020,000. This is believed to be possibly the highest sum ever recovered from a solicitor who has acted “pro bono.”
Ayton v RSM Bentley Jennison [2014] QBD Lawtel – Held defendant in fraud and negligence claim not entitled to rely on defence of tender before claim (action), which is a defence still only available in liquidated claims.

Memberships:

Professional Negligence Lawyers Association

Leisure:

Shooting, badminton, skiing and motorcycling.

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020 7406 1000 - GrahamBalchin@cartercamerons.com

Solicitor - Private Client

Hannah qualified as a Solicitor into the Private Client Team in March 2022, having joined Carter Lemon Camerons LLP as a Trainee Solicitor in March 2020.

Hannah has a large and varied caseload of Private Client work including the following:

Drafting Wills and Codicils for national and international clients
Reviewing Wills
Probate and Estate Administration of estates large and small, complex and straightforward
Resealing Foreign Grants of Probate
Trusts
Estate and Tax Planning
Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection applications
Contested Wills
Applications under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 both claimant and defendant

Hannah also deals with related residential property matters.

Hannah’s recent work includes resealing a foreign grant of probate from Malaysia and obtaining probate for a Deceased domiciled in Brazil, and administering an estate with complex trust assets.

Prior to joining Carter Lemon Camerons LLP, she gained an LLB in Law at the University of Exeter and an LPC/LLM at the University of Law, Guildford.

Following that, she spent a year working as a property paralegal at a large regional firm.

Away from the office, Hannah enjoys spending time with friends and family and trying new restaurants.

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020 7406 1000 - HannahStorey@cartercamerons.com

Partner - Private Client

Ian West is a partner in the Private Client team. He deals with a wide range of matters including commercial and residential conveyancing, will drafting, trusts and probate and powers of attorney.

Private Client Matters

As well as obtaining grants of probate for UK estates, Ian has assisted personal representatives of foreign estates in resealing foreign grants to administer UK assets held by a deceased domiciled outside the UK. He has dealt with resealing foreign grants in jurisdictions as diverse as Holland and Iran. He has also advised on domicile in respect of deceased’s estates and regularly deals with the UK estates of persons who have died domiciled outside the United Kingdom.

Property Transactions

Recent property transactions include:-

Acting for clients on a lifetime mortgage as part of an inheritance tax strategy.
Acting on behalf of a landowner in connection with the grant of an option for a lease for use of the land for battery storage.
Acting on behalf of a landowner in connection with the sale of land for use as an electricity sub-station in connection with a wind farm project and grant of options for related easements.
Acting for both landlords and tenants in respect of statutory claims for extension leases of flats.

More…

Ian was educated at Brentwood School Essex, Manchester University and the College of Law London. He qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and joined Metson Cross in 1982 becoming a partner in 1990.

Ian is married with two children.

As former Honorary Secretary of the Society of Old Brentwoods, Ian takes a keen interest in the affairs of the School and in various events and functions organised by the Society. He is also a keen follower of football and has an interest in classic cars. Ian is a member of the Mini Cooper Register. Ian has also been learning to play the guitar (for over 45 years!).

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020 7406 1000 - IanWest@cartercamerons.com

Office Manager - Administration

Janet joined the firm in 1983 (then known as George Carter & Co, the firm which after many mergers and an LLP conversion is now Carter Lemon Camerons LLP).

Working her way up through the firm and learning on the job, Janet has gained a strong background in administration and practice management.

Janet manages the day to day running of the office and provides management support to the partners in areas such as risk management, compliance, accreditations, IT and recruitment.

Outside of work, Janet enjoys decorating and gardening.

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020 7406 1000 - info@cartercamerons.com

Jarmila Entezari

Jarmila Entezari

Senior Associate - Immigration

Jarmila’s extensive and well-rounded experience in both corporate and private immigration enables her to advise and assist clients efficiently. Her detailed knowledge of the Home Office policies and her professional manner is a great benefit to clients with tight deadlines.

Her experience also includes applications for the review of public authority decisions by the court, that enable such decisions to be challenged on the grounds of illegality, irrationality and unfairness. Jarmila understands the particulars of bringing or defending a claim. She works with clients from the start to identify the core issues and gain an understanding of the key concerns, which allow her to deliver focused and clear advice. Jarmila works with her clients from the beginning and throughout the preparation to ensure the clients’ actions are lawful, or where a potential dispute arises she assists with a principled, measured and robust defence.

