Meet The Team

Head of Dispute Resolution

Justin is a seasoned solicitor with expertise in Contentious Probate, General dispute resolution, and Employment Law. He holds the position of Branch Manager for the Reading office at Barrett and Co.

Beyond his legal endeavours, Justin enjoys open-water swimming, supporting his two teenage daughters, indulging in reading, and engaging in board games

Head of Private Client

Hilary is an esteemed Private Client Solicitor with an impressive background and extensive experience in non-contentious and contentious matters. On the non-contentious side, Hilary adeptly handles estate administration, providing insightful advice on clients’ affairs, and skilfully drafting and administering trusts, wills, and powers of attorney.
She obtained her law degree from University College London before qualifying as a solicitor in 1982 following training with Stephenson Harwood. Since then, Hilary has dedicated her career to Private Client law, amassing extensive experience in a wide range of matters.
Outside of work, Hilary embraces a diverse range of interests. As an accomplished church organist, she finds joy in music. She maintains a balanced and active lifestyle through activities such as swimming and Zumba. Additionally, Hilary cherishes spending quality time with her family, indulging in reading, cooking, gardening, and exploring new destinations through her travels.

Head of Property Litigation

Chris is the Head of Property Litigation at Barrett and Co, where he serves as a dedicated solicitor primarily representing private individuals in various landlord and tenant matters. His expertise extends to handling possession claims and offering advice on tenancy agreements, ensuring that clients’ rights and interests are safeguarded.
Chris gained valuable experience as a paralegal within the Joint Legal Team at Reading Borough Council and in 2016, he commenced his training contract to become a qualified solicitor. In 2018, Chris successfully qualified as a Dispute Resolution Solicitor, demonstrating his proficiency in handling complex legal disputes. Taking the next step in his career, Chris transitioned to his current position in June 2023, where his expertise continues to positively impact the organisation and its clients. Beyond his legal pursuits, Chris embraced a unique opportunity to gain international experience by undertaking a summer internship in the United States Congress, Washington, DC, where he worked for a member of the House of Representatives.
Outside of work, Chris loves visiting new places allows him to explore different cultures and experiences, broadening his horizons.

Head of Residential Conveyancing

Richard manages and supervises the residential conveyancing department where he oversees a team consisting of a solicitor and two paralegals. His primary responsibility is to ensure the smooth functioning of the department, guiding the solicitor and paralegals to progress property transactions from file opening to exchange, completion, registration, and post-registration.
Richard is a qualified solicitor with experience dating back to 2005 when he started his career in various firms across London and the southeast. He has specialised in residential conveyancing since qualifying. He joined in March 2017 as a Solicitor, and he swiftly rose through the ranks, being promoted to Senior Associate in 2020 and Head of Department in 2021.
Beyond the legal realm, he nurtures interests in travelling, running, aviation, politics, and general science.

Head of Family Law

Ranjit qualified as a solicitor in 2005 after initially undertaking criminal defence work and qualifying as a duty solicitor in 2006. She was part of a team that developed a family department in 2012 from the ground up. This is her second time being included on the Family Law panel.

Ranjit Siddle joined the firm in January 2024 as the Head of the Family Department. The challenge of growing and developing the department is what incentivised her to join the firm.

Ranjit values a professional and friendly approach, enjoying being part of a team and working collaboratively. Outside of work, she finds joy in socialising with friends and family, keeping fit through long walks, exploring new foods as a self-proclaimed foodie, and spending quality time with her daughter, given her role as a mother.

Solicitor

Charlotte is one of the Solicitors at Barrett & Co and works within our ever-expanding Private Client department. Charlotte joined Barrett & Co in August 2013 and assisted throughout the firm as a Legal Support Assistant before becoming a Trainee Solicitor in September 2014 and qualifying into our Private Client department in September 2016.
She studied Law at Oxford Brookes University and completed her post-graduate studies at the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice before joining Barrett & Co. Charlotte has developed her skills within the growing Private Client team and her experience covers a wide range of Private Client matters including Wills, Probate, Trusts and Powers of Attorney.
Charlotte is a keen runner, completing the Cardiff Half Marathon 2015 and the Oxford Town and Gown 10km 2016 and 2017, and has completed her PADI Dive Master qualification. She also enjoys visiting her family in Bath and spending time in and around Wallingford.

Private Client Solicitor

Ellie qualified as a Family Lawyer at Barrett and Co in 2019 before leaving the firm in 2021. After a short time away, she rejoined the business to become a Private Client Solicitor in 2022.

