BUSS MURTON - Key Persons
For the bulk of his career Alex has specialised in Estate Planning work for families, individuals, trustees and owner-managed businesses. This includes advice on taxation (mainly capital taxes such as IHT and CGT,) succession strategies, residence and domicile matters, Wills and Trusts.
Alex has a specialty in law for charities, advising many, both large and small, on their constitutional affairs, taxation and general commercial contracts. It helps that Alex has been the Chairman of a Hospice and is trustee of three other charities and has therefore hands-on experience of the issues that charities face day-to-day.
Alex has many years' experience representing individuals who have lost the capacity to make decisions concerning their personal and financial affairs. He has been appointed by the Court of Protection to be Deputy (formerly Receiver) to a wide range of individuals in that role. Alex qualified in 1973 and after 18 years as a Partner in a provincial firm in Sussex, moved to London to join Campbell Hooper in Westminster. There he was a Partner and Head of the Private Client Department, a post he held for 10 years.
Expertise
Private Client
Alex leads the Company/Commercial team at Buss Murton. He joined the firm in 2012 from his own boutique corporate firm that he started up in 2010, bringing with him 20 years' experience in leadership positions as in-house corporate counsel for such companies as FremantleMedia Limited (the makers of the X Factor and Grand Designs) and as Head of Corporate Strategy and General Counsel for the Jamie Oliver group of companies. Educated in New Zealand and the UK, and having worked with global organisations, Alex has gained significant experience, and led and contributed to high profile international media acquisitions and business strategy.
As a result, Alex is not only able to advise on the legal aspects of an enterprise's business, but is also able to bring a unique perspective having been involved in the operational aspects of those enterprises. In addition to these insights, Alex has also been at the heart of a number of change management projects, and led transformation and integration initiatives.
With this wealth of experience, Alex can advise on a broad spectrum of company and commercial law. These include corporate and business acquisition and disposals, debt financings, corporate finance, insolvency, restructuring, and corporate governance right through to employment (non-contentious and contentious), commercial contracts, agency arrangements, data protection and intellectual property.
Alex brings to the firm the passion he also exhibits in his interest in sailing and classical guitar. Originally qualifying in New Zealand, he still supports the All Blacks (and everyone else playing Australia). He qualified as a solicitor in the UK in 1990 and obtained a Masters of Law from the London School of Economics in 1991. He regularly speaks on subjects such as the legal and business impacts of social media, data protection and cybersecurity.
Expertise
Company Commercial
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Head of Finance & Operations
Alex joined Buss Murton in 2007 as a Business Analyst having previously worked in the shipping industry. Thereafter he headed up Buss Murton's IT and Management Information Team, then became Financial Controller in 2013, and was appointed as the firm's Practice Manager in June 2015. In June 2016, following the firm's move to an Alternative Business Structure, Alex was appointed the firm's first non-lawyer Equity Partner.
Alex oversees all aspects of finance & operations at Buss Murton and acts as the firm's Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA).
Alexandra is a Solicitor in the Family department who joined the firm in September 2019. Alexandra qualified as a Solicitor in October 2021.
Alexandra completed her Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP University, Holborn and achieved a Commendation. She then completed her Legal Practice Course, also at BPP, and achieved a Distinction.
Prior to this, Alexandra completed a BSc degree in Animal Behaviour at the University of Plymouth. Whilst studying for her legal qualifications she worked as a Team Assistant in the Finance and Corporate Property sectors.
Amy joined our offices in September 2022 completing her first seat in Company and Commercial and Commercial Property, and her second seat in Employment and Litigation. Amy is now completing her third seat at Buss Murton within the Private Client Department.
Amy graduated from Royal Holloway with a first class degree in History. She subsequently attended the University of Law, Guildford where she completed the Graduate Diploma in Law achieving a commendation. She then went on to complete the Legal Practise Course, in which she achieved a distinction.
During her studies Amy worked with the Citizens Advice Bureau in an administration role and as a Help to Claim Advisor. Additionally, she was self-employed working as a part-time swimming teacher.
Amy joined Buss Murton in November 2022, having previously worked at other regional firms whilst undertaking her legal studies via the CILEX route. She passed her final Level 6 exam in August 2022 and attained graduate status in March 2023. She will be eligible to apply for fellowship in 2024.
