Residential Conveyancing Solicitors

James Burford

James is the head of the Property Team. He specialises in buying and selling all types of residential property wherever it may be situated around the country. He also advises on such matters such as deeds of variations and deeds of easements and other areas of property law. He also helps out the family team in implementing Court orders.

James’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the New Forest property scene means there is always a high demand for his services. He is known for the service he gives to clients and his attention to detail.

Philip Salt

Phil heads up our commercial property department and is a vital member of the wider property team. He has wide experience dealing with all aspects of commercial, agricultural and residential property, ranging from buying or selling a business or farm to letting properties to tenants or setting up a new enterprise. He advises clients involved in both the granting and taking of commercial leases.

Phil deals with transactions for both landowners and developers, advising on the full range of issues relating to land acquisition and development, including such matters as option agreements, conditional contracts, overage agreements, joint venture agreements and infrastructure agreements.

Very often there are loose ends on property transactions and Phil takes a practical and commercial approach to solving these problems.

Daniel Ratcliff

Daniel is a Chartered Legal Executive with extensive experience in both residential and commercial property transactions. He specialises in the sale and purchase of all types of property, whether freehold or leasehold, and is particularly skilled in handling complex and unusual matters. Over the years, he has successfully completed transactions involving everything from a beach and an aeroplane hangar, to a castle, a school, and a golf course - to name but a few!

In addition to conveyancing, Daniel regularly advises clients on a wide range of related property issues, including bank security, transfers of equity, deeds of variation, and equity release.

Having obtained his Master’s degree in Law from the University of Southampton in 2010, Daniel has remained closely connected to the local area throughout his career. Known for his approachable manner and practical, solution-focused advice, Daniel is committed to providing a smooth, efficient service and helping to make the conveyancing process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

Merrin Long

Merrin is a Chartered Legal Executive with experience working on a variety of residential and commercial property transactions, including sales and purchases, first registrations, and commercial leases and remortgages.

Since joining Scott Bailey in 2013, Merrin has gained extensive experience spanning the administrative and legal aspects of conveyancing. During this time, she completed her training to become a Chartered Legal Executive specialising in commercial property.

Merrin is an efficient, organised, and much-valued member of our conveyancing team, who always takes a proactive approach to helping her clients achieve their goals.

Marie Redman

Marie is a highly experienced solicitor, based in our Lyndhurst office. She has lived and worked in the New Forest for a number of years and has developed an excellent reputation for her extensive local knowledge, efficiency and personal approach.

Marie deals with all aspects of the residential sale and purchase process and can also help with transfers of equity, remortgages, equity release, Deeds of Easement and Deeds of Variation.

Victoria Smalley

Victoria is a highly experienced Licensed Conveyancer. Her expertise includes all types of residential property transactions from sales and purchases of properties ranging from multi-million pound New Forest homes to inner-city leasehold flats.

Victoria also has wide experience dealing with deeds of variations, repayment of shared equity loans, matrimonial transfers and other areas of property law. She has a well-deserved reputation for making successful stress-free moves a reality.

Molly Gunn

Molly is a Paralegal in the Conveyancing department with over eight years of experience in the legal sector. She gained her Paralegal Certificate in March 2023 and became an Associate Member of CILEx in August 2024, having successfully completed the Paralegal Experience Route assessment.

Molly supports the lawyers in the team and plays a key role in the day-to-day coordination and smooth operation of the assistant team. She has a particular interest in residential property and is dedicated to delivering a responsive and efficient service to clients.