GARDNER CROFT - Key Persons

Andrea Huckstepp

Job Titles:

Partner
Partner / Margate

Andrea Huckstepp is a Partner and family law Chartered Legal Executive based at our Margate office. Andrea is happy to meet clients face-o-face in the office or via zoom, so if you would prefer either approach don't hesitate to say. Andrea's direct dial number is 01843 269281. Andrea is an accredited Resolution specialist family lawyer. Resolution is a national organisation of family law professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive, efficient way. Andrea has a great deal of experience in her role and her areas of expertise include: Financial arrangements arising from divorce and separation - Andrea has a wealth of experience in this area and will help you achieve a positive outcome Children disputes - Andrea acts for both mothers and fathers in resolving child arrangements "Andrea has an amazing ability to make sure your aware of the worst case scenario but somehow making you calm about it at the same time. Always managed to relax me when I was worried." "At no time was I left unsure or out of touch on anything which, given my particular circumstances, was refreshing and up-lifting. I cannot recommend Andrea or the wider Boys & Maughan team enough. Thanks to Andrea, my children have had the relationship with me as their father, that was initially taken away by others, restored and protected as quickly as the courts were able to move." "Andrea was also provide a consultative approach with real insight to the challenges that lie ahead for me. I found Andrea, and the wider team, were able to build rapport quickly with me, which led to a feeling of instinctive trust from the outset, so much so I have come to only take Andrea's advice on the complex matters at hand, above all others."

Andrea McCoy

Job Titles:

Solicitor
Solicitor / Ramsgate

Andréa McCoy is a friendly, empathetic and approachable private client solicitor. If you are dealing with a difficult period in your life or simply wish to get your affairs in order, Andréa will gladly guide you through the law. Andréa's direct dial number is 01843 264787. You can expect Andréa to assist you calmly and professionally, and she will provide you with advice tailored to your circumstances. Andréa qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and specialises in a variety of matters including: Preparing straightforward and more complex wills Grant of probate Declaration of trusts Estate administration Lasting power of attorney (LPA's), and Court of Protection work including deputy applications for individuals who lack capacity. Andréa always takes time to understand her clients' circumstances. She is thorough and will give you clear, practical advice rather than blinding you with legal jargon. Away from the office, Andréa enjoys spending time with her family and they often play cooperative board games. "Very good. Andrea McCoy was very kind and understanding regarding my Will and I was very grateful for her compassionate help, thank you."

Andrew Baker

Job Titles:

Senior Partner
Director of the Dreamland Trust
Partner at Boys & Maughan
Senior Partner / Margate

Based at our Margate office, Andrew Baker leads our experienced team of employment law, litigation and personal injury solicitors and lawyers. You can call Andrew on 01843 234006. Andrew became a partner at Boys & Maughan in 1998, having joined in 1993 and qualifying as a solicitor in October 1995. He became our firm's Senior Partner on 1 April 2021. Andrew Baker is a Senior Litigator member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). He is also a member of the Law Society's Lexcel Panel, reflecting his skills in quality control systems and risk management. In addition to advising clients, Andrew is a director of the Dreamland Trust, which was set up to deliver a 21st-century tourist attraction at Dreamland, Margate, based around the listed Scenic Railway and Cinema building. Firmly rooted in Thanet's business community, Andrew Baker has also been a Director of the Thanet and East Kent Chamber of Commerce and retains close ties with the Chamber. Outside of the office Andrew is a keen sailor and when family duties permit can often be found racing his Hunter Sonata sailing boat. "Andrew was clear and explained everything and my options."

Anna Leach

Job Titles:

Conveyancing Executive
Conveyancing Executive / Margate
Specialist

Anna's direct dial telephone number is 01843 269273. Anna Leach has been a conveyancing specialist since 2014 and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. She is well used to ensuring that people's house sales and purchases run smoothly. Anna's specialisms include: Freehold sales and purchases Remortgages, and Transfers of equity. A local resident based at our Margate office, Anna will place a particular emphasis on being reliable and supportive throughout your move and is regularly complimented for her attention to detail. Anna was born in Russia and became a solicitor before moving to the UK in 2003. She is therefore well placed to assist Russian speaking residential property clients. Outside work Anna enjoys travelling and a broad range of local outdoor activities. Moving home is one of the most stressful and challenging things you can take on and it is essential that you choose your conveyancer wisely. "Anna Leach is so professional and I would recommend her without hesitation."

