Mason & Beer was established in c 1820

We have continued to serve generations of local families, business and those wider afield as well as provide an efficient, friendly and cost effective service to all of our clients.

We understand that it can be daunting having to visit a law firm for the first time and strive to achieve a friendly and welcoming environment.  We are very proud of our friendly and approachable team who work closely together so that you are able to deal with your legal issues in one place.

We have a dedicated team of experienced support staff who are on hand to help with the smooth running of your matter.

OUR TEAM

TONY OSBORN

SENIOR PARTNER

Tony joined the firm in 1983 and has been a partner since 1986. Tony has a wealth of experience and local knowledge and specialises in Wills, administration of estates, Inheritance Tax advice and elderly client issues.

Tony aims to combine a friendly approach with hard headed advice.

SARAH CARR

PARTNER

Sarah joined the firm in 1997 and is head of our Family department. She advises on all areas of family law including divorce, separation, financial, property settlements and matters involving children.

Sarah is committed to putting the welfare of children first and has the required judgement, common sense and empathy required to resolve complex situations.

Sarah is known for her warm, friendly and human touch, supporting clients who are often struggling with enormous stress and personal upset. Sarah considers that litigation should usually be the last resort but will protect your interests fiercely if Court proceedings are required. Sarah also advises on prenuptial and cohabitation agreements and property transfers within matrimonial matters.

In addition to family law, Sarah advises on matters involving the Court of Protection and capacity issues. She is a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel.

JONATHAN COOKE

CONSULTANT

Jonathan is the firm’s Consultant and has had over 40 years’ legal experience in the City covering all areas of corporate commercial work, acquisitions and mergers.

Jonathan’s work places particular emphasis on taxation and tax planning including regulatory matters, takeovers and mergers. He is chairman of the trustees of a school and of two charities.

GEORGE WOODHOUSE

SOLICITOR

George joined the firm in 2012 and qualified as a Solicitor in January 2018.  George has experience in all of our practice areas and works with Sarah in the Family department and Laura in the Probate, Wills & Personal Planning department.

George is calm, caring and always strives to exceed a client’s expectations.

George enjoys travelling and is always planning his next adventure. George is a keen swimmer and has a passion for scuba diving, obtaining his PADI Open Water qualification in 2015.

LAURA HARWOOD

SOLICITOR

Laura joined the firm in September 2019.  She has several years’ experience in residential conveyancing, family law, probate, trusts and Wills.  Laura works in the Probate, Wills & Personal Planning department.

Laura offers advice in a friendly and efficient manner and has a sensitive approach to guiding clients through probate.

She enjoys travelling, walking and theatre.

DEBBIE HAWKINS

CHARTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE

Debbie is a Chartered Legal Executive and Head of our Residential Property department.  Debbie has over 30 years residential conveyancing experience.

Debbie worked for us earlier in her career and re-joined the firm in 2011.

She will help you through the stress of moving home and maze of intricate lender/conveyancing procedures with sympathy, unstinting hard work and a highly infectious laugh.

Debbie lived in France for 5 years and enjoyed the challenge of learning a different legal system and the language.

JAMES PITCAIRN

ASSOCIATE, CILEX

James joined the firm in 2003 and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.  James has a wide range of experience having worked in all of our departments.

James now specialises in Commercial Property/Landlord and Tenant/Residential Property matters.  He has excellent analytical skills and aims to provide his clients with practical and comprehensive advice.

JON HEYWOOD

SENIOR LEGAL ASSISTANT

Jon joined the firm in 2014. He has been working in the law in Sussex for over 40 years dealing with domestic and commercial conveyancing, private client work and commercial litigation.

Jon prides himself on communication and pragmatic advice, putting the client’s welfare first at all times.

When not chained to his desk Jon can either be found skiing, fishing, shooting or playing golf, according to season, some well, others poorly!

ZOE NEALE

PARALEGAL

Zoë joined the firm in July 2017 as a Paralegal and works within the Residential Property department.  Zoë recently completed her LL.B at The University of Law, Guildford.

Zoe is now studying her LPC with a Masters also at The University of Law.

Outside of work she enjoys travelling, baking and walking her dogs.

