By: 29 July 2024
Wilkin Chapman expands dispute resolution and debt recovery team

Three legal experts in dispute resolution and debt recovery litigation have joined Wilkin Chapman, the largest law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.

Victoria Quinn, Sarah Hamby, and Jessica Dickinson, all previously with Hull-based Gosschalks, will strengthen Wilkin Chapman’s growing dispute resolution and recoveries departments, enhancing the firm’s capabilities in dealing with property disputes and enforcing recoveries for businesses across Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire, and the UK.

 

Leading the charge in dispute resolution

Victoria Quinn, the newest partner at Wilkin Chapman, brings over 20 years of experience in real estate litigation. As a member of the Property Litigation Association, she will work with businesses, investors, and developers on matters such as lease renewals, rent recovery, lease enforcement, and estate management.

“I’m pleased to be joining Wilkin Chapman along with Sarah and Jess who I’ve worked with for a number of years and leading the dispute resolution team in Beverley. We are joining at a pivotal time for Wilkin Chapman, and I am motivated by the firm’s plans for the future,” said Victoria Quinn. “With our combined experience, myself and Sarah will offer a significant boost to the growing dispute resolution team in Beverley and allow us to provide unrivalled client service.”

Victoria’s background in the licensed leisure and retail sectors, including work for leading pub companies, bookmakers, and high-street retailers, makes her a valuable addition to the team. She also has expertise in handling infrastructure roll-out under the Electronic Communications Code, a critical area given the government’s gigabit broadband and connectivity initiatives.

 

Strengthening the dispute resolution team

Joining Victoria in the dispute resolution team is Sarah Hamby, a senior associate and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. With 15 years of experience in resolving contentious disputes for businesses, Sarah will specialise in commercial property disputes, acting for landlords and tenants on lease renewals, possession claims, and disputes concerning lease obligations, including rent arrears and general estate management.

“I’m very pleased to join Wilkin Chapman with my colleagues, where I’ll join Victoria in bringing specialist knowledge of real estate litigation to the team’s growing arsenal of resources. It’s clearly a business with a strategic understanding of growth with ambitious plans for the future – and not ‘just’ a law firm,” said Sarah Hamby.

“Businesses seeking support on lease renewals, possession claims, adverse possession claims, boundary disputes, or easement and rights of way disputes can come to us for specific advice in absolute confidence. We’re expertly positioned to deal with nuisance claims, property-related negligence claims, debt recovery and enforcement, and service of property notices, such as break notices and disputes that fall under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1954.”

Sarah’s experience with the Electronic Communications Code will also benefit operators and landowners dealing with telecoms network installations and maintenance.

 

Focus on energy litigation and debt recovery

Rejoining Wilkin Chapman at the Grimsby headquarters, Jessica Dickinson will work in recoveries with a particular focus on energy litigation. Jessica was previously a paralegal at Wilkin Chapman in 2015.

“I’ll be working from our Grimsby office to offer businesses expert legal advice in relation to the recovery of property-related debts, with a particular focus on energy litigation. With the fixed recoverable costs regime having been extended last autumn to cover higher value claims, providing an efficient service and value for money to clients is more important than ever. Working with Wilkin Chapman’s recoveries team is the ideal opportunity for me to combine impactful legal advice with real value, fairness and efficiency for businesses both locally and across the UK,” said Jessica Dickinson.

“Wilkin Chapman’s culture and values align with me and I’m excited to return to the firm.”

 

Strategic growth and expertise

Josh Briggs, partner and head of dispute resolution at Wilkin Chapman, highlighted the significance of these new appointments: “It is a pleasure to welcome three talented experts in dispute resolution and debt recovery litigation to the firm. Victoria, Sarah, and Jessica add real expertise to the team and demonstrate our local market strength and growth plans for this area.”

 

Image: Provided by Carrington Communications.