CHAN NEILL SOLICITORS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- SENIOR CONSULTANT
- SOLICITOR
Alana's principal area of work has been in commercial property acquisitions and dispositions with particular focus on the Leisure and Retail sectors. She advises clients on landlord and tenant matters both non-contentious and contentious. Alana also undertakes debt recovery work for private clients. She prides herself in her responsiveness to her client, her commitment to clients and her problem solving skills.
Alana has considerable experience of advising clients on a wide range of residential property issues including lease extensions, preparing deed of trust for co-ownership, recovering of rent arrears and seeking repossession of properties on behalf of landlords. Working regularly with professional advisors including Architects, Surveyors, Estate Agents, Independent Financial Advisors, Lenders and Accountants, she consistently delivers to client deadlines, and, as a result, achieves a high level of repeat instructions from satisfied clients and their professional advisors.
In addition to English language, Alana is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese with the concentrated expansion of the China Business Sector. She is now working on a guide in Chinese for Chinese property investors new to the London property sector. Alana qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and joined Chan Neill in 2006.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR CONSULTANT
- SOLICITOR
Alison is a client focused, non-contentious solicitor with 25 years experience in Central London firms.
Alison works on both commercial and residential property and also advises on tax-planning, including off shore banking, wills and probate, power of attorney and obtaining Certificates of Approval from the Home Office for clients wishing to enter into Civil Partnerships.
Alison is fluent in French and can also assist on the purchase of properties overseas.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR CONSULTANT
- SOLICITOR
Andrew studied Law at Liverpool University, graduating in 1988. He then completed his legal studies at Chester College of Law, graduating in 1989 and has since built an exemplary career in advising multi national Insurance companies and Loss advisers including amongst others Axa, Royal and Sun Alliance, Tradewise, Cap Gemini and Willis.
Andrew has a formidable reputation in insurance and general risks litigation which spans more than two decades. He is known to go the extra distance to try to accomplish his clients needs.
Andrew has helped build the practice as the managing partner, sharing a vision to offer new clients and established clients a full commercial legal service.
Andrew is passionate about trying to support the less fortunate and coordinates directly some programmes in Uganda that has included building a school and offering housing to the destitute. Indeed he has also been assisting persecuted victims with successful asylum applications to the UK.
Arthur Lin joined Chan Neill Solicitors in the Autumn 2022 to complete his training contract having graduated from Shanghai International Studies University in China with dual Bachelor's degrees in Law and English and passed Chinese Bar Exam. Arthur later obtained his LLM degree in international commercial law at UCL. He completed GDL and LLM LPC (with distinction) at BPP University. Arthur qualified as a practicing solicitor with Chan Neill Solicitors in December 2023 specialising in residential property and litigation. Arthur is fluent in English and Mandarin.
Job Titles:
- Sales Manager
- LLP Member
- Member of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association
Christy completed her Master's Degree in International Commercial Law LLM at University of Reading.
Christy has a wealth of experience in the area of business immigration and has helped a number of clients relocate to the UK and then to settle and work here following the completion of their studies. Her approach is very client centred as she always seeks to provide the best advice to suit each individual client. Christy's efficient and friendly approach has enabled her to establish strong relationships with her HNW clients.
Apart from UK immigration and visas, Christy is very experienced in the EU "Golden Visa" by investment, Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP),Turkish citizenship by investment, St Lucia Citizenship Programme and St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Programme etc.
She also has experience in international commercial law, business and contract negotiations.
Christy holds the Chinese Certificate of Professional Accounting qualification (CPA). She speaks English and Mandarin.
Christy is a member of The Immigration Law Practitioners' Association.
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant
- Solicitor
Farrah is an outstanding, solutions-focused, expert real estate lawyer who drives transactions and takes personal responsibility for delivery. She works effectively to negotiate through differences and unlock deals quickly and efficiently. She delivers large, time critical and often complex property transactions. Farrah's clients include: property entrepreneurs, investors, developers, multi-site operators and high net worth families (both on and offshore). She has expertise in a wide variety of real estate sectors including retail, hotel, leisure, offices, residential and mixed use developments. Outside of work, Farrah is passionate about the arts and loves to read, swim and practice yoga.