Jarmila receives instructions to prepare appeals to First tier and Upper Tribunals of the Immigration and Asylum Chambers and has been involved in judicial review applications at the High Court.

Jarmila assists clients on HR issues and all aspects of employment law including: employment rights; discrimination, victimisation and whistleblowing; termination of employment and settlement agreements; redundancies and restructures; TUPE; employment policies and employment contracts; HR process, including disciplinaries and grievances.

She has strong links in the Slovak community and cooperates with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in advising corporate and private clients about sponsoring workers as well as family visas and status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Jarmila has had articles published in the Employment Law Journal and Law Gazette for Westminster and Holborn.

She is a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association.

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020 7406 1000 - JarmilaEntezari@cartercamerons.com

Trainee Solicitor - Private Client

Joel worked as a Paralegal at a Guildford-based law firm for two years prior to joining the firm.

Joel joined Carter Lemon Camerons LLP as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2021 initially in the Litigation department. He is now working within the Private Client department supporting solicitors with their matters and assisting clients with their queries.

When not at work, Joel can often be found cycling, playing a variety of sports and collecting comic books.

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020 7406 1000 - JoelWish@cartercamerons.com

Kate Boguslawska

Kate Boguslawska

Partner - Corporate

The Legal 500: Recommended lawyer 2020 Katarzyna (Kate) Boguslawska qualified as a solicitor in 2006 and is a Partner in our corporate and commercial department.

Kate’s clients range from start-up owners through to SMEs and some global main-players who need advice on business-related matters. These range from advice on employment and company matters to contract drafting and disputes. Kate understands her clients, their needs and goals. Her clients often praise her pragmatic approach and tailored practical advice.

Employment

In her employment practice Kate:

drafts contracts, handbooks and company policies
provides regular Employment/HR Advice
negotiates contracts
drafts and negotiate settlement agreements
helps to navigate through TUPE, restructure and redundancies
advises and represents in claims for unfair dismissal, discrimination, breach of contract, unlawful deduction from wages, etc
advises on injunctive relief and restrictive covenants

Notable employment work included:

advising a well-known English designer in company restructure and redundancies;
advising employers and high net worth individuals on settlement agreements and severance packages;
regular HR advice to a number of company clients;
advising media company on contracts and issues relating to confidentiality, IP and restrictive covenants;
representing high earning claimants in ‘Stress at Work’ personal injury matters.

Commercial

In her commercial and company practice Kate:

advises on suitable business entities and company formation;
advises on company and directors’ duties;
drafts necessary company documents including amended articles and resolutions;
drafts and negotiates contracts and shareholders’ agreements;
advises on shareholders disputes.

Notable commercial work included:

advising and representing foreign companies establishing business in the UK;
advising companies on matters involving directors’ duties and shareholders’ disputes;
advising a Polish PLC on contract matters and negotiating on its behalf with an English PLC;
representing an international cosmetics company in injunctive relief and restraint of trade matters;
representing hauliers in representations against Border Force and HMRC in excise duty matters;
advising EU nationals on immigration issues, residency and citizenship applications in the UK.

More…

Kate has strong links in the Polish community and is recommended by the Polish Embassy in London, having co-written a Guide for Polish Investors in the UK that was published by the Embassy. She has a broad network of international connections and has been instructed by law firms in Poland to assist their clients in matters involving English jurisdiction.

Listen to Kate’s podcast

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020 7406 1000 - katarzynaboguslawska@cartercamerons.com

Leesa Glenwright

Leesa Glenwright

Associate - Property

Leesa joined our Property Department as an Associate in March 2019. Her interest in the Law and in particular conveyancing began over 20 years ago while working at a southeast London firm. She then moved onto a firm in Lincoln’s Inn where she qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2009 before joining a firm in Westminster acting for UK and overseas high net worth individuals and developers.

Leesa has gained a wealth of experience in all areas of residential conveyancing and secured lending with a particular emphasis on UK and non-UK based individuals and new build/redevelopment sites both within central London and across the Country.

Leesa has worked with large and small scale developers both from the UK and overseas providing a top and tail service from the acquisition of sites through to the plot sales on sites from 1-120 units.

