Tomas Hayden is a Legal Executive working within Holmes & Hills’ Inheritance Disputes Division alongside Partner and head of the Division, Rachel Shaw.
Tomas assists with a broad spectrum of inheritance and trust disputes. His work includes claims arising under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and disputes regarding the validity of Wills, such as those involving questions of testamentary capacity, undue influence, or lack of knowledge and approval. He is also experienced in handling disputes between executors, trustees, and beneficiaries.
In addition, Tomas has expertise in proprietary estoppel claims and cohabitee disputes, including those brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.
Clients appreciate Tomas’ empathetic, calming, and caring manner. Recognising that inheritance disputes can be distressing, he adopts a pragmatic and sensible approach to secure the best possible outcome for his clients.
Tomas obtained a Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) and is therefore a Graduate member of CILEX. He is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Legal Executive.
Tomas joined Holmes & Hills Solicitors in 2026, and is based at the firm’s Sudbury office.
Kate is a Wills Drafting Executive working with clients to plan for their and their loved-one's future.
Working in Holmes & Hills Solicitors' Private Client Department, Kate can assist clients with drafting or updating a Will, including Life Interest Trust Wills and Discretionary Trust Wills. In addition to her expertise in Wills drafting, Kate can assist with preparing and advising on Lasting Powers of Attorney in regard to both property and financial affairs, and their health and welfare considerations.
Kate takes a personable and empathetic approach with her clients, ensuring that they feel heard, understood, and supported throughout what can often be an emotionally challenging or complex situation. She strives to ensure that every client feels confident that their loved ones will be cared for, that their wishes will be respected, and that their legacy will be preserved.
Kate has over 15 years of experience in the Private Client sector assisting clients with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate matters, previously working at another regional law firm. She is also an associate member of CILEX and is continuing her studies to become a Chartered Legal Executive. Kate is also a Dementia Friend.
Kate joined Holmes & Hills Solicitors in 2025, and is based across the firm’s Sudbury and Colchester (Marks Tey) offices.
Emily is a trainee solicitor, currently being mentored by Wills and LPA Team Manager, Kate Theobald.
Working in Holmes & Hills Solicitors' Private Client Department, Emily supports in assisting clients with drafting or updating a Will, including Life Interest Trust Wills and Discretionary Trust Wills. As well as this Emily supports with preparing and advising on Lasting Powers of Attorney in regard to both property and financial affairs, and health and welfare considerations.
Emily understands that these discussions can be emotionally challenging and she takes a friendly and empathetic approach to ensure her clients feel reassured and confident that their loved ones will be looked after and that their wishes will be respected.
Prior to commencing her training contract, Emily has previous experience working as a Legal Assistant in the Private Client Department at a regional law firm.
Emily joined Holmes & Hills Solicitors in September 2025, and is based across the firm’s Sudbury and Colchester (Marks Tey) offices.
Sydney is a specialist family law solicitor at Holmes & Hills Solicitors, who advises individuals, couples and families on range of Family Law matters.
As a solicitor in Holmes & Hills Solicitors’ Legal 500 recommended Family Law Department, Sydney helps and supports clients who need help with:
Sydney adds value to her clients by being approachable – she believes that it is very important to build trust with her clients, as she is often assisting them through difficult times. Sydney prides herself on her empathy and ability to translate legal jargon into easier to understand terms for her clients, allowing for full transparency and understanding through the legal process.
Sydney qualified as a solicitor in 2021 and is based at Holmes & Hills Solicitors in Sudbury.
Jamie Robinson is a senior associate at Holmes & Hills Solicitors and a member of the firm’s Residential Property Department. He assists clients with a broad range of property transactions, including but not limited to:
Jamie is friendly and approachable whilst maintaining a professional and efficient work ethic to progress transactions. Jamie is pragmatic, he is adept at guiding and reassuring his clients through what can be a daunting process. Throughout a transaction, Jamie maintains constant communication with estate agents and mortgage brokers to ensure that matters are progressed as effectively as possible.
Jamie has nearly a decade of experience in residential property, so holds a wealth of experience on conveyancing matters.
