Peter has an extensive experience of litigation, both Civil, Criminal and family, 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 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 with family matters based on many years’ experience on such work, specialising in Children matters. He retains a complex case load in this area. 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 joined Abels on qualifying as a solicitor in 1990 and was a partner of the firm from 1995 until 2025. He is now a Consultant with us and 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.
Legal Executive Advocate, Head of Family Department, Staff Partner.
Sam has been working in family law for over 15 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; care proceedings and complex Children Act matters including appeals. Sam is a member of the Children Law Panel achieving membership in 2018 and can represent children through their Guardian in Children Act Proceedings. Sam is also the treasurer for Hampshire Resolution.
Haashim graduated in Law at Southampton University in 2013 and joined Abels as a Trainee Solicitor in 2015. He qualified as a Solicitor in April 2018. After formally completing his training, Haashim now specialises in residential and commercial property.
When not in the office, Haashim enjoys spending time with his family and is a football enthusiast.
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.
When not in the office, Sheila enjoys spending time with her family and friends and taking her dog on long walks
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.
When not in the office, Hilary enjoys cooking, yoga and going to the gym.
Katie joined Abels following completion of a Master’s Degree in Historical Musicology in 2018. Since joining the firm, she has undertaken various roles and now works in the Family Department. Katie is currently undertaking her CPQ with the CILEx Law School and is training to be a CILEx Lawyer. Katie deals with all forms of Family Law including divorce and finances, protection orders for victims of domestic abuse, disputes about children and Public Law Children matters. Katie is also a member of Resolution.
When not in the office, Katie enjoys music, horse riding, reading and spending time with her friends and family.
Kate gained a degree in History at Portsmouth University in 2007 and decided to go into Law. Kate is a CILEX qualified Paralegal and has been working in this area of law for 14 years. Kate joined Abels in 2022 and specialises in Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate.
When not in the office, Kate enjoys reading, baking, all things Disney and spending time with her children and family.
Meet the Team
Peter Humphris
Senior Partner
Peter Humphris - Senior Partner
p.humphris@abels-solicitors.co.uk
Peter has an extensive experience of litigation, both Civil, Criminal and family, 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 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 with family matters based on many years’ experience on such work, specialising in Children matters. He retains a complex case load in this area. 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
Consultant
Julian Titt - Consultant
j.titt@abels-solicitors.co.uk
Julian joined Abels on qualifying as a solicitor in 1990 and was a partner of the firm from 1995 until 2025. He is now a Consultant with us and 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
s.jeanes@abels-solicitors.co.uk
Legal Executive Advocate, Head of Family Department, Staff Partner.
Sam has been working in family law for over 15 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; care proceedings and complex Children Act matters including appeals. Sam is a member of the Children Law Panel achieving membership in 2018 and can represent children through their Guardian in Children Act Proceedings. Sam is also the treasurer for Hampshire Resolution.
Notable cases:
M (A child) [2018] EWCA Civ 240
E,F, G &H (Children) [2025] EWFC 17 (B)
When not in the office, Sam enjoys horses, reading and tap dancing.
Haashim Poswall
Solicitor
Haashim Poswall - Solicitor
h.poswall@abels-solicitors.co.uk
Haashim graduated in Law at Southampton University in 2013 and joined Abels as a Trainee Solicitor in 2015. He qualified as a Solicitor in April 2018. After formally completing his training, Haashim now specialises in residential and commercial property.
When not in the office, Haashim enjoys spending time with his family and is a football enthusiast.
Sheila Harvey
Conveyancing Paralegal
Sheila Harvey - Conveyancing Paralegal
s.harvey@abels-solicitors.co.uk
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.
When not in the office, Sheila enjoys spending time with her family and friends and taking her dog on long walks
Hilary Marshall
Licensed Conveyancer
Hilary Marshall - Licensed Conveyancer
h.marshall@abels-solicitors.co.uk
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.
When not in the office, Hilary enjoys cooking, yoga and going to the gym.
Katie Ball
Trainee CILEX Lawyer
Katie Ball - Trainee CILEX Lawyer
k.ball@abels-solicitors.co.uk
Katie joined Abels following completion of a Master’s Degree in Historical Musicology in 2018. Since joining the firm, she has undertaken various roles and now works in the Family Department. Katie is currently undertaking her CPQ with the CILEx Law School and is training to be a CILEx Lawyer. Katie deals with all forms of Family Law including divorce and finances, protection orders for victims of domestic abuse, disputes about children and Public Law Children matters. Katie is also a member of Resolution.
When not in the office, Katie enjoys music, horse riding, reading and spending time with her friends and family.
Kate Brownlee
Private Client Paralegal
Kate Brownlee - Private Client Paralegal
k.brownlee@abels-solicitors.co.uk
Kate gained a degree in History at Portsmouth University in 2007 and decided to go into Law. Kate is a CILEX qualified Paralegal and has been working in this area of law for 14 years. Kate joined Abels in 2022 and specialises in Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate.
When not in the office, Kate enjoys reading, baking, all things Disney and spending time with her children and family.