Who We Are
Antonio Diaz Ramirez
 Studied
at Malaga University from 1981-1986 and became a practising
Member of the Malaga College of Lawyers in 1989. In 1991
Antonio Diaz joined the firm of De Cotta McKenna y Santafé
(DMS) and is now the senior Spanish partner working principally
in civil law and conflict of laws. His track record encompasses
a number of reported cases in private international law.
For example, he presented the reported case of Thorpe v.
Thorpe raising issues of private international law on marriage
and succession.
He also has extensive experience of complex property transactions
including company purchases
of property and land.
He is qualified to take litigation in any courts in Spain
and has particular experience of recognition and execution
of foreign judgements. Maintains a small criminal practise
and is able to advise on criminal procedure, extradition and
civil and commercial fraud.
Sandra Wrightson
 Holds
the Degree of Bachelor of Laws from London University and
the Degree of Bachelor of Arts from the Open University. Called
to the Bar at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
in 1997.
Since 1997 has worked with the firm of De Cotta McKenna y
Santafé as an academic barrister advising on all aspects
of private international law. With over 10 years experience
working in Spain, she regularly advises on all aspects of
private international law. Particular knowledge of jurisdictional
matters both in civil and commercial
law. Works closely with
Antonio Diaz on litigation in Spain and England. Specialist
knowledge and experience of the timeshare industry. In 2001
appointed Honorary Legal Adviser to the British Consul of
Malaga.
Provides Certificates of English law to Spanish lawyers on
a range of private international law, family and general civil
matters.
Gisele van Meer
 Conveyancing
partner of the firm with over 12 years experience working
in southern Spain. She is acknowledged as one of the leading
specialists in this field, with a highly respected reputation
in Southern Spain.
She has extensive knowledge of property matters such as contracts
of purchase with staged payments, inland and rural properties,
municipal licensing for building projects, and taxation for
non-resident property owners and general fiscal
issues for property buyers in Spain.
She is an accomplished linguist, fluent in Spanish, English,
French, Dutch and German.
Alex Radford
 After
attending school in Spain Alex Radford studied law at the
University of East Anglia, Salamanca and Oxford. In 1999 he
joined a leading West Country practice and qualified as a
solicitor in 2001.
As a fluent Spanish speaker he returned to Spain to work
with this firm in 2003 specialising in timeshare, personal
injury and commercial work. In fact he is a member of the
Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Asociación
de Abogados de responsabilidad civil y seguros.
He continues to be instrumental in the development of the
personal injury, litigation and commercial divisions of the
firm. Working closely with Spanish lawyers, he and his colleagues
at DMS are able to provide enhanced services to clients, agents
and solicitors.
Jon Sutton
 Jon
qualified in his home town, at the Manchester Metropolitan
University. However, his passion of football and in particular
his international travels following Manchester United, frequently
brought him to Spain.
Jon developed a passion for Spain, its
culture climate & architecture
and he was motivated to make the move from the UK. He studied
Spanish at the Instituto Cervantes, enabling him to make
the professional transfer to De Cotta McKenna y Santafé where
he is equity partner with responsibility for Wills, Inheritance & Probate.
He specialises in Spanish Estates of UK Nationals and dealing
with the conflicts of law of estates across the two jurisdictions
of Spain and the UK.
When not helping the English speaking
community in Andalucia with their Wills and Inheritance planning,
Jon still enjoys following football, films and home cinema
and of course the southern Spanish lifestyle, including dining at
the many restaurants that Andalucía has to offer and
at the coast’s many beach Chiringuitos.
Associated Professionals
With John de Cotta, Jaime
Santafé Mira was a founding
partner of the firm and has been a member of the Madrid College
of Lawyers since 1950. He has acted as consultant to the
Spanish Ministry of Urban and Public Works and continues
to advise on commercial and private leases and rentals,
urban planning matters and licensing. As a specialist in
urban and town planning he has appeared regularly in the
Madrid courts. He also works on regulatory matters in Madrid
with extensive experience of civil and commercial issues.
For full details of partners' qualifications, professional
indemnity and professional titles please contact Sandra
Wrightson at:
sandrawrightson@decottalaw.net
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