Ruth Hayward, Partner (Member)
BA (hons) English & Politics
Admitted as solicitor in 2008

“Very often for my clients, the most important thing is to respond to their needs quickly and effectively. Time is valuable and they do not welcome being tied up in red tape or buried in legal technicalities. I love the challenge of facing all the hurdles head on, clearing each with minimum fuss and reaching for the finishing line in the quickest time the circumstances will allow.”

Ruth specialises in Powers of Attorney, Residential Property, Landlord and Tenant and Private Client matters, with years of experience working in Barnet and the North London area.

Jonathan Gilbert, Partner (Member)
LLB (hons) Law with French Law
Admitted as solicitor in 2008

“I enjoy the varied nature of litigation work. No two cases are ever the same. I would describe my approach to litigation work as robust but conciliatory. I pride myself on being able to explain aspects of law and legal procedure in a clear and concise manner. My aim in my work is to ensure matters are dealt with efficiently and cost-effectively.”

Jon specialises in Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution and has a wide range of experience from hundreds of cases including debt collection and employment law matters. His clients are based in and around Barnet, across the UK and internationally.

In recent years Jon has acted in a number reported cases. Clyne v Conlon (2021) EWHC 2444 (CH) was a Contested Probate matter where Jon successfully protected an Executrix from having to bear the full extent of the Estate’s litigation costs

In N3 Living Limited v Burgess ( 2020) EWHC 1711. Jon successfully defeated a High Court injunction Application designed to prevent the sale of his client’s property.

Jon has recently successfully secured an order to strike out a flawed case issued against his client.

Jon’s current cases include Arbitration proceedings concerning the de merger of a London and California based property company.

Tayo Taylor, Partner
Admitted as a solicitor in 2002

“I have specialised in Family Law since qualifying as a Solicitor in 2002. I have extensive experience in a wide range of family law matters. I advise clients on all aspects of family law including divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships, financial remedy matters as well as children disputes. I also advise on prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

I have extensive experience and expertise representing parents involved in the full range of private Law children disputes; such as Prohibited Steps Orders, Specific Issue Orders, and disputes about with whom a child should live and spend time with.

I have experience of complex Private Law Children matters involving applications made under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court, domestic violence and cases where children have been made a party to the proceedings.

I have also acted in children Matters with an international element and have acted for numerous parents in International Child Abduction matters under the Hague Convention 1980.

I encourage the amicable resolution of matters where possible, but I am equally at home with providing strong, robust representation in cases that are litigated. I work cost effectively and provide clear, robust and strategic advice to achieve my client’s objectives.

As a member of Resolution, I am committed to representing my clients in accordance with Resolution’s code of practice to resolve matters in a non-confrontational, sensitive and cost-effective manner.”

Steven Hickling, Managing Partner
B.Sc (hons) Anthropology
Admitted as solicitor in 1996

“As manging partner I oversee the running of the practice, provide advice and guidance to fee earners, ensure compliance with SRA rules and regulations and Anti Money Laundering regulations.

I also deal with any complaints although I am pleased to say we get very few of those. Having been a founding partner in the firm and spending many years fee earning I am now enjoying being off the front line and providing support to my hard working and talented colleagues.”

Giovanni Lanza, Paralegal and Practice Administrator

Giovanni has been with the firm since 2012.  He started as a junior and became Practice Administrator.  In recent years he has been also working as a paralegal with the firm having shown a real aptitude for the law, legal practice and working with clients.  He will complete a paralegal apprenticeship at the end of 2024 and in 2025 will commence a solicitor apprenticeship.  He has extensive experience in residential conveyancing and general civil litigation matters as well as work on employment settlement agreements.