Amy has experience in assisting clients with a variety of different aspects of private client work, including:
Wills
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Deputyship applications
Applications for Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration
Administration of a testate or intestate estate
Amy also volunteers for the Alzheimer's Society as a Dementia Friends Ambassador, delivering information sessions to members of the public with the aim of increasing awareness of dementia and how we can all do something to support those living with dementia in their day-to-day activities.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Solicitor
Andrew joined Buss Murton Law in 1995 and in 2015 became the firm's Managing Partner. He is the head of the Employment Department, acting for both employers and employees. Specialising in providing advice to employers on all aspects of employment law ranging from employment contracts for their senior executives to group redundancy arrangements; he also advises senior executives on their terms of engagement, revisions to their terms and conditions and, where necessary, negotiating their severance packages.
Andrew has experience of all forms of dispute resolution ranging from the Employment Tribunal through mediation and arbitration to High Court action.
Expertise
Exit negotiations
Job Titles:
- Branch Manager at Buss Murton 's East Grinstead Office
Daldeep Jaswal Partner Solicitor Commercial Property Office : Tunbridge Wells 01892 502 324 djaswal@bussmurton.co.uk Profile After obtaining an LLB honours degree in Law at the University of Kent at Canterbury in 2000 and successfully completing the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London, Daldeep (known as ‘Dal') joined Buss Murton in September 2001 as a Trainee Solicitor and qualified in 2003. At the age of 25, Dal set up Buss Murton's first standalone Commercial Property Department. Three years later he became one of the youngest Solicitors to be appointed Partner at Buss Murton. Dal is now the Partner in charge of the Property Department across its four offices, the firm's Senior Responsible Officer for its Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation and he is also the Training Supervisor for the firm's Trainee Solicitors. Dal specialises in advising commercial clients on their property needs, in particular, landlords, tenants, developers and financiers. Expertise Commercial Property Acting for landlords and tenants in relation to commercial leasehold premises Acting for developers acquiring, disposing or refinancing land and in relation to site assembly Acting for banks, independent lenders and other financiers in relation to property financing Sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold business premises Advising both developers and land owners on option agreements Residential Property Advising in relation to the residential conveyancing process and matters
Edward is a Partner in the Private Client Department. He started practising Private Client Law in 2000, initially as a solicitor in a well-known firm in Tonbridge and thereafter with several well-known East Sussex firms before joining Buss Murton in July 2014. Edward became a Partner in 2015.
He advises and acts on all aspects of Inheritance tax planning and Capital Gains tax planning. He also acts in Probate administration matters and post death Variations for Inheritance tax and Capital Gains tax purposes. He also regularly advises clients regarding the making of their Wills, Powers of Attorney, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Declarations of Trust with respect to client's properties.
He undertakes the full range of advice and work with respect to Trusts and advises on associated tax implications of those actions. He also advises generally on (tax) domicile and residence issues.
He regularly advises and acts on the registration of Lasting and Enduring Powers of Attorney, the making of Statutory Wills and gift applications at the Court of Protection.
Expertise
Inheritance Tax Planning
Capital Gains Tax Planning
Job Titles:
- Associate Licensed Conveyancer / Residential Property
Gail is a Licensed Conveyancer in the Residential Property Department. She acts for clients in all areas of residential conveyancing and specialises in dealing with purchases through the Government Help to Buy Schemes for clients. Other areas which Gail has experience in are equity release schemes, transfers of equity, lease extensions and remortgage transactions.
Gail joined Buss Murton in July 2014 having previously worked at another Kent firm for 12 years where she worked her way from a Secretary to a Conveyancing Assistant. In January 2012, she began studying to become a Licensed Conveyancer and qualified in September 2015.
Expertise
Sale and Purchase of Freehold and Leasehold properties
Graham joined Buss Murton in December 2003 having previously practised in Bromley and Dartford.
Graham qualified in 1980 and has since the early 1990s specialised in non-contentious Private Client work in particular estate administration, the drafting of Wills, the administration of the affairs of the elderly and contested and non-contested applications to the Court of Protection on behalf of those incapable of dealing with their own affairs. He has also acted as a Professional Deputy approved by the Court of Protection and as a Professional Attorney
Graham is a Consultant Solicitor and a previous Partner in the firm and having spent 5 years at the Tunbridge Wells office, he then headed up the Cranbrook office and Private Client team there and then took on the role of managing the Dartford Office before his return to Tunbridge Wells in December 2019.
Graham is also the Treasurer and occasional player for Meopham Cricket Club, one of the oldest Cricket Clubs in Kent. He is also a keen football and rugby spectator, although does regularly play 5 a side football for those above a certain age!
