Gareth Williams

Gareth Williams

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Hello. I joined the Cullimore Dutton team as part of the acquisition of Yates & Co. in February 2019 having had an excellent business relationship with the firm over many years. 

I have worked in the financial sector for over 30 years. In joining Cullimore Dutton, I have become a member of a well-established Chester-based financial services team with a wealth of experience and an enthusiastic outlook for the future. 

My role is to help clients achieve financial security and peace of mind in a friendly and professional manner, I enjoy the challenges each day brings with the satisfaction that our clients well-being is at the forefront of my work. I have particular expertise in: 

  • Pensions 
  • Flexi-Access Pensions   
  • Investments 
  • Retirement Planning 

I am a firm believer that a problem is not worth solving if it can’t be done in a spreadsheet, using them to help clients make sense of the myriad of choices available is a large part of my work. 

When I am not in front of a PC, I enjoy gardening, quizzes, clay pigeon shooting and watching musical theatre with my family. I am also a fluent Welsh-speaker. 

Susan Alexander

Susan Alexander

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Hello. I joined the firm as a Consultant Solicitor and Family Mediator in May 2016. I am an accredited family law specialist with over 35 years of experience as a family lawyer dealing with all aspects of Family Law, including divorce, separation, children and financial issues, cohabitation disputes and preparation of pre-nuptial agreements and cohabitation deeds.  

I am a fully accredited Family Mediator and provide Child Inclusive Mediation. I practise collaborative law where couples sit round the table with specially trained lawyers to help them reach solutions which are best for them and their children. I promote the benefits to separating couples and their children of having a dialogue together in a safe and supported environment to make decisions that need to be made about money and property and child care arrangements.  

Divorce is not easy nor is it easy to sit down together and talk about how assets should be shared or how child arrangements should be worked out when emotions are running high. Using Family Mediation and Collaborative Law usually means that agreements are reached more quickly and the uncertainty (and costs) of court proceedings are avoided.  

I am an experienced litigator in cases that cannot be resolved by mediation or collaborative law. I take pride in being thought of as an efficient, hardworking yet approachable and supportive solicitor who helps people through a very difficult time. 

My expertise is in: 

  • Family Mediation including child inclusive mediation  
  • Collaborative family law 
  • All aspects of divorce and separation including financial and children issues 
  • Pre and post nuptial agreements 
  • Cohabitation agreements  
  • Cohabitee disputes 
  • Resolution accredited Family Law specialist  

Away from my desk I like to go to the gym and the lawyer’s fit club, I play bridge and I sing in the Rock Choir. I love socialising with my friends and family. I am also involved in organising events for charity. 

Brenda Spain

Brenda Spain

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Hello, I joined Cullimore Dutton in 2019 to take up the position as Head of the Family Law team.

I have been qualified for over 30 years having previously practiced in Worcestershire in a tier one Family Law team. I have considerable experience of dealing with all aspects of family disputes, with particular expertise in:

  • Divorce/separation and finances; particularly those cases involving Businesses, Pensions (NHS, Police, Armed Forces), Farms and Inheritance etc
  • Private children disputes including internal and international relocation
  • Cohabitation disputes
  • Pre and post nuptial agreements
  • Civil partnership disputes
  • Domestic abuse cases

I am also a qualified mediator, a member of the Law Society Family Panel and a member of Resolution.

I appreciate that relationship breakdowns can be a very difficult and overwhelming experience for many. This is where strong support, guidance and understanding is required.

I work extremely hard for clients to resolve matters in a clear, down to earth, professional and approachable way. I am always prepared to go that extra mile to help our clients achieve the best outcome for them and their children whether through the negotiation process or the Court process if Court Proceedings become necessary.

I was recently appointed as Cullimore Dutton’s Training Principal and am delighted to be able to mentor and support colleagues who are entering the legal profession.

I am proud to head a team of very talented lawyers, aspiring lawyers and assistants.

Away from work I enjoy spending time with family and friends and being outdoors with my Labradors. I enjoy sports, music and getting involved in charitable events and good causes.

Stephen Roberts

Stephen Roberts

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Hello, I joined our firm’s predecessors, Birch Cullimore in 2003 having worked for an IT company who supported Birch Cullimore at that time. 

