I am a commercial property solicitor who trained with a large regional law firm (DMH Stallard) qualifying in September 2017 and worked there until 2020.

Before joining MWB, I spent 3 years working at Buss Murton Law. Throughout my career I have dealt with a broad range of commercial property transactions including purchases and sales of commercial property, landlord and tenant work and property financing. I also have experience in dealing with more specialist development work acting for both landowners and developers on dealing with option agreements, overage provisions and related development financing.

Having originally studied economic and social history at university between 2001 and 2004, I then worked in the clinical trial industry in data management and logistics roles before completing the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course full time between 2007 and 2009. I then worked in various commercial property paralegal roles before commencing my training contract in September 2015.

Outside of work I follow both football and cricket but as with most parents the majority of my time is taken up running around after my two young children (6 and 9), including helping coach my son’s local football team. I also enjoy travelling although that now tends to be focused on holidays with the family rather than the long weekend city breaks of years gone by.

I am a family law specialist having qualified as a solicitor in 2007.

I have worked in the Sussex area since 2013.

Prior to joining Mayo Wynne Baxter, I was head of the family law department at a firm in Horsham.  I have also previously worked at a regional top 100 firm.

I support clients on all aspects of family law, including divorce, financial and children matters.

I adopt a friendly, calming approach and understanding what a stressful time this is for individuals, I work hard to provide an excellent client service during this difficult time.

I am a member of Resolution, a national organisation of family lawyers committed to a constructive and non-confrontational approach to family law matters.

However, where a more robust approach is required, I am a firm litigator with extensive experience of the court process.

My work attracts positive feedback from clients and peers alike. I have previously been recommended in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK directories.

The 2021 edition of the Legal 500 comments that “Marwa Hadi-Barnes is an excellent solicitor.  She is thorough and always give very practical advice.”

Chambers UK has said “Marwa is well regarded for her work on divorce and financial remedy.  A source describes her as informative, pleasant and kind.  She was on my side while maintaining a professional distance – a perfect balance” and “she is very efficient and good at giving realistic advice” say interviewees.

In my spare time, when I am not keeping my young son occupied, I try to fit in city breaks, Les Mills classes and the odd gig.

Matt qualified at a regional firm in the South West in 2010 before relocating to Birmingham to start his legal career. Shortly after relocating, Matt joined what was Shakespeares and later Shakespeare Martineau (another firm within the AMPA legal and professional services group). Matt worked in the firm’s Birmingham and Solihull offices before moving to head up the Private Client team in their Milton Keynes office as a Legal Director where he stayed until 2022 at which point Matt moved to Sussex and joined Mayo Wynne Baxter as a partner.

Matt is a full member of STEP, an accredited member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formally SFE) and has passed the STEP diploma in advanced Will preparation with Distinction. Matt was also named as Associate to Watch in the Chambers 2022 High Net Worth rankings and ranked as Up and Coming partner in Chamber 2023 High Net Worth ranking!

Matt enjoys helping all types of clients in negotiating the pitfalls of estate planning and estate/trust administration including Will preparation, Lasting Powers of Attorney and IHT planning. Matt has a particular interest in working with clients from within the LGBTQ+ community, offering an open and non-judgemental path to the services they need.

Outside of work Matt enjoys going to the theatre and has seen almost 70 shows in the West End and on tour. He is also kept busy looking after his Husky on long walks as well as visits to the many local vineyards in and around Sussex. He also enjoys swimming and DIY.

High Net Worth Guide 2023 – ranked Up and Coming : Private Wealth Law

High Net Worth Guide 2024 – ranked Up and Coming : Private Wealth Law

Matt Parr is a well-regarded partner based in Mayo Wynne Baxter’s Crawley office and advises on estate planning and administration matters.

Strengths

“Matthew Parr was professional, prompt and able to come back to me with answers almost immediately to achieve the best outcomes.”
“Matthew has always been approachable and very professional. He is always willing to answer any questions and come back with a solution.”

Michelle deals with residential conveyancing matters and specialises in relocation conveyancing. This involves acting for employees of large companies who are being relocated in and around the UK and sometimes further afield to places such as the USA.

She deals with the conveyancing aspect for those employees in their sales and/or purchases within England and Wales.  Michelle has built up a good relationship with one of the leading relocation companies and their solicitors to ensure that these transactions go as smoothly as possible for her clients and prides herself in having made this relationship both a professional and friendly one.

Michelle is always happy  to know that the relocation employees have been satisfied with the service provided especially when they then re-instruct her on future Conveyancing matters.

Michelle has worked in law for over 20 years and is usually based at the East Grinstead office, following her own relocation to the Sussex area from her home town in South Wales.

In her spare time Michelle is kept busy by her active son and enjoys family time with him and her husband.  Michelle also enjoys attending various musical concerts with her husband and whilst not a sports fan does enjoy a good game of rugby especially when Wales are on form.

