Meet our people

Select a profile for individual contact details and biographies

Directors


 

Mark Adcock

Mark Adcock

 


Email: info@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442100


 

Mark Adcock is the third generation of the Adcock family to have worked in the practice. Whilst having had experience in most areas of private practice, his current specialism is Leasehold Reform work, where he acts for both landlords and tenants resident across the UK, and beyond.  Mark has completed many substantial property transactions including projects in Leicester, Lynton in Devon, Wales and London. Of this specialist area of work, Mark regularly deals with missing freeholder cases and complex enfranchisement work. “So little is known of how the system works that it’s a pleasure to educate clients about their rights” he says.

He was awarded the Broderip and Easterbrook prizes in the Law Society’s final examinations for his results in the conveyancing law papers and is regarded as somewhat of a perfectionist in his work. “The job isn’t done until every detail is resolved!” he says.  “I like to ensure that my clients understand the complexities of this area of law and to see the practical benefits. In fact I always try to get   a practical angle on all my work, since who is interested in legalities!”

Mark has recently been working part time for the Law Commission, a statutory independent body which advises the Government on possible areas of the law, for reform.
The Law Commission has  undertaken a complete review of the law relating to Leasehold Reform (amongst other things) and Mark was  asked to help with this task given, his extensive experience in this area. ‘I’m delighted to have been working with the Law Commission on this. It’s an area of my work that I have a great interest in and I hope that the review leads eventually to changes to make the system fairer for all concerned’ Mark said. There are a number of areas in the enfranchisement process that could do with urgent improvement and I hope I have been able to contribute to the refinement of the law in this area.

Given his specialism in this area, Mark has written extensively on enfranchisement law and practice and more recently on the thorny subject of commonhold, an area where he, like many,  is anxiously awaiting reform.

In his spare time Mark, a confirmed anglophile has a particular interest in Georgian architecture, British classic cars and, as a more or less lifelong vegetarian, actively promotes animal welfare and rights. And also now tending to a large and growing younger generation of Adcocks.

Mark is a former President of the Sandwell and Dudley, Lichfield  and Southern Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and non executive director of many not-for-profit organisations.

Mark is also a part time Visiting Lecturer at the University of Law in Birmingham and provides expert opinion and witness services on matters of professional negligence, practice and conduct.

 

Hedley Adcock

Hedley Adcock

 


Email: hja@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442106


 

Hedley joined the firm in February 2016 after a successful 10 year career at Birmingham City Centre firm, the Wilkes Partnership, where he trained and worked up to Senior Associate level. Hedley has joined as a Director of the firm, an appointment which secures the future and name of the firm for another generation. Hedley specialises in all aspects of commercial property law including disposal and acquisitions, asset management, leasing, and investment finance. He is respected for his no fuss approach to commercial property transactions and is known for ‘getting the job done’.

 

Practice Director


 

Frances Di Pierri

Frances Di Pierri

(née Adcock)

 


Email: fd@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442112


 

Frances has been working in the practice since 2007, following her creative degree and teaching positions at a leading city College. As the fourth generation of the Adcocks family to do so, Frances plays an active role in the development of the practice. Whilst keeping an eye to the traditions of the firm, Frances, as the practice director, has also introduced more modern methods of working to ensure efficiency, transparency and fluidity in the work Adcocks undertake. She prides herself in ensuring the practice maintains its well known high standards of client care.

Frances is always keen to develop her legal skills and knowledge and has recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Law with the University of Law. She intends to further her legal training at the practice whilst continuing to take the lead in developing the practice and its resources.

 

Management Team


 

Dario Di Pierri

Dario Di Pierri

 


Email: dp@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442107


 

Dario, who is now part of the management team, manages all aspects of the accounts department at Adcocks with absolute precision. His role is to ensure all financial related matters are dealt with on a daily basis and works closely with both fee earners and the directors of the business, providing necessary accounting reports to ensure the smooth running of the practice.
Following the necessary Regulatory principles, Dario also ensures that all funds we receive from clients and third parties are dealt with accordingly, and swiftly. And that the firm complies with its obligations to its Regulator.
He is continuing to develop new accounting skills with further study with ILFM (Institute of Legal Finance & Management) to ensure he is always up to date
with money matters!
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PERSONAL INTERESTS: Dario enjoys watching his favourite football team Aston Villa FC, Mountain Biking, DIY & Cooking in his free time.

