Partners

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

    I am a Partner at Pictons specialising in family law, divorce and separation. Some aspects of family law can become emotionally charged and I guide my clients through the process both advising and acting on their behalf in a calm, considered yet purposeful way. I deal with every matter strategically and get behind every client’s case from the outset.

    Although my experience is broad, I have a particular interest in financial matters arising from divorce. I have dealt with matters with assets worth over £10m and have extensive experience of dealing with high net worth individuals.

    I have substantial experience of representing clients with large pension funds in both the private and public sectors.

    I help clients with many aspects of family law including;

    • Divorce
    • Financial matters
    • Children matters including relocation and abduction
    • Relationship planning, to include Pre and post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements
    • Cohabitation and property disputes between unmarried couples

     

    I have a young family and continue to play netball whenever possible!

    I qualified as a solicitor in 2006.

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

    I am Head of the property team at Pictons. My area of specialisation is commercial property.

    My typical clients are owner managed businesses and entrepreneurs but I also act for globally recognised brand names, organisations with charitable status and some major public sector bodies. I have also completed projects with overseas organisations typically setting up or acquiring UK operating facilities. I also have significant experience working with agriculture businesses.

    I can help client across a wide range of real estate areas including:

    • Property acquisitions
    • Property sales
    • New build plots
    • Services for developers
    • Commercial lease drafting and negotiation
    • Business purchases involving substantial property components
    • Option agreements and overage payments
    • Tenancies at will
    • Licenses for alterations
    • Surrender and assignments of leases
    • Agricultural law

     

    I have been with Pictons for more than 6 years. I qualified as a solicitor in 2003.

    I have a strong family ethic, a very active networker, and am supportive of some community based organisations.

Siobhan Rooney
Partner
Head of Private Client
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  • Siobhan Rooney's Bio

    I am a Partner practising in both family law and private client law. I am also Head of the Private Client team.

    I have substantial experience in dealing with all areas of family law, having practised exclusively in family law for over 10 years. I particularly enjoy dealing with financial disputes and undertaking my own advocacy at court.

    In relation to my private client role, on behalf of the firm, I act as the appointed Executor for many Estates and as Deputy within Court of Protection matters. Whilst I deal with all aspects of private client law, my preference is dealing with contentious matters, such as disputing a Will, making a claim upon an estate or dealing with problematic Executors and Trustees.

    I qualified as a solicitor in 2008.

    My areas of specialisation cover both family and wills and probate work as follows:

    Family

    • Divorce and Separation
    • Mid to High-Net-Worth financial matters
    • Children matters including relocation and abduction
    • Pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements
    • International family disputes

     

    Private Client

    • Probate
    • Contesting a Will
    • Claims upon an estate
    • Removal of Trustees/Executors

     

    I support a wide range of community initiatives, am an active networker and kept busy outside of work by my large family.

Sukh Saini
Managing Partner
Commercial
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  • Sukh Saini's Bio

    I am the Managing Partner of Pictons with over 20 years of experience as a solicitor. I specialise in commercial law helping business owners establish, grow and protect their businesses. I work with businesses of all sizes but have substantial experience of working with owner managed businesses and SMEs.

    I help clients with the following:

    • Company commercial
    • Company structures including partnerships and LLP’s
    • Commercial contracts
    • Commercial litigation and disputes
    • Employment law
    • Personal guarantees

     

    I am the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and the Compliance Officer for Finance.

    I have a keen interest in sport, including cricket and I am a youth football coach. I also support a variety of local causes and am a former trustee of Keech Hospice.
    I qualified as a solicitor in 2000.

Meet The Team

Amber Rothwell
Solicitor
Conveyancing
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  • Amber Rothwell's Bio

    I have experience with both freehold and leasehold properties and have been in our residential property department for 4 years. I have experience dealing with auction properties, shared ownership (including Staircasing), new builds, help to buy (purchases and redemptions), transfer of title/transfer of equity, lease extensions, remortgages and general residential property advice.

