Gowen & Stevens is run by experienced lawyers. We are a respected and experienced provider of legal services accredited under CQS and Lexel.
Deborah Bailey - Family Law Specialist
Deborah is a family law solicitor with over 25 years local experience having run her own specialist matrimonial practice for over 13 years in Cheam Village.
With a sympathetic and supportive approach, she will guide you through the legal minefields and challenges that arise from a relationship breakdown. As well as all issues involving divorce and finances, Deborah can advise on cohabitation issues and matters involving children, offering straightforward and pragmatic advice.
Deepesh Patel - Head of Litigation
Deepesh is the partner in charge of our litigation department.
He has been a solicitor for over 20 years and during that time has dealt with a wide range of litigation for all types of client.
From partnership disputes, enforcement of restrictive covenants in employee contracts, contractual disputes to lease renewals under the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954, residential property possession claims and debt recovery. Notably, he has been involved in cases which have gone to the Court of Appeal and other cases which have been reported in the Law Reports.
Deepesh’s view is that every case is individual. This is because every client is different and has varying needs as to what they wish to achieve and how they wish to do so.
Deepesh also has experience in dealing with Commercial Property matters.
John Mill - Head of Company & Commercial
John is the partner in charge of the commercial property and the company & commercial departments.
John enjoys business and the challenge of helping clients to bring their personal aims and ambitions to fulfilment.
As a commercial property solicitor he has acted for a diverse range of clients, from those building or buying their first commercial premises to those for whom he has built nationwide chains of retail premises.
John has dealt with all types of commercial property from shops, offices and warehouses through to filling stations, care homes, hotels, development sites, public houses and other licensed premises and industrial estates.
As a company & commercial lawyer he has advised many individuals and companies in pursuit of corporate success.
“The knack”, he says, “is to meet and get to know your client and understand his or her aims and ambitions”. Only by doing this can you bring your own commercial experience to bear to achieve the right outcome. He adds “you must be prepared to tell the client when you feel he or she is travelling in the wrong direction”.
John acts as both an executive and a non-executive director for a number of companies. He is a strong advocate of a negotiated or mediated way out of a difficulty. “Litigation is a costly and time consuming activity, which is best avoided if possible”.
Louise Woof
Louise is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and has over 30 years' experience in Residential Conveyancing.
She is experienced in all aspects of Residential Conveyancing including both Freehold and Leasehold Sales and Purchases, Lease Extensions, Re-Mortgages, Transfers of Equity, Plot Sales, Site Development and the Help to Buy scheme. Louise joined Gowen & Stevens in September 2018.
