Robbie Skinner

Associate

Robbie is an associate in the firm’s marine, trade and aviation team, with broad commercial litigation and dispute resolution experience.

He acts for a wide range of clients which include P&I clubs, aviation insurers/reinsurers, shipowners, charterers, and operators of passenger cruise vessels. This exposure has enabled Robbie to gain valuable experience in matters concerning a number of legal issues across these sectors.

I am a shipping and aviation lawyer who is committed to delivering clear and effective solutions, tailored to client needs. My exposure to a wide range of legal issues and my approachable nature allows me to provide insightful assistance to clients, ensuring they navigate complex legal matters with confidence and efficiency.

Robbie Skinner, Associate

Robbie has been involved in several multi-jurisdictional disputes which have required preparation for hearings and trial in high-value cases concerning charterparty disputes, salvage, yacht claims, demurrage, and aviation insurance issues. In doing so, he has developed a strong ability in handling several complex legal matters concurrently, and is well versed in both High Court and London arbitration procedure. He is currently involved in the multi-billion aviation insurance litigation arising out of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In addition, Robbie also assists clients in seeking alternative methods of settling their disputes, such as by way of mediation. He is known for his strategic and client-focused approach in achieving the best outcome for clients.

Recent work highlights

Ukraine aviation claim

Acting for insurers and reinsurers in connection with the alleged loss of aircraft and engines following the invasion of Ukraine.

LOF salvage claims

Acting for professional salvors in substantial LOF salvage claims to obtain remuneration from shipowners and cargo interests.

Unsafe port claim

Assisting a charterer in defending an unsafe port claim successfully in arbitration.

Lending banks disputes

Acting for shipowners in several disputes with lending banks under loan agreements and bareboat charter leasing agreements.

Insurance claim

Advising a Middle Eastern shipowner claimant in a Commercial Court marine insurance claim, valued in excess of $40 million, for a constructive total loss arising from the armed seizure of the claimant’s vessel.

Container ship refloating

Representing salvors in claims relating to the refloating of an ultra-large container ship.

Holly Sargeant

Associate

Holly is an associate in the corporate team, based in the Guildford office. She advises on a wide variety of corporate work including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructures, shareholder and board advisory matters, and corporate governance.

She works for a broad range of clients, from small family owned and run businesses to larger corporates. Holly also has experience working with lawyers in various different jurisdictions.

I provide clear, practical advice on corporate matters, from transactions to governance. I work closely with clients of all sizes and collaborate with lawyers internationally to deliver seamless solutions.

Holly Sargeant, Associate

Having joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2021 from another regional UK law firm, Holly qualified in 2022 after gaining a wide range of experience in different practice areas throughout the firm.

Recent work highlights

Share buyback and exit advisory

Assisting an individual with their exit from a company, including the negotiation and execution of a share buyback arrangement.

Pharmacy group sale support

Assisting on the legal and transactional aspects of selling a group of pharmacies, including due diligence and documentation.

Corporate acquisition advisory

Advising Micro Matic on its acquisition of Porter Lancastrian, a leading UK manufacturer of draught beer fonts.

Growth funding

Assisting on the funding of EC Electronics, a global provider of electronic manufacturing services for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and product innovators, from Rockpool Investments.

Saima Sarwar

Associate

Saima is an associate in the employment team, based in the London office. She acts for staff associations and their members on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters including discrimination, victimisation, disciplinary and grievance issues.

As a member of the firm’s specialist Police Federation team, Saima advises on unlawful arrest/detention claims, judicial review claims, ill health retirement, injury pension awards and all other aspects of the Police Pension Regulations. She has experience in the Employment Tribunal, County Court and High Court and has advised trade unions and their members on many aspects of employment law. She has also assisted with large group claims relating to overtime payments for police officers, including statutory debt and breach of statutory duty claims, equal pay issues and age discrimination.

I am an employment lawyer with expertise in discrimination and victimisation complaints, as well as significant experience of litigation in the employment tribunal. I consider practical and amicable solutions for clients who often still work at the organisation or with the colleagues that they have raised issues with.