Kirstie Barrett

Kirstie Barrett

 


Email: kb@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442103


 

Following successful completion of her degree in Sociology, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Kirstie joined the practice in 2014.

She now provides invaluable support as Assistant Practice Manager and helps with all aspects of the firm’s administration, as well as providing support to Dario and his team in the accounts department.
Her prior experience of working in an office environment has provided Kirstie with the perfect diplomatic skills required to undertake her position in the centre of the administrative part of the practice, tapping into her transferable skills from her previous employment.

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PERSONAL INTERESTS: Kirstie enjoys travelling and spending time with her family.

Nikki Evans

Nikki Evans

 


Email: ne@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442104


 

Nikki is our Practice Manager, with devolved responsibility for our property investment portfolio. As Practice Manager, her responsibility is to ensure the smooth running of the firm, its resources and the welfare of our team. Having worked in the practice for several years as the firm’s property investment portfolio manager, dealing primarily with the management of client’s property investments, she has extensive knowledge of the administrative tasks necessary to support the firm and its clients. This enables her to interact with the Leasehold Reform Act work, for which the firm is so well known, given her extensive knowledge in portfolio management.

Nikki’s calm and collected manner and sense of judgement serves her well in the professional environment of the practice.


PERSONAL INTERESTS: Nikki enjoys attending a weekly book club, walking, traveling and spending time with my family and friends. Also enjoys the occasional trip to the theatre.

 

Solicitors and Chartered Surveyors


 

Geoffrey Bates

Geoffrey Bates

BA FRICS

 


Email: gb@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442100


 

Geoff qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1981 and was made a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2000. Since February 2009 he has been Adcocks senior in-house Surveyor and Valuer.
Geoff works with the legal team in respect of all aspects of the Leasehold Enfranchisement process, from the initial valuation to settlement of the terms, in respect of collective enfranchisement claims, leasehold extension claims and leasehold to freehold conversions. Whilst the firm’s record of settling leasehold enfranchisement claims is exceptional, Geoff still handles the appropriate technical submissions to the First-Tier Tribunal as an expert witness in those very rare cases where a negotiated agreement just cannot be reached.


PERSONAL INTERESTS: I like club road cycling and cycle touring

Jo Adcock

Jo Adcock

 


Email: jea@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442119


 

Jo completed her law degree at the University of Birmingham and her Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Birmingham. She joined Adcocks following a successful career with the Wilkes Partnership in Birmingham.

Jo specialises in commercial and residential property. Jo acts for individuals, companies, trustees and lenders in all aspects of real estate including acquisitions, disposals, secured lending, the granting and assigning of leases. She is keen to see the practice evolve and meet the challenges which professional life brings in this next phase of her career.


PERSONAL INTERESTS:
In her spare time Jo enjoys spending time outside with her family and has a keen interest in history and politics. She enjoys volunteer work and helping her local community.

Daniel Farrelly

Daniel Farrelly

 


Email: df@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442105


 

Daniel graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2017 and joined the practice as a paralegal in 2018 providing valuable support to our Leasehold reform department. Following successful completion of the Legal Practice Course and Masters in Law at the University of Law in Birmingham, Daniel qualified as a Solicitor in September 2021 and has brought to the practice a wide range of skills.

Daniel specialises in Leasehold property law, particularly Leasehold Enfranchisement and acts for tenant’s and landlord’s. As the specialist work that we do continues to provide us with legal challenges, Daniel is keen to be involved in finding practical and viable solutions to benefit our clients. His areas of expertise include

– Collective enfranchisement (RTE) claims
– Right to manage (RTM) claims
– Statutory and voluntary flat lease extensions
– Statutory and voluntary house lease enfranchisement
– Missing landlord claims
– Right of first refusal matters
– Freehold ground rent sales and purchases
– Lease variations

Adcocks are members of ALEP (The Association of Leasehold and Enfranchisement Practitioners)


Personal Interests: Outside of work Daniel enjoys travelling, spending time with friends and family and watching Liverpool FC in action.

