
Richard joined Maples in August 1972 as a Trainee Solicitor, after gaining his Legal Masters at London University. After serving his Articles at the Firm, Richard was admitted to the Solicitors’ Roll in December 1974.
Richard became a Partner at the Firm on 1st January 1976, and on 1st January 2002 he became the Senior Partner.
Under Richard’s stewardship the Firm became a Limited Liability Partnership on 1st January 2007.
Richard has over 30 years’ experience of handling heavyweight and complex Company and Commercial matters, as well as having an in depth knowledge of Tax and Probate Law.
Since 1st January 2009 Richard has begun the gradual wind down to retirement and is now employed by the Firm as a Consultant, although he still remains the focal point of call for The Commercial Department.
Outside of his legal practice Richard enjoys, travel, fine wine and food. In his heyday Richard was a keen sportsman, and in particular excelled as a wicket keeper in cricket.
Telephone:- 01775 722261 or his secretary Donna, direct on 01775 764244
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Philip joined Maples in August 1979, and was admitted to the Solicitors’ Role in January 1980.
On 1st January 1982 Philip became a Partner in the Practice. Philip has over 25 years’ experience of handling a range of property issues and uses his skills and experience to provide a first class residential conveyancing service. Philip is also heavily involved in the work of the Probate Department.
When Philip is not at work he relaxes by indulging in his favourite pastime of fishing.
Telephone:- 01775 722261 or his secretary Lisa, direct on 01775 764237
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Malcolm was admitted to the Solicitors’ Roll in April 1974, and joined Maples in 1980. Malcolm became a Partner in the Firm on 1st January 1982.
Malcolm is a Member of the Law Society Child Care Panel and also the Law Society Personal Injury Panel. He has over 30 years’ experience in Personal Injury and Family Law matters.
On the 8th January 2010 Malcolm obtained his Master of Law with Distinction in Advanced Legal Practice.
In his spare time Malcolm enjoys sailing, and also likes to travel.
Direct Line:- 01775 764225
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David was born and brought up near Grimsby and after obtaining a Law Degree from Sheffield University joined Maples in September 1982 as a Trainee Solicitor. After qualifying in October 1984 he became a Partner in January 1986.
David specialises in Commercial Property and is well respected for his work on behalf of some of the area’s leading property developers. The work ranges from the sale and purchase of individual plots to larger estates of 300 plus dwellings and includes complex acquisitions.
David is well known for his work with local Churches – as an active Methodist he has taken a leading role in the local Church and Circuit and also acts in a variety of matters involving the Anglican Church and other denominations. Over the years he has been involved in a number of other charities, including periods as Clerk to the Governors for a local Primary School, a Governor of a local Secondary School, work in establishing a charity for the homeless and involvement with youth work.
Direct Line:- 01775 764236
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Mike qualified as a Solicitor in April 1981. He joined Maples in October 1983 before becoming a Partner in the Practice in 1986.
Mike specialises in Residential Conveyancing, and has over 20 years’ experience in this field. He is very well respected and liked by the local agents, and is renowned by his clients for his efficiency and speed in dealing with the conveyancing process.
Outside of work Mike likes to spend as much time as possible with his family.
Telephone:- 01775 722261 or his secretary Freda, direct on 01775 764243
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Anita has been with the Firm since 1989. She joined as a Trainee Solicitor, before qualifying in October 1991 and eventually becoming a Partner in the Practice with effect from 1st January 1995. Since 2004 Anita has been the Firm’s Managing Partner, and in particular has been responsible for guiding the Firm through Lexcel Accreditation.
Anita’s work is split between Family Law, Criminal Litigation and management of the Firm.
With respect to Family Law, Anita is a Member of Resolution, which is an organisation of Family Lawyers who attempt to resolve family disputes and divorce on a non-confrontational basis. Having said that, if family disputes do have to be settled by the Court, then Anita has over 15 years’ experience of advocacy.
Anita has undertaken all types of family work from Publicly Funded work (legally aided) to complex divorces involving several million pounds’ worth of assets.
So far as Criminal Litigation is concerned, Anita is a Member of the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme and is also a Police Station and Court Duty Solicitor. Her experience has involved her undertaking defence work of a wide nature ranging from the most serious crimes to constructing technical defences for motoring matters.
Outside of work Anita is on the Board of Governors at St Johns Primary School & Spalding High School and is married with two children.
Direct Line:- 01775 764214
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Grant qualified as a Solicitor back in 1995 with a Practice in Ipswich, before joining Maples in September 1996. He became a Partner in the Firm in January 1999.
For the past 14 years with Maples, Grant has gained a considerable amount of experience in a number of areas of law. Grant is in fact the Head of the Dispute Resolution (Litigation) Department, as well as the leader for the Employment and Debt Recovery Teams. Grant also provides assistance as part of the Business Law Team.
Recently Grant has become a Member of the Employment Lawyers’ Association and has earned the Firm a contract with Temple Legal Protection Limited so that the Firm can offer Employment Guard to clients – a scheme that insures businesses against Employment Tribunal claims and the cost thereof.
Grant can be a persistent and determined litigator. These characteristics came to the fore in a recent Employment Tribunal claim. Grant recalls “After day one of representing a Claimant pursuing a claim for unfair dismissal by way of constructive dismissal (resignation) the Judge politely indicated to me and my client that we were losing and that it would be a waste of our time to continue to fight the case on days two and three of the hearing. Nonetheless the client wanted to fight on, and on day two we managed to turn the case around with the Judge then suggesting to the other side that they should settle up whilst they still could! The other side duly approached me at the next interval and then we agreed a very favourable settlement for my client.”
