Conveyancing NL

Fiona Fleming is a Partner at Blackwood and Smith and joined the firm in 2003. She provides advice on a variety of private client matters including Wills, Powers of Attorney Trust Administration and Executries. Along with her colleagues Fiona also provides advice in relation to residential sales and purchases. Fiona attended school and university in Edinburgh but has called Peebles home since she moved here over 30 years ago. She loves the mix of independent shops, businesses and the easy access to the gorgeous countryside. Fiona believes that the role of a solicitor in a rural practice such as Blackwood and Smith is to offer specialist legal advice as required, but also to act as a trusted adviser on whom clients can depend to look after their interests as they would their own. Outside of work Fiona is an avid gardener and a keen sailor. Her 3 favourite things are: sunshine, sea breezes and bananas!

Struan is a Partner at Blackwood & Smith. Struan takes a particular interest in all aspects of property law, including the purchase and sale of residential, commercial and rural property, and also commercial leasing. Struan also assists clients with private client work including, Wills Executry Administration and Powers of Attorney. Struan became a Partner in 2017 having originally joined the Firm as a Trainee Solicitor in 2011. Brought up in Innerleithen, Struan studied law at the University of Aberdeen before moving back to the area in 2010. Struan currently lives in West Linton with his wife and two young children. Struan loves living in the Scottish Borders and thinks that it is the best place to raise a family. Struan sits on the Council of the Law Society of Scotland, the governing body of the Society, as well as the Society’s Property Law Committee. Struan is also a founding member and the current Chairperson of the Scottish Conveyancers Forum. Through his involvement in the Property Law Committee and Scottish Conveyancers Forum, Struan is involved at the forefront of developments in Scottish property law and practice, including participating in working parties involved in drafting the latest versions of the Scottish Standard Clauses, New Build Standard Clauses and PSG Residential styles. He is also a Member of the Society of Writers to the Signet. Struan’s favourite part of his job is the satisfaction of completing multiple transactions on a Friday and then heading home for a well-deserved beer. With two young children Struan doesn’t have a lot of time for hobbies but when he is not working he enjoys, reading, walking and watching sport (he is not himself a sportsman so prefers to watch). Struan’s three favourite things are: his family, being on holiday (somewhere different each time), and cricket.

Karen is one of our Scottish Law Accountants and our Office Manager. She, along with Julia, ensures the firm’s compliance with the Law Society Accounts Rules. Karen also deals with Private Client work, Tax Returns, and Trust and Estate administration; and assists Fiona Fleming with Charity administration. The Tax Return work includes not only tax affairs for individuals but also for Trusts and Estates including PAYE, Self Assessment, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax. She has extensive knowledge of Power of Attorney work and attends to the affairs of numerous clients on behalf of Attorneys. She prides herself on her attention to detail, and her relationship with her clients. Karen is one of the longest serving members of our team and joined Blackwood & Smith in 1988 as our office junior. In 1998 she qualified as a Scottish Law Accountant through the diploma scheme operated by the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland. Karen lives locally and her favourite thing about living in Peebles is the scenery. It was very apparent to her during lockdown just how fortunate she is to live here. Being able to walk 10 minutes in any direction and be in the countryside, or at the top of the hill is a highlight. She considers the Scottish Borders to be a glorious part of the world! Karen’s favourite part of her job is being able to take away some of the worry and stress when someone has lost someone close to them. Being in a position to provide reassurance and guidance so that they have one less thing to worry about at an often very difficult time makes the job worthwhile. Karen’s three favourite things are: metal music (particularly thrash); horror movies; and yoga. The yin and yang!

