FARNFIELDS - Key Persons
Aaron joined Farnfields Private Client Department in 2024. Aaron read History at the University of Southampton before converting to Law at the University of Law, Exeter and entering the legal profession.
Aaron has experience of a wide range of Private Client Law and specialises in:
Preparation of Wills
Preparation and Registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney
Estate Administration
Trust Administration
Inheritance and Tax Planning
Abbey joined Farnfields in 2019 and is a Property Executive in the Residential Property Department.
Abbey specialises in:
Residential sales
Residential purchases
Remortgages
Transfers of Equity
First Registration
In her spare time Abbey enjoys travelling, watching a good film at the cinema, and learning languages.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Solicitor
Alaina joined Farnfields in 2017, dealing primarily with Agricultural Property. In addition to a BSc (hons) in Rural Land Management, Alaina is an agricultural solicitor with a Graduate Diploma in Law, Legal Practice Course and a Diploma in Commercial Property. She is a member of the Law Society and the Agricultural Law Association.
Alaina specialises in:
The Sale and Purchases of farms, woodlands, fishing rights, estates and bare land
Farm Business Tenancies - preparing and advising on Farm Business Tenancy Agreements
Grazing Agreements and bespoke Land Agreements - preparation and advising on Grazing Agreements, Profit a Prendre and bespoke Occupancy Agreements such as Licences and Tenancies
Finance Work - dealing with Mortgages, Remortgages, Guarantees and Bridging Finance
Land Registry Applications - specifically dealing with Prescriptive Right, Adverse Possession and First Registration Applications
Alexandra joined Farnfields in January 2022 and is a Paralegal in the Private Client department where she provides invaluable secretarial support to members of the Private Client Team and their clients.
Amanda joined Farnfields in 2020 and is a Paralegal in the Residential Property Department where she provides invaluable support to Jo Shortland members of the Residential Property Team and their clients.
Amelia joined Farnfields in 2023 and is a Legal Secretary in the Family and Dispute Resolution Departments where she provides invaluable secretarial support to members to the team and their clients. Amelia has studied at Warwick university, with a year at Utrecht university gaining a Law Degree.
In her spare time Amelia enjoys musical theatre, country walks, pub quizzes, and watching rugby!
Ann joined Farnfields in 2015 and is a Private Client Executive in the Private Client Department. The Private Client Department is headed up by Fiona Thomas who has overall responsibility for the work of the department.
In her spare time Ann enjoys walking, cooking and spending time with her family, especially with her two grand-daughters.
Annabel joined Farnfields in 2015 and is a Legal Assistant in the Family Department where she provides invaluable support to Jo Pridmore and Sarah Butler, members of the Family Team and their clients.
Annie joined Farnfields in 2022 and has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Bournemouth University and is also a student member of STEP (a professional association for practitioners who specialise in Family Inheritance and Succession Planning) working towards her full qualification.
Annie is an Associate Solicitor with over 6 years' experience specialising in:
Wills - advising and preparing simple to complex Wills to suit the client's needs, with a particular interest in finding solutions for clients with complex family arrangements
Inheritance Tax Planning - considering a client's likely inheritance tax position and considering the options available to reduce any potential liability
Powers of Attorney - advising and preparing both General and Lasting Powers of Attorney and arranging registration or revocation of Lasting Powers of Attorney
Deputyship applications - advising and preparing Deputyship applications and assisting clients through the registration process
Estate Administration - dealing with all aspects of administering an estate after death, both for taxable and non-taxable estates
Trust Administration - dealing with all aspects of administering a trust
Declarations of Trust - advising and preparing Declarations of Trust in connection with property ownership
Job Titles:
- Practice Director
- Solicitor
Brian joined Farnfields in 2014 and is the firm's Practice Director. He works closely with the Partners and is responsible for the development and implementation of the firm's strategic and business planning and for oversight of the day-to-day management of the firm.
Brian also heads up the Administration Department with responsibility for Finance, HR, Marketing, IT, Quality Standards and Facilities. In addition, he is the firm's Money Laundering Reporting Officer.