    I believe in giving my clients a personal service and ensuring there is a good line of communication. I understand the moving process can be stressful, we are here to ensure it is as stress free as possible.

    I work across both our Tring and Milton Keynes office.

Catrina Saracino
Trainee Solicitor
Conveyancing
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  • Catrina Saracino's Bio

    I joined the Residential Property team in September 2019 and work on all residential property transactions, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, as well as remortgages and transfers of equity. I enjoy advising clients throughout the process of their matter from start to finish, and providing informative updates to ensure that clients are always aware of the next step.

    I have a variety of previous legal experience from high street law firms, crown court and a legal helpline, and strive to offer clear advice so that the conveyancing process is as straightforward as possible.

    Outside of work I am a keen runner and musician.

Deborah Saini
Associate
Head of Litigation
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  • Deborah Saini's Bio

    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
Trainee Solicitor
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
Legal Assistant
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.

Helen Searing
Solicitor
Property
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  • Helen Searing's Bio

    I qualified as a Property Solicitor in 2003 at Collyer Bristow LLP.  I managed a varied and busy workload of high value residential property work, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, lease extensions, re-mortgages, first registrations of title, tenancy agreements, plot sales, matrimonial transfers and probate sales for high net worth individuals, public figures and professionals.  Latterly, I worked for a family owned aircraft brokerage business, as Director and Company Secretary, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and agreements for the sale and acquisition of pre-owned corporate jet aircraft for governments, high net worth individuals and large corporations. I also managed the company’s property portfolio, assisting with the commercial leases of offices.

    I joined Pictons in January 2021 as an Assistant Solicitor, based in the Property Department, supporting both the residential and commercial property teams with sales, purchases, leases and other commercial work. I also work closely with the Wills Trusts and Probate Department, on sales for executors.

    My interests outside of work include watching my children play hockey and volunteering as a parent helper on Cub Scout camps. I also enjoy running and reading.

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.

Kasia Jeziorska
Solicitor
Wills, Trust and Probate
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  • Kasia Jeziorska's Bio

    I am a Solicitor in the Wills, Trust and Probate department where I help a wide range of clients with their Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, applications for Probate and Estate Administration.

    I completed my Legal Practice Course in 2014. I have worked as a paralegal and qualified as a Solicitor in May 2019, having spent time in several departments before specialising in Wills, Trust and Probate work.

    I am bi-lingual and am fluent in Polish.

    Outside of work I am an active person who enjoys playing volleyball and training for Capoeira, a Brazilian Martial Art.

Kirsten Morley
Legal Assistant
Wills, Trust and Probate
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  • Kirsten Morley's Bio

    I provide support for clients throughout the Probate process.

    Outside of Pictons I enjoy playing squash, tennis, horse riding & walking the dog.

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.

Nick Ritson
Solicitor
Residential Property
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  • Nick Ritson's Bio

    I qualified as a solicitor in 1985 and have specialised in residential property for the last thirty years. I have worked in the Milton Keynes area since 2002, developing a successful practice based on good service and recommendations.

    I have always been impressed by Pictons and its reputation for providing an excellent service, and joining the firm was a great opportunity. It was clear I had something to offer the enthusiastic Residential Property Department, and I am enjoying being in a vibrant and highly skilled team.

    When I am not working I enjoy gardening and walking our dog. I am particularly interested in music and have a home music production studio, as well as many instruments that I attempt to play.

Roxana Bacauanu
ACILEx Paralegal
Family
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  • Roxana Bacauanu's Bio

    I am a ACILEx Paralegal within the family department of Pictons.

    I have experience across a wide range of services within the family department.

    I assist the team on a variety of matters including, divorce and civil dissolution, matrimonial finances, international jurisdiction issues, children matters and pre and post-nuptial agreements.

    I work collaboratively with the solicitors and Partners within our team and have my own case load involving change of name deeds, statutory declarations, and divorce matters.

    I enjoy my work and put my clients first in everything I do. Effective client care and communication is very important to me and has helped me to develop my own client and referral following.