Antonios Michael

Job Titles:

Partner
Partner / Broadstairs
Solicitor and Partner at Boys & Maughan

Antonios Michael is a Solicitor and Partner at Boys & Maughan. He is known as Tony to many clients and professional colleagues. You can call Tony on 01843 269352. "Compliments to Tony Michael. Not only was he polite, understanding but extremely efficient and acted with the speed that my situation required. Thank you is not enough." Antonios Michael leads our Broadstairs team. One of our firm's partners, he specialises in residential sales and purchases.

Bryony Ritchie

Job Titles:

Solicitor

Bryony is a solicitor in our Canterbury private client team. Outside of work, Bryony's main interests include long dog walks and attending dog agility classes. She also enjoys attending music festivals and women's football matches.

Canterbury St George

Canterbury St George's Place opened in July 2018. Many people who use us are attracted by our reasonable fees and the reassurance of dealing with a firm that has been established in East Kent for over 200 years. If you are looking to move to Faversham, Herne Bay, Whitstable or Ashford or already live there, our Canterbury office regularly serves these towns and the surrounding villages.

Chantelle Agnew

Job Titles:

Chartered Legal Executive
Chartered Legal Executive at Our Birchington

Chantelle Agnew is a residential conveyancing Chartered Legal Executive at our Birchington office. You can phone Chantelle on 01843 269369. Buying a home can be stressful but choosing a lawyer who happily answers any questions makes it a much simpler process. You can be confident that Chantelle will be on hand to answer your queries throughout the conveyancing process. Chantelle is known for her down-to-earth approach to transactions, thorough approach, and years of experience in conveyancing in the local area. This local know-how means that Chantelle frequently pre-empts issues that may occur. Chantelle joined us in July 2023 and was previously with another well-regarded local solicitors' firm for nine years. She has been a residential property specialist since 2015 and qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2019. A mother of two young children, Chantelle enjoys creative writing, recently seeing her work published locally in the Margate Mercury, lino-cut printmaking, and silversmithing. We were thankful to have Chantelle as our solicitor. She was approachable, friendly and efficient. She kept us updated with everything and worked hard to meet our deadlines. We couldn't have asked for a greater experience.

Christine Anderson

Job Titles:

Partner

A partner at our Birchington office, Christine qualified as a licensed conveyancer in 2005. You can call Christine on 01843 269372. Christine worked for local firms for 22 years prior to joining Boys & Maughan in 2019 and has a reputation for being prompt, thorough, friendly and approachable. She is aware, from personal experience, of how stressful property transactions can be and strives to keep clients fully informed without the legal jargon. Christine is highly recommended by local estate agents and mortgage brokers. In June 2021 Christine made the individual shortlist of the ESTAS, a prestigious national awards for conveyancing lawyers where the winners are selected purely on customer feedback. "Christine was 5 star, I couldn't thank her enough for her work with making our transaction for our house go so smoothly, never had to chase once! The communication was perfect, thank you very much."

Corrine Davies

Job Titles:

Chartered Tax Adviser
Chartered Tax Adviser / Ramsgate

Corrine Davies is a Chartered Tax Adviser specialising in Income, Capital Gains and Inheritance Tax matters. You can call Corrine on 01843 269328. Corrine is able to assist with: Self-Assessment Tax Returns for Individuals, Trusts and Estates Trust and Estate Accounts Trust Registrations Inheritance Tax forms Corrine qualified in 2004 and joined Boys & Maughan in 2022 after many years working in the accountancy industry. Outside of the office, when Corrine is not driving her son to various after school activities, she enjoys reading, cooking and walking her dog on the beach. Corrine also volunteers for Tax Help for Older People, a charity providing free, independent and expert help and advice for older people on lower incomes.

Daniel Beresford

Job Titles:

Boys & Maughan As a Paralegal
Paralegal
Paralegal / Margate

Daniel Beresford is committed to supporting injured clients. He recognises that they need support and may be suffering from ongoing symptoms. Daniel joined Boys & Maughan as a paralegal in the Personal Injury team in February 2023, and assists Zaban Matloob and Simon Lovelock. Daniel has experience assisting in a broad range of personal injury claims: Accidents at work Slips and trips Occupiers liability (accidents occurring on private, public or commercial premises) Road accidents Fatal accidents Accidents abroad Clinical negligence claims Needle stick Injury Dental negligence Psychological injury Traumatic brain injury Daniel holds a CILEx Level 6 Diploma in Civil Litigation and is working towards becoming a Chartered Legal Executive. Before joining Boys & Maughan, Daniel worked at a leading London law firm specialising in injury and medical claims. Before this, he leveraged his skills in professional contexts to support legal analysis and optimise processes and workflows in non-legal settings. Daniel graduated from the University of Portsmouth with an LLB in Law and International Relations in August 2020. He was then awarded a Distinction for his LLM in Law and Legal Tech in March 2022.

