Rod Hughes

Partner, Property Team

Rod Hughes has specialised in commercial property and particularly development land for the last 25 years. He has worked with the complete spectrum of property developers from small developers (building one or two houses a year) to major Plcs building 400 plus and has the same passion for helping small builders and large alike.

He has wide ranging experience of mixed use schemes and developments involving housing associations. Over a 5 year period Rod acted for a prominent energy supplier heading up a major disposal of assets and has also dealt over the years with a number of complex disposals for local authorities in the South-East. He is particularly keen on resolving property related problems for developers and other land owners to unlock the value of their lands and has had notable successes especially in the field of covenants and rights of way.

After training with a leading firm of solicitors in Lewes, Rod spent several years as commercial property partner with another large law firm in Sussex.

Rod is a trustee and passionate supporter of the Friends of East Sussex Hospices. His interests include skiing, most sports (nowadays regrettably mostly as a spectator!), tennis and dreaming of owning a Dutch barge. With his wife Hilary, Rod has lived and worked in East Sussex for the past 30 years.

E-Mail: rodhughes@hrhlaw.co.uk

Telephone: 01435 890101

Clare Lane

Partner, Property Team

Clare has worked in the property sector since 1997 dealing with setting up paperwork for development sites and the sales of newly built properties as well as residential conveyancing including sales, purchases, remortgages, lease extensions, title and boundary issues. Clare was known in her maiden name of Clare Starmer when she practiced in Uckfield for many years. Clare is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.

E-Mail: clarelane@hrhlaw.co.uk

Telephone: 01435 890101

Hilary Hughes

Partner, Private Client Team

Hilary Hughes has specialised in the private client sector, charities, Court of Protection work and similar for the last 20 years and is particularly interested in helping the elderly, charity law and tax planning. In the area of Will planning she offers practical help untangling the complex issues that arise for farmers and business owners as well as those wanting to provide protection for persons with disabilities.

She is Chairman of the Sussex Branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners(“STEP”), a contributor to Bloomsbury Publishing, Chairman of Wealden & Eastbourne Lifeline Finance Group and past Chairman of Anderida Housing Association. She chairs St Thomas of Canterbury Church Finance Committee. Hilary is also a member of the Solicitors for the Elderly.

Hilary grew up in Eastbourne and until recently was a partner in a regional law practice in East Sussex. Hilary has worked and lived in East Sussex for the last 30 years. Her interests include skiing, recreational cycling, travelling to unusual destinations and playing bridge.

E-Mail: hilaryhughes@hrhlaw.co.uk

Telephone: 01435 890101

Pat Sands

Legal Executive, Private Client Team

Pat Sands has worked in the private client area as a Legal Executive for the last 14 years. She has spent all her life in East Sussex, and worked in Heathfield for 30 plus years recently returning to familiar surroundings after a short break. Her interests include cooking, gardening, walking and motorsports. Pat is also a member of the Solicitors for the Elderly.

E-Mail: patsands@hrhlaw.co.uk

Telephone: 01435 890101

Richard Penticost

Partner and Notary Public

Richard Penticost also brings with him a wealth of experience acquired over many years, 19 of which were previously in Heathfield.

Richard is a Notary Public, as well as a Solicitor, and is therefore available to authenticate documents which have a foreign element.

E-Mail: richardpenticost@hrhlaw.co.uk

Telephone: 01435 890101