I started life at Birch Cullimore as an IT Support Analyst, then progressed on to become IT Manager. During this time Birch Cullimore merged with Mason & Moore Dutton to form Cullimore Dutton; I had the rather complicated task of merging the two IT systems. 

Over time I have taken on many more responsibilities leading to me taking on the role of Operations Manager and in February 2021 I was delighted to take on the role of Operations Director. 

Outside of work I am the number one taxi driver for my two teenage daughters, between lifts I enjoy walking with my dogs and getting photos and videos with my drone. 

Andrew Wright

Andrew Wright

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Hello, I joined Cullimore Dutton in 2014 from a background in finance and business development.  

During my time with Cullimore Dutton I have guided the firm through incorporation to become a limited company, established a strong and secure financial platform which has enabled us to grow and in 2021 began the next chapter of our firm’s proud history by appointing a new board of directors from within the business.  

I am proud of our culture of openness and transparency and the efforts we put into fostering the many great relationships we have with our wide and diverse client base across the region and beyond. 

I truly believe that every day our team changes our clients’ lives through their help, support, and expert advice alongside the exceptional levels of client service we are renowned for. 

When I break free from the office, I can be found playing taxi of dad to my three children or shouting Everton on at Goodison Park. 

Viv Oulton

Viv Oulton

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Hello, I joined the firm in 1983 and am the longest serving member of the support team, with over nearly nearly 40 years service. 

I work as a Legal Assistant in the Commercial Litigation Department assisting team with all types of commercial litigation work including debt recovery matters and High Court Enforcement matters. 

I enjoy working closely with clients, offering help and support at what can often be a very stressful time for the individuals involved. 

I have expertise in:
• Civil Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Debt Recovery
• High Court Enforcement
• Assisting Management Companies when selling property

In my spare time I enjoy socialising with friends, reading, horse racing, and motor sports. I’m a keen follower of the Isle of Man TT Races and an ACU accredited Race Marshal. I’m also a big football fan and a proud season ticket holder at Liverpool FC, much to the chagrin of our MD, Andy, who is an Evertonian. Poor chap. 

Sarah Mansfield

Sarah Mansfield

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Hello, I joined Cullimore Dutton in April 2021 as a Legal Director in the Litigation team. 

I am an experienced solicitor and litigator with over 24 years specialising in: 

  • Landlord and Tenant Law 
  • Leasehold Law and Block Management 
  • Housing Management 
  • Environmental Law 
  • Housing and Health and Safety 
  • Regulation 
  • Title Disputes 
  • Nuisance and Trespass 
  • Party Wall and Boundary Disputes 
  • Contract Disputes 

I act for Private and Social Landlords, Freeholders, Management Companies and Developers. 

I am a Member of the Liverpool Law Society General Committee and Vice Chair of the Civil Litigation Sub-Committee. In addition, I was a founder member of the Law Clinic at Liverpool University, I am a Charitable Trustee for Merseyside Water Rescue, a Liverpool-based charity, and a board member and recent committee member of Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Association. 

I am an experienced external speaker and have appeared regularly on behalf of Central Law Training, Northern Housing Consortium and ALARM. I am a regular contributor to specialist publications and have had several articles published in the national press. 

In my spare time I enjoy sewing and upholstery, travelling and walking with my two dogs. 

Adele Bebbington Plant

Adele Bebbington-Plant

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Hello, I joined the firm as a Trainee Solicitor in 2005, after gaining a distinction in the Legal Practice Course at Chester College of Law. On qualification, I became a member of our well-respected Wills & Probate Team.

In 2020 I was appointed as Head of Department and in February 2021 I was delighted to take on the role of Director joining our senior management team. As Head of Department, I have overall responsibility for the supervision of all work carried out by my team.

I advise on all aspects of private client work, including wills, inheritance tax planning, planning for care home fees, asset protection, probate and estate administration. I also deal with Court of protection work. This includes making Deputyship applications and advising on the preparation, registration and use of Lasting Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney.

I also advise clients on trust creation and administration including the administration of charitable trusts.

Outside work, I enjoy life with my husband and three children. My interests are music and travel.