CLARKE MAIRS - Key Persons
Adrian is Practice Manager at Clarke Mairs and has overall responsibility for the day to day running of the practice. He has worked in solicitors' practices since 1991 and has a wealth of experience.
Since 2002 he has been involved with the organisation and management of solicitors' practices becoming appointed as practice manager of a Newcastle firm in 2004. He left that firm in October 2007 with others to form Clarke Mairs.
Alex is an Associate Solicitor at Clarke Mairs dealing with corporate matters. Alex's practice mainly focuses on corporate transactional work with a particular specialism in pharmacy sales and acquisitions, but he also frequently acts on transactional work for clients in other sectors including childcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
Alex also has significant experience in corporate reorganisations and solvent corporate restructures and can handle complex, multi-stage projects involving demergers, share for share exchanges and share buybacks.
Alex was noted in the Legal 500 2024 as a Key Lawyer for Corporate and Commercial matters in the Newcastle region.
Alex joined Clarke Mairs in 2019 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2021 upon the successful completion of her training contract.
Alex specialises in both corporate and personal insolvency matters including breach of duty and misfeasance claims, reviewable transaction claims and asset recovery. She is experienced in debt recovery and enforcement methods such as obtaining Charging Orders and issuing proceedings under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.
Alex also acts for a range of clients on commercial litigation matters, advising both Claimant and Defendant on matters such as professional negligence, breach of contract and shareholder disputes.
Amir qualified as a solicitor in 2017.
Amir works on a wide range of litigation issues with a particular focus on acting for landlords, tenants, developers and investors on a full range of property related litigation. These include:
Forfeiture and Possession claims- both commercial and residential properties;
Rent Recovery - dealing with money claims and CRAR;
Property Rights - including boundary disputes and easements such as rights of way; and
Enfranchisement - working on statutory lease extensions and freehold acquisitions.
Amir is a member of the Property Litigation Association.
Angus graduated from Durham University in 2021 with a Degree in Archaeology but has since converted to Law, completing the GDL in 2022 and the LPC in 2023 whilst studying at Northumbria University.
Angus has previously worked for Clarke Mairs as a Paralegal since September 2022 but has now embarked on his training contract after a years' experience working for the firm. He is currently in his first seat, working in the Insolvency and Property Litigation departments and will qualify as a Solicitor in September 2025.
Ben studied for his Masters in Law incorporating the LPC which he completed at Northumbria University in 2021. Ben initially practised as a paralegal for a year at a firm in Yorkshire before commencing his Training Contract with Clarke Mairs in September 2022. Ben has completed seats in Commercial/Property Litigation and the Corporate department.
Ben is now in his final seat of his Training Contract in the Commercial Property department assisting the team with various matters such as the grant of new Leases and Lease assignments and business tenancies involving the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
Charlotte graduated from her undergraduate degree in Law at Newcastle University in 2020. She then moved on to Northumbria University where she completed her LPC and Masters in Law, graduating in September 2021.
Charlotte qualified as a solicitor in September 2023.
Charlotte deals primarily with transactional work, particularly the sale and acquisition of SME's (with a focus on pharmacies and nurseries). Charlotte also frequently deals with other varying types of commercial work.
Claire studied Law and completed her Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University in 2016. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2020 and specialises in property litigation.
Claire regularly advises landlords, tenants, landowners and managing agents on a full range of property related litigation. She has experience in residential and commercial rent arrears recovery and eviction.
Claire also advises on general debt recovery and enforcement, enfranchisement and in matters falling under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act.
Claire is a member of ALEP and is our main contact for matters of Enfranchisement.
David qualified as a solicitor in 1972 and worked in the City of London for two premier law firms before moving to the North East in 1977. The following year he was made a partner in a major local practice which became the North east office of a leading national firm and was with them for over 20 years. He has recently joined Clarke Mairs as a consultant.
David is very experienced in dealing with all aspects of company law , including purchases and sales of companies and businesses , corporate joint ventures , company and group restructurings , tax efficient reconstruction schemes and demergers , share buy backs , share schemes etc. He also advises on a wide range of commercial matters including all types of commercial agreements.