Carrie is a Solicitor at Blackwood and Smith. Carrie joined the firm in 2015 initially as a Trainee Solicitor before qualifying in April 2017. Carrie undertakes work in a number of different legal areas including Conveyancing, Wills and Executries and Family Law. Carrie grew up in Gorebridge. She attended Newbattle High School before moving on to study for both her Law Degree and her Diploma at The University of Edinburgh. After graduating in 2011, she worked for 3 years as a debt recovery paralegal in Edinburgh. Carrie undertook and completed her traineeship with Blackwood and Smith in 2015 and has remained a valued member of the team ever since. Carrie has a keen interest in family law and is a member of the Family Law Association Committee. Carrie’s favourite thing about being a solicitor is the variety of work that she can deal with on a daily basis. As a busy working parent Carrie isn’t left with much time for hobbies however she enjoys baking with the kids and touring soft plays and parks (every parent knows these are premium weekend activities). Carrie’s three favourite things are: spending time with her family, finding new places to eat delicious food and lazy days with the kids watching Disney movies.

Jennifer is a Solicitor at Blackwood & Smith. Jennifer is experienced in Conveyancing and has a keen interest in Private Client work. Jennifer grew up in Peebles; she started her education at the “old” Kingsland Primary School and then attended Peebles High School. Jennifer moved to Alloa for a short time but she is now back home in the Scottish Borders with husband, two children and two dogs.  Jennifer is delighted to be back home in Peebles as she is now surrounded by family and hopes to have a new home to move into soon! Jennifer attended university in Newcastle and Edinburgh. She qualified as a solicitor in 2006. Jennifer trained at, and then worked for, several large commercial law firms in Edinburgh and the central belt before taking a career break from the law to raise her small children and during this time she started her own business. Jennifer missed the law and returned to resume her role as a solicitor at Blackwood & Smith in June 2023. Jennifer’s favourite thing about being a solicitor is meeting new people and being able to help. Jennifer has many interests outside of the law however she doesn’t have much time for hobbies at the moment between working, raising a family and building a house. She spends most of her free time visiting various window/door/timber kit/solar panel etc showrooms. Jennifer has however found a little bit of space for herself and her daughter who are both embarking on a musical journey to learn to play the piano. Jennifer was very musical growing up and played lots of instruments but never piano. Jennifer’s three favourite things are: her family, her dogs, and travelling.

Claire is one of the newest members of the team and is in charge of Business Development and project implementation. Claire is originally from the central belt but now lives locally in West Linton. She attended school in Stirling and then the University in Aberdeen to study Law. With its beautiful views and sense of community she loves living in the Scottish Borders. Raising a young family, it feels like a lovely, safe and vivifying place to raise a family. Claire originally trained and practiced as a solicitor in Edinburgh before taking a career break returning to work with Blackwood & Smith in August 2022. Claire is reasonably busy with work and two young children but enjoys baking, knitting and sewing with any free time. She loves organising and planning and is the Chair of her children’s school PTA committee. Claire enjoys meeting with new people which she gets to do on a regular basis as part of her job. She is very detail orientated and enjoys problem solving so loves starting (and finishing) a project and seeing any improvements made in action. Claire is excited to see the firm thrive and continue to grow. Claire’s three favourite things are: spending time with her family, party planning and going on holiday and being warmed by the sun.

Sarah is our Marketing Manager. Sarah is responsible for creating and implementing the Firm’s marketing strategy but also works alongside the team in our Property Shop using her expertise to assist estate agency clients in the marketing of their homes. Originally from Larne in Northern Ireland, Sarah moved to Scotland in 2002 to study for a Marketing and Business Degree in Dundee. Since graduating in 2006 Sarah has worked in marketing roles for several large companies, including two large law firms in Dundee and Edinburgh. Sarah now lives locally after moving to Peebles 6 years ago. Her favourite thing about living in the Borders is the sense of community. Peebles reminds her of the small town where she grew up in Northern Ireland, and is also the perfect place to raise a family. Sarah’s favourite part of her job is the ever-evolving nature of marketing. She loves learning and developing new skills and implementing them in her daily job. She also loves seeing a project develop through from start to finish and then coming to life. Sarah’s three favourite things are: City breaks, baking & long lie-ins (which are currently a rare treat with three children).

