Sarah Pedro
Associate
Services
Private client and tax
Sectors
Private wealth
Sarah is an associate in the private client and tax team, based in the London office. She advises on a broad range of private client matters, including estate planning, trusts, and tax compliance, with a particular interest in international tax and advisory work.
She qualified as a solicitor in September 2025 after training at the firm, having completed seats in the private client and tax, family, construction and infrastructure, and medical negligence team, gaining broad experience across the firm’s practice areas.
I take a holistic and strategic approach to supporting my clients. By applying a project management mindset, I work through their long-term needs, whether related to succession planning, tax, or trusts, in a structured and proactive way. My aim is to provide clarity and continuity, ensuring that each stage of the process aligns with their broader goals.
Prior to joining the firm, Sarah had a career in recruitment and compliance, servicing public sector healthcare clients and government bodies. This experience has equipped her with a strong understanding of complex regulatory environments and client service. She studied law and international relations, a joint honours degree, at Sussex University, and completed a Masters in international law at SOAS University of London. Sarah then completed her LPC at BPP University London.
Recent work highlights
High net worth wills
Succession and tax planning
UK inheritance tax advice
Creation of UK and offshore trusts
International family support
What people are saying
The team is really attentive, addressing complex matters swiftly and strategically.
Oliver Shapley
Tax & Accounts Manager (Non-Solicitor)

Oliver Shapley
Tax & Accounts Manager (Non-Solicitor)
Services
Private client and tax
Sectors
Private wealth
Oliver is a tax and accounts manager within the private client team, specialising in providing comprehensive tax and accounting services for trusts, estates, companies and individuals. With expertise in self-assessment tax compliance, he ensures that clients meet their obligations, offering tailored solutions for a variety of complex tax matters.
As a qualified member of the Association of Taxation Technicians, Oliver stays up to date with evolving tax law and regulations to provide the best possible service to clients. He is committed to delivering clear, strategic and practical advice to support clients in achieving their objectives.
I take pride in providing clear, precise and practical tax advice, tailored to each client’s unique situation. With strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem solving, I aim to make complex tax matters easy to understand and manage, ensuring that clients feel confident and supported throughout the process.
With a strong focus on capital gains tax (CGT), Oliver advises on CGT planning and compliance, guiding clients through the process of disposing of UK residential property in the most tax efficient way. He also provides clients with detailed inheritance tax guidance, advising on effective strategies to minimise its impact. In addition, Oliver manages the preparation of trust, estate and company accounts, ensuring accuracy and adherence to regulatory standards.
Recent work highlights
CGT on property disposal
Trustee tax obligations
Estate administration tax compliance
Tax compliance in liquidation
Discretionary trust tax compliance
HMRC tax appeals
Divorce settlement planning
Non-resident corporation tax
Divorce settlement planning
Non-resident corporation tax
What people are saying
A high quality team delivering real world advice.
Madeleine Swanepoel
Trusts & Tax Manager (Non-Solicitor)

Madeleine Swanepoel
Trusts & Tax Manager (Non-Solicitor)
Services
Private client and tax
Sectors
Private wealth
Madeleine is a trusts and tax manager within the tax compliance team, bringing over eight years of experience in private wealth from top tier firms. She is an LLB graduate in law and a member of STEP, the world’s leading organization for private wealth professionals.
Specialising in providing detailed, thorough, and comprehensible tax advice, Madeleine assists UK resident and non-UK resident individuals, trustees, and executors with a wide range of complex UK tax compliance matters, including income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax. She adheres strictly to UK tax legislation.
I am committed to ensuring that every client feels confident in my professional care. My aim is to alleviate stress and deliver exceptional service, prioritising clients’ best interests by developing strong working relationships and providing clear tax advice.
Madeleine focuses on delivering tax advice tailored to her clients’ needs, managing the preparation of annual self-assessment tax returns, estate and trust accounts, and 60-day capital gains tax on UK property. Her expertise includes assisting with complex historic accounting for individuals, preparing and submitting tax disclosures to HM Revenue and Customs and settling tax enquiries and penalties issued. She ensures that clients receive the highest standard of service, navigating intricate tax issues and alleviating stress in order to achieve the best outcomes.
Recent work highlights
Tax on gifted property
Undeclared trade income
Indirect property disposal
Lifetime CGT position
Non-qualifying IIP trust
Transfer of matrimonial home
Non-resident landlords
Non-resident landlords
What people are saying
Thank you very much for all your careful and clear work.
A huge thank you for all your wonderful help in getting this resolved.
I appreciate the clear explanation of the process.
Will Bell
Associate
Services
Private client and tax
Sectors
Private wealth
Will is an associate in the private client and tax team, based in the London office. He assists with a wide range of private client matters, including wills, lasting powers of attorney, trusts, tax advisory, estate planning and administration.