HARRY WILSHAW

PARALEGAL

Harry joined the firm in September 2019 as a Paralegal. He assists in the Probate, Wills & Personal Planning and Family departments.  He studied Law at the University of Kent.

Harry has recently completed his LPC and Masters at BPP Law School, London.

When he is not working, Harry enjoys travelling, learning to speak French, and is an avid fan of Chelsea Football Club.

TONY OSBORN

SENIOR PARTNER

Tony joined the firm in 1983 and has been a partner since 1986. Tony has a wealth of experience and local knowledge and specialises in Wills, administration of estates, Inheritance Tax advice and elderly client issues.

Tony aims to combine a friendly approach with hard headed advice.

SARAH CARR

PARTNER

Sarah joined the firm in 1997 and is head of our Family department. She advises on all areas of family law including divorce, separation, financial, property settlements and matters involving children.

Sarah is committed to putting the welfare of children first and has the required judgement, common sense and empathy required to resolve complex situations.

Sarah is known for her warm, friendly and human touch, supporting clients who are often struggling with enormous stress and personal upset. Sarah considers that litigation should usually be the last resort but will protect your interests fiercely if Court proceedings are required. Sarah also advises on prenuptial and cohabitation agreements and property transfers within matrimonial matters.

In addition to family law, Sarah advises on matters involving the Court of Protection and capacity issues. She is a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel.

JONATHAN COOKE

CONSULTANT

Jonathan is the firm’s Consultant and has had over 40 years’ legal experience in the City covering all areas of corporate commercial work, acquisitions and mergers.

Jonathan’s work places particular emphasis on taxation and tax planning including regulatory matters, takeovers and mergers. He is chairman of the trustees of a school and of two charities.

GEORGE WOODHOUSE

SOLICITOR

George joined the firm in 2012 and qualified as a Solicitor in January 2018.  George has experience in all of our practice areas and works with Sarah in the Family department and Laura in the Probate, Wills & Personal Planning department.

George is calm, caring and always strives to exceed a client’s expectations.

George enjoys travelling and is always planning his next adventure. George is a keen swimmer and has a passion for scuba diving, obtaining his PADI Open Water qualification in 2015.

LAURA HARWOOD

SOLICITOR

Laura joined the firm in September 2019.  She has several years’ experience in residential conveyancing, family law, probate, trusts and Wills.  Laura works in the Probate, Wills & Personal Planning department.

Laura offers advice in a friendly and efficient manner and has a sensitive approach to guiding clients through probate.

Laura enjoys travelling, walking and theatre.

DEBBIE HAWKINS

CHARTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE

Debbie is a Chartered Legal Executive and Head of our Residential Property department.  Debbie has over 30 years residential conveyancing experience.

Debbie worked for us earlier in her career and re-joined the firm in 2011.

She will help you through the stress of moving home and maze of intricate lender/conveyancing procedures with sympathy, unstinting hard work and a highly infectious laugh.

Debbie lived in France for 5 years and enjoyed the challenge of learning a different legal system and the language.

JAMES PITCAIRN

ASSOCIATE, CILEX

James joined the firm in 2003 and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.  James has a wide range of experience having worked in all of our departments.

James now specialises in Commercial Property/Landlord and Tenant/Residential Property matters.

He has excellent analytical skills and aims to provide his clients with practical and comprehensive advice.

JON HEYWOOD

SENIOR LEGAL ASSISTANT

Jon joined the firm in 2014. He has been working in the law in Sussex for over 40 years dealing with domestic and commercial conveyancing, private client work and commercial litigation.

Jon prides himself on communication and pragmatic advice, putting the client’s welfare first at all times.

When not chained to his desk Jon can either be found skiing, fishing, shooting or playing golf, according to season, some well, others poorly!

ZOË NEALE

PARALEGAL

Zoë joined the firm in July 2017 as a Paralegal and works within the Residential Property department.  Zoë recently completed her LL.B at The University of Law, Guildford.

Zoe is now studying her LPC with a Masters also at The University of Law

Outside of work she enjoys travelling, baking and walking her dogs.

HARRY WILSHAW

PARALEGAL

Harry joined the firm in September 2019 as a Paralegal. He assists in the Probate, Wills & Personal Planning and Family departments.  He studied Law at the University of Kent.