Kerry Davies

Kerry Davies

 


Email: kd@Adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442101


 

Kerry, who originally hails from Rugeley was admitted a Solicitor of the Senior Courts in 2004 having obtained an honours degree from Lancaster University and having subsequently completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law at Chester.   She undertook her training at a well-known and well-respected firm in Lancaster where she remained until she joined Adcocks, as Head of our Private Client Department, in September 2020.

Kerry has had wide experience in helping clients deal with those difficult times in their life when a loved one loses mental capacity, when a marriage breaks up or when the worst happens.

Kerry has brought to Adcocks a new dimension in being able to apply her professional skills to those clients who need assistance when family life goes wrong, or help with the difficult task of dividing matrimonial assets afterwards, an area of work which Adcocks have not handled for many years.

“I’m delighted to have joined Adcocks, a well-respected and long established practice. I’m looking forward to maintaining the professional reputation, the practice has been so well-known for, for so many years!”

Mark Adcock, Adcocks Senior Director said  “I’m delighted to welcome Kerry on board.  She is a perfect fit, down-to-earth, and has the practicality to help our clients achieve their objectives.   It’s great that we have been able to attract such a high calibre individual to help us progress, develop, and continue the good work we have been doing for so many years in this specialist, but sensitive area”

Kerry ranks spoiling her dog, travelling the world and eating cake as her main interest in life outside work,  and as to the latter we are looking forward to helping her achieve her objective!

Linda Ball

Linda Ball

 


Email: lb@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442113


 

Linda is a Senior Associate and Head of our Enfranchisement and Leasehold Property Team, here at Adcocks.

She attended Oxford Brooks University and now specializes in property and land law, in particular, residential leasehold property. Throughout her career she has gained experience in a wide range of property law including residential and commercial conveyancing with particular emphasis on leasehold, drafting of easements, leases, wayleaves, partition agreements and lease extension deeds and all documents relevant to leasehold property.
Her work within the team sits within the non-contentious areas of residential leasehold and she specializes in the creation of new leases (individually and relevant to new leasehold developments), lease extensions both statutory and voluntary, collective enfranchisement and right to manage claims. She also deals with residential freehold acquisitions under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967. Linda has particular experience in relation to ground rent portfolio sales and purchases and plot sales. Deeds of Variations, Licences to Alter and Licences to Assign, also fall within her area of expertise. Linda has a wide range of experience in property law generally, including easements, transfers and advice on lease interpretation.

Amongst the achievements she is most proud of (apart from her three sons and mastery of water skiing) would include winning the annual award presented for achieving the highest marks in her Land Law and Conveyancing Practice examinations. The certificates are proudly displayed on the wall in her parent’s house.
Linda says “I am lucky enough to love my job and be part of the Adcocks Team”.

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Personal Interests: Outside work, Linda is mum to three grown up boys with under 4 years between them. Linda will tell you she has no spare time – ever! But she makes time to attend the gym three or four times a week to enjoy a little me time. Linda and her family are proud supporters of Liverpool Football Club and spend most winter Saturdays driving to Anfield for the home matches. When not at Anfield she can be found standing on the touch lines of various football pitches supporting her boys. As a “go for it mum” she can be seen paintballing, off-road cycling and even water skiing (often under rather than on the water), and body boarding (again usually underwater). Linda’s family operates a rule of “Week is for Work” “Weekend is for Play” and it begins at 5.30 on Fridays. For peace and quiet she loves to read, the beach, long walks and peaceful meanderings along canals on a narrowboat. Linda enjoys cycling and hill walking and most importantly spending time with her family.

Maddie Williams

Maddie Williams

 


Email: mw@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442109


 

Maddie joined the practice in February 2018 during the final stages of her studies at Birmingham City University. Maddie has now completed her training contract and qualified as a Solicitor on 1st April 2023, she is looking forward to continuing her career here at Adcocks in our Private client department.

Maddie’s adaptable and pleasant nature enables her to conduct a range of  work across the practice including the drafting of legal documents in our private client department. Clients like her practical and co-operative style.


Personal interests: Maddie enjoys participating in her weekly dance class.

Tejpal Bains

Tejpal Bains

 


Email: teb@Adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442134


Tejpal specialises in Residential Conveyancing and is the Head of the Residential Conveyancing Department. Tejpal joined Adcocks Solicitors in January 2023 after working predominantly in the East Midlands for the last 8 years. Tejpal became an equity partner of a high street law firm at the age of 26 in 2016 becoming one of the youngest equity partners at the time.

