Meet the Team

Solicitor & Partner

Gary Rycroft

Gary read law at the University of Manchester and qualified as a solicitor in 1998. He joined Joseph A. Jones & Co in 2003, became a partner in 2005 and the Senior Partner in 2017. Throughout his career Gary has specialised in Private Client Law, that is Wills, Trusts, Tax Planning, Estate Administration, Challenges to Wills & Probate Disputes, Mental Capacity (including Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters) and setting up and administering Charities.

Locally, Gary was a trustee of The Dukes Theatre 2009-17 (acting as Chair 2015-17) and of CancerCare 2013 -16. He is currently a trustee of Lakeland Arts.

Nationally, Gary served on several committees at The Law Society. He was a trustee of the National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC) 2014-17 Until it merged with Hospice UK and The Silver Line2019-2023 until it become a subsidiary charity of Age UK.

Gary writes and lectures about the Mental Capacity Act and Advance Care Planning, including a chapter in the medical textbook Cognitive Changes after Surgery and a chapter about Legal Issues in the Digital Afterlife in the 2020 publication Digital Afterlife (Death Matters in a Digital Age).

On television Gary is a resident legal expert on the BBC1 Consumer Affairs programme Rip Off Britain and regularly appears on local and national radio. He writes the weekly ‘Ask a Lawyer’ column published by Daily Telegraph.

Whilst Gary is often asked to comment in the media on diverse legal issues, in his private legal practice at Joseph A. Jones & Co he deals only with Private Client Law (as described above) and regrets he may not take on cases relating any other types of legal problems.

Gary lives with his family in Lancaster and enjoys gardening.

Solicitor & Partner

Jennifer Sammons

jennifer.sammons@jajsolicitors.co.uk

Jennifer was educated at Lancaster Girls Grammar School and after that read English and French Laws with French at the University of Liverpool. Whilst at university she spent a year studying at the Université de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. She graduated in 2005.

Having gained just short of two years’ experience working in the conveyancing department of two local law firms, Jennifer joined Joseph A. Jones & Co as a trainee solicitor in December 2007. Jennifer qualified as a solicitor in January 2010 and became a partner with the firm in March 2015.

As a member of the Private Client Department, Jennifer now specialises in private client law focusing on wills, trusts and estate planning, probate, and elderly client matters. Jennifer worked closely with former senior partner Sue Hodgson prior to her retirement and now looks after the majority of Sue’s former Clients.

Jennifer understands that her Clients often turn to her when they experience problems within their families, following the death of a loved one or when they or a family member have health issues. These topics are often sensitive, emotional and difficult to discuss. She is committed to providing an approachable and friendly service to her Clients whether that is helping them deal with their current circumstances or planning for the future.

Jennifer is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) having completed additional professional qualifications in will preparation and the administration and taxation of trust and estates.  Jennifer is also a full member of Solicitors for the Elderly.

Solicitor & Partner

Olivia Egdell-Page

olivia.egdell-page@jajsolicitors.co.uk

Olivia was brought up locally and was educated at Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School. She went on to study law at Newcastle University. Following her graduation in 2014, she commenced her training with the firm alongside studying for her Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Manchester. Olivia qualified as a solicitor in December 2016 and has been Head of the Property Department here at Joseph A. Jones & Co since April 2020. Olivia became a partner with the firm in September 2021.

Olivia deals with residential, commercial and agricultural property transactions and has particular expertise in high value residential property transactions including those in the fast-paced London market and further afield. Her attention to detail and hands on approach means that she is well suited to dealing with complex time sensitive matters, whilst always prioritising the Client and their individual needs.

In the commercial and agricultural fields Olivia has experience in dealing with land transactions and leases including advice surrounding issues such as transfers of part, easements, covenants and overage.

Olivia lives in Lancaster with her family.

Legal Executive

Christine Hicks

christine.hicks@jajsolicitors.co.uk

Christine was born and educated in Lancaster, starting her legal career as an office junior in the 1980’s. She has worked for several local law firms over the past 30 years, gaining experience in several areas of the law but mainly conveyancing. Whilst Christine did not take the conventional University route to becoming a lawyer, she gained her qualification whilst working full-time and raising a family and finally qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2006. Some might say that learning on the job and by experience is the best way!

At Joseph A. Jones & Co, Christine deals with residential property transactions which includes freehold and leasehold, re-mortgages and transfers of equity. She has a practical and calm approach which she considers beneficial in what can be a fast paced and stressful environment.

Solicitor

David Sykes

david.sykes@jajsolicitors.co.uk

David attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School and then read law at the University of Liverpool. After a further course at the College of Law (Chester), David did his professional training in Lancaster at the well regarded firm of Swainson, Son & Reynolds, which no longer exists. For many years David has specialised in property work and now deals mostly with commercial property, including acting for landlords and tenants in commercial leases, for buyers and sellers of commercial premises (freehold and leasehold) and acting in business matters generally.

David joined Joseph A Jones & Co in July 2020.

Probate Administrator

Ann Miller

ann.miller@jajsolicitors.co.uk

Ann was born in Morecambe and read Law at Lancaster University from 1992-1997, where she gained a Degree followed by a Masters in Law. She then completed the Legal Practice Course at The University of Central Lancashire and trained for two years at a firm of Solicitors in Carnforth. After qualifying as a solicitor Ann was then employed at the firm where she trained and specialised in Will drafting, estate administration and advising elderly clients.

In 2004 Ann decided to use her legal skills in a different setting and went to work in property management, spending almost 10 years overseeing and managing a portfolio of properties. After that adventure she decided to travel and she spent the next 4 years living and working in Italy, including teaching English at the Fiat factory in Turin.

In February 2018 Ann joined Joseph A Jones & Co. By her own choice, she is no longer a practising solicitor and supports Gary and Jennifer in their work administering estates, including matters relating to Inheritance Tax.

Probate Administrator

Joanne Palmer

joanne.palmer@jajsolicitors.co.uk

Joanne has worked in the legal sector for many years, including at large firms of solicitors in Greater Manchester, where she originally hails from. Prior to joining Joseph A. Jones & Co, Joanne worked for a practice representing most of the leading Insurance Companies in the UK, dealing mainly with the costs arising following settlement of personal injury claims. She is now using her administrative and numeracy skills supporting Jennifer and Gary with their estate administration matters, including obtaining grants of representation (probate) and winding up the estates of deceased clients.

Legal Executive & Paralegal in Property Department

Coban Gray