Ellie’s main role is in drafting Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. She also has experience in dealing with probate matters, including completing inheritance tax forms, collating date of death values, applying for probate and preparing estate accounts.

Outside of the office, Ellie is a keen dancer and enjoys ballroom and Latin dancing. From September each year, Ellie is an avid watcher of Strictly Come Dancing. Ellie also enjoys meeting up with friends and family whenever she’s able to do so.

Solicitor

Fatima joined Barrett and Co solicitors as a Legal Support Assistant in 2019 and then progressed as a Trainee Solicitor in 2021. Following the completion of her Training Contract, Fatima qualified as a Solicitor in May 2023.
Fatima is a Residential Conveyancing Solicitor at Barrett and Co. She facilitates all kinds of property transactions, including sales, purchases, transfer of equity and / or remortgage matters.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Fatima finds enjoyment in exploring museums and exhibitions, fuelled by her keen interest in history and art. She derives pleasure from immersing herself in novels and cherishes quality time spent with her family and friends.

Solicitor

Sarah is a highly skilled Private Client Solicitor, specialising in the drafting of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. With an extensive background in dealing with probate files, obtaining date-of-death values for assets, obtaining probate, preparing Estate Accounts, and disbursing payments to beneficiaries, she brings a wealth of experience to her role.
Having qualified as a solicitor in 1998, Sarah briefly took a break in 2003 to pursue a Masters and managed a public library during that time. However, her passion for law led her back to the legal profession in February 2022, where she joined the Private Client Department.
Sarah enjoys spending quality time socialising with her family and friends. She maintains an active lifestyle, engaging in activities such as jogging, walking, and kayaking during warmer weather.

Solicitor

Ella D’Alton is currently in her final seat at Barrett and Co Solicitors, where she divides her time between Contentious Probate and Litigation. In this capacity, she provides valuable support to Hilary Buckle, Chris Miller, and Justin Sadler.
Having commenced her journey at Barrett and Co in September 2019 as a Legal Assistant, Ella’s dedication and growth within the firm were swiftly recognised. She ascended to the role of Paralegal in 2021 and subsequently embarked on her current path as a Trainee Solicitor in January of the same year.
Outside of her professional commitments, Ella finds joy in spending quality time with her family and friends. Her passion for exploration and travel is evident, with Spain holding a special place in her heart as a favourite destination. In addition to her legal pursuits, Ella is an enthusiastic football player, having actively participated in the sport for a significant portion of her life.

Trainee Solicitor

Sarina is a Trainee Solicitor; she achieved her Training Contract with Barrett & Co in May 2023 and is very excited to learn in her current role. Sarina started her career at Barrett and Co in 2021 as a Legal Assistant and continually progressed to Paralegal and then to Senior Paralegal before achieving her Training Contract with the firm.

Sarina completed her LLB at Royal Holloway, University of London in 2020. After university, Sarina continued her studies for the Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE) whilst working at Barrett & Co. Having passed these exams, she now has her sights to qualify as a Solicitor.

Outside of work, Sarina enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and keeping fit by playing tennis and doing yoga. She also loves travelling and discovering new places, Thailand and Cape Verde being some of her favourite destinations to have travelled to.

Trainee Solicitor

Barbara has recently started her training contract here at Barrett & Co, currently undertaking a seat within our Private Client team. However, Barbara has capability and experience in various areas of law, including her last role within the residential property department.: where her expertise lies in handling freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, transfers of equity, and re-mortgages.
Barbara joined as a Residential Conveyancing Paralegal in June 2022, following the successful completion of her Legal Practice Course (LPC and LLM combined) at BPP University.
Beyond her legal career, Barbara cherishes her time with family, often exploring new places both within the UK and abroad. Her love for travel and discovery reflects her adventurous spirit and open-mindedness, qualities that enhance her ability to connect with clients from all walks of life.

Paralegal

Aishah joined Barrett and Co in November 2022; she is the paralegal in the Litigation and Family law departments.

Aishah completed her LLB at University of Reading in 2021. Whilst at University of Reading, she was appointed as PAL Leader (Peer-Assisted Learning) where she helped provide first year students with a more in depth understanding of the contents of the various modules as well as study and revision techniques. She completed her LPC and MSc in Law Business and Management at the University of Law, Reading in 2022.