Kenny has recently joined the firm as our Head of Estate Agency. Kenny was born in Nigeria, his family then moved to Prestwick and then Dumfries where he started his education before moving to Musselburgh and on to Loretto school in Musselburgh. Kenny continued his education at the University of Aberdeen where he earned a BSc in Agriculture. Kenny then moved to London where he stayed for several years before relocating to sunny Portugal. Kenny and his family settled and lived in Portugal until they returned to Scotland and moved into the Borders six years ago. Kenny now lives in Peebles and loves its beautiful location and sense of community. Kenny has worked in property for twenty-three years, beginning his career as an Estate Agent in London before moving to work in Portugal and then later in Scotland. Kenny brings a wealth of experience and is very familiar with the local market. Kenny loves all things property, but has a particular interest in architecture and the variety and development of construction over time. The history and evolution of engineering, structure and styles of property is something that Kenny is passionate about. Kenny’s favourite thing about being an Estate Agent is meeting and getting to know people from all walks of life and he loves seeing, visiting (and selling) all types of property. Kenny has many interests outside of Estate Agency and property. He loves sport and enjoys both watching and playing golf and tennis. He enjoys being home and having time to work in his garden but he also has a passion for travelling and seeing the world. Kenny enjoys entertaining and when he is not working he will often be found in the kitchen cooking for his friends and family. Kenny’s children also love sport and he is supporting them with his position as the treasurer of the Borders U17 netball club. Kenny’s three favourite things (in no particular order) are: Portuguese red wine; travelling and spending quality time with his wife and children; and Watching rugby, in particular Edinburgh/Glasgow/Scotland matches.

Jagoda is a Solicitor at Blackwood & Smith. She has recently joined our team as a newly qualified solicitor having completed her training at a Law Firm in North Berwick. Jagoda is an experienced conveyancer and is enjoying undertaking private client work. She has a passion for property and loves the variety that property transactions they bring. No two conveyancing files are ever the same! Jagoda is originally from Poland and moved to Scotland in 2006. She gained a Bachelor degree in Politics at the University of Silesia in Poland before completing a masters degree in International Conflicts and Cooperation at Stirling University. She worked in Brussels for a time, before moving back to Scotland to complete a masters degree in International Law at Edinburgh University. With her interest in the law ignited she then went on to study for her LLB at Robert Gordon University before finally completing her legal education with her Diploma in Legal Practice from Edinburgh University. Jagoda moved to the Borders in 2013 and lives just outside of Peebles. Her favourite things about the Borders are: the space, the breathtaking views, the freedom to walk everywhere and the feeling of a real community spirit. Jagoda enjoys many hobbies outside of the law which include sailing, upcycling furniture and home DIY. Her hobbies however are all subject to a rare moment of free time which can be hard to come by with a young family! Jagoda’s favourite thing about being a solicitor is meeting lots of different people from different backgrounds and the challenge of continuous learning. Jagoda’s three favourite things are: cooking with the kids to her favourite tunes while dancing around the kitchen, reading crime novels, and weekends in Tighnabruaich.

Michael joined Blackwood & Smith as a Trainee Solicitor in October 2022 and is now a Solicitor with the firm. Michael is originally from Hamilton, he attended St Aloysius’ College Glasgow and went on to study Scots and English Law and a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Strathclyde. Michael’s favourite thing about Peebles is the abundance of gorgeous walks on his doorstep. Michael advises individuals and families on a range of issues including Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Asset Protection, Executries, and Inheritance Tax Planning. He is an Affiliate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) – a global professional body comprising practitioners who help families plan for the future. Whilst he enjoys all aspects of private client work his favourite part of his job is assisting clients with their Wills and Estate Planning to ensure they are prepared for the future. Michael has many other interests outside of the law. He coaches and plays tennis competitively. Tennis has always been a big part of his life and it is something he is very keen to continue alongside his legal career. Michael also loves going on road trips, the NC500 being his most memorable. He has big plans for future trips and is looking forward to exploring more of the world. Michael’s three favourite things are: Travelling; sports; and films.

