News

Guildford Heat

We were delighted to sponsor the Guildford Heat’s penultimate home game against Worcester Wolves on Wednesday 9 April 2008.

The Heat avenged their earlier season loss against the visitors with a resounding victory during a fast paced, free flowing match. Their impressive score line of 106 – 79 confirms their reputation as the BBL’s highest scoring team. The match was televised live on Setanta Sports.

We started supporting Guildford Heat last year and have been very impressed with their performance and achievements, both on and off the court, as well as their unstinting dedication to their profession. They have the drive and determination to succeed and that all important desire to be the best.

The Ashcombe School Bursary

Once again, we were delighted to sponsor a prize at the Ashcombe School Awards Evening. This year’s recipient of the prize for Outstanding Performance at A-Level is Katie Husband who is seen here accepting her certificate from Partner and Head of Litigation, Chris Millar.

Katie achieved 5As at A-Level and is currently studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge University.

And Then There Were 10

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Nigel Cook. Nigel, who was formerly a Partner at Commercial law firm, Paul Davidson Taylor of Horsham, joins our Company Commercial Department as a Partner and will specialise in Insolvency. Nigel was a partner at PDT for over 10 years and headed up their Insolvency department. Prior to that he was a Partner at Crawley based legal firm, DMH Stallard, where he was responsible for setting up their new commercial/corporate department and initiating the establishment of a network of affiliated European law firms.

His considerable experience covers most aspects of Corporate and Commercial law, mainly within the Insolvency sector where Nigel advises many leading financiers, directors and insolvency practitioners.

Nigel is a member of the Insolvency Lawyers Association and was noted as one of the outstanding individuals in Insolvency (South East) in Chambers UK “A Client’s Guide to UK Legal Profession.” The guide ranks solicitors and barristers in over 60 specialist areas of law and they are assessed on technical legal ability, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.

Downs Ring In The Changes

For the first time in its long history, the Partners at Downs Solicitors LLP threw off tradition in 2007 and did not send Christmas cards. No, it wasn’t a case of “Bah, humbug!” but more a case of spreading Christmas cheer. Instead, they made a donation to charity and this year’s recipient was Surrey St John Ambulance. The decision not to send Christmas cards this year was prompted by a wish to be more environmentally and economically friendly and also fulfil our continuing commitment to supporting the local community. Chris Shipley, Senior Partner at Downs, is seen here presenting the cheque to Tony Mallard, Commander of St John Ambulance Surrey.

New Year Honour For Downs Consultant

Paul Marsh, President Elect of the Law Society and consultant at Downs Solicitors LLP, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law by Kingston University. Paul received his award at the University’s Graduation Ceremony which was held at the Barbican Centre on Thursday 10 January 2008.

The award is presented in recognition for Paul’s achievements as a lawyer, practitioner and as a leader of the legal profession.

Paul has acted for the University for about 20 years from the time they became independent under the Education Reform Act of 1988.

The Heat is On! (October 2007)

Downs are once again delighted to support Guildford Heat Basketball team in what promises to be another exciting and successful season. They started the 2007-08 season on a real high by beating Plymouth Raiders over two legs to win the Cup Winners Cup and they are currently second in the league with only 2 points separating them from the league leaders, Newcastle Eagles.

Guildford Heat also runs an Academy for young, aspiring players. It gives their members the opportunity to progress through the ranks of junior teams to eventually become members of the first team squad.

In 2007, the club successfully became the first ever BBL team to receive the Clubmark 4* accreditation. The award shows that Guildford Heat are fully committed to quality in what they deliver and have a firm structure in place to ensure the club builds on its success for many years to come.

£45 Million Commercial Sale (September 2007)

Our corporate, commercial property and employment teams have just completed a £45 million sale of a property-related group to institutional buyers. The sale involved a complex two part arrangement, with the operating business going to one buyer and the sale of the shares/freeholds to another purchaser. 6 months of intensive negotiations and drafting culminated in a successful conclusion for the 2 principal shareholders at the end of September.

President Elect of the Law Society joins Downs (June 2007)

We are delighted to announce the arrival of the future President of the Law Society, Paul Marsh, as a consultant.