Jamie joined Holmes & Hills in 2025 and is based at the firm’s Sudbury office.
Kayleigh Riordan works closely with Licensed Conveyancer Laura Martin, and assists with various aspects related to residential conveyancing transactions, including but not limited to:
With 16 years of experience in the legal field, Kayleigh boasts over a decade of combined experience as a legal assistant at other local law firms.
Kayleigh combines a friendly, approachable work ethic with a commitment to efficiency, ensuring clients feel supported and well-informed at every stage of their transaction.
Kayleigh joined Holmes & Hills Solicitors in 2024 and is based at the firm’s Sudbury office.
Jakob is a solicitor within at Holmes & Hills’ Inheritance Disputes team, working alongside Partner and Head of Department, Rachel Shaw.
Jakob assists clients with a range of contentious probate and trust matters; including Will validity challenges, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, disputes involving executors and trustees, and other claims against estates. He also advises on issues arising during the administration of estates, including disputes involving uncooperative beneficiaries.
Jakob takes a personable approach, ensuring he remains both professional and reliable throughout all proceedings. Moreover, he aims to provide easy to understand advice to ensure that matters are dealt with efficiently.
Professionally, Jakob is a member of ConTrA (the Contentious Trusts Association).
Jakob joined Holmes & Hills Solicitors as part of the firm’s 2024 trainee solicitor intake, before qualifying as a solicitor in September 2026. Jakob is based at the firm’s Sudbury office, but is able to service clients across all of Holmes & Hills’ offices and is available for home visits where required.
Cavelle Leigh works within Holmes & Hills Solicitors’ Private Client Department, alongside specialist contentious probate solicitor and partner, Rachel Shaw.
With Rachel, contentious probate solicitor, Cavelle assists with various claims regarding Contentious Probate and Trust matters; including challenges to a Will such as the validity, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and other claims against Estates.
Cavelle prides herself on being approachable, empathetic, and respectful in nature. She understands that going through a contentious probate claim can be a stressful situation and she strives to communicate personably with her clients to put them at ease.
Cavelle joined Holmes & Hills in 2023 after completing her LPC, and has prior experience in another local law firm as a paralegal and a trainee solicitor; including previous experience working on Wills, Trusts, and Probate matters.
Cavelle is a qualified solicitor as of March 2024 and is based in Holmes & Hills’ Sudbury office.
Kuba advises individuals, couples and families across East Anglia who require expert advice from Holmes & Hills' Family Law Department.
As an associate family law solicitor, Kuba helps clients regarding family, matrimonial and children matters. The Family Law Department at Holmes & Hills Solicitors is recommended by the Legal 500 directory of the UK’s top law firms and solicitors as a ‘notably strong choice for advice on financial settlements that often involve issues over high-value matrimonial assets, pensions, and business interests’.
Kuba is able to support clients with:
Kuba is transparent when guiding clients through Family Law proceedings and helps to break down often complicated process, terminology and legislation into simple and easy to understand terms.
Kuba regularly advises clients on divorce and separation issues taking into consideration the needs of all those involved throughout the process. His membership to Resolution, a community of family justice professionals demonstrates a commitment to a better way of resolving family issues through a constructive approach considering the needs of the whole family.
Kuba is fluent in Polish and is able to assist Polish‑speaking clients by providing clear, accessible legal advice throughout their matter.
Kuba joined Holmes & Hills in late 2023 and is based at the firm's A12 Commercial Hub in Colchester (Marks Tey).
Tai is a trainee solicitor in Holmes & Hills’ Inheritance Disputes Division, working alongside Partner and Head of Department Rachel Shaw.
Tai assists Rachel and the wider Division with a range of contentious probate and trust matters; including but not limited to:
Tai takes a personable and empathetic approach to ensure she provides logical and pragmatic advice to her clients.
Tai joined Holmes & Hills Solicitors towards the end of 2023 as a paralegal in the firm’s Family Law Department assisting the firm’s family law solicitors on a varied range of matters. She has since progressed to start her training contract. Tai is based at Holmes & Hills Solicitors in Sudbury.
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