Gladys graduated from Kingston University London with LLB Law in 2018 and Queen Mary University of London with LLM in Banking and Debt Finance Law in 2019.Before relocating to the UK, Gladys gained legal experience from various mini-pupillages in Hong Kong for Construction Disputes and Arbitration.Before joining Chan Neill Solicitors, Gladys gained experience working on Civil and Commercial Litigation matters, Professional Negligence Claims and Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) matters at a Mayfair law firm.Gladys is a native speaker of English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Guan Qin graduated from the International Open University of Macau with an MBA in 2003. She worked as a property developer in China Guanglian Real Estate Company from 1995 to 2003, and has been in the field of equity investment since 2004. She has good business relationships with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hillhouse Capital, high-tech investment companies, and various private equity funds.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR CONSULTANT
- SOLICITOR
Henry has more than 15 years' experience in advising on all aspects of Residential Property transactions, Commercial Property matters and Immigration.
Henry has focused for the best part of 13 years on new build/off plan property matters and is also proficient in secondary market purchases and disposal of residential property. Henry has a diverse range of Clients from Ultra High and High Net Worth Individuals, First Time Buyers, Investors, owner occupiers and International Banks from the UK and Asia.
Henry has frequently travelled to the Far East including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and China for international property launches by UK Developers. Being on the ground in Asia, Henry has first-hand experience in meeting and providing potential and existing clients with diligent legal advice and guidance in the process of the stages of purchasing properties in England.
Henry has also acted for local and International banks in relation to advising on mortgages and re-mortgages' over London property.
As well as speaking English, Henry is also able to converse in Cantonese and Hakka.
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant
- Solicitor
James and his team joined Chan Neill Solicitors LLP in the Summer of 2022. James' background is that he has been principal of a very successful law practice for over 30 years. James' main area of law is commercial property work. He acts for many investors and is recommended to be the go-to lawyer by banks with a South East Asian connection. James' team also advise clients on litigious and immigration type matters.
Jasmine studied law at BPP University in London and gained her LPC. Jasmine has been working in a solicitors' office since 2016 and qualified as a solicitor in February 2020. Jasmine is a qualified solicitor. Jasmine has experience in residential and commercial conveyancing, commercial sales and acquisitions, contracts/agreements, property portfolio refinancing and landlord and tenant matters. She also deals with a wide range of civil litigation matters including insolvency proceedings, breach of contract, family disputes, possession proceedings and regularly appears in court. However, she encourages her clients to consider out-of-court settlements and avoid going to court. Jasmine also deals with spousal visas (including domestic violence applications), dependant visas, visitor visas, Tier 4 student visas, UK permanent passports and much more.Jasmine is fluent in English, Hindi and Urdu.
Job Titles:
- Senior Marketing Consultant
Job Titles:
- SENIOR CONSULTANT
- SOLICITOR
With a law degree from Kings College London and having been admitted as a solicitor in 1978, John has spent almost all of his professional career in the City and the West End of London. John worked for seven years as group solicitor and company secretary to a very successful publicly quoted hotel and restaurant company until it was taken over by a well known hotel chain in the late 1980's and thereafter in partnership and as a consultant in a private practice in Mayfair and St James's.
In over thirty years of practice, John has accumulated extensive experience in a wide range of commercial transactions including not only the acquisition development and disposal of businesses and of freehold and leasehold commercial residential and investment properties but also in the many aspects of commercial retail residential and licensed premises (including construction and development; acquisitions and disposals; financing and secured lending and UK property investment).
John has acted in the acquisition and disposal of numerous hotels pubs clubs and restaurants and many commercial and high value residential properties. As well as acting for his UK clients, John has many overseas clients and deals with their off-shore interests in a number of jurisdictions (including the incorporation of foreign companies and the establishment of overseas trusts) particularly in connection with investment in UK real estate both commercial and residential.
Joy has experience across a wide variety of work including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructuring, private equity and general corporate advisory practice. Joy guides her clients through their complex domestic and cross-border transactions. She combines commercial acumen with transaction efficiency to ensure the best possible outcome for her clients. She also offers commercial advice to multinational companies and listed companies. While Joy is based in London, she has also practiced in China as a corporate lawyer, advising clients in respect of corporate, commercial and general finance matters. Representative Experience
Joy obtained her master's degree with the University of Wisconsin Madison, LLB and master's degree with East China University of Political Science and Law, China. She is a native speaker of Mandarin and fluent in English.