    I am qualified to CILEx Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice (with a focus on Family Law) and am an  Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.  I am currently working towards becoming a Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer.

    Outside of work my hobbies include social activities and salsa dancing.

Sam Alexander Lyon
Associate Legal Executive
Property
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  • Sam Alexander Lyon's Bio

    I am a property specialist who helps clients to buy and sell commercial and residential property. As a specialist in residential conveyancing, I work with a broad cross-section of clients, including developers, investors, families, and individuals. Whether undertaking development sale work, or advising on the sale or purchase of a single property, I endeavour to provide prompt and pragmatic advice on all aspects. As a result, I enjoy a high level of repeat business from a loyal client base. I am also an ACILEx member.

    Not wanting to miss a trick, I also have experience acting on behalf of lender and borrower clients in respect of bridging, refurbishment and development loans.

    Residential property work can invariably be complex in nature and subsequently require input from other specialist legal fields. In this respect, being part of a multi-discipline legal services firm like Pictons LLP is worth its weight in gold.

    When not consumed by work in the office, I like to mix my time with family, friends and the great outdoors. I have a real outdoor passion reserved for the both the cricket field and the golf course and can regularly be found there when fair weather chooses to grace us.

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 am a Legal Assistant in the family department at Pictons.

    I deal with all aspects of family law to include divorce and matrimonial finances and matters relating to arrangements for children to include obtaining child arrangements orders, parental responsibility, locating children when whereabouts is unknown and applications for contact for grandparents. I also advise on name change for adults and children.

    I have worked at Pictons since May 1998. I initially worked in the criminal department moving to the family department in 2005. I undertook my studies in Family Law in 2007 and began working as a Legal Assistant within the family department. I have an Ilex Certificate in Family Law and Practice.

    I have experience of dealing with many cases and I now run my own caseload regularly assisting clients with matters which are being heard by the court in respect of matrimonial finances and child arrangements.

    I am keen quizzer and hope to be able to set up a Pictons Quiz team once the pandemic allows. I also now enjoy a bit of painting although need much more practice!

Vaishali Faldu
Solicitor
Family
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  • Vaishali Faldu's Bio

    I am a Solicitor in our Family department.

    I advise extensively on a wide range of areas including divorce, cohabitation, financial disputes and disputes involving children, including contact and live with arrangements, specific issues relating to the care of a child and parental responsibility. I also have experience in preparing and implementing pre and post nuptial agreements as well as cohabitation and separation agreements.

    I take a keen interest in dealing with equitable disputes in the family/domestic sphere, representing former co-habitees, and couples. I am often instructed to represent clients in their applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (‘TOLATA’) and have a track record of resolving these family/ domestic disputes via discussions.

    I recognise that a relationship breakdown can be extremely difficult and my advice is tailored to each client’s individual needs. If possible, I will try to help clients find a solution in conciliatory and non-confrontational way but will provide firm and focused advice and representation if court proceedings become necessary.

    I am passionate about achieving the best outcome for my clients and trying to reach a resolution without the need for formal court proceedings. I take pride in providing clear and pragmatic legal advice in cases where resources are more limited, so that parties’ are able to resolve matters in the most cost effective way.

    I am also involved within the community and run advice clinics at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Milton Keynes.

    I studied Law at Nottingham Law School and then went on to do the post graduate LPC at BPP Law in London. I qualified in November 2016 after completing my training contract at a North London Firm. I joined Pictons Solicitors in 2019.

    In my spare time, I enjoy baking, travelling and spending time with my family and friends.

Vanessa Haynes
Legal Assistant
Conveyancing
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  • Vanessa Haynes's Bio

    I joined Pictons in 2020 but have been working in law firms specialising in residential conveyancing since 1987. I have an excellent knowledge of property matters and the property market in the area surrounding our offices.

    My support for clients is varied and includes; sending out contract packs, liaising with clients, solicitors and lenders on the phone and by email, facilitating exchange of contracts and the completion process and registration requirements following completion.

    When not working I enjoy attending gym classes, walking my dog, family time, spending time with friends and good food and wine!