LAW
Strolling – Members of Punch Robson ’ s residential property team , from left , Neelam Shan , Katherine Eaton , Ruth McWilliams , Alison Vines and Emma Ericson .
It ’ s all about continuity and trust – we ’ ve been around for a long time , and we ’ ll be around for a long time yet .” admits she ’ s “ seen most scenarios ” but that every now and again , she still comes across new things .
The bread and butter , however , makes up most of her workload .
She says : “ We deal with sales and purchases , people moving home , investor buyers and peripheral stuff , including creating deeds to regulate situations such as right of way disputes . But there ’ s certainly enough variety to keep things interesting .
“ We can give advice about stamp duty land tax , and things like that . We try to take the pain out of the process for people and put the legal position in an easy-tounderstand format , taking note of all the little nuances – the ones that could trip up the everyday person .”
A former Stokesley School pupil , Katherine , from Great Ayton , studied English at university , despite her mum reckoning she was obsessed with TV law programmes .
She smiled : “ Apparently , when I saw the lawyers with the wigs on , I said that ’ s what I wanted to do one day . It was a longstanding joke , but I guess it came true .”
Katherine ’ s department includes senior conveyancer Alison Vines , solicitor Neelam Shan , clerks Emma Ericson , Ruth McWilliams and Jordan-Leigh Wilson and secretary Michelle Phelps .
Its main roles include property sales and purchases , including navigating through the potential pitfalls of legalese and jargon .
Katherine said : “ A lot of people think they can do it all themselves but we ’ re here to ease the process and make sure people understand what they ’ re buying . We ease the process in terms of the documentation and any special requirements they might have , especially if they ’ re buying anything a bit more complex .
“ A lot of paperwork goes into conveyancing . A bit like a duck pond , you have a lot of serene stuff on the top but a lot of things going on beneath the surface – clients only see a small proportion of what we do every day . We wrap it up nicely and present it to them in a palatable way , but a lot goes into what we do .”
Katherine hopes the recent turbulence in the property market is starting to subside . She said : “ It ’ s been a strange couple of years , post-Covid . There ’ s been a lot of activity , stimulated by things like the stamp duty holiday , relief for firsttime buyers and tax incentives – but then mortgage rates have gone up , so it ’ s been very challenging .
“ There was some unrest , but interest rates came down a bit at the start of this year , and while there will always be some fluctuation , there ’ s every reason to think positively about the property market . Things find their natural level and hopefully that ’ s where we ’ re headed .”
Katherine herself didn ’ t get onto the property ladder until 2015 , when she bought a “ project ” she subsequently renovated with her builder uncle .
In her spare time , she loves long walks with her dogs Geoffrey and Grace and participates in hikes in aid of charities such as Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team and Macmillan Cancer Support . She also loves salsa dancing , a hobby that ’ s taken her around the country .
But professionally , and whatever the national picture , she ’ s confident Punch Robson ’ s residential property team will continue to serve the community its members are a part of .
Katherine said : “ It ’ s a rewarding job because you get to be part of people ’ s lives – and mostly in a positive way . You ’ re seeing generations , which I like . You feel like you are part of the story of the community .
“ Without that community , we wouldn ’ t be here , but equally , we ’ ve always followed what people ’ s needs are . It ’ s all about continuity and trust – we ’ ve been around for a long time , and we ’ ll be around for a long time yet .”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 41