Tejpal strives to provide a high class personal service and prides himself on taking a pro active and friendly approach.

Tejpal deals with the following Residential Conveyancing transactions:-

  • Freehold Sales and Purchases
  • Leasehold Sales and Purchases
  • New build purchases
  • Help to Buy Equity Scheme
  • Remortgages
  • Transfers of Equity
  • Right to Buy
  • Declarations of Trust
  • Probate Sales
  • Auction Sales and Purchases
  • Buy to Let Purchases and Remortgages
  • First Registrations

Personal Interests: Away from the office Tejpal is politically active. Tejpal served as a Councillor in Melton Mowbray for nearly 8 years. Tejpal also made history in Melton Mowbray becoming its youngest and first Asian Mayor in 2017 something he is extremely proud of.

Gary Roy

Gary Roy

 


Email: gr@adcocks.com


 

Gary is an experienced civil and commercial litigator with an expertise in a wide range of areas including contractual disputes, negligence claims, landlord and tenant disputes, insolvency, debt recovery, intellectual property rights, contested probate and employment disputes including advising on settlement agreements. In his personal life Gary enjoys cycling and tennis.

Gary is pleased to be joining the team at Adcocks whilst adding a new dimension to the practice. His extensive experience for litigious matters helps us to confidently extend the range of services we are able to offer to both existing and new clients

Daniel O’Doherty

Daniel O’Doherty

 


Email: do@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442118


Daniel is a very experienced solicitor specialising in property law with an emphasis on freehold transfers, leases and leasehold law, property litigation and landlord and tenant law.

Having first obtained a BA Hons degree in journalism, Daniel qualified as solicitor at a niche London firm in 2007 and subsequently became a partner at a south London firm. Daniel enjoys representing individual, public and corporate clients in both residential and commercial property matters including:

Freehold and leasehold

  • Collective enfranchisement claims under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993
  • Freehold transfers pursuant to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 and non-statutory freehold transfers
  • Freehold acquisitions of a house pursuant to the Leasehold Reform Act 1967
  • New leases and lease extensions, both statutory, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, and non-statutory
  • Commercial lease renewals under the Landlord and Tenancy Act 1954
  • Lease variations and surrenders
  • Licences for alterations
  • Statutory consultation pertaining to major works and qualifying long term agreements
  • Right to manage claims under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002
  • Appointment of manager proceedings pursuant to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
  • Missing landlord proceedings relating to freehold acquisitions and lease extensions
  • Easements
  • Declarations of trust
  • Participation agreements

Litigation and housing

  • Residential and commercial landlord and tenant disputes including breach of lease/tenancy, rent and service charge disputes, rent deposit disputes, disrepair
  • Tenancy agreements
  • Possessions and forfeiture, including possession claims under the Housing Act 1988
  • Restrictive and positive covenants
  • Party Wall Act disputes
  • Boundary and neighbour disputes
  • Adverse possession claims
  • Compulsory purchase orders
  • Bankruptcy and insolvency (specifically in relation to property)
  • Right to light disputes
  • Trespass
  • Nuisance

Daniel regularly appears on behalf of clients in the courts and property tribunals and has strong connections with barristers and valuers and surveyors. He has successfully represented clients at mediations and has appeared in the Court of Appeal and worked with Queen’s Counsel. He has appeared on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show to speak about leasehold  reform.

A client who was represented by Daniel at a hearing in the First-tier Tribunal with Daniel has reported: “The judge agreed with every submission Daniel made and complimented him on his knowledge of the case. I was very impressed.”

It is important to Daniel to not only achieve success for his clients but to do so, cost-effectively, efficiently and professionally.

Daniel enjoys spending time with family and friends and speaking Italian. When not practising law he likes to play the flute, piano and guitar. He is a Tae Kwon-do black belt and has represented England at the ITF British championships.

 

Paralegals and Trainees


 

Yvonne Currow

Yvonne Currow

 


Email: yc@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442116


 

Yvonne works in the Private Client department of the practice, helping with the Administration and completion of Deceased’s Estates from start to finish. Yvonne has a great deal of experience in this area of work, having worked for the greater part of her working life in private practice. Her attention to detail and compassion for her job show through. Supporting the team in this area of our work, puts her in regular contact with the families of Deceased clients, which for them is often a very emotional experience. She approaches her role with the care and compassion so necessary at a difficult time.