Outside of work Leesa enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and cooking.

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020 7406 1000 - LeesaGlenwright@cartercamerons.com

Partner - Commercial Dispute Resolution

The Legal 500: Recommended lawyer 2020 Lisa Ginesi is a partner in our commercial litigation and dispute resolution team. Her practice covers a wide range of commercial disputes and predominantly relates to all forms of property disputes. The clients Lisa acts for range from large corporate property developers and investors to private property owning individuals.

Lisa regularly advises on a wide variety of issues affecting both residential and commercial properties and an extensive range of contractual disputes. Lisa has particular expertise in landlord and tenant disputes, the 1954 Act, dilapidation issues, nuisance claims; boundary disputes, possession claims, construction and development contracts, party wall disputes, trespasser proceedings and all aspects of enfranchisement.

In every case, Lisa actively looks for ways to reach practical and cost-effective solutions, whether that is through negotiation, court proceedings, self-help remedies or alternative dispute resolution. She works with her clients as part of a team, often alongside surveyors, engineers and a variety of other experts.

Recent Transactions include;

Successfully appealing against two Party Wall Awards and securing costs for our client in a case relating to a substantial development in Shoreditch.
Acting for a corporate property developer in a dispute to enforce the terms of a sale and construction agreement, to enable our client to complete their development and sell a number of flats.
Acting for a sole trader tenant, of a commercial shop in Great Russell Street in a claim against his landlord for unreasonably delaying and withholding consent to an assignment of his lease.
Acting for a residential property developer who intended to carry out underpinning works and was served with an injunction obtained by the Council to stop works for alleged breach of planning regulations and starting excavation for basement works.
Advising on a complex lease renewal of commercial premises under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, involving; disputed terms for a new lease; unauthorised sub-lettings and breach of planning legislation.
Advising a client who owns the freehold of a large residential block of flats in London in relation to a number of applications to extend leases under the 1993 Act, including dealing with applications to the First Tier Tribunal. Conversely, advising a number of tenants, in a different block of flats, on their rights to extend their leases.
Advising on a range of enfranchisement issues, including lease extensions and purchases of freeholds under the 1993 and 1967 Acts, and rights of first refusal under the 1987 Act.
Acting in a number of contractual property disputes including; disputed joint venture agreements; breaches and termination of JCT contracts; claims against insurers for losses and claims for unpaid fees and defective works.

Early in her career, Lisa had the privilege of being part of the team which took a highly technical lease renewal case to the House to Lords (P&O v Graysim).

Some notable and reported cases include;

Sai Ventures Ltd v Compar Properties Ltd [2016] – an appeal against two Party Wall Awards in a case relating to a substantial development in Shoreditch.
H Waites Ltd v Hambledon court Ltd and others [2014] – landlord and tenant dispute concerning air space and extent of the tenants’ demise.
Anslow and others v Norton Aluminium Ltd [2012] – a GLO claim for multi million pound damages in nuisance, claimed to be caused by smell, noise and dust.
Delgable Ltd v Perinpanathan [2005] – landlord and tenant dispute concerning the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Act and liability to repair roof.
P&O Property Holdings Limited v Graysim [2005] – dispute on the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. This was a Supreme Court decision.

Judicial Appointment: Lisa was appointed a Deputy District Judge to the South Eastern Circuit in 2020.

More…

Lisa was educated at Haydon Bridge High School in Northumberland and then studied law at the University of West London. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1992, having trained and qualified at Carter Lemon Camerons. Lisa is a member of the Property Litigation Association, Women in Business, Women in Property, the Association of Women Solicitors and the Law Society.

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020 7406 1000 - LisaGinesi@cartercamerons.com

Matthew Doorbar

Matthew Doorbar

Trainee Solicitor - Company Commercial

Before joining the firm Matthew worked for eight months as an analyst in structured finance, helping investors gain access to varying asset classes.

Prior to that, while completing his law degree, he worked part-time at a HR firm in Manchester, assisting SME businesses with their employment-related needs and disputes.

These two roles have given him many skills that he brings to his role supporting clients with a range of commercial matters.

