Peter has an extensive experience of litigation, both Civil and Criminal, built up over 30 years following qualification in 1987 as a solicitor and heads up our litigation department. He has been a partner since 1992 and senior partner since 2015. He undertakes civil litigation and dispute resolution in a number of areas (about 65% of his work time) including debt collection for businesses and specialising in Property , contentious probate and Housing (as legal aid supervisor) and contentious Landlord and Tenant work but also assisting the family team based on many years’ experience on such work . He retains a small but complex case load in this area (about 15% of his work time) .He still undertakes Criminal work having been a duty solicitor for 25 years although only now on a private basis for new matters since 1st September 2018 ( about 10% of his work time).He also undertakes a limited amount of employment work (5%) and some limited private client work including probate (5%). As Senior Partner he has been leading our efforts to meet ever higher standards of service demanded by clients and regulators through retention of our Lexcel and CQS accreditations as well as the ever-expanding requirements of legislation and rule changes.
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Julian Titt
Partner
Julian Titt - Partner
Julian joined Abels on qualifying as a solicitor in 1990 and became a partner in 1995. He undertakes all matters relating to residential conveyancing including sales and purchases on freehold and leasehold properties, re-mortgages, shared ownership and lease extensions. He also prepares Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and undertakes some work in connection with the administration of estates.Julian is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) , an organisation dedicated to raising standards and good practice in the administration of estates and requiring him to undertake regular training in this field.
When not in the office, Julian is on the Executive Committee of Ringwood and District Community Association and enjoys setting and competing in quizzes (having much success if his wife is in them too!), travelling, reading and all things historical. He has also had a Southampton FC season ticket for 27 years.
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Samantha Jeanes
Partner
Samantha Jeanes - Partner
Family Department
Legal Executive Advocate, Head of Family Department, Staff Partner.
Sam has been working in family law for over 13 years. Sam qualified as a Legal Executive in 2010 and became a Legal Executive Advocate in 2017. Sam undertakes all aspects of family law including care work. Sam undertakes complex cases such as adoption, applications under the embryology act and Appeals. Sam has recently qualified as a member of the Child Law Panel and can represent children through a Guardian in care proceedings. Sam is also the treasurer for Hampshire Resolution and a member of the Legal Aid Committee for Resolution.
Sam’s hobbies include horses, reading and tap dancing.
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Haashim Poswall
Solicitor
Haashim Poswall - Solicitor
Haashim Poswall graduated in Law at Southampton University in 2013 and joined Abels as a (Trainee Solicitor) in 2015. Haashim qualified as a Solicitor in April 2018. After formally completing his training, Haashim now specialises in residential and commercial property.
Outside of the office, Haashim enjoys spending time with his family and is a football enthusiast.
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Nigel Hawkins
Solicitor
Nigel Hawkins - Solicitor
Head of Child Care Department
Nigel has a wealth of experience in all areas of Family Law, particularly cases involving children, both in Public Law and Private Law cases. Nigel is a member of the Children Panel, an Advanced Member of the Family Law Panel (Financial Relief and Private Law Children cases) and a member of Resolution. He has vast experience of acting for children, parents, other family members and Local Authorities, regularly appearing as an Advocate across Hampshire and Dorset in the Family Court at all levels. Nigel is regularly instructed to deal with complex cases involving children, including cases involving unexplained injuries, sexual abuse allegations, harm and neglect.Nigel qualified as a solicitor in 1994.
Notable cases: Re: IB (A Child) [2014] EWFC 16, A Local Authority and a Mother, a Father & MA (by her Children’s Guardian) [2016] EWFC 46 and Y v H & C [2017] EWHC 3698.
Interests – reading, History, football, music and spending time with his family
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Malcolm Harper
Solicitor
Malcolm Harper - Solicitor
Malcolm Harper graduated in Law at Southampton University in 1977 and joined Abels as an Articled Clerk (Trainee Solicitor) in February 1978. Malcolm qualified as a Solicitor in October 1980 and was made a Partner in the firm in 1983. He became Senior Partner in 1999 and retired as Senior Partner in 2015. He is now employed by the firm as a Consultant.
Although, during his 40 year career in the Law, Malcolm has covered many legal areas he now specialises in commercial property and high value residential sales and purchases.
Outside of the office Malcolm is a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England and has various hobbies including music (particularly choral singing) reading (particularly crime novels) DIY, cookery and cricket.