Expertise
Private Client
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Chartered Legal Executive / Residential Property
Helen joined Buss Murton in 2008, and became a partner in 2016. She is a member of the Institute of Legal Executives and qualified with a distinction in Conveyancing Law and Practice, as well as in 3 other heads of her CILEx exams in 2012.
The majority of work Helen undertakes on a day-to-day basis is dealing with: freehold and leasehold residential sales and purchases, unregistered land, shared ownership purchases, sales of part of land, equity releases, mortgages and remortgages, joint ownership agreements, assured shorthold tenancy agreements, deeds of variation and lease extensions.
Helen has established proactive relationships with local estate agents to ensure that clients receive a seamless service in dealing with their most valuable asset.
Expertise
Sale and Purchase of Freehold and Leasehold properties
Jemini qualified as a solicitor in March 2020 and joined our East Grinstead office in January 2022. Jemini advises on a variety of private client work including Wills, inheritance tax planning, Powers of Attorney and estate administration. She is also a member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers.
Prior to qualifying, Jemini obtained a First Class LLB with Honours (Law with Business) at University of Brighton and a Distinction (Legal Practice Course) at University of Law, Guildford.
Jemini thoroughly enjoys meeting people and assisting them in making decisions and providing them with peace of mind, often during difficult times.
Outside of the office, Jemini loves spending time with her husband and two children.
Expertise
Wills
Jonathan graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2009 with an upper second-class bachelor's degree in Law with business studies.
He qualified as a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2019 and was promoted to partner in his previous firm in August 2019, prior to joining Buss Murton in 2022 as an Associate.
Jonathan specialises in Dispute Resolution and has a wide range of experience including in landlord and tenant disputes, property disputes, planning issues, company and commercial, consumer law, employment issues, defamation and civil harassment claims.
Jonathan takes a pragmatic approach to litigation, ensuring that the most efficient and cost effective courses are pursued.
Expertise
Landlord and tenant disputes
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Solicitor
- Associate Solicitor / Residential Property
Karen is a solicitor in the Property department and qualified in 2000, working in Residential Property since that time. Karen has worked in firms in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, before coming back to her Sussex roots in 2020. Karen joined Buss Murton in July 2021 and will be working at our East Grinstead branch.
Karen has many years' experience advising in all areas of residential property work including freehold and leasehold property, unregistered land, equity release advice, shared ownership, transfers of equity, leasehold enfranchisement (agreed only) and the Help to Buy scheme.
Expertise
Residential Property
Job Titles:
- Trainee Solicitor
- Trainee Solicitor / Employment
Katie is a Trainee Solicitor who joined the Tunbridge Wells office in September 2023. Katie's first seat within the firm will be Employment and Dispute Resolution.
Katie Graduated from Bournemouth University with a first class degree in Law. She subsequently attended the University of Law where she completed the Legal Practice Course whilst also obtaining a Masters of Law, achieving a Distinction.
During her studies, Katie worked at a local authority as a legal assistant and continues to enjoy working with various animal charities.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive
- Partner
- Partner / Chartered Legal Executive / Residential Property
Kerry is a Chartered Legal Executive in the Property and Private Client departments. After obtaining a First Class BA degree in Politics from Southbank University in 1993, Kerry went on to study Law and qualified as a Fellow in 2004 whilst working at a firm in Chancery Lane, London, specialising in property matters. Kerry became a Partner in 2017. Kerry has recently been accredited as a CILEx Conveyancing Practitioner.
Kerry has many years experience advising in all areas of residential property work including: freehold and leasehold property, unregistered land, equity release advice, new-build developments, shared ownership, declarations of trust, powers of attorney, transfers of equity, sales of land, auction properties, leasehold enfranchisement and the Help to Buy scheme. She has extensive experience in dealing with high value transactions and the accompanying complexities of dealing with listed buildings together with associated land.
Kerry also advises on all areas of Private Client work including Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney, as well as post death Deeds of Variation in relation to Inheritance and Capital Gains Tax.
Expertise
Residential Property
Laura graduated from the University of Bristol with a law degree in 2011 and went on to complete the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London. During her academic studies Laura was a student member of the University of Bristol Pro Bono Law Clinic and volunteered at the College of Law with their LawWorks Mediation Scheme.
Following her legal studies, Laura gained experience as a paralegal at a family law firm in East Sussex. She then moved to another Kent law firm and worked as a probate legal secretary before being promoted to a legal assistant within the department. Laura joined Buss Murton in November 2015 and is a member of the Private Client team.