Demi Krousti

Job Titles:

Paralegal
Paralegal / Margate

Demi Krousti is a conveyancing paralegal who is based at our Margate office. Organised and approachable, Demi recognises that it's important to have easy access to the lawyer who is working on your move, so that you can build a relationship with them. With this in mind, you are welcome to call Demi on her direct line, 01843 234023. Demi's specialisms include: Freehold sale and purchases Help to Buy Re-mortgages and Transfers of equity. Demi's clients often compliment her on the way she handles their move; in particular her proactive approach and the manner in which she responds in a practical and timely fashion to their enquiries. Demi's conveyancing career began in 2017. Having being born in Margate, she knows the local area well, so if you are new to the area, Demi can assist with many of the issues that will be of concern or interest to you. Away from the office, Demi recently bought her first property and is beginning to turn her hand to house renovation. She is also interested in history, having studied the subject at university.

Elliot Aish

Job Titles:

Partner
Partner / Ramsgate

Elliot has an excellent reputation for communicating well with his clients and being thorough. He will give you tailored independent advice to make sure your property transaction goes through quickly and efficiently. Elliot's direct dial telephone number is 01843 269291. Elliot's expertise is in all general residential property work including: Freehold sales and purchases Leasehold sales and purchases Remortgages Legal charges on properties, and Transfers of equity. Elliot Aish has a Law Degree from Keele University and completed his Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, Bloomsbury. Elliot has worked for Boys & Maughan in a number of roles within our conveyancing team since joining us in 2013. He is currently based at out Ramsgate office and qualified as a solicitor in August 2019. Outside work Elliot likes to take part in a variety of sports and loves to be outdoors, camping and hiking. "From the outset, our conveyancer Elliot explained everything clearly. Communication between Elliot and ourselves was excellent and we were extremely impressed with the speed of the transaction."

Emma Harris

Job Titles:

Conveyancing Executive
Conveyancing Executive / Margate

For most people buying or selling a house is the single largest transaction of their lives. Emma Harris is experienced in guiding people through the process and making the transaction as stress free as possible. Emma is polite, efficient and knows the Isle of Thanet well. This could be to your advantage because she is familiar with the local estate agents and the sorts of issues people commonly encounter when moving into the area. Clients often recommend Emma to their friends and family and continue to use her services as they move up the property ladder. Based at our Margate office, Emma's residential property specialisms include: Freehold sales and purchases Leasehold sales and purchases Lease extensions Remortgages, and Transfers of equity. Outside the office Emma has two young children who keep her very busy and is a keen equestrian. "We found Emma very easy to communicate with. She was efficient, friendly and helpful. We were more than satisfied with the service provided."

Frances Coupe

Job Titles:

Senior Solicitor

Frances Coupe is fully committed to getting to know her clients and providing them with advice tailored to their specific needs.

Fred Maltby

Job Titles:

Solicitor

Fred Maltby joined the Private Client department of Boys & Maughan in January 2024. Fred deals with wills and probate matters and has a reputation for being supportive, accessible and thorough. He has previously gained experience in the fields of residential conveyancing and commercial property. Fred is based at our Ramsgate office on Monday and Friday and spends Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at our branch in Castle Street, Canterbury. When he is not in the office, Fred enjoys reading, music, country walks and trips to local animal parks.

Geena Parsons

Job Titles:

Senior Solicitor
Senior Solicitor / Margate

Geena is senior dispute resolution solicitor based at our Margate office and can be contacted directly on 01843 269309. Geena joined our Legal 500 rated litigation and disputes department in 2021, having previously been a city lawyer in London where she specialised in high value property disputes on behalf of insurers. She is equally experienced acting for claimants and defendants on a broad spectrum of matters. Geena acts for individuals, businesses and other organisations. Her areas of expertise include: Property disputes Professional negligence Property misrepresentation claims Contentious probate and trust matters Right of way and easement issues Boundary disputes Neighbour disputes Contract disputes relating to property Insurance disputes, and Party wall disputes. Whether acting for a claimant or defendant, Geena will work hard to obtain the most favourable outcome for you, as quickly as possible - always seeking to save you time, costs and worry. Whether that is with robust pre-action correspondence, advising as to the best settlement options including Part 36 offers or representing you at mediations and, where settlement is not possible and the prospects merit it, through to trial. Away from the office, having fallen in love with Margate after a day trip to visit the Turner Contemporary, Geena moved with her husband and children to the town and now enjoys long walks on the many beautiful Thanet beaches with her family and their two dogs.