Malcolm now only works 4 days per week so it is most unlikely that you will find him in the office on a Friday.
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Sheila Harvey
Conveyancing Paralegal
Sheila Harvey - Conveyancing Paralegal
Sheila has been working in the Conveyancing Department of Abels, in various roles, for over 23 years. Sheila mainly undertakes residential conveyancing and shared ownership sales and purchasers for private clients.
Sheila enjoys spending time with her family and friends and taking her dog on long walks
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Hilary Marshall
Licensed Conveyancer
Hilary Marshall - Licensed Conveyancer
Hilary has worked at Abels since 2005 and in 2018 qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer. Hilary deals with residential conveyancing, shared ownership, sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfer of equity matters.
Hilary’s hobbies include cooking, yoga and going to the gym.
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Rebecca Caws
Chartered Legal Executive
Rebecca Caws - Chartered Legal Executive
Rebecca has worked at the firm since 2013 and during this time has predominantly worked in the family department. Since working for the firm, Rebecca has completed all of her CILEx examinations and is now a Graduate member of The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Rebecca is due to qualify and become a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in September 2018. Rebecca enjoys all aspects of family matters and in particular, has experience in the following: -
Public children cases including Public Law Outline, non-accidental injuries, vulnerable clients, domestic violence, chronic neglect, mental health and drug and alcohol issues
Private children matters including where serious allegations of harm have been made in addition to contact and residential disputes and Special Guardianship Orders
Divorce including matrimonial finances, separation agreement, prenuptial agreements, civil partnerships, unmarried couples and cases where there has been domestic violence
Domestic abuse cases involving non-molestation orders, occupation orders and where children are involved
In her personal life, Rebecca enjoys walking her dog Poppy and spending time with family and friends.
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Lisa Harris
Legal Cashier
Lisa Harris - Legal Cashier
Lisa runs the Cash Office and also manages the firm’s credit control, debt recovery and Legal Aid Billing. Lisa is qualified with the Institute of Legal Finance & Management. Lisa has worked at Abels for a total of 16 years.
Lisa’s hobbies include gardening, painting and cooking.
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Ruby
Meet and Greet Manager
Ruby - Meet and Greet Manager
Ruby is our Office Dog. She spends her day with her owner Lisa, the Legal Cashier. Ruby is eager to please, especially when treats are on offer!
Ruby’s hobbies include long walks, cuddles and generally trying to look cute in return for a treat!
Meet the Team
Peter Humphris
Senior Partner
Peter Humphris - Senior Partner
Peter has an extensive experience of litigation, both Civil and Criminal, built up over 30 years following qualification in 1987 as a solicitor and heads up our litigation department. He has been a partner since 1992 and senior partner since 2015. He undertakes civil litigation and dispute resolution in a number of areas (about 65% of his work time) including debt collection for businesses and specialising in Property , contentious probate and Housing (as legal aid supervisor) and contentious Landlord and Tenant work but also assisting the family team based on many years’ experience on such work . He retains a small but complex case load in this area (about 15% of his work time) .He still undertakes Criminal work having been a duty solicitor for 25 years although only now on a private basis for new matters since 1st September 2018 ( about 10% of his work time).He also undertakes a limited amount of employment work (5%) and some limited private client work including probate (5%). As Senior Partner he has been leading our efforts to meet ever higher standards of service demanded by clients and regulators through retention of our Lexcel and CQS accreditations as well as the ever-expanding requirements of legislation and rule changes.
Julian Titt
Partner
Julian Titt - Partner
Julian joined Abels on qualifying as a solicitor in 1990 and became a partner in 1995. He undertakes all matters relating to residential conveyancing including sales and purchases on freehold and leasehold properties, re-mortgages, shared ownership and lease extensions. He also prepares Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and undertakes some work in connection with the administration of estates.Julian is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) , an organisation dedicated to raising standards and good practice in the administration of estates and requiring him to undertake regular training in this field.
When not in the office, Julian is on the Executive Committee of Ringwood and District Community Association and enjoys setting and competing in quizzes (having much success if his wife is in them too!), travelling, reading and all things historical. He has also had a Southampton FC season ticket for 27 years.
Samantha Jeanes
Partner
Samantha Jeanes - Partner
Family Department
Legal Executive Advocate, Head of Family Department, Staff Partner.