Outside of work, Matthew enjoys going out to restaurants in London, playing hockey and cooking

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020 7406 1000 - MatthewDoorbar@cartercamerons.com

Michael Mannell

Michael Mannell

Consultant - Private Client

Michael Mannell qualified as a solicitor in 1988. He has previously worked as a Property, Immigration and Nationality, Family and Charity lawyer, which has given him unique and varied experience and gained him understanding in many aspects when dealing with large, complex, multi-jurisdictional and religious probates. Michael has specialised in Private Client work for the past 20 years and covers the following areas:

Wills and Probate

Drafting both simple and complex wills to fit the needs of the client, taking into account any tax consequences.
Acting for British and international clients on UK estates where the deceased left a will, or where there was no will (intestacy)
Working with partners in the firm in administering assets and investments, such as: commercial and residential properties; life policies; pensions; stocks and shares; UK, offshore and Swiss bank accounts.
Acting for estates with global assets, in places such as the US, France, Switzerland, Channel Islands, Panama, and Armenia. He has particular experience with countries in the Middle East, including Iran, Lebanon, Dubai and Iraq.
Working with specialists and lawyers in foreign jurisdictions, including Sharia law and specific customary law.
Michael particularly enjoys the complex, challenging, multi-jurisdictional and religious aspects in the administration of estates.

Tax

Advises on all personal taxation, including: Income Tax, Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax.
Advises high net worth clients, UK resident and non-UK domiciled individuals.
Assists on establishing non-domicile and residence status.
Acts on HMRC investigations and preparing disclosure reports for clients to settle their affairs.
Tax planning advice.

Offshore

Assisting clients in establishing offshore trusts and offshore companies
Advising on tax consequences.

Working with the offshore administrators, directors and trustees in many jurisdictions, including: Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Panama, Gibraltar and the Caribbean.

More…

Michael enjoys swimming and gardening.

Michael is married to Lorraine who has a PhD in psychology and works for the NHS as a clinical psychologist. She also teaches at various universities. They have two adult sons.

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020 7406 1000 - MichaelMannell@cartercamerons.com

Michael Sookias

Michael Sookias

Consultant - Family Dispute Resolution

Michael has over 40 years’ experience, including in multi-jurisdictional litigation.

Before embarking on his legal career, Michael studied biochemistry and worked in ICI Pharmaceuticals. Upon qualifying as a Solicitor, Michael and his brother Robert founded Sookias & Sookias in 1985, which merged with Carter Lemon Camerons in 2021.

Clients know that when they entrust their cases to Michael the matter will be in good hands and Michael will do more than what is seemingly possible to achieve the best outcome. Michael has a reputation for seeing beyond barriers and finding creative solutions. His talent is in pushing open doors where others see walls.

Michael is a member of The Lawyers Christian Fellowship, The London Solicitors Litigation Association, Association of Christian Law Firms and a board member of Advocates Europe and a Trustee of various Christian Charities.

Michael speaks Armenian and Farsi. He leads a weekly ‘Salt & Light’ gathering where he leads and teaches a group of people from all walks of life about the spiritual causes of broken relationships.

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020 7406 1000 - MichaelSookias@cartercamerons.com

Michael Woodward

Michael Woodward

Consultant - Private Client

Michael qualified as a solicitor in 1982 and is a consultant based in the private client department. Michael advises on a wide range of UK and international tax issues. He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners and is an expert on wealth structuring, having been responsible for this area at Barclays Wealth for 13 years. He has also been authorised under the financial services legislation since it was introduced in the 1980s and advises on investment and financial services matters.

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020 7406 1000 - MichaelWoodward@cartercamerons.com

Paralegal - Residential conveyancing

Mohammed Imran has a wealth of experience dealing with freehold and leasehold sales and purchases. As such, he supports our residential property team and conveyancing clients to ensure a hassle-free house move.

His qualifications include a master’s degree in law and he is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). As an advanced paralegal, he is currently working towards qualifying as a chartered legal executive.

In his spare time, Mohammed enjoys staying active and going to the gym.

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020 7406 1000 - mohammedimran@cartercamerons.com

Neil Acheson-Gray

Neil Acheson-Gray

Partner - Private Client

Neil Acheson-Gray is a partner and head of the private client department. He has specialised in matters including contentious probate for more than three decades.

He trained at a leading firm in Holborn, qualifying as a solicitor in 1983 and then spent 25 years as a partner in the family firm with offices in Marble Arch and Richmond. This gave him a wealth of experience in estate planning, Wills, estates and trusts and carrying out the role of Executor and Trustee.