Brian was born and raised in Salford, but left the North West over 25 years ago to head south. He lived and worked in London for 13 years, carrying out a number of roles in the banking industry before moving to Somerset in 2003 to begin a new career in the legal sector. In his spare time he enjoys walking, badminton, cooking, reading and writing.
Becky joined Farnfields in September 2023 and works within the Commercial and Agricultural team dealing primarily with Company and Commercial Law. Becky has a LLB and a Master's Degree in Law, Business and Management.
Becky specialises in:
Corporate Transactions. Purchase and Sale of companies and businesses and other corporate transactions.
Company Law
Commercial Law
Contract Law
Partnership Law
Company and Business start-ups and structuring
Becky's interests include spending time with her family, practising yoga, tinkering in the garden and reading. Becky also loves spending her time in the countryside with her Springer Spaniel.
Job Titles:
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Callum joined Farnfields in 2023 and is a Legal Administrative Assistant in the Residential Property Department where he provides invaluable support to Emily Walker, members of the Residential Property Team and their clients. Callum is a full-time classics student at Bristol University with a love for the classical languages.
In his spare time he enjoys ancient and early-modern history, philosophy and critical thinking. He is also a huge Siouxsie and the Banshees fan and loves classic movies, especially Hitchcock.
Job Titles:
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Carina joined Farnfields in 2023 and is a Legal Administrative Assistant in the Residential Property Department where she provides invaluable support to Gayle Defries, members of the Residential Property Team and their clients.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, music, trying out new restaurants with friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Residential Property Department
- Senior Property Executive
Chris joined Farnfields in 1993 and has over 25 years of experience in dealing with the property matters below. He is an Affiliate Member of CILEx (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives).
Chris specialises in:
Freehold Sale and Purchases
Leasehold Sale and Purchases
Acquisition of Development Sites
Sale of New Build Properties
Easements
Option and Pre-emption Agreements
Planning Agreements
Sales by Auction
Chris is a member of the Residential Property Department which is headed up by Clare Gundry who has overall responsibility for the work of the department. If seeking a Commercial Property Lawyer please get in touch with the team.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Solicitor
Claire joined Farnfields in 2009 and has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Leicester University and is also a member of STEP (a professional association for practitioners who specialise in Family Inheritance and Succession Planning). Claire is a Private Client solicitor with over 13 years experience specialising in:
Administration and Taxation of Trusts
Tax Planning
Administration of Estates
Powers of Attorney
Wills and Trust drafting
Some recent examples of Claire's work include:
Clare joined Farnfields in 1998 and is a Senior Legal Assistant in the Residential Property Department where she provides invaluable support to Chris Pleasants, members of the Residential Property Team and their clients.
In her spare time Clare enjoys gardening, dog walking and running. She is also interested in music, travel and generally trying to enjoy life to the full before one gets too old!
Clare joined Farnfields in 2003 and is a Legal Secretary in the Private Client Department where she provides invaluable secretarial support to Val King members of the Private Client Team and their clients.
Clare heads up the Residential Conveyancing Team. She has a law degree from Bournemouth University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma from the Nottingham Law School. Clare joined Farnfields in 2004, after training and qualifying in Exeter in 2002.
Clare became a Partner in 2010 and has over 20 years of experience as a residential property lawyer dealing with all the property matters detailed below.
Clare provides leadership and strategic direction for the growing property department across all offices. Clare acts for individuals, couples, families, high net worth individuals and country landowners, and provides a client-focused service, delivered clearly and in plain English. She enjoys the challenges of identifying the issues and finding legal and pragmatic solutions to meet the client's goals, and within timescale expected.
Clare specialises in:
• Residential Sales
• Residential Purchase
• Residential Mortgages
• Easements/Covenants
• Leaseholds and freeholds
• New Builds
• Help To Buy
• Equity Release Mortgages
• First Registrations
• Transfers of Equity
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant
- Senior Legal Assistant
Deborah Hobday joined Farnfields this year, 2023 and is a Legal Assistant in the Family Department, where she provides invaluable secretarial support to Lucy Brown, within the Family Team, and her clients as well as being a team member to all her colleagues within the same department when required to do so.