Kriss completed her Law degree at University of Swansea and went on to purse the LPC and LLM in International disputes resolution and Arbitration at the BPP Law School in 2019. Prior joining Chan Neill Solicitors LLP, Kriss worked at a boutique London based law firm where she gained valuable work experience within immigration and conveyancing procedures whilst continuing with her Masters degree. Kriss qualified as a practicing solicitor with Chan Neill Solicitors in January 2024. Kriss is conscientious, motivated and has experience in both commercial and residential property, immigration and employment law. Kriss is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Mabel studied Law and Economics at Queen Mary University of London, where she went on to complete her Legal Practice Course at University of Law, London and qualified as a solicitor in a West End Law firm. She has also worked in Lexcel accredited and Legal 500 law firms before joining Chan Neill in September 2022. Mabel has more than 15 years experience specialising in Commercial and Residential Property transactions, having worked on a variety of property portfolios including sale and purchase of Leasehold and Freehold Properties, Grant and Assignment of Lease for UK and overseas companies, developers, investors and high net worth clients. Her experiences involve acting on Commercial Property sales and purchases for a wide range of businesses such as retail, offices, restaurants, bars, pharmacies, care homes, hotels, golf courses, warehouses and carparks. She has also handled various Landlord and Tenant matters including License for Alterations, Underletting, Rent Deposits, Guarantor Agreements, and Lease Renewals. She has acted for a large international bank and various lenders in refinancing and secured lending on property transactions. In addition, Mabel aims to deliver high personal client care by providing commercially sound, effective and practical legal advice to help clients understand their situation and assist them in making informed decisions. Outside of work Mabel enjoys travelling learning about different cultures and food, pursuing various gym classes such as Indoor cycling, Zumba and Yoga and participating in various charity work.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR CONSULTANT
- SOLICITOR
Matt Tam has years of experience in Immigration, Commercial and Residential Property and Civil Litigation. With vast experience in handling both residential (including new build homes) and commercial property matters, Matt has acted for both lender and individual investors based in the UK and overseas. He also has experience dealing with new build properties throughout England and Wales, and he specialises in advising and assisting overseas buyers from the initial stages through completion and registration. With over 8 years of experience in both private and business immigration law, Matt has extensive expertise in sponsor licence applications and all categories of applications under the Points Based System. He is also experienced in assisting visitors, sole representatives and EEA family permit applications, and has particular expertise in advising high-net-worth individuals on Tier 1 (Investor) applications predominately from China and the Far East. Matt speaks English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Job Titles:
- MANAGING PARTNER
- Senior Partner
Michael is the Senior Partner and a founding member of Chan Neill Solicitors, which he co-established around his own professional philosophy: to provide incisive legal advice that takes each client's financial position into account.
Senior Partner Mr Michael Chan " Having focused on international client investment and commerce for a number of years now, the addition of a strong established Mayfair practice has been one of the goals I consider will benefit the future development of Chan Neill Solicitors."
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant
- Solicitor
- SENIOR CONSULTANT / Head of Commercial ( Asia )
- Senior Consultant Solicitor / Head of Commercial ( Asia )
Naynesh has been a qualified solicitor for over 30 years specialising in commercial property. He has over the years acted for a wide group of hotelier clients on acquisitions and disposals including by way of sale and purchase of shares as well as asset sales and purchases. He also acts for some of the largest franchisees for KFC and Starbucks on their leasehold and freehold acquisitions and disposals.
Naynesh has a strong client base from overseas, many of whom are investing in yield driven commercial investments in the UK property market. He also acts for a number of developers of residential properties.
In addition, Naynesh acts for a number of stellar cricketing clients undertaking contractual and sponsorship work for them.
Guan Qin graduated from the International Open University of Macau with an MBA in 2003. She worked as a property developer in China Guanglian Real Estate Company from 1995 to 2003, and has been in the field of equity investment since 2004. She has good business relationships with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hillhouse Capital, high-tech investment companies, and various private equity funds.
Rebecca qualified in July 2014. Before joining Chan Neill Solicitors, Rebecca worked in a boutique law firm in London as a paralegal, trainee and associate, with a combined legal experience in excess of 10 years.
Rebecca specialises in residential property, commercial property conveyancing and immigration. Her expertise in commercial property conveyancing includes sale and purchases, lease extensions, new leases, certificate of lawful use and residential conveyancing work includes new developments, sale and purchases, re-financing, transfer of equity, right to buy, enfranchisement.
Rebecca's expertise in immigration includes applications for entry clearance, leave to remain and indefinite leave to remain in the following visa categories: Appendix FM which includes spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, Tier 2 (General), Tier 1 (investor), sponsor licence, EEA nationals and non EEA family members, private life, long residence, naturalisation, British passports, no time limit, transfer of condition, BRP replacements, visitor visa, post study work visa etc.
Rebecca speaks English and Cantonese.