Prior to becoming a lawyer David read languages at University and speaks French and German.
Fred has been practising commercial litigation in the UK and North America for over 35 years.
Fred advises on all types of general commercial litigation, with particular emphasis on Professional Negligence and contractual disputes.
Fred is one of the very few solicitors qualified as Solicitor Advocate and regularly conducts cases in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The other Departments within the firm often call upon him to act as an in-house advocate, particularly the Insolvency and Corporate Recovery Department.
Gillian Bassett was a partner with a London practice for several years before returning to her native North East.
She has specialised in property law, dealing with all aspects of commercial property work ranging from acquisitions and disposals, commercial development and leasehold work for both landlords and tenants.
She is experienced in dealing with the property aspects of secured lending and high value residential conveyancing.
Gillian is also a pioneer in the field of Telecoms law and has become a recognised expert. She acts for major mobile phone companies as well as advising landlords and landowners on the use of their land and buildings with regards to masts, fibre optic cables and base stations.
"Gordon qualified as a Solicitor in 1978 and is a Consultant dealing with commercial deals including commercial property transactions.
Gordon advises mainly business owners on legal and practical aspects of their commercial decisions. He has acted in the disposal, acquisition, leasing and giving of security over many different types of property, from coal mines and reservoirs to shops, offices, hotels, pubs, restaurants and factories. He has acted for pension trustees and syndicates in major real estate transactions, including shopping malls and office blocks.
Gordon feels privileged to enjoy the trust of clients who have retained his services for decades"
Irenna is a Partner at Clarke Mairs, having previously gained experience at a number of North East based firms.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Solicitor
- Member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners
James is a Solicitor/Partner dealing with property litigation disputes at the firm.
James regularly advises landlords, tenants, developers and investors on a full range of property related litigation. He has extensive experience in relation to breach of contract, enfranchisement, debt enforcement and professional negligence on both transactional and litigious property matters. He has strong relationship with regional and national surveyors within this practice area.
James is a member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners in relation to his work in enfranchisement.
Jasmine studied Law at Northumbria University, graduating in 2016. She worked as a paralegal at a North East firm specialising in Licensing before commencing her Training Contract in November 2019. She qualified as a Solicitor in November 2021 and joined Clarke Mairs soon thereafter.
Jasmine is part of the Property department and has experience of dealing with residential property matters including new builds, shared ownership and leasehold properties.
Joseph studied Law at Northumbria University, graduating in 2015 whilst obtaining an International Clinical Scholarship to study within the Mediation Clinic at the City University of New York.
He worked as a paralegal at a local law firm before commencing his training contract with Clarke Mairs, qualifying as a solicitor in January 2020. Joseph works in the Private Client team advising on Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Advance Decisions, Trusts, Deputyship Orders and Court of Protection applications.
Joshua graduated from his Masters in Law incorporating the LPC at Northumbria University in 2023.
Joshua started his training contract with Clarke Mairs shortly after graduation and is currently sitting in the first seat of his training contract working in the Private Client department.
As part of the Private Client team, Joshua is advising on Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Deputyship Orders and Court of Protection applications.
Laura studied law at Northumbria University and joined Clarke Mairs shortly after qualifying as a Solicitor in April 2018.
Laura specialises in property law, dealing with both residential and commercial property. On the commercial property front, Laura has experience of dealing with Landlord and Tenant work, acquisitions, disposals and refinances.
Laura is also experienced in dealing with pharmacies and works closely with the Clarke Mairs corporate team on pharmacy acquisitions and disposals, dealing with the property aspect of the deal.
Louise studied Politics at Newcastle University before completing her Graduate Diploma in Law and going on to qualify as a Solicitor in 2012 after completion of her training contract with Clarke Mairs.
Louise is experienced in dealing with contentious and non-contentious insolvency matters and acts for a broad range of clients in both a corporate and personal insolvency context. She has particular experience in dealing with misfeasance claims against directors of insolvent companies.
