BATTENS - Key Persons
Alison is a solicitor specialising in property and business law. She handles commercial and agricultural property including high-value and complex residential transactions, along with business sales and acquisitions.
Having studied music at university, Alison started out as a violinist, retraining as a solicitor some 10 years later. She worked at a Magic Circle firm before joining a High Street firm in Berkshire. She then ran her own firm in the Home Counties before moving to Dorset with her family. Here she became almost self-sufficient, breeding organic Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs and Dorset Down sheep, before coming back into legal practice.
Alison's clients value very highly her communication skills, both in the way she explains what is going on and the fact that she is quick to respond by email and telephone. Alison sees it as a privilege being part of clients' lives as she guides them through their property transactions with calmness and good humour.
Angel- Love Bentil-Tumi studied Law as her undergraduate degree, completed her LPC at the University of Law and began working as Legal Secretary in April 2022 at Battens. She has now commenced her Training Contract in September 2023, she started in our Commercial Property Department, currently she works within the Debt Recovery department.
Angie acts for clients when they are owed money, and she undertakes all aspects of the debt recovery process.
She represents individuals, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. She is keenly aware of the importance to all businesses of maintaining their cashflow, the lifeblood of any enterprise. Angie understands that getting debts in is not always pleasant, but it is absolutely essential if the business is to survive. She takes quick and decisive action at all stages of the debt recovery process, from the start all the way through to final recovery, to make sure that, where possible, the money comes in.
As part of enforcement, she frequently applies for and obtains orders for the sale of property, third party debt orders in cases where the debtor is receiving payments from someone else, bankruptcy orders and winding-up orders.
Angie also represents clients when they are faced with debt recovery action which is being taken against them. As gamekeeper turned poacher, she can offer expert advice on the steps the creditor is likely to take and the way to respond which best fits in with the client's wishes and financial means.
Before joining Battens, she was a collections manager at Nationwide Building Society, specialising in mortgage repossessions and in the recovery of the shortfall following repossession and sale of a mortgaged property. Prior to that, she worked in a corporate law firm specialising in consumer credit and return of goods claims together with general debt issues.
Angie is a member of the Institute of Credit Management.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor and Head of Commercial Property
- Solicitor and Head of Commercial Property / Commercial Property
Anna is Head of the firm's Commercial Property Team and has spent the best part of 20 years acting for clients across a wide range of commercial property sectors including private commercial, public, financial and charitable. Whilst Anna has experience dealing with a broad spectrum of commercial property transactions, her caseload is largely made up of development and landlord/tenant work.
Anna enjoys acting for a wide range of clients including landowners, developers, SMEs and commercial landlords and tenants both in the West Country and nationwide.
After graduating with a law degree Ben began working at Battens Castle Cary office in 2020. Since then he has been working as a legal assistant in the private client department assisting with Wills, LPAs and the administration of estates.
Ben is shortly beginning his studies for the SQE, developing his professional skills and qualify as a solicitor.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor Apprentice
Beth is a Solicitor Apprentice within the Agriculture & Rural Property team and has recently joined Battens.
Coming from a farming background, and after graduating with a degree in Agriculture, Beth understands the industry well and she is enjoying learning about Agricultural Law.
Prior to joining Battens, Beth worked as an Insurance Advisor at a farming specialist Insurer.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor and Head of Media, Entertainment and Intellectual Property / Media, Entertainment and Technology, Company Commercial
As Head of Media, Entertainment and Intellectual Property at Battens, Brian advises on the law around the creation, exploitation and protection of brands and content, representing a wide range of clients from independent producers to global media companies.
During the past 20 years Brian has developed a wealth of experience as a specialist in media law and IP. Graduating with an MA (Hons) in law from Downing College, Cambridge, he qualified with the global law firm Hogan Lovells in London before joining Battens in 2015 at the same time as moving to the South West.
Brian has been the Legal Expert on Audio-Visual Matters for the EU at all major film and TV markets, (including MIPTV, MIPCOM and EFM) giving him a unique insight into how the worldwide media industry works. He advises a wide range of clients, from the award-winning Bristol-based producer Mallinson Sadler Productions on the legal aspects of multi series prime time documentaries to the French photographer Michael Haddi in protecting and promoting his portfolio of images.
Brian also handles the full spectrum of company commercial work across all industry sectors including sales and acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder and director matters and all commercial agreements, including terms and conditions and privacy policies.
Brian specialises in:
Option/development agreements and revenue-sharing and media finance agreements,
Trademarks and designs - advice, registration and disputes, and
Distribution and royalty deals and production contracts
Regularly featured in the Legal 500, Brian is described as having "extensive experience in distribution agreements" and as leading a department which has a "strong pedigree in media and entertainment".
"Brian handled a share sale on my behalf and he was extremely efficient and professional. Nothing is too much trouble and he was also very patient with me asking every little question. Communication was great as Brian always responded to all emails and calls in a timely manner. Highly recommended."