Outside of work, Aishah enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching her favourite Netflix shows and going to the gym. She loves travelling and Uganda (where she lived before moving to England in 2013) is her favourite destination.

Conveyancing Paralegal

Iqra is an integral part of the conveyancing team at Barrett and Co. She assists and supports departmental needs and works together with her team to ensure transactions are streamlined. Iqra’s exposure to freehold and leasehold transactions combined with her ability to communicate effectively with a range of different parties, makes her an extremely valuable member of the team.

Iqra studied law at undergraduate level in 2017 and graduated from the University of Reading in 2020 with a 2:1. In 2021, Iqra decided to go back into education, starting the LPC course with the University of Law and graduated in 2022.

Outside of work, Iqra loves exploring new places with loved ones. She also really enjoys baking, cooking and is always looking to expand her knowledge. Iqra is also deeply committed to community engagement and actively contributes to philanthropic efforts on a global scale. With a strong sense of social responsibility, she dedicates herself to supporting underserved communities worldwide by addressing their fundamental needs.

Paralegal

Kaysha is a Paralegal in the Litigation and Family Law team at Barrett and Co. She assists solicitors in a variety of ways, including being the first point of contact for clients, scheduling consultations and establishing smooth communication. Kaysha also manages legal documents, organises case files and provides assistance in administration tasks.

Kaysha joined Barrett and Co in October 2023 after completing her LLB at Buckinghamshire New University in 2022. She is currently pursuing her LPC and Masters of Law at the University of Law, Reading.

As a keen traveller, Greece is one of Kaysha’s favourite places. Travelling aside, she enjoys cooking, baking and spending quality time with her family. eo

Paralegal

Zubair embarked on his journey with Barrett & Co Solicitors in November 2022, assuming the role of a paralegal within the Residential Department. This step followed his graduation from the University of Reading in July 2022, where he earned his degree. Swiftly transitioning to the Private Client department in May 2023, Zubair’s steadfast commitment to delivering excellence has been a constant hallmark of his tenure.
As a key member of the Private Client team, Zubair is often the first point of contact for clients embarking on their legal journey. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to client satisfaction, Zubair plays a vital role in ensuring a seamless experience for clients seeking assistance with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), and probate administration.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Zubair is a devoted sports enthusiast, with particular interests in Golf and Football. His excellent hand-eye coordination extends his competence to sports like Badminton, Cricket, and Tennis.

Office and IT Coordinator

Quimby is a versatile and valuable member of the Barrett and Co team, serving in various roles to ensure smooth operations within the company. With a keen eye for detail, Quimby plays a vital role in the accounts department, meticulously analysing financial data on spreadsheets and effectively communicating the relevant information to the team.
Quimby joined after graduating from Birmingham City University in 2018, where she completed a degree in Business Information Technology. Prior to securing her first role after graduation, Quimby had the opportunity to gain valuable experience through administration positions.
Outside of work, Quimby enjoys socialising with family and friends, with dinners, games, and cinema outings. In her leisure time, Quimby enjoys playing the piano.

Legal Cashier & Administration Support

Megan serves as the legal cashier at Barrett and Co, responsible for managing the day-to-day accounts. Beyond her role as the legal cashier, Megan takes on the critical position of Administration Support, concurrently serving as the DPS Case Management Supervisor. In this capacity, she adeptly handles various tasks, including the creation and updating of precedents.
With an impressive tenure of 21+ years, Megan’s journey with the firm began as a secretary in the Private Client Team. Over the years, she has accumulated a wealth of historical knowledge pertaining to clients, files, and firm practices, making her an invaluable asset to the organisation. Her extensive experience and expertise contribute significantly to the seamless functioning of the firm.
Outside of work, Megan enjoys staying active by cycling and walking, with a particular fondness for the beautiful landscapes of the Lake District and Wales.

Receptionist

Lynda Hayward is an integral part of the Barrett and Co team, serving as the welcoming face of the firm. Since joining in July 2023, Lynda has shown a strong interest in the field of law, actively engaging with legal concepts and procedures.
As the receptionist, Lynda plays a pivotal role in the office dynamics. Her primary responsibilities include warmly welcoming clients, adeptly managing incoming calls, and providing invaluable support to colleagues when needed. Lynda takes pride in being the initial point of contact for clients, ensuring their first impression of the firm is one of professionalism and warmth.
Beyond her professional role, Lynda is a passionate spectator of various forms of entertainment. She enjoys keeping up with sports events, indulging in diverse musical genres, and exploring the world of films.