Neil has subsequently spent 6 years with a firm in Fetter Lane where he successfully developed the firm’s contentious probate capability, bringing his wealth of experience of private client work to the cut and thrust of claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependents) Act 1975 and contested Wills.

Notable cases:

Acting for the family of an elderly lady seeking to prove the validity of an allegedly forged or fraudulent Will in her favour
Acting for several children of a lady whose other daughter was alleged to have forged her mother’s Will
Acting for a widow whose stepchildren were claiming provision from his estate
Acting for a widow whose own son inherited all her late husband’s estate
Representing a child whose siblings were seeking her removal as Executor
Acting for the beneficiary of an estate in the removal of one of the Executors
Acting for the surviving partner of the man she lived with who remained married to his wife and left his entire estate to her and he children
Acting for a surviving husband in relation to a claim made by a friend he had allegedly maintained
Opposing a Will made by someone who took her own life whilst suffering from serious mental illness
Advising a daughter whose stepmother left her share in a family property to her nephew contrary to her late husband’s wishes

Alongside this, Neil has continued his established practice in the field of Wills and Probate, dealing with a variety of interesting estates and meeting a wide range of clients from all walks of life, with estates large and small, complex and straightforward.

Neil looks forward to the next challenge in his career and the opportunity to continue to represent those he has met along the way.

Neil is married and lives in Surrey. Outside of the office he enjoys all forms of sport, travel, cookery, photography and the arts. His greatest inspiration and his greatest critics are his wife, three children and above all his grandson who together provide all the distraction needed from an absorbing and rewarding career which he is pleased to continue as a Partner at Carter Lemon Camerons LLP.

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020 7406 1000 - NeilAcheson-Gray@cartercamerons.com

Prodromos Shakallis

Prodromos Shakallis

Senior Associate - Residential Property

Prod qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 1999 and is a Senior Associate in our property team and Carter Lemon Camerons’ foremost residential conveyancer. He joined the firm in 2008, bringing with him a substantial client base from the North London area – where he previously worked for over 15 years.

He has considerable expertise in residential and commercial conveyancing and landlord and tenant matters, handling sales, purchases, mortgages, lease and tenancy grants, assignments, renewals and variations, collective enfranchisement and lease extensions, guarantees, bridging finance and secured lending.

Prod is known and trusted by clients for his exceptional understanding of property matters. He represents property investors, developers, landlords, managing agents, lettings agents, surveyors and residents’ associations.

Prod is retained by an overseas private bank to act on secured lending on high-value Central London and West End residential properties.

Prod is also retained as legal counsel to a number of Christian charity organisations advising them and their associated churches on charity law and the duties and responsibilities of charitable trustees. His church work includes all types of property transactions from buying and selling manses and granting commercial leases and licenses of church space to handling complicated redevelopments of church land and properties.

Advising church trustees on a multi-million pound church relocation and redevelopment project to create a new church and school with several high value flats, including the negotiation of multi-party development documentation and advice on charity law procedure.
Representing over 30 leaseholders on a proposed collective enfranchisement of a freehold residential block in Queensway;
Successfully organising a collective approach by a number of leaseholders in the same block for lease extensions to their respective flats under the 1993 Act;
Acting on the purchase of a multi-million pound property by acquiring ownership of shares in the selling company; dealing with first registration of agricultural land affected by a number of rights, settlements and trusts created over a number of years;
Successfully completing a high-value purchase transaction within 10 days of receipt of papers;
Successfully bringing a claim to preserve and uphold a right of way thought to have extinguished many years earlier;
Representing a leading mobile telecommunications operator in connection with acquisitions, renewals and transfers of mobile masts; and
Acting for one of the largest private property investment groups in the UK in connection with the grant, renewal and surrender of commercial leases.

Prod was born in North London to Greek Cypriot parents and enjoys close links to the local and overseas Greek and Greek Cypriot community. He speaks the Greek language reasonably well.

Despite his youthful looks, Prod has vast experience in his areas of practice, gained in a career of over 26 years. He is a firm believer in a non-nonsense approach to his work and the importance of using plain English when dealing with clients, professionals and others.