In her spare time Deborah enjoys being with her horse, competing in dressage competitions and dressage to music, as well as hacking out over the countryside, walking and going to the gym, reading, going to the theatre. She is also interested in music, and was trained as an opera singer, attending the Royal College of Music in London from 1984 to 1988. Deborah also enjoys travel, and generally trying to enjoy life to the full before one gets too old! Life is far too short and one should live every day as though it is your last!
Dawn joined Farnfields in 1990 and is a Senior Legal Assistant in the Residential Property Department where she provides invaluable support to Matt Dunford members of the Residential Property Team and their clients.
In her spare time Dawn enjoys spending time with her husband and son, walking their dog Blaze, eating out or going to the cinema/theatre. Dawn also enjoys reading and when she gets the chance, horse riding. Dawn enjoys travelling abroad and within the UK.
Job Titles:
- Property Executive ACILEx
Ella joined the Residential Property Team in 2015, after obtaining a Degree in History from Kingston University. In January 2017, Ella began studying for the CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice, which she will complete in 2019, ready to embark on the Level 6 CILEx Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice. Ella is an Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
Ella specialises in the Freehold Sale of Properties and began advising clients of their freehold from 2018. She also assists others in the department with cases including Remortgages, New Builds, Purchases and Transfers. Ella also works closely with our IT department and external organisations regarding Farnfields' online and in-house systems. She also develops forms and protocols to enable the team to deliver the best possible service.
Job Titles:
- Property Executive ACILEx
Emily joined Farnfields in 2018 and is a Property Executive in the Residential Property Department. Emily has recently achieved CILEX status.
Emily specialises in:
Residential sales
Residential purchases
Remortgages
Transfers of Equity
Help to Buy Redemptions and Transfers of Equity
First Registration
New Build Purchases
Outside of work, Emily is an avid reader and enjoys keeping fit by kickboxing and running.
Job Titles:
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Emma joined Farnfields in 2023 and is a Legal Administrative Assistant in the Residential Property Department where she provides invaluable secretarial support to Sarah Clarke, members of the Residential Property Team and their clients.
In her spare time enjoys walking her dog, spending time with her son and partner. She also enjoys travelling with her friends and spending time with her family.
Emma Dearlove joined Farnfields in October 2022 and is a Legal Secretary in the Private Client Department where she provides invaluable secretarial support to Mel Wilkins, other members of the Private Client Team and their clients.
In her spare time Emma is qualifying to be a hypnotherapist and continuing her studies in psychology. She is a mother of 2 teenage girls and spends most of her time playing taxi, however, she is very much looking forward to exploring the UK and making memories with her girls and the dog in her campervan
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Solicitor
Fiona joined Farnfields in 2000 and then rejoined the firm in 2016 after a period abroad due to her husband's job. Fiona has an English Degree from the University of Southampton which she then converted to Law. Fiona passed her Law Finals with Distinction.
Fiona is a solicitor with over 19 years experience of Private Client work specialising in:
Wills - advising in relation to the best structure to suit a client's particular circumstances
Tax Planning - considering a client's likely Inheritance Tax (and other taxes) position and if any action can be taken to reduce their potential Tax Liability
Estate Administration - dealing with all aspects of administering an Estate after death
Trusts - advising in relation to the creation, maintenance and termination of Trusts
Powers of Attorney - advising in relation to the creation, registration and operation of different types of Power of Attorney
The Private Client Department is headed up by Fiona Thomas who has overall responsibility for the work of the department.
Fiona's interests include biking around the Wiltshire countryside, running through the forests and open water swimming. Fiona aims to enter one Olympic distance triathlon once a year, to keep her motivation going in the winter months. Fiona recently came third in her age category at the London Triathlon and plans to train harder this year to see if she can move up a space on the podium!