I am a paralegal in the Private Client team and have previously worked in the Residential Property Department.

I’ve achieved ILEX part 1

My main role is to provide support for our lawyers and assist in a range of Private Client matters including Lasting Powers of Attorneys, Wills and Probate and Estate Administration.

I am a strong team player who always strives to deliver an efficient and effective service to every client.

What do you most enjoy about your role? 

I enjoy meeting clients and learning about their needs and finding ways to help them achieve their goals as smoothly and positively as possible.

My aim is to give a bespoke and friendly service to ensure the best possible outcome.

What are your strengths and skills?

I excel at being able to track down and obtain difficult information to enable a matter to proceed.

I am approachable and friendly, always ready to offer a listening ear and advice.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I have project managed the self-build of my home.  I enjoy long distance running and have completed the London Marathon twice.

Lee Hills is a Partner in both our Dispute Resolution and Travel teams having joined the firm in 2008. Lee qualified in 1992 and prior to his time with Mayo Wynne Baxter, Lee was a partner at another large regional law firm and was a part of its Litigation team, he also headed up its Liability Insurance Department and Travel and Aviation Team.

As well as having extensive litigation, commercial and regulatory experience of the travel and tour operating sector, where he is recognised as a ‘Leader in the Field’ by Chambers UK whilst maintaining a host of key clients including tour operators, travel agents, DMC’s, suppliers and travel industry trade associations, Lee is also recognised for his wider litigation experience including the defendant insurance markets where he is accredited in the UK directory, Legal 500. Maintaining a balanced and extensive portfolio of commercial and private clients, Lee regularly advises on regulatory issues, commercial and contractual disputes, particularly those with an international flavour and involving overseas jurisdictions liaising with his network of overseas lawyers when necessary. Lee is an accredited Mediator in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and a member of numerous trade and industry associations including being a Fellow of The Institute of Travel and Tourism and a committee member of The Travel and Tourism Lawyers Association. Lee is a regular speaker at trade and industry conferences and events and provides bespoke training for clients.

Chambers 2024 – Ranked Lawyer:

Travel: Regulatory & Commercial – UK-wide
Band 3

Lee Hills of Mayo Wynne Baxter defends travel agencies and tour operators against various personal injury claims, with a focus on road traffic accidents, gastric illness cases and injuries sustained on hotel premises. He is also adept at advising on a variety of regulatory and commercial issues.

Travel: International Personal Injury (Defendant) – UK-wide
Band 3

Lee Hills of Mayo Wynne Baxter defends travel agencies and tour operators against various personal injury claims, with a focus on road traffic accidents, gastric illness cases and injuries sustained on hotel premises. He is also adept at advising on a variety of regulatory and commercial issues.

I graduated from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand with Law and Science degrees in 1994 and qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in the same year. I practised law in New Zealand before permanently moving to the UK and becoming a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, in 2003. Since that time, my practice was litigation based with an emphasis on family law, contested wills & probate and employment matters.

After working as a Partner with Russell & Co Solicitors in Crawley, West Sussex, I joined Mayo Wynne Baxter when the firms merged in May 2018.

I am a Partner and Head of the Family Team at MWB, with a practice which is now exclusively family law.

The cases I deal with involve separation, divorce, civil partnership, and cohabitation breakdown and I advise clients on the financial issues arising as a consequence of their relationship breakdown as well as issues in connection with the care arrangements for any children of the relationship.

I also have a wealth of experience in advising and representing clients who have been the victims of domestic violence or against whom allegations of domestic violence have been made.

My specialisms are in advising and representing clients in cases involving:

  • Intractable contact/parental alienation children disputes;
  • Temporary/permanent removal of children from England and Wales;
  • International/domestic child abduction/failure to return;
  • Relocation with children within England and Wales;
  • Emergency/urgent court orders involving children;
  • Urgent applications for orders to protect clients from domestic violence.
  • Complex financial claims upon divorce/separation.

Amanda has recently joined Mayo Wynne Baxter and is based in our East Grinstead office, as an Enfranchisement Executive.

Amanda was previously working at another Sussex based Firm, where she worked as a fee earner in enfranchisement since 2009.

Before specialising in enfranchisement work, Amanda’s background is residential conveyancing.  However, she now specialises in: –

  • Lease extensions proceeding by agreement and under the LRHUDA 1993, acting for landlord or tenant
  • Sales and Purchases of Freehold title by agreement, collective enfranchisement and via s.5 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, acting for landlord or tenant
  • Lease variations or Licences

Amanda has very good and well-established professional relationships with a number of valuers in and around Sussex, Croydon and London.

Amanda used to work as a professional ice show skater and, outside of work, enjoys her passion of ice skating as well as dancing, gym classes and spending time with her cats, family and friends.