Outside the office, Prod is a devoted husband and father to two young boys. He is a member of the governing committee of his local Greek Language School, with responsibility for over 200 pupils aged between 4 and 17 years. He is also active in his local Orthodox Christian Church.

Prod enjoys DIY and believes he is really good at it, having helped renovate five houses over the years. He is also a keen gardener and boasts to have a garden with the best figs, grapes and olives around. In contrast to his quiet appearance, Prod is an avid sports-bike enthusiast and enjoys a daily commute to work on his cherished motorbike, dressed in full leathers.

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020 7406 1000 - ProdShakallis@cartercamerons.com

Partner - Immigration/Property

Property

Commercial property transactions
Purchase and sales of commercial properties
Grants of commercial leases
Property aspects of M&A transactions
Residential sales and purchase of high value properties
Freehold enfranchisement and lease extensions, acting for tenants and landlords.

Immigration

Immigration and nationality cases, including: investor, entrepreneur, sole representative, all points-based tiers, assisting clients setting up points-based and Sponsorship Management System, and assist them when they are refused by the Home Office.
Personal immigration, including: marriage, student, refugee, and asylum.
Nationality cases, including: assisting and successfully obtaining citizenship and registration for complex and difficult cases.
Assisting charities, churches, and missionary organisations in all types of immigration and nationality matters.

More…

Robert studied Business Management before converting to Law and attending the College of Law in London. Robert qualified as a Solicitor in 1983.

Before qualifying as a Solicitor in March 1983, Robert worked as a property agent and played football at a semi-professional level.

Robert has earned himself the reputation of being both commercial and caring in his approach to clients.

He is a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association and The Lawyers Christian Fellowship.

Robert speaks Armenian and Farsi.

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020 7406 1000 / 07973 418 174 - RobertSookias@cartercamerons.com

Deputy Office Manager - Administration

Rosy spent many years as both Accounts Manager and Office Manager at Sookias and Sookias. She now provides support to the Partners and Office Manager.

Away from the office, Rosy enjoys cooking, reading and walking and is actively involved in the local church.

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020 7406 1000 - info@cartercamerons.com

Rufus Ballaster

Rufus Ballaster

Senior Partner - Property

Rufus Ballaster is Senior Partner and specialises in secured lending for both lenders and borrowers, within Carter Lemon Camerons LLP’s commercial property team.

Rufus’ team is able to assist lenders with putting in place effective protection for their loans, including advising on the form of security that is needed, arranging reporting systems between lawyer and lender, preparing documents, raising enquiries, examining title and making the appropriate searches.

Rufus is also experienced in assisting borrowers, advising on the risks involved in the transaction and negotiating the best possible terms.

Where appropriate, having carefully looked at professional rules governing conflict of interest, Rufus can act for both the lender and the borrower in a single transaction.

His detailed technical legal knowledge and ability to crunch numbers are great assets both transactionally and as Carter Lemon Camerons LLP’s spreadsheet obsessive.

Transactions

Recent transactions include:

Secured Lending Portfolio Refinance for a group of clients shifting lending from one international Private Bank to another international Private Bank with full Certification of Title across 7 Central London Properties both commercial residential (or mixed) use – aggregate value £30M approx.
Phased purchase with development finance of site for over 40 new homes in SW London for a group of clients which has also bought and sold many other units in the region with Rufus and his team acting.
Short term (2 to 18 month) lending by a Wealth Management company into a variety of development projects taking first or second charge security over those sites or collateral security elsewhere.

Career highlights include:

Stepping into the panel of speakers at a course for which he was understudy – at only 3 years qualified
Representing most of the sets of barristers’ chambers at one of the Inns of Court in lease renewals with that Inn
Drawing down finance to purchase a SW1 development opportunity (offices to flats) by an off shore company at a price exceeding £120M (for a group of clients for whom previous deals were at values ranging from £7M to £220M)
Drawing down finance to purchase a group of off-shore vehicles which owned of a City office block let to a blue chip investment bank – loan exceeding £300 million, split into senior and junior debt.

More…

Rufus combines client focused views of legal issues with more holistic ones. This is clearly visible from his writing (having contributed to many journals and been a co-author of the Landlord and Tenant Factbook and more recently of a Practical Guide to Drone Law) and from his lectures and seminars on banking, commercial property, artificial intelligence and other topics.