Paul will become Vice-President at the Law Society AGM in July 2007 and will serve for one year, before becoming President of the Law Society in July 2008.

He has represented the Surrey constituency on Law Society Council since 1999 and has been Chair of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) since 2003 - where he was responsible for successfully returning the Fund from shortfall to surplus.

Paul recently led the profession’s criticisms of home information packs (HIPs) legislation; he is now instrumental in ensuring that the packs deliver benefits to consumers and that solicitors remain at the centre of the conveyancing process. He has also been a member of the Representation Board, the Finance Sub-Committee and chaired the Conveyancing and Land Law Committee.

Dorking Talking Newspaper for the Blind (May 2007)

We are delighted to announce that Sarah Thomas, one of our Senior Partners, has recently been appointed as Chairman to the Dorking Talking Newspaper for the Blind. Downs have had an association with the Talking Newspaper since its inception and Sarah’s recent appointment will strengthen our relationship with them.

In addition to her busy role here at Downs, Sarah is actively involved with numerous local organisations. She is:

Secretary to the Croydon Centre of the National Trust
Chairman of the MoleValley Heritage Open Days Organising Committee
Organiser of Dorking area “Best Development Competition”
A Member of Surrey Law Society Social Sub-Committee
Treasurer of the Yew Tree Road Residents Association
A Member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority Adjudication Panel

Guildford Heat

We were delighted to sponsor the Guildford Heat’s penultimate home game against Worcester Wolves on Wednesday 9 April 2008.

The Heat avenged their earlier season loss against the visitors with a resounding victory during a fast paced, free flowing match. Their impressive score line of 106 – 79 confirms their reputation as the BBL’s highest scoring team. The match was televised live on Setanta Sports.

We started supporting Guildford Heat last year and have been very impressed with their performance and achievements, both on and off the court, as well as their unstinting dedication to their profession. They have the drive and determination to succeed and that all important desire to be the best.

The Ashcombe School Bursary

Once again, we were delighted to sponsor a prize at the Ashcombe School Awards Evening. This year’s recipient of the prize for Outstanding Performance at A-Level is Katie Husband who is seen here accepting her certificate from Partner and Head of Litigation, Chris Millar.

Katie achieved 5As at A-Level and is currently studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge University.

And Then There Were 10

His considerable experience covers most aspects of Corporate and Commercial law, mainly within the Insolvency sector where Nigel advises many leading financiers, directors and insolvency practitioners.

Downs Ring In The Changes

New Year Honour For Downs Consultant

Paul Marsh, President Elect of the Law Society and consultant at Downs Solicitors LLP, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law by Kingston University. Paul received his award at the University’s Graduation Ceremony which was held at the Barbican Centre on Thursday 10 January 2008.

The award is presented in recognition for Paul’s achievements as a lawyer, practitioner and as a leader of the legal profession.

Paul has acted for the University for about 20 years from the time they became independent under the Education Reform Act of 1988.

The Heat is On! (October 2007)

Guildford Heat also runs an Academy for young, aspiring players. It gives their members the opportunity to progress through the ranks of junior teams to eventually become members of the first team squad.

In 2007, the club successfully became the first ever BBL team to receive the Clubmark 4* accreditation. The award shows that Guildford Heat are fully committed to quality in what they deliver and have a firm structure in place to ensure the club builds on its success for many years to come.

£45 Million Commercial Sale (September 2007)

We are delighted to announce the arrival of the future President of the Law Society, Paul Marsh, as a consultant.

Paul will become Vice-President at the Law Society AGM in July 2007 and will serve for one year, before becoming President of the Law Society in July 2008.

He has represented the Surrey constituency on Law Society Council since 1999 and has been Chair of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) since 2003 - where he was responsible for successfully returning the Fund from shortfall to surplus.

Dorking Talking Newspaper for the Blind (May 2007)

In addition to her busy role here at Downs, Sarah is actively involved with numerous local organisations. She is:

Secretary to the Croydon Centre of the National Trust

Chairman of the MoleValley Heritage Open Days Organising Committee

Organiser of Dorking area “Best Development Competition”

A Member of Surrey Law Society Social Sub-Committee

Treasurer of the Yew Tree Road Residents Association

A Member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority Adjudication Panel