Sam has been working in family law for over 13 years. Sam qualified as a Legal Executive in 2010 and became a Legal Executive Advocate in 2017. Sam undertakes all aspects of family law including care work. Sam undertakes complex cases such as adoption, applications under the embryology act and Appeals. Sam has recently qualified as a member of the Child Law Panel and can represent children through a Guardian in care proceedings. Sam is also the treasurer for Hampshire Resolution and a member of the Legal Aid Committee for Resolution.
Notable case: M (A child) [2018] EWCA Civ 240
Sam’s hobbies include horses, reading and tap dancing.
Haashim Poswall
Solicitor
Haashim Poswall - Solicitor
Haashim Poswall graduated in Law at Southampton University in 2013 and joined Abels as a (Trainee Solicitor) in 2015. Haashim qualified as a Solicitor in April 2018.
After formally completing his training, Haashim now specialises in residential and commercial property.
Outside of the office, Haashim enjoys spending time with his family and is a football enthusiast.
Nigel Hawkins
Solicitor
Nigel Hawkins - Solicitor
Head of Child Care Department
Nigel has a wealth of experience in all areas of Family Law, particularly cases involving children, both in Public Law and Private Law cases. Nigel is a member of the Children Panel, an Advanced Member of the Family Law Panel (Financial Relief and Private Law Children cases) and a member of Resolution. He has vast experience of acting for children, parents, other family members and Local Authorities, regularly appearing as an Advocate across Hampshire and Dorset in the Family Court at all levels. Nigel is regularly instructed to deal with complex cases involving children, including cases involving unexplained injuries, sexual abuse allegations, harm and neglect.Nigel qualified as a solicitor in 1994.
Notable cases: Re: IB (A Child) [2014] EWFC 16, A Local Authority and a Mother, a Father & MA (by her Children’s Guardian) [2016] EWFC 46 and Y v H & C [2017] EWHC 3698.
Interests – reading, History, football, music and spending time with his family
Malcolm Harper
Solicitor
Malcolm Harper - Solicitor
Malcolm Harper graduated in Law at Southampton University in 1977 and joined Abels as an Articled Clerk (Trainee Solicitor) in February 1978. Malcolm qualified as a Solicitor in October 1980 and was made a Partner in the firm in 1983. He became Senior Partner in 1999 and retired as Senior Partner in 2015. He is now employed by the firm as a Consultant.
Although, during his 40 year career in the Law, Malcolm has covered many legal areas he now specialises in commercial property and high value residential sales and purchases.
Outside of the office Malcolm is a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England and has various hobbies including music (particularly choral singing) reading (particularly crime novels) DIY, cookery and cricket.
Malcolm now only works 4 days per week so it is most unlikely that you will find him in the office on a Friday.
Sheila Harvey
Conveyancing Paralegal
Sheila Harvey - Conveyancing Paralegal
Sheila has been working in the Conveyancing Department of Abels, in various roles, for over 23 years. Sheila mainly undertakes residential conveyancing and shared ownership sales and purchasers for private clients.
Sheila enjoys spending time with her family and friends and taking her dog on long walks
Hilary Marshall
Licensed Conveyancer
Hilary Marshall - Licensed Conveyancer
Hilary has worked at Abels since 2005 and in 2018 qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer. Hilary deals with residential conveyancing, shared ownership, sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfer of equity matters.
Hilary’s hobbies include cooking, yoga and going to the gym.
Rebecca Caws
Chartered Legal Executive
Rebecca Caws - Chartered Legal Executive
Rebecca has worked at the firm since 2013 and during this time has predominantly worked in the family department. Since working for the firm, Rebecca has completed all of her CILEx examinations and is now a Graduate member of The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Rebecca is due to qualify and become a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in September 2018. Rebecca enjoys all aspects of family matters and in particular, has experience in the following: -
In her personal life, Rebecca enjoys walking her dog Poppy and spending time with family and friends.
Lisa Harris
Legal Cashier
Lisa Harris - Legal Cashier
Lisa runs the Cash Office and also manages the firm’s credit control, debt recovery and Legal Aid Billing. Lisa is qualified with the Institute of Legal Finance & Management. Lisa has worked at Abels for a total of 16 years.
Lisa’s hobbies include gardening, painting and cooking.
Ruby
Meet and Greet Manager
Ruby - Meet and Greet Manager
Ruby is our Office Dog. She spends her day with her owner Lisa, the Legal Cashier. Ruby is eager to please, especially when treats are on offer!
Ruby’s hobbies include long walks, cuddles and generally trying to look cute in return for a treat!