Harry has recently completed his LPC and Masters at BPP Law School, London.

When he is not working Harry enjoys travelling, learning to speak French, and is an avid fan of Chelsea Football Club.

TONY OSBORN

SENIOR PARTNER

Tony joined the firm in 1983 and has been a partner since 1986. Tony has a wealth of experience and local knowledge and specialises in Wills, administration of estates, Inheritance Tax advice and elderly client issues.

Tony aims to combine a friendly approach with hard headed advice.

SARAH CARR

PARTNER

Sarah joined the firm in 1997 and is head of our Family department. She advises on all areas of family law including divorce, separation, financial, property settlements and matters involving children.

Sarah is committed to putting the welfare of children first and has the required judgement, common sense and empathy required to resolve complex situations.

Sarah is known for her warm, friendly and human touch, supporting clients who are often struggling with enormous stress and personal upset. Sarah considers that litigation should usually be the last resort but will protect your interests fiercely if Court proceedings are required. Sarah also advises on prenuptial and cohabitation agreements and property transfers within matrimonial matters.

In addition to family law, Sarah advises on matters involving the Court of Protection and capacity issues. She is a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel.

JONATHAN COOKE

CONSULTANT

Jonathan is the firm’s Consultant and has had over 40 years’ legal experience in the City covering all areas of corporate commercial work, acquisitions and mergers.

Jonathan’s work places particular emphasis on taxation and tax planning including regulatory matters, takeovers and mergers. He is chairman of the trustees of a school and of two charities.

GEORGE WOODHOUSE

SOLICITOR

George joined the firm in 2012 and qualified as a Solicitor in January 2018.  George has experience in all of our practice areas and works with Sarah in the Family department and Laura in the Probate, Wills & Personal Planning department.

George is calm, caring and always strives to exceed a client’s expectations.

George enjoys travelling and is always planning his next adventure. George is a keen swimmer and has a passion for scuba diving, obtaining his PADI Open Water qualification in 2015.

LAURA HARWOOD

SOLICITOR

Laura joined the firm in September 2019.  She has several years’ experience in residential conveyancing, family law, probate, trusts and Wills.  Laura works in the Probate, Wills & Personal Planning department.

Laura offers advice in a friendly and efficient manner and has a sensitive approach to guiding clients through probate.

She enjoys travelling, walking and theatre.

DEBBIE HAWKINS

CHARTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE

Debbie is a Chartered Legal Executive and Head of our Residential Property department.  Debbie has over 30 years residential conveyancing experience.

Debbie worked for us earlier in her career and re-joined the firm in 2011.

She will help you through the stress of moving home and maze of intricate lender/conveyancing procedures with sympathy, unstinting hard work and a highly infectious laugh.

Debbie lived in France for 5 years and enjoyed the challenge of learning a different legal system and the language.

JAMES PITCAIRN

ASSOCIATE, CILEX

James joined the firm in 2003 and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.  James has a wide range of experience having worked in all of our departments.

James now specialises in Commercial Property/Landlord and Tenant/Residential Property matters.

He has excellent analytical skills and aims to provide his clients with practical and comprehensive advice.

JON HEYWOOD

SENIOR LEGAL ASSISTANT

Jon joined the firm in 2014. He has been working in the law in Sussex for over 40 years dealing with domestic and commercial conveyancing, private client work and commercial litigation.

Jon prides himself on communication and pragmatic advice, putting the client’s welfare first at all times.

When not chained to his desk Jon can either be found skiing, fishing, shooting or playing golf, according to season, some well, others poorly!

ZOË NEALE

PARALEGAL

Zoë joined the firm in July 2017 as a Paralegal and works within the Residential Property department.  Zoë recently completed her LL.B at The University of Law, Guildford.

Zoe is now studying her LPC with a Masters also at The University of Law

Outside of work she enjoys travelling, baking and walking her dogs.

HARRY WILSHAW

PARALEGAL

Harry joined the firm in September 2019 as a Paralegal. He assists in the Probate, Wills & Personal Planning and Family departments.  He studied Law at the University of Kent.

Harry has recently completed his LPC and Masters at BPP Law School, London.

When he is not working, Harry enjoys travelling, learning to speak French, and is an avid fan of Chelsea Football Club.