Saima Sarwar, Associate

Saima joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in 2020. Previously, she qualified as a solicitor at another City-based law firm where she conducted her own caseload of employment matters as a paralegal prior to commencing her training contract. Saima has been commended by clients for her ‘hard work, advice and excellent service’ and has been described as ‘totally professional’.

Recent work highlights

Group pension claim

Pursuing a discrimination claim for approximately 40,000 members of the Police Federation arising from changes to their pensions following the introduction of the Police Pension Regulations 2015.

Employment tribunal claims

Advising the Police Federation and its members on the merits of bringing various tribunal claims, including those relating to discrimination and victimisation.

Judicial review claims

Representing individuals pursuing judicial review claims in the High Court to challenge decisions made by the Police Pension Authority.

Pay points advice

Representing a police officer whose previous years of service were not taken into account when determining his pay point after he had returned to the rank of Constable after several years away from policing, which a successful result.

Injury in the execution of duty

Attaining a favourable judgment in a judicial review claim relating to injury in the execution of duty and injury awards.

Ill health retirement

Advising on a settlement for a claimant who did not receive payment for his accrued but unused rest days in lieu and free hours in lieu on being ill health retired.

Disability discrimination claim

Successfully pursued a disability discrimination claim for a probationary police officer with a hearing loss issue that impacted his performance in a test, leading to his service being dispensed with.

Disability discrimination claim

Successfully pursued a disability discrimination claim for a probationary police officer with a hearing loss issue that impacted his performance in a test, leading to his service being dispensed with.

Leo Shrimpton

Associate

Leo is an associate in the corporate team in Oxford. His work is primarily focused on the technology and life sciences sectors.

He has acted on university spin-outs, venture capital funding transactions, mergers and acquisitions and exits (often with an international element), the use of employee incentives such as enterprise management incentives, corporate restructuring and group reorganisations, shareholder and board advisory matters, general corporate governance, and other corporate law matters. Leo’s clients range from start-ups and owner-managed companies to large corporations. He has a pragmatic and commercial approach to advising on transactions, which is informed by his previous experience of working in-house.

I am a corporate lawyer with a particular interest in innovative life sciences and technology companies, and the entrepreneurs who run them. I enjoy getting to know my clients and their businesses, and developing a strong working relationship that allows me to really understand their unique challenges, and help them achieve their aims.

Leo Shrimpton, Associate

Leo studied law as a post-graduate at the University of Bristol. He then worked at a start-up, following which he trained and qualified at a major national law firm in 2020. After qualification, he spent a year working as an in-house solicitor at the family office of a high-net-worth individual, gaining experience of a wide variety of legal work and transactions. He joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in 2021.

Recent work highlights

Spin-out seed funding

Acting for Oxford University spin-out Ascension Earth Resources Ltd on its seed funding round led by Oxford Science Enterprises Ltd.

Specialist acquisition

Acting for Cibus Fund II, a specialist sustainable food and agriculture fund, on its acquisition of Alba Trees Plc.

Series B funding

Acting for moa Technology, an Oxford crop protection discovery company, on its £35 million series B funding round.

Private equity acquisition

Acting for the shareholders of Delta Hat Limited, a leading provider of analysis and health economic modelling to the life sciences and healthcare sectors, on its acquisition by Petauri, a New York-based private equity firm.

Series A funding

Acting for ToffeeX Limited, a developer of physics-driven generative design software, on its £5 million series A funding round.

International funding

Acting for Imperial College spin-out SPARTA Biodiscovery on its partnership and up to £3.5 million funding from international life sciences group, Sartorius.

Oxford acquisition

Acting for the shareholders of OXLiD, an Oxford-based lithium-sulfur battery technology developer, on its acquisition by AIM-listed Anglo-Australian battery innovator, Gelion.

Oxford acquisition

Acting for the shareholders of OXLiD, an Oxford-based lithium-sulfur battery technology developer, on its acquisition by AIM-listed Anglo-Australian battery innovator, Gelion.