Katie joined Blackwood & Smith in March 2023 and commenced training as a Residential Conveyancing Paralegal. Katie was schooled in Selkirk and attended the University of Dundee where she completed an Honours Scots Law (LLB) degree in 2021. Katie has recently completed her training to become a Residential Conveyancing Paralegal. Katie has a working interest in Property and Family Law. Katie also has a keen interest in the modernisation of Scottish Legal System with a focus on encouraging equality and diversity. Katies favourite part of her job is helping first-time buyers get on the property ladder. Katie was born in the Scottish Borders and after spending some time away at University and traveling she is now back home in the Scottish Borders. Katie loves living in the Borders and enjoys the countryside and the peaceful life amongst the hills. Katie is passionate about health and fitness and is part of a local running group. Katie has many interests outside of the law however her hobbies include running, hillwalking and socialising with family and friends. Her three favourite things are: travelling; going out for food; and Christmas!

Julia works in our accounts team and is an integral member of our team assisting Karen with the running of our cashroom. She has worked for Blackwood & Smith since 2009 and gained her Scottish Law Accountant qualification in 2014. Julia was born and raised in Peebles, attending Kingsland Primary School and Peebles High school. She still lives locally with her husband and daughters. Julia’s favourite thing about living in Peebles is the beautiful scenery; she loves being outside and up in the hills, whether that is on her horse or walking her dogs. She can’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else. Outside of work Julia spends most of her free time riding her two horses Luna and Fletcher, and walking her two dogs Harvey and Stella. Julia is the treasurer for the Peebles March Riders Association who organise rideouts and horse events throughout the year. Julia’s favourite thing about her job is busy house settlement days, she enjoys finalising the transactions and seeing clients getting the keys for their new homes! Julia loves puzzles, playing cards, board games, jigsaws, crosswords or even suduko! This is helpful for her work as sometimes balancing an account can be just like completing a puzzle. Julia’s three favourite things are: sunshine, good health and happiness.

Kristina works in our cashroom and assists our accounts and executry teams. Kristina was born and raised in Peebles and continues to live here whilst raising her family. She loves the quietness, the hills, the familiarity, the walks, the people, her list is endless. She has worked for Blackwood & Smith since September 2021. Her favourite thing about her job is learning something new every day, no Executry is the same and she is always improving her knowledge and perfecting her skills. She enjoys the challenge of overcoming a problem or issue and completing a file. Kristina is a little bit of an adrenaline junkie and loves pushing the limits and riding down mountain bike trails, hill walking, paddle boarding and cocktails with friends. Her three favourite things are: her boys, her dog, Fern and the hot air feeling when you step off a plane.

Frances is an integral part of our Legal Team and assists our Solicitors with Executry files. She is one of the longest standing members of our team and has worked for Blackwood & Smith for over 25 years. Frances was born and attended school in Perth but moved to Peebles over thirty years ago. She loves Peebles and feels lucky to live there. Outside of work Frances has a busy social life however finds the time to volunteer. She is currently a committee member for the MS Society Peebles Group. Frances’ favorite thing about her job is being able to assist clients to navigate the sometimes complicated Executry process. She enjoys being able to help people through this often emotional time by being there to lighten the load and undertake the necessary administration on their behalf. Her three favourite things are: family, friends and going to concerts.