River has many years of experience representing both national and international private investors. Consequently, he is very familiar with overseas buyer AML checks and overseas lenders' drawdown requirements.The majority of his clients are referrals from existing clients and those recommended by agents and developers nationwide. He has received many 5-star reviews on Trustpilot for his second-hand property transactions when he was primarily dealing with UK clients. Mandarin is his native language, and he has extensive experience representing Far Eastern clients from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.River takes pride in maintaining client relationships and providing a bespoke service. His key practice areas include:
High Value Residential Property Sales and Purchases
New Build Properties- bulk deal and stage payment
Mortgages, Remortgages & Equity Release
Auction Properties
Lease Extensions
Help to Buy
Sharon studied law with foundation year at Coventry University in 2008 and then continued her studies at the University of Law in London in 2012. Before Sharon joined Chan Neill Solicitors in February 2022, she worked for a national firm. Sharon is a litigation solicitor based at the City office. She has a broad range of experience in handling employment, civil and property dispute matters including:
breach of contract claims;
debt recovery;
professional negligence;
landlord and tenant disputes;
evicting tenants;
housing disrepair;
dispute over ownership of a property;
civil fraud;
disputes between employers and employees.
She also deals with a wide range of family disputes as well as will and probate matters including divorce proceedings, probate applications and dealing with the administration of an estate. Outside of work, Sharon regularly attends a variety of fitness classes (Zumba, Barre Pilates, Yoga) and has a keen interest in running and foreign travel. She is also learning Chinese (Mandarin) and learning to play the piano.
Job Titles:
- CHARTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE
Stuart joined Chan Neill Solicitors in January 2012 and has worked for various City based law firms for over 15 years including Kingsford Stacey Blackwell Solicitors and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors. Stuart's main experience has been dealing with Claimant and Defendant personal injury, credit hire claims and disputes between employers and employees. Stuart also has experience of dealing with high value foreign personal injury claims.
Stuart studied for 5 years to become a Chartered Legal Executive and enrolled as a Fellow in December 2010.
Stuart prides himself on being commercially astute and has achieved consistently good results for his clients. This has helped Stuart to build up a good rapport and relationship with insurer clients.
In his spare time, Stuart enjoys actively supporting Ipswich Town Football Club, socialising and all types of music.
Having completed his Bachelor of Law from the University of Sheffield, Tim went on to gain his LLM in commercial law, banking and debt finance from the University of Law and then his LLM in Banking and Finance from Queen Mary University in London.
Tim is dynamic and motivated. He is experienced in a wide range of professional work including Banking, Property Law, Contract Law and Insolvency Law in Hong Kong and China.
Tim is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR CONSULTANT
- SOLICITOR
Weiling Choi, graduated with law degree from LSE, was admitted as a solicitor of England and Wales in 1998 and of Hong Kong SAR in 2000. She has been practicing immigration law for the last 25 years and handles wide range of visa applications, claims outside of the immigration rules as well as under Human Rights law. She has also assisted clients work through adverse immigration decisions through tribunal appeals and judicial reviews. Weiling is passionate about helping her clients to resolve their immigration problems, often recognizing the value and importance they place on being able to reside in the UK in accordance with the law.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association
- SENIOR IMMIGRATION ADVISOR
Yana has been practising UK Immigration since July 2012. She has an extensive work experience within private immigration consultancy company in central London since 2012 and joined Chan Neill in May 2018.
Thanks to her attention to details, efficiency, can-do attitude and fluency in both Russian and English languages, Yana has been providing the highest standards of client care to her private and corporate clients.
Regardless complexity of your case, Yana would be able to find the best practical solution. She has an extensive experience dealing with entry clearance, leave to remain and indefinite leave to remain applications under the following visa categories (not limited to): Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Innovator, Start-Up, Tier 1 (Investor), Global Talent, Representative of Overseas Business, Skilled Worker, Intra-Company Transfer visa routes, Sponsorship License, T2 Minister of Religion, T5 Religious Worker, Ancestry; under Appendix FM and Appendix Armed Forces, including fiancé(e), spouse, civil partner, proposed civil partner and unmarried partner applications. In addition, Yana has years of experience assisting EEA nationals and their non-EEA family members with their UK Immigration matters. She also excels in Long-Residence, Private Life, No Time Limit, Transfer of Conditions, BRP Replacement and Nationality applications.
Yana has been awarded a double degree program in International Business Management by London Metropolitan University in the UK and Ecole Superieure de Commerce et Management (ESCEM) in France.
Yana is a member of The Immigration Law Practitioners' Association.
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant
- Solicitor
Yasmin has worked for a number of firms since she qualified as a solicitor in 1997, initially dealing with immigration and conveyancing matters. She started as a partner in November 2004, specialising in residential property, and has been with DDO Solicitors since 2013, DDO Law merged in December 2018 with Chan Neill Solicitors.Yasmin has been dedicated to providing legal services to the Indian and Asian communities within the UK for ten years.She is a highly regarded solicitor in these areas and is primarily involved in residential property and private client.