Marianne Rock-Perring

Associate

Marianne is an associate in the real estate litigation team in London. She is experienced in representing a diverse range of clients, including private individuals, institutional landlords, tenants, and housing associations.

Her practice covers all aspects of contentious commercial and residential property, and her experience includes handling complex service charge disputes, possession cases, disrepair issues, trespass matters, real property disputes, boundary disputes, the construction of leases, and business lease renewals and disputes. Marianne leverages her extensive knowledge and experience to achieve favourable outcomes for her clients. She remains dedicated to ensuring her clients receive tailored commercial answers, and providing the highest standard of legal representation.

I am a property disputes lawyer with significant experience in dealing with commercial and residential landlord and tenant and real property issues. I regularly act for landlords, tenants, retailers, property owners, investors and financial institutions and offer my clients commercially driven solutions to their real estate disputes, whether they may be mainstream issues or more niche problems.

Marianne Rock-Perring, Associate

Marianne qualified as a solicitor in 2002, then spent 10 years in the property litigation team at a top 100 law firm. During this time, she honed her skills and built a reputation for her meticulous attention to detail and her commitment to achieving the best outcomes for her clients. After taking a career break to raise her family, she joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in June 2021.

Recent work highlights

1954 Act lease renewal

Acting on behalf of an institutional landlord in the lease renewal of a petrol station site.

Lease renewal rental dispute

Acting for the tenant in a lease renewal rental dispute successfully resolved by PACT.

Real property disputes

Providing strategic advice to a landowner in respect of potential rectification of a title claim and the determination of the boundaries of a country lane.

Dilapidations

Acting and advising on the settlement of a high-value dilapidations claim on behalf of an institutional landlord.

Professional negligence

Acting on behalf of individuals in respect of a professional negligence claim against their conveyancing solicitors.

Utilities

Obtaining a warrant for re-entry on behalf of a water company in opposed proceedings in the magistrates’ court under the Water Industry Act 1991.

Eva Rurlander

Associate

Eva is an associate in the employment team, based in the London office. She acts for staff associations and their members on a broad range of employment law matters, including issues such as discrimination, victimisation, disciplinary and grievance disputes.

Throughout her career, Eva has assisted on various complex and high-value employment law matters, from the start of ACAS conciliation through to settlement. She manages her own large caseload which is extremely varied. Eva has experience in both contentious and non-contentious issues and has represented clients at the Employment Tribunal. As part of the firm’s specialist Police Federation team, Eva advises members on their various employment claims, in particular those falling under equality legislation and the specific Police Regulations. Eva has also assisted with large group claims relating to pension schemes for police officers and age discrimination.

My aim is to truly understand my client’s aims and values, and deliver coherent and pragmatic advice. I help officers navigate workplace disputes with dignity, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights respected, so they can focus on serving their communities with confidence.

Eva Rurlander, Associate

Eva is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association. She joined the firm in 2023, after qualifying at another City-based law firm. She has been commended by clients for her ‘very professional’ approach.

Recent work highlights

Large group action dispute

Acting for a large federation in its response to serious discrimination claims over a period of many weeks at the Employment Tribunal.

Successful Employment Tribunal judgment

Representing a client whose employment had been terminated by his employer and was found at final hearing to have been unlawfully dismissed.

Police officer maternity issues

Settling a claim where a police officer had been discriminated against whilst on maternity leave by failing to be informed of promotion opportunities, leading to a change in the force’s maternity and adoption policy.

Harry Rados

Associate

Harry is an associate in the marine, trade and aviation team at the firm’s Piraeus office, specialising in dry shipping disputes.

He advises on matters arising from bills of lading, charterparties, and related claims including demurrage, off-hire, cargo damage, and underperformance. He has gained experience in LMAA arbitration and High Court litigation, and regularly advises clients on international trade sanctions and compliance.

Prior to joining the firm, Harry gained valuable in-house experience as legal counsel at leading shipping companies in Greece and Switzerland, where he handled a wide range of P&I, FD&D, and H&M claims, and has negotiated shipping and commercial contracts with international traders, charterers and financial institutions.

