Defence sector lawyers

Ben Ironmonger

Ben Ironmonger is a Partner at Scott Bailey LLP and Head of the Company and Commercial and Marine departments. 

Ben qualified as a solicitor in 2013, and advises SME business clients on corporate and commercial matters, including business sales and purchases, reorganisations, company structure arrangements, intellectual property and commercial contracts. He has considerable experience in acting for private companies, property developers, employees, agents, banks and financial institutions, entrepreneurs and investors across a wide range of industries. 

As well as traditional business sectors, Ben also regularly advises healthcare business clients including care home owners, pharmacists, veterinary and dental practices, and GP partnerships. 

Having worked in business for a number of years prior to training as a solicitor, and having been a commercial litigator before moving into corporate and commercial law, Ben has developed a practical, down-to-earth and commercially focused approach. He focuses on the key business issues and helps clients get deals done in a cost-effective manner.

Azmi Quraishe

Azmi Quraishe is a Partner and Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution at Scott Bailey LLP. 

She qualified as a solicitor in 2010 and is a Solicitor Advocate, having obtained Higher Rights of Audience. She is accredited to undertake advocacy in the High Court as well as lower courts. 

Azmi has a wide range of experience in resolving disputes for both businesses and individuals, and her practice spans a range of civil and commercial litigation matters where she has represented clients in complex cases, delivering strong results. 

Azmi is also an ADR Group Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator, drawing on her extensive advocacy experience to assist parties in identifying key issues, evaluating risk and achieving pragmatic and proportionate outcomes. She is known for her calm, authoritative style and her ability to manage challenging disputes with clarity and confidence. 

In addition to her practice, Azmi sits as a Magistrate in Southampton. She is the local organiser for the West Hampshire Magistrates’ Mock Trials competition and serves as a Magistrates in the Community Coordinator. She has also been an Associate Lecturer in law at a local university and enjoys imparting her knowledge to the next generation. 

Philip Salt

Phil Salt is a Partner and Head of the Commercial Property department at Scott Bailey LLP, and a key 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 qualified as a solicitor in July 2002. He studied at the University of Southampton before completing his Legal Practice Course at Bournemouth University.

Phil deals with transactions for both landowners and developers, advising on the full range of issues relating to land acquisition and development, including 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 Ratcliff is an Associate Partner and 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. 

Daniel obtained his law degree and Master’s degree from Southampton Solent University in 2007 and 2010 respectively, qualified as a chartered legal executive in 2020,  and 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. 

Emily Drew

Emily Drew is a Solicitor in the Company and Commercial and Marine departments. 

She advises businesses and their owners on a range of corporate and commercial matters. Emily also acts for a number of individuals and businesses in marine-related matters and park home transactions. 

Emily qualified as a Solicitor in September 2024 after completing a two-year training contract with Scott Bailey. During her training, she spent time across each legal department before specialising in corporate and commercial work. 

She studied her Law degree at the University of Winchester and went on to complete a Masters in Law and Business Management alongside the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, achieving a distinction overall. 

Emily has always lived locally and works closely alongside Ben Ironmonger, supporting clients across a range of commercial matters. 

Roger Clayson

Roger Clayson is a solicitor in the Commercial Property department at Scott Bailey LLP. 

He has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial property including sales, purchases, mortgages and other financing, developments, options and conditional contracts, overage agreements and the granting and taking of commercial leases. His clients include landowners, developers, financial institutions and pension funds. 

He also has considerable experience in non-contentious construction law, advising employers, contractors, sub-contractors and professional consultants on building contracts and sub-contracts, appointments, sub-contractor agreements, collateral warranties, guarantees and bonds.  

Roger qualified as a solicitor in 1981 after obtaining his law degree from the University of Birmingham and completing his professional examinations with the College of Law (now the University of Law). 

He has worked previously in the nuclear and renewable energy sectors and has developed a particular specialism in the law of nuclear installations and radioactive substances. 

He is a member of the International Nuclear Law Association and previously served as a director of the UK branch. He was also formerly a member of the Nuclear Industries Association Legal and Financial Affairs Working Group, where he was actively involved in advising government on the implementation of changes to the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. 

In 2009, Roger was awarded In House Solicitor of the Year at the Law Society Excellence Awards. 

Merrin Long

Merrin Long is a Chartered Legal Executive with experience working on a variety of residential and commercial property transactions. 

Her work includes sales and purchases, first registrations, and commercial leases and remortgages. 

Since joining Scott Bailey in 2013, Merrin has gained extensive experience spanning both 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 qualified in 2024 through CILEx Law School. 

She is an efficient, organised and highly valued member of the conveyancing team, taking a proactive approach to helping clients achieve their goals.

Celia Hawson

Celia Hawson is a paralegal in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution department and assistant to the firm’s Notary. 

She supports the litigation team with debt recovery and general contentious matters. 

Celia is currently studying to become a Notary and is in her final year at University College London. 

She previously worked in the Company and Commercial department and had a career in the cruise and shipping industries before moving into law, bringing valuable international experience to her role. 

Celia gained a graduate diploma in law through the University of Law, having previously graduated with an MA (general) from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc in International Hotel and Tourism Management from Oxford Brookes University.   

Benjamin Bethell

Benjamin Bethell is a graduate solicitor apprentice based in the Lymington office. 

He is gaining exposure to multiple departments within the firm whilst undertaking his solicitor training through the apprenticeship route. 

Benjamin obtained a 2:1 law degree from the University of Southampton in 2024. 

He has developed a strong understanding of the practical application of the law and is committed to building the knowledge and experience required to qualify as a solicitor.