With a particular focus on matters with a cross-border or multi-jurisdictional element, both onshore and offshore, Will regularly advises UK-US connected clients. He is an affiliate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the world’s leading organization for private wealth professionals, and is currently in the process of obtaining his STEP diploma in order to become a full STEP member.
I am a specialist international private client lawyer who advises clients on their existing exposure to UK tax. I then guide them on the most efficient ways to mitigate their UK tax exposure, helping them to achieve the outcomes they require.
Will joined the firm in May 2025, having previously completed his training contract and qualifying in 2023 in the London office of another top 50 UK law firm. Prior to this, he graduated with a 2:1 from the University of Bristol in 2019, where he read ancient history. Will then completed his Graduate Diploma in Law, and the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, obtaining a distinction.
Recent work highlights
Cross-border estate
Bespoke documents for HNW individuals
Offshore trust companies
Non-UK resident tax advice
Advice for Australian resident trustees
US revocable living trust
UK tax consequences for US irrevocable trust
Tax residency advice
UK tax consequences for US irrevocable trust
Tax residency advice
What people are saying
Penningtons provided excellent service throughout the matter, with prompt and courteous responses that were always clear and easy to understand.
Sarah Matthew
Associate
Sarah is an associate in the housing team, based in the Basingstoke office. She has a varied background in residential property development work, with over 10 years’ experience in the sector.
She acts for registered providers, local authorities, SMEs and national housebuilders, across all aspects of new build conveyancing. Sarah has a particular specialism in legal site set ups on new developments, dealing with the associated infrastructure agreements, and carrying a caseload of both shared ownership and open market plot sales, from reservation through to completion. She provides a down to earth and friendly approach to her clients and strives to achieve excellent results.
My focus is always on my clients – I pride myself on providing clear advice, managing expectations with honesty, and working hard to achieve the best possible outcome. My aim is to ensure my clients’ transactions go as smoothly as possible, and are delivered in a straightforward and friendly way.
Sarah qualified as a chartered legal executive in 2022, received a commendation in her LPC from the College of Law (Bloomsbury), and dual-qualified as a solicitor in 2023. She has been awarded CQS Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation for 2025 by The Law Society, which is an award that recognises a quality standard for residential conveyancing practices.
Recent work highlights
New Homes Quality Code advice
Housing association site set ups
Financial success for housebuilders
What people are saying
We’re very happy working with the Penningtons team. They are great at understanding what we want, identifying any issues and, importantly, providing solutions.
Priscilla Oronsaye
Associate
Priscilla is a restructuring and insolvency lawyer in the London commercial dispute resolution team. Drawing on her background at a leading insolvency practice, she offers a distinctive blend of legal knowledge and commercial awareness. This experience has enabled her to develop a holistic understanding of the pressures faced by companies, insolvency practitioners and individuals navigating challenging financial circumstances.
With a practice that encompasses a broad range of insolvency and restructuring matters, Priscilla advises on administrations and liquidations. She also assists directors in contentious situations, offering strategic guidance on potential liability issues and duties, as well as negotiating settlements to mitigate personal risks. By working closely with insolvency practitioners, she is well-versed in managing complex disputes efficiently and effectively. In addition to her legal practice, Priscilla has contributed to matters impacting the charity and education sectors, leveraging her expertise to support community development and educational programmes, underscoring her dedication to making a positive impact beyond the commercial sphere.
Drawing on prior experience at a leading insolvency practice, I provide pragmatic, empathetic guidance in administrations, liquidations, and director duties. My personable approach, thorough research, and strategic insights help clients navigate challenging circumstances confidently.
As a junior lawyer, Priscilla is committed to delivering tailored solutions and practical advice to her clients. She prides herself on her meticulous approach to legal research and her ability to distil intricate regulations into actionable strategies. Her proactive mindset ensures she remains current with legislative developments, allowing her to identify innovative pathways for clients seeking to stabilise or reorganise their businesses.
With a focus on building strong client relationships, Priscilla approaches each matter with empathy and clear communication. Her drive to achieve the best possible outcomes is grounded in her commitment to protecting clients’ interests, fostering trust, and promoting sustainable restructuring solutions.
Recent work highlights
Directors’ statutory duties
Misfeasance claims
Directors’ loans
What people are saying
Penningtons provides a truly 360-degree service that considers all commercial and regulatory aspects. Strength in depth and a fantastic practice. A brilliant team.
Jordan Ball
Associate
Services
Construction
Sectors
Real estate
Jordan is an associate (qualified in Australia) in the construction and infrastructure team in London, specialising in construction and associated insurance disputes. He regularly acts on behalf of property owners, developers, contractors, professionals and their insurers.