Yvonne also has responsibility for management of the firm’s significant custodial services, ensuring that requests for documents, copies of documents and custody services are dealt with smoothly and efficiently.


PERSONAL INTERESTS: Yvonne enjoys entertaining and cooking for her family and friends.

Carolyn Smith

Carolyn Smith

 


Email: cs@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442108


 

Carolyn joined the practice in 2017 following an impressive 25 year career in property law. She has had experience of working in a variety of legal practices, including 13 years in South Africa. Carolyn returned to work in the UK in 2001 and continues to build her knowledge and expertise of property law, and the specialist work that we do.

Carolyn is now working in our Leasehold Reform department handling bulk lease extension work amongst other things. These projects are challenging and require patience, tenacity and attention to detail; she accomplishes this with ease.

She has also bought a wealth of technical and IT knowledge to Adcocks and is keen to see how she can help improve efficiency through the use of our resources. Her passion for developing new and improved methods of working enthuses her, which helps the practice to provide the most efficient service to our clients.


Personal interests: Carolyn enjoys entertaining with friends and family and taking part in aerobics to keep her fit and healthy.

Francesca Allen

Francesca Allen

 


Email: fla@Adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442102


 

Francesca joined Adcocks in November 2018 to provide secretarial support for the fee earning team across the Practice. She graduated from Aberystwyth University in 2018 having achieved an upper second class Degree in Law with Criminology.

Francesca is now a Paralegal within our Residential Conveyancing team acting for a wide range of clients in sales and purchases of both freehold and leasehold residential properties. She also has experience in dealing with remortgages and transfer of equity matters.

Francesca qualified as a Licenced Conveyancer in October 2023 following successful completion of her Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice.  She is excited to continue to progress her legal career with Adcocks.


Personal interests: Francesca has two German Shepherds and in her spare time enjoys taking them for long walks and watching her favourite football team Spurs with her boyfriend. Interestingly she also has a brown belt in Karate.

 

Admin and Resource Staff


 

Petya Petrova

Petya Petrova

 


Email: pp@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442110


 

Petya joined the practice in 2017 and is currently assisting on reception whilst undertaking an audit of the documents we are holding in storage for our clients. This includes reviewing our client database records to ensure that we stay in touch with you on a regular basis. She also manages the Deeds and Wills records, ensuring that when you need a document, we have it to hand.

Petya has a degree in German language, is multi-lingual in Bulgarian and Russian and finds this helpful in the multi-cultural society in which we work. Petya is enjoying the challenge of working in the legal environment following her career in childcare and is excited by the prospect of ensuring that we meet our client’s expectations in the services we provide, especially our document custody services.

Georgina Strachan

Georgina Strachan

 


Email: gs@Adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442130


 

Georgina joined the practice in January 2022 and is currently working in our administration department, assisting fee earners across the firm. Georgina is a valued member of our support team and is a vital resource in the day to day running of the practice.


Personal Interests: Georgina loves to spend her free time socialising with friends and particularly enjoys exploring European cities whenever possible. When at home, most of her evenings are spent fussing her rescue German Shephard Herbie.

Rebecca Goddard

Rebecca Goddard

 


Email: rg@Adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442122


 

Rebecca joined the practice in November 2021 and is currently working in our administration department, assisting fee earners across the firm. Rebecca is a valued member of our support team and is a vital resource in the day to day running of the practice.


Personal Interests: In her spare time Rebecca is a big football fan and enjoys shopping and spending time with her friends and family.

John Bradin

John Bradin

 


Email: jb@adcocks.com

Telephone: 01543 442118

John joined the practice in May 2023 he has over 14 years of experience as a Legal Cashier.

He joins Adcocks in our busy accounts department, John will be responsible for the day to day running of the Cash Office and dealing with all client account duties, whilst also assisting Dario Di Pierri our Accounts Manager.  His prior experience within Legal, Retail and Hospitality enables him to see the global picture and enables him to transfer over thirty-five years of experience to his current role here at Adcocks.

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PERSONAL INTERESTS: Dougie, his three-legged rescue dog, reading and Old Time American Radio shows.