Steph accepts instructions across a broad range of real property and land disputes. She has particular experience of matters involving:

• TOLATA and disputes concerning beneficial ownership
• Constructive and resulting trusts
• Proprietary estoppel
• Interpretation of leases, transfers, conveyances and deeds
• Restrictive and positive covenants
• Boundary and title disputes
• Applications to rectify or alter the Land Register
• Registration and challenges concerning restrictions and charges
• Land Registry applications and disputes
• Adverse possession
• Charging orders
• Property damage and insurance claims
• Unjust enrichment
• Drafting declarations of ownership
• Disputes concerning ownership of chattels
• Permitted development and lawful development certificates (LDCs)
• Electronic Communications Code matters, including instructions on behalf of landowners concerning telecommunications apparatus and mast sites

Landlord & Tenant

Landlord and tenant work forms a substantial part of Steph’s practice. She acts predominantly for landlords and is regularly instructed to advise and draft in residential tenancy disputes.

Her experience includes:

• Possession proceedings
• Disrepair and housing conditions claims
• Succession to tenancies
• The status, existence and transfer of tenancies
• Unlawful eviction
• Discrimination in housing
• Tenancy deposit disputes
• Service charge disputes
• Anti-social behaviour and serious tenancy breaches
• Agricultural tenancies

Steph has experience of cases involving unusual or particularly serious alleged breaches of tenancy, as well as matters raising difficult questions concerning tenancy status, succession and the proper construction of tenancy agreements.

Steph’s trusts and estates practice complements her property work and includes:

• TOLATA and beneficial ownership disputes
• Proprietary estoppel
• Trustee and beneficiary disputes
• Construction and interpretation of wills and trust deeds
• Challenges to wills
• Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
• Issues arising in the administration of estates
• Tax issues arising in connection with inheritance and trusts

Steph has a particular interest in the interaction between trusts of land, domestic relationships and questions of beneficial ownership

“I thought she was excellent… Steph brought to my attention relevant case law which was really useful. Steph was extremely approachable and dealt with everything in a timely and efficient manner throughout her dealings with the case. Overall Steph was amazing and I will be instructing her again.”
Solicitor, 2023

“Steph went above and beyond from the start. I honestly couldn’t have asked for more. Fantastic result and I know client is incredibly happy.”
Paralegal, 2023

“Steph is really nice and I got on with her well. She obtained a favourable outcome at court and client is happy. The opponent was really difficult but she dealt with matters really well. Would definitely instruct her again.”
Legal Executive, 2023

Education
LLM
BPTC
MA Law
English Literature BA (Hons)

Awards
Lincoln’s Inn Major BPTC Scholarship.
Frances Murphy Postgraduate Scholarship.
Dean’s Award for outstanding performance during BA.