Boys & Maughan’s property litigation and family legal teams have achieved listings in the 2024 edition of the legal industry guide, The Legal 500, appearing in its rankings as amongst the best in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. The Legal 500 benchmarks the very best lawyers and law firms in the UK.

This year’s edition additionally identified Andrew Baker, Jonathan da Costa, Paul Reeves, Matt Champ, Wendy Burgess, Geena Parsons, and Joana Daraskeviciute among its individual Recommended Lawyers. The guide has recommended Wendy, Geena, and Joana for the first time.

Giving examples of various noteworthy matters, the editors noted how “Counting landlords, high net worth individuals, and national companies amongst its key clients, the Margate-based Boys & Maughan litigation team is highly regarded,” and goes on to say that there is “An excellent team ethic from a team that is innovative and reliable.”

The guide explains, “The litigation team is jointly headed up by Andrew Baker and Matt Champ; the former has extensive experience in handling probate disputes and property rights issues, while the latter is ‘highly knowledgeable’ in all areas of civil litigation and on injunctive relief. Senior solicitor Geena Parsons focuses on professional negligence claims, and solicitor Joana Daraskeviciute concentrates on landlord and tenant disputes. Paul Reeves is another key contact.”

Boys & Maughan Senior Partner Andrew Baker is singled out for particular praise. A contributor said, “Andrew Baker is excellent. He is very knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive; I have also found Andrew to be very responsive and available to cases, tactics, and queries and to have a very pragmatic approach to litigation.”

The editors have this year emphasised the experience within Boys & Maughan’s family lawyer team, which “spans the Margate and Canterbury hubs” and “handles all types of family cases. Our practice is, “Known for its representation of children and parents in divorce and separation matters and care proceedings.”

The editors commented on our cross-border matrimonial expertise,  highlighting a case where we assisted a father with his two children, aged nine and six. The mother of the children (who have dual nationality) is from Taiwan, which is not subject to the Hague Convention and has no bilateral arrangements with the UK.

The guide commentary states that Team head Jonathan da Costa is “A very safe pair of hands. He is unflappable and has an excellent manner with clients. He has many years of experience, including running complicated high-asset cases. His approach is measured, strategic, and fair.” An expert added, “I find Jonathan da Costa a highly engaging practitioner with an excellent grasp of detail and a human approach to family law.”

Andrew, Senior Partner at Boys & Maughan, said, “It was particularly pleasing to see recognition for the contributions of Wendy Burgess, Geena Parsons, and Joana Daraskeviciute this year. Our presence in the guide underscores the talent across our family and litigation teams at all levels, and this independent assessment of their skills and commitment is hugely appreciated.”

It’s the ninth time Boys & Maughan’s family team has featured in The Legal 500, and our firm’s property litigators are recommended for the fourth consecutive year. 

Boys & Maughan’s Legal 500 submission, like those of firms across the country, was subjected to extensive analysis, and clients, referees, and other firms gave interviews to the editors. More than 40,000 clients and specialists contributed to The Legal 500’s 2024 UK research.