Partners

Amy Chesterfield
Partner
Head of Family Department
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  • Amy Chesterfield's Bio

    I am a Partner and have worked exclusively in family law since 2006. My experience and expertise includes divorce and dissolution, financial matters, children matters including relocation and child abduction, cohabitation, pre and post nuptial agreements and transfer of tenancy,

    I have specialist expertise in police and fire service pensions and often advise officers with pension assets of over £1m. I also undertake all of my own advocacy in court.

Harshinder Hundal
Partner
Head of Commercial Property
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  • Harshinder Hundal's Bio

    I specialise in Commercial Property transactions including agricultural tenancies, site acquisitions, disposals of properties, new build plots and businesses, tenancy related matters and general property management and development.

    I draft and agree contracts relative to acquisitions and disposals, option agreements and overage payments, leases, rent deposits, tenancies at will, licences for alterations, surrenders and assignments of leases.

    I am a member of the Agricultural Law Association.

Julian Ireland
Partner
Dispute Resolution
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  • Julian Ireland's Bio

    I have been a Commercial Litigation Solicitor for over 10 years. I have represented multi national companies, local businesses and individuals and have extensive experience and expertise in most areas of litigation.

    I believe in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) whether by Mediation or Arbitration as it is usually cheaper and quicker than Court proceedings and gives the parties some control over the outcome.

Pauline Carlin
Partner
Head of Residential Property
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  • Pauline Carlin's Bio

    I am a specialist Residential Property Solicitor with experience in all areas of Residential Property including leasehold and freehold Conveyancing transactions, new build both for a purchase and for the developer, and buy to let transactions.  I have also acted for both buyers and sellers in auction transactions.

    I also specialise in Leasehold enfranchisement including lease extensions and  purchases of freehold of both flats and houses, acting on behalf of both tenants and landlords.

    No matter what the transaction, I work with my clients to achieve the outcomes they want in the most efficient way possible.

Siobhan Rooney
Partner
Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate
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  • Siobhan Rooney's Bio

    I ensure that my clients make decisions based on all their options and the consequences of each one. I’m an expert in all aspects of Family law and matters relating to Children.

    My specialty is advising on financial matters following separation and I am able to represent my clients in the local courts.

Sukh Saini
Managing Partner
Family
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  • Sukh Saini's Bio

    I am a Matrimonial solicitor with particular expertise in financial matters. I have been Managing Partner of Pictons since 2012 and the firms Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Compliance Officer.

    I am a Trustee of Keech Hospice Care.

Meet The Team

Amber Rothwell
Trainee Solicitor
Conveyancing
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Catrina Saracino
Legal Assistant
Conveyancing
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Deborah Saini
Associate
Head of Litigation
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  • Deborah Saini's Bio

    I am an Associate Solicitor, accredited with Senior Litigator status by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

    My varied experience and expertise includes the entire spectrum of personal injury work including road accidents; slipping and tripping cases; package holiday claims; accidents abroad; product liability claims; Animals Act claims, negligent beauty treatment and hairdressing claims; fatal claims and criminal injuries compensation claims.

Eleanor Johnson
Paralegal
Family
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  • Eleanor Johnson's Bio

    I work within the family department and assist in all matters relating to children, divorce and finances.  My role is to support solicitors to ensure that they are able to deal with their case loads efficiently and to be an additional point of contact for clients to ensure effective communication with the team. Clients have commented on my empathy and ability to deal with matters effectively.

    Since leaving university I have gained experience in a range of family law matters.  I really enjoyed both studying and practicing family law and my role within the team which provides exposure to many different clients and issues.

    Outside of work I enjoy socialising with friends and going to the gym.

Gemma Gurney
Paralegal
Commercial Property
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  • Gemma Gurney's Bio

    I assist the busy Commercial Property department at Pictons with all aspects of their transactions. My work ranges from the initial client care, to liaising with all parties throughout the transaction, as well as dealing with all post completion matters including registering charges at Companies House, filing Stamp Duty Land Tax returns to HMRC, and submitting applications at Land Registry.

    I take pride in the work I do, and ensure that my input allows for a smoother running of any transaction by offering adequate support to the fee earners and updating clients at all key stages.

John Bartholomew
Consultant
Commercial Property
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  • John Bartholomew's Bio

    I have over 30 years experience and specialise in commercial property matters, specifically property development both for residential housing and commercial developments, the granting of new leases, acting for landlords and tenants and in lease renewals.

    I also advise private clients on inheritance tax, estate planning and succession issues particularly with a commercial or business element or trust involvement and partnership issues.

Melissa Chaffey
Solicitor
Wills, Trusts and Probate
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  • Melissa Chaffey's Bio

    I qualified as a Solicitor in 2008 and since that date have dealt exclusively with private client matters.  During this time I have developed a wealth of experience in this area and  I am a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, which is the global professional association for those practitioners who specialise in family inheritance and succession planning.