More sedately, Fiona enjoys reading, weeding and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Head of Private Client
Fiona Thomas is our Partner and Head of Private Client. Fiona has a Degree in French and Spanish and attended The College of Law, Guildford. Fiona specialises in Private Client work and complex estate administration and has over 20 years experience in this area of work, in particular:
Inheritance Tax Planning,
Administration of complex Estates,
Preparation and Registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney
Preparation of Wills, particularly with complex family and business arrangements
Preparation and administration of Trusts
Fiona's current areas of work include highly complex Estate administration which includes a significant Property Portfolio, Art, the management of a Solicitor's Practice and various Trusts. Fiona particularly enjoys Succession Planning for farming clients and advising families in general in respect of Inter-Generational Inheritance Tax Planning and Asset Protection.
Fiona is also the Compliance Officer for Finance & Administration (COFA).
Fiona trained at Farnfields and qualified in 2001. She became a Partner in 2006 and has been Managing Partner since 2011.
The Private Client Department is headed up by Fiona Thomas who has overall responsibility for the work of the department. If seeking assistance with your complex estate administration please get in touch with the team.
Fiona is married with three young children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and swimming.
Frances joined the Residential Property Department at Farnfields in 2011. She is a Licensed Conveyancer with over 15 years of experience in dealing with the property matters listed below.
Frances specialises in:
Residential Conveyancing - Sales and Purchases
Leasehold including Shared Ownership
Remortgages
New Build Purchases
Transfer of Part of Property/Land Transactions - Sales and Purchases
First Registrations
Adverse Possession
Residential Tenancy Agreements
Gayle joined the Residential Property Department at Farnfields in 2016 as a Locum. She is a Consultant with over 20 years of experience in dealing with the property matters listed below.
Gayle specialises in:
Residential sales
Residential purchases
Remortgages
Transfers of Equity
Right to Buy
First Registration
Shared ownership
Glenda joined Farnfields in 2017 and is a Senior Legal Assistant in the Residential Property Department where she provides invaluable support to Frances Bundy, members of the Residential Property Team and their clients.
Hannah joined Farnfields in 2021 and is part of our valued Reception Team. Hannah is your friendly first point of contact and is very happy to assist. In addition to welcoming visitors to our Warminster office, Hannah also manages our incoming calls and ensures callers are put through to the correct person. Hannah provides invaluable customer service to our clients, enjoys a varied role and building a rapport with clients and callers. Hannah also supports the rest of the departments with any jobs that may need doing.
Job Titles:
- Associate Solicitor & New Business Co - Ordinator
Hannah joined Farnfields Residential Property Department in Warminster in 2023 and studied Law at University of Surrey. She has over 9 years of experience of dealing with the property matters listed below.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Compliance Officer for Legal Practice
- Member of Rushmore Golf Club
Julian Alahakoon, heads up the Commercial and Agricultural Law Department. He has a Law Degree from Kings College London, completed his Legal Practice Course at The College of Law, London (2005 LPC) and holds a Post-Graduate Diploma from the University of Cambridge. Julian trained at a Bournemouth based Law Firm and qualified in 2007 as a Solicitor.
Julian is responsible for the management of the Shaftesbury office. Julian specialises in Commercial and Agricultural Law, Buying and Selling Commercial Property, advising on Commercial Landlord and Tenant Matters, Buying and Selling Businesses and certain aspects of Agricultural and Land Development work. Julian is also one of the few Notary Publics in the area which means he is able to help the local people, businesses and charities of Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset with their international affairs around the world.
Julian joined Farnfields in 2012 and became a Partner in 2014. Julian is the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLPs)
In his spare time, Julian is a member of Rushmore Golf Club, enjoys reading political autobiographies and undertaking DIY projects around the house.
As a Notary Public Julian has written this article Making the world go round - What is the role of Notaries? which you may read here, or to download as a pdf (212kb) follow this link
Julian has also recently featured on This is Alfred a local community resource for Shaftesbury on how we are working with the local Chamber of Commerce on the issues surrounding empty High Street shops, which you may find out more about here.
Val King Victoria Bailey Victoria Burt Victoria Williams