He is experienced in advising his clients about a variety of claims including professional negligence, defect issues, property damage and subrogated recoveries. Jordan also has a strong interest in advising on insurance coverage issues in the construction space. He has experience in a variety of dispute resolution forums including the TCC, Commercial Court, arbitration, and in the application of alternative dispute resolution practices and the opportunities that they present for resolution of his clients’ disputes.
My clients value my attention to detail and ability to get to grips with the technical issues that lie at the heart of their matters. I enjoy learning the intricacies of the problems my clients are faced with and applying that understanding to ensure my advice is pragmatic and targeted at achieving the best possible outcome.
Having acted for and against various stakeholders in the construction industry, he has developed an awareness of the commercial priorities of both his clients and their opponents. Jordan applies this understanding to provide pragmatic advice directed at achieving timely and cost-effective outcomes for his matters.
Recent work highlights
Coverage counsel role
Fire safety and structural defects
Water ingress dispute
What people are saying
Outstanding expertise in the field of construction and professional negligence cases involving construction professionals. Very strong team, excellent work ethic and a pleasure to work with.
Jessica Phillips
Associate
Services
Real estate
Sectors
Real estate
Jessica is an associate in the commercial real estate team, based in the firm’s Guildford office. She specialises in commercial property law, advising a diverse range of clients including landlords, tenants, investors, and developers.
She has experience across a broad spectrum of non-contentious commercial property matters. Jessica’s work includes drafting and negotiating leases, licences, and other occupational documents, as well as advising on the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold properties. She also supports clients with asset management matters and due diligence for corporate transactions involving property portfolios.
As a newly qualified solicitor in the real estate team, I take pride in delivering clear and straight-forward advice, tailored to each client’s particular situation. Whether I’m working with investors, property entrepreneurs, or landowners, I enjoy building strong relationships and assisting clients in navigating complex transactions.
Jessica qualified as a solicitor in 2025 after completing her two-year training contract with the firm, during which she gained experience in both contentious and non-contentious areas of law. Her training included seats in real estate, corporate, and contentious private client, providing her with a well-rounded legal foundation. Jessica holds an LLB degree from the University of Exeter and went on to complete her LLM at the University of Law, while simultaneously completing her Legal Practice Course, for which she earned a distinction.
Recent work highlights
High value property
New site purchase
Portfolio transfer and refinance
What people are saying
They are focused on my needs and work in a timely manner. Follow up well and move quickly when required.
James Ball
Associate
James is an associate in the immigration team. He focuses on advising the financial services, technology, manufacturing, and energy sectors on UK immigration law compliance and visas for their human capital.
His key clients sit within the private equity and asset management space, as well as the UK’s tech sector, in areas as diverse as generative AI, advanced manufacturing, software development and user digital experience. James also provides personal immigration advice to private clients in the areas of British nationality, settlement, and family visas, as well as visits to the UK for both business and tourism.
I am an all-round immigration solicitor, concentrating on UK immigration compliance and work visas, with a track record of successful litigation of complex matters when required, both in the High Court and First-tier and Upper Tribunals.
James is also highly experienced in litigating complex appeals via the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal in the event that such legal recourse is required, as well as in bringing judicial review proceedings via the High Court in the event of unlawful decision making by public authority. James has six years’ post qualified experience as a specialised immigration solicitor, and has worked for the last 10 years exclusively within UK immigration law practices that are highly ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers.
Recent work highlights
M&A advisory sponsor licence
CEO entry approval
Sponsor licence approval
Global Talent visa
What people are saying
James Ball was really great to work with. He provided all timely updates and even coordinated with UKVI to internally escalate matters when we were not getting a timely response.
Jack Sole
Associate
Jack is an associate, and chartered legal executive, in the Court of Protection team, based in the firm’s Basingstoke office. He specialises in assisting vulnerable persons with the management of their financial affairs through property and affairs deputyships and personal injury trusts.
He also has experience with the implementation of statutory wills for individuals who lack testamentary capacity and therefore cannot execute their own will. Jack believes in working closely with clients and their families to provide a caring yet efficient service, appreciating the importance of a positive working relationship when it comes to such a personal area of law. He regularly works alongside professionals such as case managers and therapists to ensure that clients feel valued and receive the correct level of support to meet their needs.
Care, courtesy and consideration. Court of Protection can be a very emotionally charged area of law, so I feel it is very important that the client be at the centre of everything we do.
Jack has a great deal of experience working alongside litigation solicitors to ensure the proper progression of an individual’s medical negligence or personal injury claim. He qualified as a chartered legal executive in June 2021 and has over 10 years’ experience working in the field of Court of Protection.
Recent work highlights
Support for brain injured adults
Care payment approval
Deputyship discharge
What people are saying
Penningtons is extremely client-focused – they go above and beyond to support their clients’ wellbeing and wishes.





