About Ashley Taylors Legal

Martyn Taylor

Managing Director

Martyn joined the law in 1973 and finished his articles in 1978.  He has specialised in Litigation since then particularly in Landlord and Tenant actions and Court advocacy.  He has over 10,000 cases behind him.

He’s also very involved in Landlord and Tenant training not only to Lawyers and young Barristers regularly but also to Landlords and Managing Agents with his webinars for Landlords and Managing Agents attracting around 700 viewers a time.

In addition, Martyn also had a secondary career in the Army and is semi retired as a senior officer.  He qualified as a pilot in 1998 but he doesn’t fly much lately and his interests now include tennis and motor racing. He still races a few times a year as well as being a governor of a local free school.

Allan Courtnage

Operations Director

Allan began his career outside of law before deciding a career change and joining a legal practise. He achieved fellowship with the Institute of Paralegals before being promoted to
Operations Director. He is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Allan’s main role is assessing and enhancing the efficiency of internal and external operational processes on all aspects of the running of the business across all departments.

Overseeing the recruitment process to attract the best candidates, and  Mentoring Management Team, and establishing policies that improve and promote company vision and culture,

Allan is always looking to improve and enhance his skills and pass this on to the business process.

Teni Tella

Solicitor and Compliance Director

Teni is a Solicitor and Director at Ashley Taylors Legal. She is also the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) dealing with all aspects of compliance for the Firm. In addition to her role as COLP, Teni heads up the Litigation Team acting for landlords, insurers and estate agents in residential landlord and tenant disputes ensuring that her team provides clients with a high standard of service. She has also recently overseen the Firm branching out into Commercial Landlord and Tenant Litigation and is the Firm’s main lead in this area.

Prior to joining the Firm in 2015,  Teni spent 7 years at a major UK retail bank with roles across consumer credit litigation within the contentious dispute resolution team and international insurance litigation.

She holds a LLB degree in Law with Business and a Master of Laws in Professional Legal Practice.

Teni has over 13 years’ experience in litigation. She employs a practical, commercial and solution driven approach, ensuring that she achieves the most effective outcome for her clients.

Joanna Burke

Solicitor and Residential Landlord and Tenant Litigation Manager

Joanna is a Solicitor and manager of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Litigation Team. She joined the Firm in May 2023 dealing with various landlord and tenant disputes, including leasehold enfranchisement matters.

Joanna graduated from St Mary’s University in 2016 with an LLB Law degree. She then finalised her legal studies in 2020 at the University of Law in Guildford with a Legal Practice Course and Master in Law. She swiftly started her training contract in September 2020 gaining experience within Property Litigation, Leasehold Enfranchisement, Conveyancing and Wills and Probate Law. Upon qualification in 2022, Joanna specialised into Litigation and Leasehold Enfranchisement Law.

Outside of work, Joanna enjoys spending time with her horse, socialising with friends and travelling to new places.

Angie Courtnage

Paralegal and Administration Team Manager

Angela is a qualified Paralegal and a key member of the senior management team with more than 20 years’ experience of people management. She also leads the Administration Team, handling all administrative aspects ensuring the smooth running of the litigation process from commencement of legal action to conclusion.

Angela is very experienced in dealing with residential landlord and tenant disputes. She provides the Administration Team with the support they need to improve efficiencies and workflows, with the aim of providing an excellent standard of service to clients.

Sharon Bratton

Litigation Fee Earner

Sharon is a Litigation Fee Earner within the residential Landlord and Tenant Team dealing with contentious matters. She graduated from the University of Sussex in 2019 with an Honours degree in Law.  Sharon is currently studying the Legal Practice Course with Master of Laws, part-time and is expected to complete this in June 2024.

Sharon deals with possession claims where a defence and/or counterclaim has been filed. She regularly assists clients in settlement negotiations, fast-track and multi-track claims and has attended mediation sessions.

Outside of work, Sharon enjoys swimming, going to the gym and spending time with her family.