Asked what he likes most in his work, Rufus will talk of his role as a “trouble-shooter”. He enjoys being asked by clients and colleagues what he thinks about something and trying, with them, to work up structures or strategies achieving a desired result at the lowest sensible cost/ tax-hit/ risk. He travels within Europe and beyond (Arabian Gulf, South East Asia, Southern Africa) to see clients and contacts face to face and says working with people he has met is always preferable to hiding behind email and telephone for client contact!

Rufus was educated at Reading School, Wadham College Oxford and Chester College of Law, qualifying as a solicitor in 1988.

Outside the office Rufus has a full and active life with commitments to two Christian Churches, family (wife and three now adult children), RBS Rugby Football Club (for whom he plays as a second row forward) and RBS Lawn Bowls Club which is more suited to his age.

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020 7406 1000 - RufusBallaster@cartercamerons.com

Partner - Commercial Litigation and Arbitration

The Legal 500: Recommended lawyer 2020 Seamus Smyth is head of litigation and arbitration. His practice is primarily commercial with an emphasis on arbitration, financial services and work for South African and Italian clients.

Transactions

His reported cases include RH Green & Silley Weir v BR (limitation period against 3rd party), de Bry v Fitzgerald (security for costs), Hartt v Newspaper Publishing (libel concerning a work by Michelangelo), Pearson v Sanders Witherspoon (valuation of loss of chance), Siebe Gorman v Pneupac (status of consent orders), Senate Electrical v NTL (liability of an employee for acquisition warranties) and Bendell v Smith & Others (a successful recovery action by a lender on a shared appreciation mortgage equity release – the only such case to go to trial).

Recently involved in enforcement of foreign arbitration awards, claims arising from the banking upheavals since 2007, a successful claim against a high street bank resulting from a banking error and a successful claim against estate administrators and their solicitors for wasting the estate funds on irresponsible litigation.

More…

Educated (BA, LLB, Wits) and first qualified as an attorney in South Africa, he requalified in England in 1977, took an LLM at UCL and a Diploma in International Arbitration at QM, and became an FCIArb. He is chairman of the British South African Law Association (for the second time), chairman of Michaelhouse UK Trust, chairman of Global Leadership Foundation (UK), a former President of the London Solicitors Litigation Association and Trustee and President of Town Malling Cricket Club (established in 1827!). He was until 2012 a Visiting Senior Lecturer in International Commercial Arbitration at London Metropolitan University. When work and domesticity permit he plays some cricket and more golf (but – which is immediately obvious – not nearly enough).

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020 7406 1000 - SeamusSmyth@cartercamerons.com

Sendhill Thiagarajan

Sendhill Thiagarajan

Head of Accounts

Sen has been working in legal accounts for over 30 years gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience in the legal sector. His book keeping knowledge is in line with the Solicitors Accounts Rules and Regulations. He has assisted firms of various sizes, across London and nationally. His expertise includes all aspects of the day to day necessities of a law firm as well as working closely with partners and key stakeholders. Sen is fully aware about office and client bank account compliance and has achieved a successful rate of compliant accounts for the SRA.

During his many years within the legal sector, Sen has managed a portfolio of over 25 legal accounts firms, with the added support of his on-site and remote assistants.

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020 7406 1000 - SendhilThiagarajan@cartercamerons.com

Consultant - Company Commercial

Stuart Brennan is a former partner and is currently a consultant within the Company Commercial team at Carter Lemon Camerons dealing with businesses and other non-litigious work and specialises in commercial property, company commercial and associated employment matters.

Previously Senior Partner at Metson Cross, Stuart has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial property matters including portfolio sales and purchases, development, security work leases and other landlord and tenant matters. Stuart has significant experience in acquisitions and disposals of businesses either by the sale also purchase of shares or assets, including TUPE issues as well as dealing with company, LLP and partnership formations, shareholders agreements and company restructuring including purchasing of own shares and revisions to memorandum and articles of association.

Stuart was educated at Glasgow High School and Wilmslow Grammar School and Liverpool Polytechnic, trained in Manchester but has worked in London since admission as a solicitor in 1973.

Outside the office Stuarts interests are golfing, watching football and rugby, music of all kinds and playing the piano (in private). Also supports a well-known northern football club.

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020 7406 1000 - StuartBrennan@cartercamerons.com