In his spare time Grant is very active in the community as he is the Company Secretary to the Spalding Sports Club Limited, and an active member of the Peterborough Business Club and is the marketing assistant for the Bourne and Spalding 4Networking Group. Occasionally he still has time to play and follow cricket, rugby, football and go to the gym.
Telephone:- 01775 722261 or his secretary Laura, direct on 01775 764251
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James qualified as a Solicitor in September 1996, having completed his Articles in his hometown of Blackpool. James joined the Firm in 1997, and became a Partner in January 2001.
James specialises in Commercial Conveyancing (particularly with a Leasehold slant), Business Transfers and Company matters.
Outside of work James likes to travel, is a very keen and enthusiastic skier and also a member of the Maples Darts Team.
Direct Line:- 01775 764233
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Catherine has been with Maples for over 10 years. She joined as a Trainee Solicitor in 1997, before qualifying with us in September 1999.
In January 2007 Catherine became a Partner in the newly formed Limited Liability Partnership.
Catherine specialises in Family and Children matters. She is responsible for the management of the Firm’s Publicly Funded Work (legal aid) and is a Member of the Family Law Panel. Catherine also has experience in a number of other areas of litigation.
Most of Catherine’s time outside of work is spent being devoted to her family.
Telephone:- 01775 722261 or her secretary Claire, direct on 01775 764228
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Jane joined Maples in September 2000 as a Trainee Solicitor, and qualified as a Solicitor in September 2002.
In January 2007 she became a Partner of the newly formed Limited Liability Partnership.
Jane covers all areas of commercial and residential conveyancing. She also assists Richard Lewis with Commercial Law matters as well as dealing with complex Probate matters.
Internally Jane is responsible for all the Firm’s personnel issues, including recruitment.
Outside of work, Jane enjoys spending time with her young family.
Telephone:- 01775 722261 or her Secretary Jamie, direct on 01775 764262
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Daven was admitted to the Solicitors’ Role in September 2003 and joined Maples in April 2004. With effect from the 1st January 2009 Daven has become a Partner in The Firm.
Daven specialises in Criminal Law, Motoring and Licensing matters. He is a Member of the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme and is also a Member of the Boston and Spalding Duty Solicitor Scheme for both the Police Station and the Court.
He has vast experience of all matters of Criminal work including high profile cases involving rape and murder ranging to the bottom end of the scale of seriousness to criminal damage and public order offences.
Daven is also well respected locally for his representation of clients in motoring matters, whether he is trying to prevent a driving ban or to obtain an acquittal.
Since our Firm holds a Criminal Defence Service Contract, Daven can apply for and obtain legal aid for many Criminal Law matters. However when legal aid is not available, Daven has on many occasions successfully applied to the Court at the end of a case for a Defendant’s Costs Order from Central Funds to have the client’s costs met by the Court/State.
Daven is heavily involved in the Firm’s 5-a-side football team and was a founder member of the team which was founded in 2005. He is also a keen cricketer, being a Member of Spalding Cricket Club aswell as being a key member of the Maples Darts Team.
Telephone:- 01775 722261 or his secretary Anita, direct on 01775 764216
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Claire started work at Maples in July 1998 as a Legal Secretary. In June 2000 she started her Legal Executive training, and in June 2005 Claire was admitted as a Member of the Institute of Legal Executives with a distinction in Family Practice. In June 2007 she was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute.
Claire specialises in Criminal Law and Matrimonial/Family matters.
Claire prepares cases for the Magistrates’ Court and is responsible for dealing with indictable criminal cases, which are cases that are dealt with at the Crown Court with the assistance of a Barrister. Claire has instructed Barristers in representing our clients in a number of serious offences, such as rape, indecent assault, ill-treatment of children, robbery, firearms offences, grievous bodily harm and serious drugs cases as well as applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Claire also conducts Matrimonial/Family cases and represents clients with regards to divorce, separation, ancillary relief and cases involving children.
Outside of work, Claire enjoys reading and socialising.
Direct Line:- 01775 764242
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Gemma joined Maples in September 2007 as a Trainee Solicitor. This was after having gained a First Class Law Degree with Honours from Liverpool John Moores University and also being awarded the Liverpool Law Society’s Proxime Accessit Prize in 2006 for outstanding achievement. Gemma had also obtained a commendation on the Legal Practice course and qualified as a generalist advisor with the Citizens Advice Bureau during her studies. Gemma qualified as a Solicitor on the 3rd November 2009, and is currently gaining a broad range of experience within the Firm.
Outside of work, Gemma likes to read and also enjoys shopping and socialising.
Direct Line:- 01775 764231
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Donna started with Maples in May 2004 working as a Secretary in the Criminal Department for Daven Naghen. Donna was soon attending Crown Court as a Clerk to the Barrister on a part time basis and drafting the Brief instructing Counsel in Crown Court matters alongside her secretarial duties. In June 2005 Donna started her Legal Executive Training at Peterborough Regional College. In December 2007 Donna changed position within the office and started working for Richard Lewis as his Assistant in Wills and Probate and his Secretary generally. Donna is now in her final year of exams and hopefully will achieve Member status of ILEX later this year. Donna is specialising in Wills and Probate and also deals with conveyancing matters in relation to Estate property. Outside of work, Donna enjoys spending time with her family and from Spring 2010 will be joining the Maples Darts Team. Direct Line - 01775 764244 Direct Email - Contact Details
Outside of work Laura is interested in travelling, reading, socialising, walking and is also a dab hand at Ten-Pin Bowling.
Laura joined the Firm in April 2001 as a Legal Secretary. Since 2005 Laura has worked as a Paralegal in the Debt Recovery Department. As well as being responsible for managing the Firm’s credit control, she also assists our clients with their own debt recovery.
Direct Line:- 01775 764251
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