Leon Freeman

Litigation Fee Earner

Leon is a Litigation Fee Earner specialising in Landlord and Tenant litigation. Leon aims to offer a friendly and relaxed service, offering clear and candid advice to his clients. Leon graduated from the University of Portsmouth with an Honours degree in Law before studying the Bar Training Course at BBP London. In 2022, Leon was called to the Bar of England and Wales at the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple and is currently an unregistered Barrister. Leon is experienced in fast-track and multi-track litigation, with expertise in the Housing Act 1988, retaliatory evictions, residential licences, and enforcement. Leon has assisted in cases in both the County Court and the High Court.

Matthew Andruchow

Litigation Fee Earner

Matthew is a Litigation Fee Earner handling contentious residential landlord and tenant disputes. Originally from Canada, he achieved a BSc before coming to the United Kingdom where he obtained his LLB, LLM and was called to the Bar on 22 November 2020 by middle Temple Inn. He now calls England home. Prior to joining the Litigation team, Matthew was a County Court Advocate for 2 years where he attended numerous hearings representing clients in landlord and tenant disputes as well as other areas of law. This experience has been extremely valuable in his day to day role especially when dealing with clients. Matthew aims to understand his clients needs and provides pragmatic advice on how to deal with their disputes. Outside of work, Matthew is an avid lacrosse player and recently helped coach the England National team to a European Championship.

Chris Palmer

CILEx Lawyer / Litigation Fee Earner

Chris is a Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer specialising in residential landlord and tenant disputes. Chris qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2018, but has almost 20 years of legal experience in areas as diverse as Consumer Credit litigation and debt recovery.

Chris understands that the eviction and possession process can be quite challenging, and ensures that he is in constant contact with clients and provides updates and front line support throughout the process.

While working remotely, Chris still works closely with the rest of the team assisting wherever is required.

Heather Denyer

Paralegal

Heather is a Paralegal within the Administration team of the residential Landlord & Tenant Litigation Department, having joined the Firm in 2017. Heather provides front line support to clients, ensuring that she is always available throughout the eviction process as she understands that the process can be a stressful time for clients.

Kinga Courtnage

Paralegal

Kinga joined the Firm in 2019 as a Legal Administrator handling residential Landlord and Tenant matters. Over the years, she gained experience and progressed to a Paralegal in May 2023 handling her own caseload of possession cases. Kinga’s role is to help landlords recover possession of their properties by providing tailored legal advice to their circumstances including serving eviction notices, issuing possession proceedings and enforcing eviction orders. She strives to always achieve the best result for her clients.

Kinga was educated in Poland where she obtained a Master’s degree in Economics.

Chloe Green

Paralegal

Chloe Joined the Firm in 2022 as a Paralegal within the Administration Team of the Residential Landlord & Tenant Litigation Department . With previous experience in the lettings industry, Chloe fully understands the challenges of managing a portfolio of properties and having to keep up with the strict, ever-changing laws alongside this. She is always happy to help and aims to take the pressure away from clients when dealing with possession proceedings. Chloe is approachable and supportive and will guide clients through the process of regaining possession of properties, ensuring they understand what she is doing and why. Outside of work, Chloe enjoys reading, cinema and her studies in entomology.

Sharon Rye

Paralegal

Sharon is a Paralegal within the Administration Team of the residential Landlord & Litigation Department. Sharon has worked in the legal profession for many years in high pressured roles and brings a wealth of experience, insight, and knowledge to the Team.

Daisy Gander-Miller

Landlord & Tenant Department Administrator

Daisy is the administrator for the Landlord & Tenant department. She is personable and skilled in file handling and telephone communication. Daisy attends to clients’ needs and provides effective and thorough responses to queries.
With a warm and friendly approach, she ensures that clients have a clear understanding of eviction procedures and stay well-informed on the progress of their cases.
Committed to making the eviction process as stress-free as possible, Daisy aims to make document submissions and instructing assistance a smooth process.
Outside of the office, Daisy enjoys reading, photography and gardening.