Expertise
Court of Protection
Probate and estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Solicitor
- Lucy Head / Associate Solicitor
Lucy Head Associate Solicitor Private Client Office : Tunbridge Wells 01892 502 372 lhead@bussmurton.co.uk Profile Lucy advises on all aspects of private client work including Wills, probate and lasting powers of attorney. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2007 having completed her training at a local Sussex firm. Lucy subsequently worked "in house" for Lloyds Bank as an estates administrator and also within their legal team advising on technical issues relating to Wills, probate and trusts. Lucy joined Buss Murton in 2014. Lucy now concentrates on Probate work and deals with a wide range of cases from straight forward low value cases to more complex work such as estates with agricultural land or business assets. Expertise Wills Probate and estate administration Lasting Powers of Attorney Court of Protection
Job Titles:
- Associate Solicitor & Mediator / Solicitor
Margaret qualified as a solicitor in 1995, and since has enhanced her expertise practising as a family solicitor in local firms. She joined Buss Murton's Cranbrook office in May 2020 and is currently qualifying as a Family Mediator. As a collaborative lawyer and member of Resolution, Margaret is fair and realistic in her approach and aims to resolve family matters in an amicable and constructive manner wherever possible.
Margaret sits on the committee for Resolution Kent. She lives locally and is familiar with Cranbrook and the surrounding villages.
Melanie den Brinker Partner Barrister and Collaborative Lawyer Family and Divorce Office : Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead 01892 502 326 mdenbrinker@bussmurton.co.uk Profile Melanie was called to the Bar in 1984. For over 10 years she practised as a Barrister in a specialist set of London family law chambers, regularly appearing in the High Court and conducting a number of cases in the Court of Appeal. Having taken a career break to care for her children, in 2003 she joined the Buss Murton family team as a consultant barrister. Her expertise and wide experience gained both from her time at the Bar and at Buss Murton, enable her to assist and advise on all areas of family law. She now specialises in high net worth financial cases and in complex children cases including those where a parent wishes to move abroad with children. Melanie is one of the area's most experienced and active collaborative lawyers and, where possible, strongly supports the resolution of issues through negotiation, rather than through the courts. She is a founding member of the local collaborative lawyers' group and has given lectures to other family lawyers on collaborative law. Melanie is a member of Resolution (the organisation of family lawyers) and strongly supports the association's aim to resolve issues in as fair and amicable way as possible. Expertise Divorce and civil partnership Arrangements for children on divorce and separation Financial arrangements on divorce and separation Co-habitation and Separation Agreements Removal from the jurisdiction Change of Name Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
Melisa joined our Tunbridge Wells office, as part of our Company and Commercial team in February 2024, as a Paralegal.
Melisa graduated from London Southbank University with a first-class degree in Law. She subsequently attended BPP University, Holborn where she completed the Legal Practice Course whilst also obtaining a Master of Law, achieving a Distinction.
During her studies, Melisa worked in the BPP Legal Advice Clinic as a Student Legal Advisor where she provided legal advice on business law matters alongside qualified lawyers.
Job Titles:
- HR Manager
- HR Manager / Human Resources
Pat has worked within a legal environment for many years and qualified as an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in August 2006. She is based in Tunbridge Wells and manages the HR function for all of Buss Murton's offices.
Job Titles:
- Senior Conveyancer / Residential Property
Paula is an experienced conveyancer and has worked locally around Maidstone for over 25 years. Paula has established a good working relationship with local agents and is known to agents in the Cranbrook and surrounding areas too. Paula has built up good relationships with many repeat clients, along with being recommended to their friends and family.
Expertise
Freehold and leasehold sales and purchase
Richard joined Buss Murton's Dispute Resolution in November 2023 and is based in our Tunbridge Wells office.
Richard completed a Graduate Diploma in Law in January 2023, achieving a distinction. He then took his SQE in July 2023.
Before beginning his career in law, Richard completed a History degree at Leeds University; after which he worked in marketing, business development and education management. He spent time living and working in Spain, France, Mexico and Australia.
In his free time, Richard is an avid reader, a reluctant jogger and an enthusiastic chef.
Sohret qualified as a solicitor in September 2018, having completed her training at a local firm in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. Sohret joined the Tunbridge Wells office in 2023. Sohret advises on a variety of private client work including Wills, Intestacy, Inheritance Tax planning, Powers of Attorney and estate administration.
Sohret aims to build lasting legal relationships with her clients and prides herself in her ability to empathise with her clients and tailor her service to their individual needs.
Outside of the office, Sohret spends time with her husband and two children and enjoys being outdoors
Expertise
Inheritance Tax Planning