Paddle & Cocks LLP Solicitors

15/09/2026

Super pleased to welcome Hannah Johnson to the Firm who joins as an associate solicitor in our commercial and team.

Hannah has worked across a wide variety of both commercial and agricultural property matters including sales and purchases and commercial leases along with all associated matters on behalf of landlords and tenants. Hannah advises a broad range of clients from individuals, farming partnerships and local retailers to limited companies and commercial enterprises.

I'm sure you will join with us in welcoming her.

Hannah Johnson

07/09/2026

Meet the Team | Justine Benbough

With more than 20 years' experience in Commercial Dispute Resolution, Justine helps businesses and individuals resolve complex disputes with confidence.

Justine advises on a wide range of contentious matters, including:
Commercial contract disputes
Director and shareholder disagreements
Commercial landlord and tenant issues
Property disputes
Contentious probate
Insolvency

Whether she's helping a business protect its interests or guiding a client through a difficult legal challenge, Justine is known for providing practical, straightforward advice that gets results.

But don't just take our word for it...
⭐ "Justine Benbough was exceptional in our case giving us first rate service. 5 star quality and service all the way through”
Dominic Kiernander

⭐ " Our [ex-director dispute] case was handled very professionally and in a timely fashion. We would not hesitate to recommend their service to others”
Lynette Wilson, Director of Budeful Ltd

⭐ "We really appreciated the support and help navigating us through an upsetting and stressful experience. Thank you for your patience and wish you the very best for the future.”
Alan and Faith Hicks

Recognised by The Legal 500 in 2024 as a "key lawyer", Justine combines legal expertise with a calm, approachable manner, helping clients understand their options and move forward with confidence.

Her approach is simple: provide clear advice, resolve disputes efficiently and always keep her clients' best interests at the heart of every case.

If you require Justine's legal expertise, please email [email protected]

31/08/2026

Meet the Team | Harjit Gill

As a Consultant Solicitor in our Employment Law team, Harjit Gill brings over 15 years of specialist experience advising both employers and employees on a wide range of workplace issues.

Her expertise includes redundancy processes, disciplinary and grievance procedures, TUPE, employment contracts, settlement agreements, discrimination claims, and employment tribunal representation.

She is known for her ability to cut through legal complexity and provide advice that is both commercially sensible and easy to understand.

But don't just take our word for it...

⭐ "Harjit was incredibly professional, knowledgeable and supportive throughout the whole process. I would highly recommend her to all in need."

⭐ "Harjit was absolutely fantastic... she resolved the matter swiftly with a single, exceptionally well-crafted letter. The outcome exceeded my expectations."

⭐ "Harjit is informed, reliable and professional throughout. We highly recommend her."

She also won the award for Litigation Lawyer of the Year - Employment at the Cornwall Law Society Awards in 2026!

Clients value Harjit not only for her technical expertise, but for her calm, approachable manner and her commitment to achieving the best possible outcome.

In addition to her litigation work, Harjit is also a qualified mediator, helping parties resolve disputes early and avoid unnecessary escalation. This focus on resolution and clarity is at the heart of her approach.

If you're facing an employment law issue (whether as an employer or employee) Harjit is here to help. Please contact [email protected] for advice.

***s

24/08/2026

Behind every successful law firm is someone who keeps everything running smoothly... and at Paddle & C***s, that's our Practice Manager and Partner, Kim Rose.

Kim plays a key role in supporting the firm’s continued growth, while bringing a wealth of experience from across the legal and business world.

Before joining Paddle & C***s, Kim worked with leading national and international law firms in London, including Trowers & Hamlins and Eversheds, gaining experience across employment law, HR, personal injury, company and commercial matters, and marketing. She later continued her legal career in Cornwall, working with regional firms and supporting businesses with employment and dispute resolution matters.

Today, Kim is often one of the first points of contact for clients looking to work with Paddle & C***s. Her broad legal knowledge, organisational expertise and understanding of how businesses operate make her an invaluable part of the team.