I help clients resolve shipping disputes with clear, practical advice. My background in both private practice and in-house roles means I understand the commercial realities and focus on solutions that manage risk and deliver results.

Harry Rados, Associate

Harry is dual-qualified in England and Wales and Greece, and holds a law degree (LLB) from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a masters (LLM) in maritime law from Swansea University.

Recent work highlights

Sanctions enforcement advisory

Advising owners on the enforcement options for arbitral awards against sanctioned entities.

Charterparty dispute resolution

Acting for owners in complex off-hire and underperformance claims under time charter agreements.

Bunker quality and engine damage claims

Assisting in high-value disputes involving off-spec bunkers, off-hire losses, and main engine damage.

Cargo claim defence post-engine failure

Supporting the defence of cargo claims arising from main engine breakdowns during transit.

Bronnie Rae-Le Bourn

Associate

Bronnie is an associate in the medical negligence team based in the Basingstoke office but also acts for clients nationwide. She acts for a variety of claimants, both adults and children, and deals with claims involving misdiagnosis, delays in treatment, surgical errors, obstetric injuries and birth injuries, and cases where there has been a fatality.

She has previously worked on cases involving obstetric negligence, including cerebral palsy claims, claims involving neonatal hypoglycaemia, delays in diagnosis of cancer, and claims for spinal injuries including cauda equina syndrome. Bronnie has particular experience assisting senior colleagues on cases involving child brain injuries.

I understand that medical negligence claims often arise out of very difficult and challenging circumstances. I strive to build strong relationships with my clients and seek to provide the sensitivity and support they need to bring a medical negligence claim.

Bronnie Rae-Le Bourn, Associate

Prior to completing her Legal Practice Course, Bronnie was awarded an MA in medical ethics and law from King’s College London and obtained her LLB from the University of Exeter. She qualified as a solicitor in May 2021 and joined Penningtons Manches Cooper’s clinical negligence team as an associate in January 2024. Bronnie volunteers with the charity Actions Against Medical Accidents (AvMA), providing advice for members of the public through their telephone helpline.

Recent work highlights

Post-partum investigation

Investigating a claim for retained products of conception resulting in post-partum haemorrhages and subsequent psychiatric injury.

Cerebral palsy claim

Assisting the investigation of a claim on behalf of a child with cerebral palsy who suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (lack of oxygen to the brain) during delivery.

Spinal injuries investigation

Investigating a claim for a gentleman who suffered spinal injuries following a negligent surgical procedure.

Tom Perkins

Associate

Tom is an associate in the commercial, intellectual property and IT team in London. He advises commercial clients and academic organisations on a range of national and international matters, including commercial agreements, intellectual property and data protection.

He possesses extensive expertise in IT, technology, and professional services which has been enhanced by his secondment to a leading digital network solutions provider. This hands-on role allowed Tom to gain deep insights into the intricacies of the technology sector, refining his ability to address the complex industry challenges faced by professional service providers.

As a commercial and intellectual property lawyer, I specialise in navigating complex business transactions and legal frameworks. My goal is to provide strategic advice that helps clients to achieve their commercial objectives, safeguard their assets and mitigate risks.

Tom Perkins, Associate

His practical experience complements his advisory skills, enabling him to deliver tailored solutions and strategic guidance to clients operating in fast-evolving digital environments. This unique blend of in-house exposure and sector expertise underscores his capacity to navigate technical, commercial, and regulatory aspects with confidence and precision.

Tom also provides expert guidance across the retail and publishing sectors. He is highly skilled in drafting and advising on a wide range of legal matters, including complex technology projects, software development agreements, IP licensing, distribution, manufacturing, agency, and introducer agreements. Additionally, Tom handles publishing agreements and creates tailored terms and conditions for platforms, websites, and the supply of goods or services.

His practice encompasses advising on regulatory and compliance issues linked to commercial agreements, such as commercial agency, consumer regulations, data protection, and both social media and traditional marketing. Tom’s expertise ensures comprehensive support for his clients’ legal and business needs.

