about us
Rod Britton
The principal of the firm, Rod. Britton qualified as a Solicitor in 1973 having served Articles with a firm in Derbyshire and then working as an assistant Solicitor in East Anglia before moving to Milton Keynes and becoming a Partner in one of the oldest and most respected agricultural firms in the country.
Rod then progressed to a new European venture in 1989 during which offices were opened in Brussels, London and Manchester as well as having a major office in Milton Keynes. The aim of the office was to service the new businesses taking advantage of the avenues opened by the European Union in 1992. All staff were multi lingual His work at that time involved many cross border start ups as well as European and Japanese ventures in the UK both for medium and multi national businesses.
Outside Interests
Although work is ever consuming "out time" consists of enjoying the beauty of the Thames on his boat and cooking. Buying cookery books is seemingly becoming a fetish. He has written a book on Switzerland ( his mother was Swiss ) and he speaks Swiss German dialect fluently as well as several others intermittently.
Rod is a keen walker, a member of the Swiss Railway Society, a member of the Law Society Art Club, he runs a local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Maidenhead and was a member of Lions International, formerly (until 2006) organising the Jazz Charity evening on the banks of the Thames.
Areas of Work
Probate / Bereavement
This area of work, so often misunderstood, is one which requires dedication in order to effectively run someone's life to provide a concluding chapter after they are no longer with us. It is both time consuming, frustrating and requiring professional input to prevent expensive mistakes. It is not a task for which the ameteur is either equipped or qualified.
Wills and Inheritance Act Planning
The greatest growth area. Prevention of disputes and sympathetic appraisal of client needs have been at the forefront of the firm's ideals. The greatest satisfaction is realised from knowing that someone has disposed of their assets in a tax efficient manner and according to their wishes rather than leave uncertainty as to their destination.
Business & Commerce
A broad heading requiring a knowledge of running a business. Agreements, start ups, Health and Safety, Employment, Leases, Company Secretarial, Franchises, Partnerships, Shareholder Agreements in fact everyday business/ commercial life. A recognition as to how a business works/ survives and grows. There is no substitute for experience.
Richard O'Hagan
Richard has been a lawyer for over 18 years, specialising in all forms of litigation. He regularly deals with commercial and civil disputes of all kinds, personal injury and debt recovery actions and family problems. He was the solicitor in the case of Lippiatt and Febry v South Gloucestershire County Council, where it was held that landowners are liable for damage caused by travellers who camp illegally upon their land.
In addition, Richard is a specialist in bankruptcy and insolvency matters, and contract law. He has a particular interest in the fields of media and equine law.
In December 2007 Richard was elected as the first solicitor member of the Committee on Publication Ethics, which is the equivalent of the Press Complaints Commission for academic journals.
Away from the office, Richard is an avid cricketer and rugby player. He is also an expert on American Football and writes a weekly column about this for a US website.
Amy Stroud
Amy qualified as a Solicitor in 2000 and has worked in solicitors’ offices over the past 20 years.
Since 1998 she has specialised in personal injury claims. On a daily basis, Amy claims compensation for people who have suffered an injury or illness through no fault of their own. Amy also claims compensation for those suffering injury or illness through negligent medical treatment.
She also supports and advises both workers and employers in relation to difficulties they may be experiencing, including situations prior to termination of employment, compromise agreements, discrimination, harassment, and bullying at work.
Her recent successes include a substantial stress at work claim, and recovering over £50,000 for the professional negligence of another firm of solicitors in their dealing with a road traffic accident claim.
Amy also advises on criminal injuries, debt recovery, general disputes, and costs.
She is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
When not working, Amy enjoys yoga and finds her free time belongs to her young family who keep her on her toes!
Gianfranco De Franco
Gianfranco qualified as a Solicitor in 2009 after qualifying as a Legal Executive in 2008. He has over 20 years' management and commercial experience with large Public companies.
Gianfranco specialises in Wills, Probate and the Court of Protection. These areas require patience, understanding and a sympathetic ear which are skills he learned throughout his time in commercial management.
Outside work, he enjoys all sport but especially Golf and Squash.
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