But Kim’s role is about more than keeping things running smoothly… it’s about creating the right environment for both clients and colleagues to thrive.

⭐ Kim is an exceptional Practice Manager who is consistently responsive and helpful. Regardless of the circumstances, she maintains a positive and professional demeanour. Having worked together for approximately 8 years, I can highly recommend the services of Paddle & C***s.
~Gemma Gosden, ALP Schools Limited

⭐ I’ve worked with Kim for several years in various capacities: trust and professionalism is in everything she does, like lettering though Brighton Rock. Thoroughly excellent in all the ways you would expect and need an Ace Support Person to be. But what keeps us relying on her is how much she cares, and how thoroughly a lovely individual she is. She solves problems, and makes you feel good about it. She steps up, and makes it look easy. She gets stuff done, but no fuss.
~Ruth Harvey, in-house employment solicitor

Her approach is simple: support people, solve problems and help create a better way of working.

If you require Kim’s support, please email [email protected]

17/08/2026

Meet the Team | David Formby

With over 20 years' experience in Commercial Property, David Formby helps businesses, investors, landlords, developers and farming clients navigate property transactions with confidence.

From buying and selling commercial premises to negotiating leases, refinancing property portfolios and supporting business acquisitions, David combines technical expertise with a practical, commercial approach. He's particularly experienced in acting on time-sensitive transactions, helping clients identify risks early and keep deals moving.

Some of David's recent work includes:
Advising on the acquisition of a £1m+ mixed-use rural property for holiday lets and residential use.
Supporting the purchase of a local Post Office business, including the asset purchase, commercial finance and a new lease.
Acting on the acquisition of an industrial unit for a local contractor.
Providing corporate property support during the sale of a restaurant business, including lease rectification and guarantor changes.
Advising farming clients on partnership agreements, agricultural finance and land transactions.

Whether advising on a new business premises, a lease renewal or a complex refinancing, David focuses on finding solutions that support his clients' long-term goals.

But don't just take our word for it...

⭐ "David is the best at what he does. He is very prompt in replying and resolving the queries. Highly recommended."

⭐ "Paddle & C***s are our 'go to' legal folks."

⭐ "You have been awesome... thank you for your communication, your diligence and for taking time out of your own leave to keep me updated."

Known for his responsiveness, attention to detail and straightforward advice, David is committed to making commercial property transactions as smooth and stress-free as possible.

If you require David’s support, please email him - [email protected]

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13/08/2026

Summer is a great time to catch up on those jobs you've been meaning to do.

Between holidays and the day-to-day demands of running a business, it's easy to put off reviewing your legal affairs. But taking a little time now could give you and your family lasting peace of mind.

This summer, why not:
Review your Will
Put a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place
Check your estate planning is up to date

If you'd like advice on protecting your family and your assets, Helen French and our Private Client team are here to help.

📧 [email protected]
📞 01872 672072

10/08/2026

Meet the Team | Islam Abdelal

As a Consultant Solicitor in our Corporate Law team, Islam brings more than 15 years of international legal and commercial experience, helping businesses navigate complex transactions with confidence.

Islam's career spans private practice, senior in-house legal leadership and strategic business advisory roles, including positions as Associate General Counsel and Director of Integration within McKinsey & Company's New Ventures group. There, he advised on cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures and post-merger integration projects across multiple jurisdictions.

Today, Islam advises businesses, private equity investors and growth companies on mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring, shareholder agreements, commercial contracts and post-transaction integration. His unique blend of legal expertise and operational insight enables him to provide advice that is not only legally robust but also commercially practical.

Dual-qualified as a Solicitor of England & Wales and an Attorney admitted in California, Islam has an international perspective that is invaluable for clients with global ambitions. Fluent in both English and Arabic, he regularly supports organisations operating across borders and different legal systems.

Clients value Islam for his strategic thinking, commercial mindset and ability to simplify complex legal issues, helping businesses make informed decisions at every stage of their growth journey.

But don't just take our word for it...