Annette is our Property Manager and works in our Estate Agency department. Annette has worked for Blackwood & Smith for over twenty years, having previously worked in the whisky industry and also a brief period teaching in the Middle East. Originally from Kilmarnock and schooled at Kilmarnock Academy, Annette has lived in Peebles for 26 years. There are almost too many things to mention but with its central location, beautiful scenery, wonderful walks, busy social calendar and its lovely people Annette adores living in Peebles. Annette has worked at Blackwood and Smith for over 24 years and enjoys meeting new people. Annette is passionate about property and knows the Peeblesshire market inside out. It is not unusual for Annette to carry out a valuation and be able to tell a homeowner that she has sold their house previously (sometimes more than once)! Annette’s greatest strengths are her outstanding negotiating skills. With more and more budget or online only estate agents around prioritising a quick sale and not necessarily at the best price, Annette’s traditional approach prioritising negotiation leads to many clients achieving a better price than they otherwise would with other agents. Annette loves selling property and her favourite part of her job is securing a great sale price and making clients happy. When Annette isn’t at work selling your properties she enjoys cooking, cleaning, reading and watching a good crime thriller. Annette loves travelling and has been lucky enough to live in and travel to lots of exciting places. Annette’s three favourite things are: family, travelling and going out for delicious food.

Amy is our newest Estate Agent. Amy has lived in Peebles from birth, starting her education at local primary school Kingsland and continuing on to Peebles High School. She loves living in the Borders and her favourite thing about Peebles is the support and closeness of the local community. Amy has always had a keen interest in property; she loves looking at different houses and gets excited about identifying the potential in each and every one. Growing up locally and in recent years having kept an eye on the local market, she is thriving in her Estate Agency career! If you are local you may already be familiar with Amy from her time at Bank of Scotland and more recently with Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions. Before these roles she worked in Mortgage Servicing for Barclays. Amy has a long career history of excellent client care. Her exceptional customer service experience is a huge advantage when helping clients sell their homes. Amy is a highly organised and motivated individual and the combination of these skills means that your property is in safe hands. Amy loves supporting people through the process of selling their homes. Her favourite part of her job is helping people find a dream home that ticks all of their boxes. In her free time you will find Amy cheering on her boys at judo or football. Amy likes to play the piano in her spare time, and comes from a very musical family. If she manages to get some time to herself (this can sometimes be a rare occurrence with two young children) she can be found in a quiet corner completing a good jigsaw. Amy’s three favourite things (in no particular order) are: Family; DIY and Music

Alison is one of our secretaries assisting our Solicitors with your transactions. Alison enjoys working with her colleagues, many of whom are now friends. She enjoys helping our solicitors complete your transactions and ensuring clients are happy. Alison has lived in Peebles and attended Peebles High School. She has worked at Blackwood & Smith since 2003. Alison’s favourite thing about the Borders is the gorgeous countryside and the lovely walks that are available. She enjoys swimming and walking Alison’s three favourite things are: spending time with family and friends, going on holiday and listening to music.

Annette is one of our secretaries assisting our Solicitors with your transactions. Annette lives in Peebles with her husband with her grown up children and grandchildren close by. She has worked at Blackwood & Smith since July 2007. She is a very experienced legal secretary, her first job was with J & W Buchan and has worked for several Peebles solicitors during her secretarial career. During her time as a secretary she has seen a lot of changes in the way various processes work. Her favourite change is the switch to electronic registration which makes registering the title to your properties much easier and much more efficient. Annette’s three favourite things are: family, long walks and coffee dates with friends.

Rosalyn is one of our secretaries assisting our Solicitors with your transactions. Rosalyn is originally from Alnwick, Northumberland where she attended school and then college at Northumberland College of Arts & Technology; she now lives locally in Peebles. Having moved here from Edinburgh in 2004 when expecting her first child, she loves living in Peebles with its beautiful scenery and sense of community. Peebles has been a lovely place to bring up her family. Rosalyn previously worked as a medical secretary before her switch to legal secretary. She has worked for Blackwood & Smith since 2020. She enjoys most areas of the job but she particularly enjoys the conveyancing side of her work. Rosalyn is a committed Christian and is actively involved in her local church; beyond that her favourite things are: spending time with family and friends (including Tess, her long haired German Shepherd), holidays & cooking.