Graham Tong

Job Titles:

Senior Licensed Conveyancer

Graham is a Senior Licensed Conveyancer at our Canterbury St George's Place office who aims to provide a friendly, professional and efficient service to clients. You can call Graham on 01227 931056. Graham is assisted by Gemma Penders who will be pleased to help when he is not available. Gemma's telephone number is 01227 207000. "We were very pleased with how efficiently our move was dealt with. Big thanks to Graham Tong."

Greg Moulsdale

Job Titles:

Associate
Legal Executive
Associate Legal Executive / Margate
Paralegal

Greg Moulsdale is a paralegal who specialises in matrimonial breakdown and planning advice. You can call Greg on 01843 269339. Greg became a paralegal in the Boys & Maughan family department in 2020; moving up the career ladder having supported the lawyers in this team for long periods of his legal career since it began in 2013. A Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Greg is currently working towards full qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive. Greg recognises that relationship breakdown can be very challenging and the issues involved are unique to every family. He is open and honest in his communications, working closely with clients to overcome the difficulties they face and find solutions so they can face the future with confidence. Away from the office, whilst not studying for his exams, Greg is very active, playing football, golf and squash. He welcomed the birth of twin boys in January 2020. They are making sure his home life is just as busy as his work life.

Hannah Kemp

Job Titles:

Conveyancing Executive
Property Specialist

Hannah Kemp is a residential property specialist at our Birchington office. Hannah joined Boys & Maughan in 2020 and is developing her career by working towards qualifying as a Licensed Conveyancer. You can call Hannah on 01843 269322. Hannah deals with a broad range of property matters including: Freehold sales and purchases Leasehold sales and purchases New build properties Re-mortgages, and Help to buy. Hannah is known for her helpful, plain English approach to assisting clients. She is exceptionally well organised and takes pride in completing work on time, so deadlines are met. Hannah knows Thanet well having always lived in the area. If you are moving to the Isle, Hannah will be pleased to share her knowledge of the local schools and services. Outside work Hannah is enjoying refining her DIY skills as she renovates her house with her partner.

Hayley Goucher

Job Titles:

Solicitor

Helen Knowles

Job Titles:

Senior Conveyancer

Joana Daraskeviciute

Job Titles:

Solicitor
Solicitor / Margate

Joana Daraskeviciute advises clients across a broad range of civil disputes and has been a civil litigator since 2014. You can call Joana on 01843 269308. Joana provides practical advice in plain English and is able to quickly and cost-effectively assess the best options for clients. Joana is experienced in the following: Property litigation Commercial disputes Right to enfranchise and right to manage Contractual disputes Construction disputes Property Tribunal Proceedings Service Charge disputes Misrepresentation claims Possession proceedings Landlord and Tenant disputes Joint tenancy changes Statutory lease extensions. Joana focusses on settling her cases out of court wherever possible and practical and deals with various forms of alternative dispute resolution. Joana enjoys negotiating and she recently succeeded in an adjudication on behalf of a large commercial client. She has also settled a number of cases by way of mediation. For example, a settlement was reached in relation to a trespass claim against Joana's client. Joana completed her law degree together with the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in Liverpool, joined Boys and Maughan in September 2019 and qualified as a solicitor in September 2022. In her free time, Joana enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures. She is also passionate about music.

Joanna Illingworth

Job Titles:

Partner

Jonathan da Costa

Job Titles:

Partner
Head of the Boys & Maughan Family Department
Member of Around the Table
Partner / Margate

Jonathan da Costa is head of the Boys & Maughan Family Department, a member of the Law Society Family Law accreditation scheme and a Resolution Accredited Specialist. You can call Jonathan on 01843 269341. Jonathan joined Boys & Maughan in 1990 and was admitted as a solicitor in 1998. He became a partner in 1999 and an equity partner in 2012. Outside of the office and courtroom Jonathan enjoys spending time with his family and children. "The service Jonathan provided was exceptional and professional and exceeded all expectations."