⭐ "A really pleasant and knowledgeable solicitor who prepared our partnership agreement and gave practical and informative advice. Top class service who I will highly recommend."
– Anthony Vingoe, Director, Vingoe Family Law

⭐ "Islam's calm and proactive approach is always appreciated. He is able to draw on many areas of expertise and present the information in layman's terms that provide us with options to explore further."
– Gemma Gosden, Proprietor, ALP Schools

If you require legal expertise from Islam, please email [email protected]

03/08/2026

As a Partner in our Commercial Property team, Jennifer Burden is trusted by clients across Cornwall and beyond for her calm, thorough and highly commercial approach to even the most complex property transactions.

With over 15 years’ experience at leading regional firms, including a long career at Stephens Scown LLP where she progressed to Senior Associate, Jennifer joined Paddle & C***s in 2020 and brings a wealth of expertise in rural, agricultural and commercial property law.

Her work covers a broad range of property matters, including acquisitions and disposals of land and farms, option agreements, conditional contracts, easements, landlord and tenant matters, agricultural tenancies, and complex property finance arrangements. She is also highly experienced in advising on large-scale and high-value transactions involving mixed commercial and agricultural elements.

Jennifer is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association and is well known for her ability to guide clients through technically complex deals with clarity, precision and reassurance. Clients consistently praise her for being approachable, responsive and exceptionally knowledgeable... particularly when navigating first-time or high-value land acquisitions.

Her recent work includes advising on substantial agricultural and commercial land transactions, refinancing projects, and complex estate restructures involving multiple legal and commercial layers.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys being out and about across the South West, taking time away to enjoy the countryside she regularly works within.

Her approach is simple: keep things clear, stay practical, and always protect the client’s commercial position.

To contact Jennifer, please email [email protected]

27/07/2026

Meet the Team | Verona C***s

As Managing Partner and co-founder of Paddle & C***s LLP, Verona C***s has built a law firm with one clear focus: delivering exceptional legal advice with people at its heart.

With more than 25 years’ experience, Verona specialises in Commercial Dispute Resolution and Insolvency, helping businesses, organisations and individuals navigate complex legal challenges. Her expertise includes:
Business and contract disputes
Directors actions
Banking and finance matters
Shareholder disputes
Commercial property disputes
Construction disputes
Enforcement of foreign judgments and cross jurisdictional claims

Before founding Paddle & C***s in 2018, Verona held senior roles at leading law firms across the UK, developing specialist dispute resolution teams and acting for clients ranging from SMEs to FTSE 100 companies, major banks and financial institutions.

Alongside leading the firm, Verona continues to work closely with clients, combining strategic thinking with clear, practical advice.

Her approach has been recognised by The Legal 500, where she is described as:
⭐ “An outstanding litigator.”
⭐ “Quick brained, able to see the wider implications and, most of all, able to explain complex legal solutions in plain English so that clients can make an informed choice.”
⭐ “A superb litigator. She is tenacious, client focused and great fun to work with.”

Verona’s achievements include:
🏆 Leader of the Year – Cornwall Law Society Awards 2026
🏆 Litigation Lawyer of the Year – Cornwall Law Society Awards 2025
🏆 Runner-up, Director of the Year – West Country Women Awards 2025

Outside of the office, Verona is a qualified yoga teacher, former hockey player and half-marathon runner, energy healing practitioner and passionate about music.

Her philosophy is simple: understand the challenge, provide clear advice, and help clients make confident decisions when it matters most.

If you require Verona’s legal support, please email her [email protected]

24/07/2026

Commercial landlords: don't wait until the law changes ‼️

The ban on upwards-only rent reviews isn't expected to come into force until 2027, but decisions being made today could have long-term consequences.

If you're negotiating leases, renewal rights or development agreements, now is the time to review your documentation and consider whether your rent review provisions are fit for the future.

Swipe through to hear the key points from our Commercial Property Solicitor, Jane Havergal.

If you'd like advice on how these upcoming changes could affect your property portfolio, our Commercial Property team is here to help. Please contact us at [email protected]