    I deal with the preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection applications and the Administration of Estates.

    I am very happy to travel to meet clients at their home if they are unable to attend at our offices.

Nesta Gresham
Consultant
Corporate Commercial
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  • Nesta Gresham's Bio

    I’m a qualified Solicitor with 12 years post qualification experience. Having worked in-house and within private practice has allowed me to work in both challenging and fast paced environments as well as being able to identify and understand business needs.

    Having Higher Rights of Audience, a Master Degree and judicial experience has enabled me to identify and negate legal problems before they arise.

    Holding positions of sole responsibility for an international and multi jurisdictional company demonstrates the abilities I posses when dealing with company affairs. Having Pictons as part of your team ensures your company is in good hands

Renata Upperton
Solicitor
Dispute Resolution
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  • Renata Upperton's Bio

    I joined Pictons in April 2017 as the firm’s first external trainee solicitor and qualified in July 2019. During my training contract, I had many opportunities to work in different areas of legal practice.

    Following my admission to the roll, I have decided to specialise in dispute resolution. My life experience and previous work experience, great attention to detail, a good deal of common sense coupled with sound knowledge of law, help me greatly in achieving good outcomes for my clients. My role as a litigation solicitor is varied and demanding. It involves dealing with a broad range of civil litigation cases from the small claims court to the High Court. Sometimes, it involves negotiating on behalf of my clients to seek settlement where possible. With the best interests of my clients in mind, I always look at the wider picture when providing legal advice. As a married mother of two, I understand that money is important and will always advise my clients, at the outset of their case, whether legal fees are likely to be proportionate to the outcome sought. I provide comprehensive advice to help my clients understand the legal and practical issues relating to their matter and, consequently, to enable them to make an informed decision.

    Before I joined Pictons, I worked as a legal advisor for the Ministry of Agriculture in my native Poland. Following my marriage and relocation to England I dedicated eighteen years of my life to the UK aerospace industry. I worked for Monarch Aircraft Engineering and Harrods Aviation at London Luton Airport.

    For legal matters,  whether you are bringing a claim, or defending a claim, please feel free to contact me.

Roxana Bacauanu
Senior Paralegal
Family
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Ruth Drew
Senior Legal Assistant
Residential Property
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  • Ruth Drew's Bio

    I enjoy the fast pace of Residential Conveyancing, my experience is over many years, which  includes all aspects of sales, auctions, purchases, remortgages and transfers of equity.

    I strive to offer  a dedicated approach to all our clients to make every transaction as smooth and painless as possible.

Sarah Bridge
Consultant
Wills, Trusts and Probate
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  • Sarah Bridge's Bio

    I qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and have specialised in private client ever since, working for a broad spectrum of clients including high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs, families, landed estates and trusts.

    My expertise covers all aspects of private client work from wills, lasting powers of attorney, trusts and probate to estate planning, capital gains tax planning and trust planning. I was formerly head of private client at west end media and entertainment law firm, Harbottle & Lewis LLP.

Sarah Kane
Legal Assistant
Family
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  • Sarah Kane's Bio

    I have specialist expertise in divorce, co-habitee, children and financial disputes. My experience includes divorce and children matters such as obtaining Parental Responsibility and Access to children. I am also a Change of Name expert.

    I have a wealth of experience in applications for contact when the whereabouts of a child is unknown and I have assisted many grandparents in obtaining contact with their grandchildren.

Vahideh Hojatoleslami
Solicitor
Commercial Property
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  • Vahideh Hojatoleslami's Bio

    I deal with all aspects of commercial property related matters and particularly enjoy the logistical aspect of transactional work.

    I have recently acted on the acquisition of prominent leasehold premises in the Home Counties, and acted on the acquisition and technical surrender of a sports centre in Hertfordshire.

    The majority of my work involves the sale, purchase and financing of businesses and commercial property including agricultural land, retail units, office space, and new build plots.

Vaishali Faldu
Solicitor
Family
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  • Vaishali Faldu's Bio

    I am a Family solicitor at Pictons and specialise in divorce and financial work as well as private children cases.  Together with my professionalism, I am known for my personal and friendly approach towards clients and my attention to detail. I try to promote a conciliatory and non confrontational approach which means I will try and resolve issues amicably and without recourse to the courts. If necessary however, I possess a robust determination to ensure the best outcome for my clients and will support and guide them through the difficult court process.

    I am passionate about all family law matters which stems from a desire to assist client as they make a transition in their life, usually as a result of a family breakdown. I am also involved within the community and run free 30 minute advice clinics at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Milton Keynes one Wednesday per month.