David Cowler

Advocate Manager

David joined Ashley Taylors Legal in 2002. He was employed as in-house advocate, successfully attending over 15,000 County Court Applications, and to build on that success was brought in-office as Department Manager.
David has, as Manager for more than ten years, been using his vast experience of the County Court and its processes to mentor and promote best practice in our team of advocates, as well as continuing his own practice in advocacy with Ashley Taylors Legal.

Julia Inman

Administration Manager (Advocacy)

Julia joined Ashley Taylors Legal in 2017, where her previous administrative and coordination experience has come in very useful when streamlining the Advocacy Services department. Julia oversees all administration within the department and provides experience and valuable support in day-to-day roles. She provides administrative and reviews of all services within the department and helps to improve efficiencies with a clear understanding to provide our clients with the highest standard of service that Ashley Taylors Legal can provide.

Heidi Cripps

Client Liaison (Advocacy)

Heidi joined Ashley Taylors Legal in 2018 and is the first point of contact between Ashley Taylors Legal and our Clients. She is passionate in her role and an integral part of the team. Her aim is to make the process of engaging our Advocacy Services as simple and stress-free as possible.
Heidi responds to all communication either via email or telephone, with a determination to give clear information.
In her own time away from Ashley Taylors Legal, Heidi is an advocate for personal health, musical theatre, and canine friends.

Alison Jones

Senior Advocate Coordinator

Alison previously held high-pressured roles within major City companies, and now brings her calm and focused manner to the Advocacy Services team in East Sussex.
Alison is also a valued member of Ashley Taylors Legal’s development team for in-house training bringing credibility and assuredness to our department.
In her private life, Alison is a keen horse rider and enjoys spending time with family and her feline friends.

Deanna Winser

Advocate Coordinator

Deanna came to Ashley Taylors Legal with experience in customer service, case handling, which has served her well in the Advocacy Services Department.
As a popular member of our team, Deanna is a vital link between Client and Advocate. Deanna is approachable and supportive, and shows enthusiasm in trying to obtain the desired outcomes for both Client and Advocates.
In her personal time, Deanna enjoys spending time with family and friends and enjoys crafting.

Lydia Smith

Advocate Coordinator

Lydia is an important part of the Advocacy Services department, providing connections between Ashley Taylors Legal Advocates and our instructing clients since 2022. Lydia’s previous employment was within office environments and customer assistance, provide her essential skills to be productive and proactive when dealing with the daily tasks of Advocate Coordinator.
Lydia has been praised as “reassuring and welcoming” by our clients, with an optimistic outlook in her work. When completing day-to-day projects, you can be assured that they will be completed to the best of her ability.

Aimee Rogers

Diary Clerk (Advocacy)

Aimee liaises with and co-ordinates Ashley Taylor Legal’s team of advocates. She ensures Ashley Taylors Legal has suitable and appropriate advocates attending hearings on a daily basis across all County Courts within England and Wales.

Kelly Mallows

Accounts Manager

Kelly has worked in the Accounts Department since 2012 having previously worked as an administrative role within Ashley Taylors Legal.
She performs her job with efficiency and is always willing to go beyond the clients’ expectations to resolve any issues that arise and ensure clients have the best possible experience.

Holly Dyson

Credit Controller

Holly assists the Accounts Manager on a part-time basis.
She always performs her role calmly and deals with all enquiries with clear communication and patience to ensure that it is resolved to the client’s satisfaction.
Outside of work Holly spends time with her young family.

Matt Grose

Information Security and Technology Manager

Matt joined Ashley Taylors Legal in 2012 and oversees the IT and Information Security for the company.
He started his career as a Barristers’ Clerk in London and during his time there developed an interest in IT. Matt has worked in the Legal sector for his entire professional career and has a history of implementing and creating legal technologies in companies he has worked for.