She also acts in a variety of property litigation matters in the First-Tier Tribunal and County Courts relating to commercial and residential properties. Louise regularly advises landlords and property management companies on lease covenants and assists in the collection of service charge and rent arrears. She is experienced in acting in forfeiture claims following breaches of lease covenants.
Niamh graduated Northumbria University in 2022 with a First Class Masters in Law incorporating the LPC.
Niamh initially practiced as a Paralegal at a North East law firm before joining Clarke Mairs in March 2023 as a Paralegal in the Commercial Property department. She will commence her training contract with Clarke Mairs in September 2024 and will qualify as a Solicitor in 2026.
Job Titles:
- Registered Foreign Lawyer
Nick joined Clarke Mairs in September 2023 as a Registered Foreign Lawyer and was previously a Senior Associate at a Corporate and Commercial Law firm in Western Australia having been admitted to practice in 2014.
His previous experience in Australia encompassed a wide range of areas in commercial and corporate litigation and insolvency. He regularly provided legal advice in relation to contractual disputes and interpretation, complex and standard debt recovery (acting for commercial clients, local government bodies and insurance companies), insolvency, Local Government actions, mining law, compliance with trade practices legislation and Corporations Act actions. He has acted for several Australian listed companies, and has experience in most courts in Australia, including the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the Federal Court of Australia.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Insolvency Lawyers Association
Paul qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and remained with the practice he trained with, before leaving in October 2007 to establish Clarke Mairs with others.
Paul specialises in all areas of insolvency, personal and corporate including rescue and turnaround of companies and individuals. He acts for Insolvency Practitioners in contentious matters including claims against former directors of insolvent companies, transactional avoidance and asset recovery cases.
He also acts for individuals, directors, stakeholders, and creditors of companies in financial difficulties.
Paul is a member of the Insolvency Lawyers Association and the Association of Business Recovery Professionals (R3).
Rachel studied History of Art at St Andrews University and then attended The College of Law in York. She qualified as a solicitor in 1994.
Rachel has many years' experience of private client work and can advise you about Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Powers of Attorney, Deputyship Orders and Probate.
She is a Panel Deputy for the Office of the Public Guardian and DBS checked to work with vulnerable adults.
Rachel also has experience in dealing with probate disputes and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and dependants) Act 1975, she is an full member of both the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), and The Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly).
Rebecca graduated from Northumbria University in 2023 with a First Class Master's in Law incorporating the LPC.
Rebecca began her training contract with Clarke Mairs in September 2023 and is currently in her first seat in the Commercial Property department.
Job Titles:
- Trainee Solicitor
- Trainee Solicitor / Shannon
After completing seats in Corporate, Private Client, Leasehold Enfranchisement and Commercial Litigation department. Shannon is currently sitting in the Residential Property department.
Shannon is currently assisting the team in advising in sales and purchases along with remortgages, new builds and shared ownership properties.
Shannon graduated from her Masters in Law incorporating the LPC at Northumbria University in 2022.
Stephen studied Law at the University of Durham and qualified as a solicitor in 2009. Prior to joining Clarke Mairs he was the head of conveyancing at a local firm for several years. He has dealt with all manner of residential and commercial property transactions across the whole of England and Wales. At a local level he has been named as one of the three top rated conveyancing solicitors in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Stephen regularly acts for buyers and sellers and has particular experience of dealing with new build, shared ownership and leasehold properties.
Tim qualified as a solicitor in 1987 and practised in London before moving to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1990. He was a partner at an established practice for 15 years before leaving with others to set up Clarke Mairs in October 2007.
Tim has maintained client relationships going back to his days as an Articled Clerk in Hatton Garden, EC1, reflected by the significant client base the firm provides commercial services to in London..
Having originally started off his career as a litigation lawyer, and then developing expertise in Insolvency litigation, Tim's area has now moved on so he now deals with:
commercial property transactions, acting in all types of commercial property acquisitions and disposals
pharmacy share and asset sales & purchases
share acquisitions, buy-backs, company and partnership formation and general commercial matter