Ian West

Ian West is a partner in the Private Client team of Carter Lemon Camerons dealing with a wide range of matters such as the drawing up of wills and declarations of trusts and related trust documentation. Ian also prepares powers of attorney.

Previously a partner at Metson Cross Ian joined the firm in October 2009 and works on all types of property matters including, residential and commercial conveyancing comprising flats, houses, offices, shops, warehouses, licensed premises and farmland.

Ian has a particular interest in the Administration of Estates and the resealing of grants from foreign jurisdictions. He has obtained probate in England and Wales for personal representatives from jurisdictions as diverse as Holland and Iran as well as obtaining grants in foreign jurisdictions for personal representatives of Wills made in England and Wales.

Ian has noticed that over the past couple of years the need to obtain foreign grants has become more widespread; the global nature of many large companies has created a situation whereby clients have overseas holdings without realising it and which require special attention in dealing with the administration of the estates.

Ians experience is particularly advantageous on complex, long-term matters as he establishes the clients aims and preferred timescales at the outset agreeing the most effective means of communication. Many of his clients have commented on the clear layman terms he favours in explaining legal points and procedures as one of the many reasons they have worked with him time and time again.

Notable Cases:
• Acquisition of a portfolio of public houses for a national brewer, involved working within a team to adhere to tight commercial deadlines.
• Purchase of farms and agricultural land, subject to overage provisions, including the acquisition of a farm from a court appointed receiver of a farming partnership.
• Purchase of a substantial residential property on behalf of a client relocating from Australia. As well as addressing the usual conveyancing aspects of the purchase the matter was complicated by the requirement for overage provisions. While the client was abroad, Ian made other arrangements for the client including a building survey report, supplement surveys and reports and the buildings insurance to provide an overall service to the client.

Recently, Ian has been acting for a client negotiating the purchase of restaurant premises which involved the interaction between licensing law, planning law, health and safety and commercial conveyancing, as it was necessary to negotiate with the local licensing authority, the local authoritys health and safety department and the fire brigade on the conditions attached to the premises certificate. The change in licensing laws brought about by the Licensing Act 2003 provided the opportunity to advise clients on new legislation and procedures particularly in relation to restaurant premises.

Ian was educated at Brentwood School Essex, Manchester University and the College of Law London. He qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and joined Metson Cross in 1982 becoming a partner in 1990. 
As Honorary Secretary of the Society of Old Brentwoods, Ian spends his spare time promoting the interests of the school, helping organise various events and functions. He is also a keen football player and has been learning to play the guitar (for the past 30 years!)