"A highly responsive and knowledgeable lawyer with a wide range of experience internationally, Brian Levine is usually available and efficient in providing necessary guidance when needed urgently"
Job Titles:
- Team Leader - Residential Property in Dorchester
- Team Leader - Residential Property in Dorchester / Residential Conveyancing, Mortgages and Remortgages, Sales, Purchases
Cate joined the Residential Property Team in 2005 and specialises in all types of residential property transactions, including sales, purchases, re-mortgages, and transfers of equity.
She has built a strong reputation with other property professionals in the area who often refer work to her. Cate is known for her diligent approach to work ensuring transactions are completed calmly, efficiently and on time.
She also works closely with our Commercial Property Team, specialising in the sale of residential plots for a wide range of property developers across the Southwest.
Cate gained her degree in Psychology at the University of Wales, Bangor. Having decided to make the change to law, she qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Solicitor and Managing Director / Planning
Ceri leads the Planning and Property Dispute Resolution team and is also Managing Director of Battens, based in the Yeovil Office.
She specialises in all aspects of Planning and Property Litigation law, acting for a broad range of clients from developers, local authorities, landowners, to private Individuals. Ceri is an accomplished expert in this field, drawing upon more than 20 years of experience to guide clients through the complexity of the planning system and the challenges of property litigation with clarity and precision.
She has established a strong reputation for sound commercial pragmatic advice resolving contentious disputes effectively and quickly.
Ceri advises on planning application and appeals, lawful use of land, section 106 planning agreements, listed buildings, rights of way, boundary disputes, restrictive covenants, nuisance, trespass, adverse possession and rights to light. Disagreements arising from commercial leases and residential tenancies, dilapidations and property defects, lease renewals, service charges and gaining possession.
She is a member of the Property Litigation Association, the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Planning Panel.
She joined Battens in 1998 as a trainee and qualified as a solicitor in 2000. She became a senior associate in 2005, Director in 2016 and Managing Director in 2021.
Chloe is a Paralegal within the Agriculture team in Sherborne. She has worked for Battens for 6 years, beginning her career as an apprentice before moving up to work as a conveyancing assistant and joining the Agriculture team in 2020.
She is a key member of the Agriculture team, diligently providing technical legal assistance to colleagues, as well as handling her own caseload. Chloe applies a thoughtful, methodical approach to find solutions to the diverse and unique range of challenges faced by farmers and landowners.
Chloe is currently studying to become a Chartered Legal Executive.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Residential Conveyancing, Mortgages and Remortgages, Sales, Purchases
Claire specialises in all types of residential conveyancing including buying, selling, re-mortgages and transfers of equity as well as shared ownership and help to buy schemes.
She has more than 20 years' experience working in property conveyancing and has established a good working relationship with local estate agents and other solicitors, building up a network of valuable contacts in the Somerset and Dorset area.
Her attention to detail and ability to work under pressure means Claire is able to deliver completion for clients amid the tight deadlines of a demanding property market.
Claire's calm and efficient approach, combined with clear communication, means clients are regularly updated about their property transactions to ensure that they run smoothly during what can be a stressful complex process.
She studied for her CILEX qualification through distance learning and qualified in 2010. She is currently an Associate Chartered Legal Executive.
"A fantastic professional firm, Claire has been fantastic and has explained everything in layman's terms and helped with any questions."
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor and Head of Employment Department / Employment
Dawn is a leading employment solicitor in the South West with more than twenty years' experience in her field. She is an accomplished expert in all aspects of employment law for both employers and employees.
She provides advice on disciplinary and grievance processes, managing sickness absence, providing bespoke contracts of employment and handbooks and preparing and negotiating settlement agreements.
Dawn has extensive experience in advising on TUPE matters, business reorganisations and redundancies. Her client's range in size from small, family-run businesses to large, multi-site national organisations. Having set up BattensHR on joining in 2011, Dawn and the team offer commercial and practical advice and solutions to everyday HR and employment issues for a fixed annual fee. This ensures employers can concentrate on running their business with the knowledge that ongoing support is only a short email or call away.
Where claims are made, Dawn has considerable experience in representing employers in employment tribunals across the country and advising in appeals to the employment appeal tribunal defending claims ranging from discrimination and whistle blowing to unfair dismissal and breach of contract.
Employment law changes at a fast pace, Dawn regularly provides training to businesses and conducts seminars on topical employment issues and legal updates, including at Battens quarterly Employment Advice Team Lunches.
For employees, she provides advice and representation in claims for discrimination, whistleblowing and equal pay, in addition to claims for unfair dismissal, including those arising from redundancy. Dawn also advises on internal grievances, contractual matters and on settlement agreements.
She is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA)
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive / Residential Conveyancing, Mortgages and Remortgages, Sales, Purchases
Emma is a Chartered Legal Executive within the Residential Property team at Battens.
