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Bermans bolsters litigation team with senior hire
North west law firm Bermans has strengthened its litigation team with the appointment of James Thornton as a senior associate.
Continue ReadingFee Earner Q&A with Chris Brain
Chris Brain (pictured), joined Bermans in September 2020 and is a Solicitor in our Insolvency team. We spoke to him to learn more about him and his work.
Robert Baker
Post‑Completions Paralegal
Robert joined Bermans in March 2026 and is a Post‑Completions Paralegal in our Property team.
His main areas of work include:
- Land Registry applications,
- Companies House applications,
- SDLT returns and payments,
- Dealing with HMLR requisitions
He graduated with a degree in History at the University of Chester in 2023, before going onto gaining legal experience – developing skills in legal administration and conveyancing.
Outside of work, Robert enjoys attending football games, rock concerts, and visiting historical sites.
E: robert.baker@bermans.co.uk
T: 0151 224 0508
James Thornton
Senior Associate
James joined Bermans in May 2026 and is Senior Associate in our Litigation team.
James qualified as a solicitor in 2011. Prior to this, he worked in the Shipping and Logistics industry for one of the main ocean-going carriers at the time. Before joining Bermans, James worked for national and international law firms and was head of litigation at an established Warrington firm.
James has extensive experience advising on all forms of commercial disputes including the niche area of carriage of goods. He has also managed claims in the specialist lists of the Admiralty Court and Commercial Court as well as handing matters in the County Court.
James is regularly instructed to advise on insurance disputes and property litigation, whilst also having a private client practice, advising in areas of law such as contentious probate, trust disputes, defamation, misuse of private information and consumer disputes.
Outside of work, James supports Everton F.C and has a keen interest in the sports of cricket and tennis.
E: James.Thornton@bermans.co.uk
T: 0151 224 0525
Tanweer Ahmad
Paralegal
Tanweer joined Bermans in May 2026 and is a Paralegal in our Asset Based Lending (ABL) Team.
Tanweer works with clients in the asset finance, invoice finance and corporate finance sectors.
He is currently undertaking the SQE LLM qualification at the University of Law in Manchester and previously studied at the Queen’s University Belfast as well as the Erasmus School of Law.
Outside of work, Tanweer regularly goes to the gym and plays a lot of sports (including tennis, padel and 5-a-side football). He is also a huge Manchester United Fan. As well as this, he also enjoys going for hikes in the Peak District and is a major film/tv enthusiast.
E: Tanweer.Ahmad@bermans.co.uk
T: 0161 383 2131
Uzezi Ossuetta
Trainee Solicitor
Uzezi joined Bermans in May 2026 and is a Trainee Solicitor in our Creditor Services team.
She attended the Manchester Metropolitan University (Bachelor of Laws with Honours) and is currently studying at the University of Law to obtain her LLM, Legal Practice (SQE1+2) qualification.
Outside of work, Uzezi is a big sports fan, with a particular passion for playing rugby. She has also recently returned to running and also enjoys reading.
E:Uzezi.Ossuetta@bermans.co.uk
T: 01512240511
Mairead Ryan
Paralegal
Mairead joined Bermans in May 2026 and is a Paralegal in our Corporate team.
She assists on a range of corporate matters, including company acquisitions and disposals, corporate reorganisations, and general company law and governance matters.
She completed her undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts at Middlesex University in 2013, graduating with First Class Honours. She more recently obtained a Master of Arts in Law with Distinction from the University of Law (Liverpool campus).
She is currently pursuing her SQE qualification (Solicitors Qualifying Exams).
Mairead enjoys going to the theatre whenever possible, as well as running, cooking and escaping the North West rain for somewhere a bit warmer!
E:Mairead.Ryan@bermans.co.uk
T: 0161 388 8562
Danielle Davies
Senior Associate
Danielle joined Bermans in May 2026 and is a Senior Associate in our Property Finance Department.
Danielle acts for lenders on a broad range of property finance transactions including acquisitions, refinances and development. She has experience across commercial and HMO accommodation, as well as residential projects ranging from ground up developments to refurbishment and redevelopment.
Danielle has experience in carrying out complex title reviews, managing portfolio transactions and providing tailored advice on complex title and lending structures.
Danielle studied at the University of Liverpool (obtaining a first class Law degree) before attending the University of Law, Manchester. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2017.
Danielle takes an active role in the supervision and development of others and has experience in supervising junior fee earners and mentoring trainees.
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys travelling, walking, reading, music, seeing friends and discovering new food/places to eat.
E:danielle.davies@bermans.co.uk
T: 0161 393 7118
Five ways the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 will make things easier for businesses
Rob Eakins
Changes have been made to the UK’s data protection regime through the introduction of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA). Whilst the provisions considered in this article are already in force, others will be introduced over time. The DUAA does not replace the UK’s existing data protection legislation (including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (PECR)) but will make some changes to that legislation in order to simplify the UK’s data protection regime.
Continue ReadingSean Hughes’ Will Case Is No Joke
Mike Carter
Sean Hughes spent much of his life making audiences laugh. Yet the legal dispute that followed his death is a serious reminder that when it comes to wills, there is little room for humour. The decade‑long court battle over the comedian’s estate shows, in stark terms, how informal drafting can leave even clear intentions tied up in costly uncertainty.
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