Tom was awarded the BPP Cohen Excellence Scholarship during the Legal Practice Course, and also spent a year studying at the University of Copenhagen while completing his law degree. Tom qualified with the firm in 2022 having joined as a trainee.

Recent work highlights

Services agreement for NewCo

Drafting a consultancy and services agreement, including IP assignment and licence, for a new company to be formed from a target company as part of a wider corporate transaction.

Global brand guidance

Providing traditional and social media marketing regulation advice, including advice in respect of influencer marketing, to a global motorcycle manufacturer and athletics star.

AI provider contract

Drafting an AI software development agreement for an AI solutions provider.

Master services agreement

Drafting a master services agreement for the provision of software and hardware solutions by a digital network solution provider.

Software contract

Drafting a services agreement for a leading IT consultancy in respect of a major software audit, selection and migration project.

Data protection and safeguarding

Drafting a hire template agreement for a leading schools association and its members, including data protection and safeguarding considerations.

Reseller agreements

Drafting software reseller agreements aligned with relevant customer terms for a digital network solution provider.

Reseller agreements

Drafting software reseller agreements aligned with relevant customer terms for a digital network solution provider.

Jen Parker

Associate

Jen is an associate in the immigration team, and practices a broad spectrum of personal and business matters, as well as nationality cases. She has worked with an extremely wide range of clients, from first applications and through extensions, to settlement and citizenship applications.

She has particular expertise in personal immigration, exceptional applications, and those engaging human rights. Jen has secured exceptional grants when applicants cannot meet requirements in varying circumstances, raising a range of arguments depending on the case. Her experience extends to complex appeal and judicial review litigation. Jen has also prepared reports for family court proceedings as an expert in immigration law.

I advise on all aspects of immigration and nationality law, with a particular focus on personal immigration and exceptional matters. This informs my tailored and pragmatic approach. I never lose sight of the individual at the heart of each matter and keep their objectives as the focus of case planning.

Jen Parker, Associate

As well as working directly with individuals, she advises corporate clients on sponsorship applications, and is a member of the audit team. In all cases, she approaches the options available creatively and holistically, keeping the individuals at the centre of each application. A member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association, Jen has been recognised as an ‘Associate to watch’ by Chambers UK in the personal immigration category for human rights, asylum and deportation.

Recent work highlights

Grants of discretionary leave

Securing grants of discretionary leave on settlement track for vulnerable applicants in the UK unable to return to their country of origin.

Settled and pre-settled status

Securing EU settled and pre-settled status significantly out of time and, in some cases, without meeting usual requirements.

Indefinite leave to remain

Achieving indefinite leave to remain at discretion for points-based system dependants unable to apply on the basis of dependency due to bereavement, despite not reaching five years’ residence at the time of the application.

Indefinite leave (returning residence)

Successfully reinstating indefinite leave (returning residence) where there was an exceptionally lengthy absence from the UK.

Long-term overstayer ILR

Obtaining indefinite leave to remain for a long-term overstayer on a radically different route than the one proposed by the client, on the basis of domestic abuse and compassionate factors.

Post-Brexit asylum seeking

Acting in judicial review, pre-action and litigation on the Home Office’s refusals to reunite a number of separated asylum-seeking children with family in the UK in the wake of the UK leaving the EU.

Global Talent

Obtaining Global Talent endorsements for applicants, working with agents and leading industry figures to collect evidence and secure status in the UK.

Sponsor licence

Supporting a business with applications for a sponsor licence, and sponsorship applications for a cohort of their current staff as well as new hires.

Corporate sponsorship management

Advising corporate bodies on an ongoing basis relating to their sponsor licence management, compliance and reporting, sponsorship applications for staff, and dependant applications for family members.

Global Talent

Obtaining Global Talent endorsements for applicants, working with agents and leading industry figures to collect evidence and secure status in the UK.

Sponsor licence

Supporting a business with applications for a sponsor licence, and sponsorship applications for a cohort of their current staff as well as new hires.

Corporate sponsorship management

Advising corporate bodies on an ongoing basis relating to their sponsor licence management, compliance and reporting, sponsorship applications for staff, and dependant applications for family members.