Emma has worked in Residential Property Law in Dorset and Somerset since 2013 and joined Battens in 2016. Since then, Emma has built great relationships with local professionals including estate agents, mortgage brokers and with other law firms. Emma is often referred work from local agents and brokers.
Emma advises and specialises in:
Freehold and Leasehold sale and purchase transactions
Remortgages
New Build Property transactions, including shared ownership properties
Transfers of equity, transfers of part (where a title split occurs) and right to buy transactions
Transactions involving Government Help to Buy schemes
First Registrations, Gifts of Land or Assent transactions
Emma works with a varied client base and often assists first time buyers, property investors or those selling and buying to up or downsize. Emma works hard to ensure that calls and emails are returned promptly to move transactions forward in good time. Emma understands that moving house can be a very stressful time and so offering a prompt and friendly service is very important to all clients. Buying and selling properties can be quite daunting especially if it is a new experience and so Emma assures all clients that no query is too big or small and she is always happy to discuss any worries her client may have with them.
Emma has enjoyed working on varied transactions throughout her career but particularly enjoys the satisfaction of working to timescales to achieve exchange and completion particularly where deadlines have been set or there is a chain which needs to be kept together. Emma prides herself on managing client expectations and many of her clients have come back to use her again for their next property transactions due to their good experience.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Solicitor
- Senior Associate Solicitor / Family Law
Gareth Bishop is a Senior Associate Solicitor in the Family Department based at our Dorchester office.
Gareth qualified as a solicitor in September 2012 following completion of his training contract at Battens and has been an accredited member of the Law Society Children Law Scheme since June 2015.
Gareth takes instructions from parents, wider family members, CAFCASS Guardian's or by children directly when social services (the Local Authority) are involved and are concerned about the welfare of children. He is regularly instructed to act in relation to Emergency Protection Orders, Care / Supervision Orders, Placement Orders and Adoption Orders.
Gareth is regularly instructed by older children directly when they are no longer able to remain living at home with their family and are subject to applications for Secure Accommodation Orders or Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding restrictions. He has been commended for his personable and realistic approach when acting for children directly to ensure that they feel involved in the process and that their voice is heard in court.
Over the past 10 years, Gareth has built a solid reputation as being a leading solicitor in the Dorset area acting for CAFCASS Guardian's on behalf of children in cases dealing with the most serious allegations of significant physical harm (non-accidental injury) and sexual abuse.
Gareth works closely with a range of professionals and experts to ensure the best outcomes for each of his clients and is regularly commended for his dedication to his clients and his expertise when faced with the most challenging of situations.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Solicitor
- Senior Associate Solicitor / Family Law
- Senior Associate Solicitor in the Highly Respected Family Team
- Trustee for a Local Youth Service
Georgina is an Senior Associate Solicitor in the highly respected Family Team at Battens and an Accredited member of the Law Society's Children's Panel, working primarily on Dorset cases.
Georgina qualified as a solicitor in 2006 and joined Battens in 2014. She joined the Law Society's Children's Panel in 2018 and cases involving children continue to be her specialism.
Georgina was appointed in 2021 as a Visiting Fellow by Bournemouth University in recognition for the lectures she delivers to those learning Law and Social Policy (BA & MA level) at Bournemouth University.
Georgina has a huge amount of experience in cases concerning children, as reflected by her appointment to the Law Society Children's Panel and her work with Bournemouth University. She advises parents, wider family members, CAFCASS children's guardians and children directly. Georgina can advise both in family disputes around where a child should live, who the child should have contact with and issues relating to the exercise of parental responsibility, as well as cases where the Local Authority have issued proceedings about a child, as they are concerned for their welfare.
Georgina has significant experience in representing parties in cases involving a range of Orders, including but not limited to Care and Supervision Orders, Deprivation of Liberty Orders, Non-Molestation Orders, Secure Accommodation Orders and Child Arrangements Orders.
Her empathetic and professional approach in these cases is well known and clients are strongly supported throughout the process, so that they are able to fully understand and engage in what is happening. This has sometimes involved Georgina providing Easy-Read versions of evidence or advice to clients, where their learning difficulties are such, that they would struggle in understanding the most common forms of communication. She is regularly instructed by teenagers directly and is able to ensure their engagement in the proceedings (at a level that they are comfortable with).
Georgina's focus is always to ensure that proceedings are fair and that the client fully understands whatever situation they are facing. Georgina has a strong reputation for providing clear but empathetic advice at all times. Her reputation with other professionals is high and ensures a good working relationship with them, to achieve the best outcome for her clients.
Georgina has dealt with complex cases throughout her career, dealing with cases of Non-Accidental Injury to a child; neglect; emotional abuse (including parental alienation cases), sexual abuse, honour based abuse, domestic abuse (including coercive-control), substance misuse (drugs and alcohol) and cases involving significant learning difficulties.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Company Chairman
- Solicitor