Sarah Payne is by far the best litigation solicitor I have ever come across.
Andrew Molloy of Interfocus LimitedSarah joined Barr Ellison in 1993 and was admitted as a solicitor in 1995. She is a member of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association and the Employment Lawyers Association. She has over 20 years experience in civil/commercial litigation.
Sarah acts for public sector bodies, private individuals, trustees, insolvency practitioners, landlords, tenants, partnerships, corporate entities, employers and employees in the pursuit and defence of claims. She has extensive experience in the conduct of complex and more straightforward cases in the Court of Appeal, High Court and County Court as well as Tribunal matters, dealing with arbitrations, mediations and negotiating settlements. Sarah is always keen to ensure the best outcome for her clients.
I would always want Sarah Payne in my corner in any dispute. Her decisive approach was a great help at a difficult time. Sarah was also very approachable and made discussion easy. Worth every penny!
Sarah BriggsRecent instructions include:
- Property disputes about rights of way, boundaries, estoppel, joint ownership and the recovery of possession.
- Contested probates including disputed wills and claims for family provision.
- Breach of attorney’s duties and tracing assets.
- Contractual disputes between: a wine importer and South African supplier; former partners of taxi firm; a ceramic glass company and a cutting company as to use of off-cuts; a farmer and agricultural chemical company for alleged damage to crops; and building disputes.
- Professional negligence claims including against solicitors, accountants and surveyors.
- Defamation proceedings, most recently for an accountant wrongfully accused of having been in prison for deception offences.
- Defence of a variety of claims brought against public sector bodies including nuisance, subsidence, employer’s liability, public liability, occupier’s liability, highways, disability discrimination, disease litigation, multi party actions, claims for contribution and indemnity.
- Advising on Settlement Agreements.
Prior to joining Barr Ellison, Sarah was a local government officer with Lincolnshire County Council.
Recovery of Possession from Residential Tenants
Recovery of Possession: the government is keen to afford residential tenants greater security and the increasing obstacles to service of a Section 21 Notice appear directed at this.
Successful Restrictive Covenant Modification in Cambridge
Barr Ellison acted in a successful application to modify a restrictive covenant for a developer which otherwise prevented their redevelopment of a site in Cambridge.
What can be done for those left out of a Will or on Intestacy
As a general rule, any person is free to leave their estate as they see fit. However, that does not prevent the provisions of their Will being challenged after death if someone is left [...]
Contrived Redevelopment Scheme to Oppose New Tenancy
The Supreme Court held that the landlord’s intention to demolish or reconstruct must be independent of the tenant’s claim for a new tenancy and not conditional upon it.
Cheques sent in full and final settlement
Will a cheque for a lower amount than that claimed but sent in full and final settlement constitute a binding acceptance if cashed or retained? Sometimes!
Speedier Eviction of Residential Tenants
Speedier Alternative to the County Court Bailiffs: there is an alternative and frequently quicker route once a County Court Possession Order has been obtained.
Landlords’ Buy to Let Hazard
A landlord is no longer be able to serve a Section 21 Notice at the start of the tenancy requiring the tenant to leave at the end. Of even greater concern are the retaliatory [...]
Contesting a Will on behalf of Minor Children
In the recent case of Ubbi v Ubbi 2018, the High Court has given useful guidance with regard to how the Section 3 factors under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 should [...]
Treatment of Debts and Joint Home Ownership
The equity of exoneration principle states that if a spouse incurs a debt, secured against the property for his or her own benefit, the creditor must be paid out of that spouse’s share of the [...]
Setting Aside a Will – Lack of Capacity
Disputes about whether the testator has capacity to make a Will either when giving instructions for it or upon signing are increasing.
Setting Aside a Will – Fraud and Forgery
The standard of proof when seeking to set aside a Will is the balance of probabilities as opposed to beyond reasonable doubt which is required in criminal matters.
Pre-action Protocol for Debt Claims
The Ministry of Justice has published the final version of the new pre-action protocol for debt claims ...
Setting Aside a Will – Undue Influence
One way to challenge the validity of a Will is to allege that undue influence was exercised over the Testator. The burden of proving undue influence rests with the party making the assertion.
Ilott Changes Little for Contested Wills & Probate Claims
An adult child wishing to bring a claim must still establish the Will fails to make reasonable provision for their maintenance ...
We have appreciated your professional and personal qualities throughout our case, Sarah. Your legal experience, wisdom and advice have been first class; we have always felt in the very best of hands. We have greatly valued your calm and patient approach, while always being approachable and highly supportive. You have been simply excellent with us. Without you we would not have been able to achieve the settlement we now have.
Professor John & Mrs Frances Howard
Thank you for your efficiency, advice and responsiveness. This has been ideal and just what was needed. I am most grateful.
David Flynn
Thank you for your help and expertise in our probate matter. We certainly got a better resolution than I had thought possible at the beginning of the whole affair.
Adrian Roberts
All was done well; there was nothing that could have been done better (by Sarah Payne).
Peter Hart
Sarah Payne is by far the best litigation solicitor I have ever come across.
Andrew Molloy of Interfocus Limited
I would like to thank Sarah Payne for her patient and professional approach. It took away a lot of the stress knowing that my case was in more than capable hands.
Caroline Turner
Thank you so much to Sarah Payne for bringing our commercial contract case to a successful conclusion. Your advice, help and patience have been greatly appreciated throughout.
Deans Farm, Fowlmere
Thank you Sarah Payne and all your team for the help and the guidance throughout this litigation. I received more than I expected which will really help my life and business. I wish there were stronger, more meaningful words than ‘thank you’.
Debbie Horabin
I thank Sarah Payne for her no-nonsense, professional approach in recovering the monies owed. I was originally very pessimistic about the outcome.
Clive Haylock, Alliance Asbestos Services Ltd
We were very pleased with the service we received and especially impressed with the way Sarah Payne got to grips with a complicated situation and outlined it very clearly so that we knew she understood it. Money well spent! Thank you
Jane Grimes
We cannot thank you enough, Sarah. In addition to fierce efficiency, you never failed to be concise, helpful and extremely thoughtful.
Julia Mart
Thank you Sarah Payne and Seema Solanki. I was really impressed and never regretted making my initial contact. I would not hesitate to use Barr Ellison again. Thank you so much.
Julie Savill-Fell
I know it is a long time since the euphoria of winning, but I would like to thank you Sarah Payne for all of your help and patience throughout a trivial but threatening matter. Your calm demeanour helped tremendously.
Mrs P Chambers
My sincere thanks to Sarah Payne for your support and excellent advice. I am very pleased with the way you helped me resolve this dispute.
Pauline Joslin
Sarah – I have received the Grant of Probate, together with a letter of apology from The Probate Office. Thank you again for all your help and support, it was much appreciated.
Jim Stocker
We would like to thank Sarah Payne for her help in our dispute with our buyer and former conveyancing solicitors. We have learnt a lesson and will now leave all our conveyancing to Barr Ellison.
Ivan and Sue Woodhouse
I would always want Sarah Payne in my corner in any dispute. Her decisive approach was a great help at a difficult time. Sarah was also very approachable and made discussion easy. Worth every penny!
Sarah Briggs
Thank you for all your work and support on this case. I found your advice pragmatic, robust and understandable. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to others seeking litigation advice.
Tessa Corr of London
My grateful thanks for your expert help in this matter. It greatly assisted me in taking the right approach.
Gill Sayer of Hopley Plants Limited
Sarah Payne provided prompt, efficient and informed assistance throughout the convoluted procedure of gaining possession of a tenanted property. Her role was instrumental in the successful outcome.