High praise for high standards – Wards Solicitors’ recommended in key legal guide
High standards, diligence and persistence, tenacity and thoroughness - just some of the Wards Solicitors' qualities highlighted for praise in the latest edition of the prestigious Legal 500 guide for 2018/19.
A total of 12 lawyers working across four different service areas are named in this year's guide, an independent publication which uses feedback from satisfied clients as one of the key means of determining its rankings.
Contentious Trusts and Probate
Wards Solicitors Contentious Trusts and Probate department wins acclaim for the 'diligence and persistence' of its 'skilled and effective' team.
Partner and head of the Disputes team, Elizabeth Fry, specialises in Inheritance Act disputes and contentious Court of Protection work, providing a 'very strong combination of legal analysis and fact management which works towards the best possible outcome for the client'.
In addition, Partner Ian Williamson is described as a 'determined litigator' and Solicitor Associate Lucia Mills, who specialises in cohabitation agreements and disputes as well as probate disputes concerning property and financial provision, comes highly recommended by clients for going 'beyond the call of duty'.
Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate
Singled out for providing 'service levels of a very high standard', six members of the team, headed by Jenny Pierce, are specifically mentioned.
Partner Rebecca Parkman, who specialises in Lasting Powers of Attorney, complex Wills and more general estate planning, impresses clients with her 'tenacity, thoroughness and attention to detail'. She works in the Weston-super-Mare office.
Partner Ruth Coles, based in Keynsham, is 'always very approachable and efficient', Alison Lamont is held in high regard for her 'very personable, professional and knowledgeable manner' and Solicitor Associate Beth Niblett, based in Worle, and Solicitor Associate Rebecca Purchase, based in Nailsea, are both listed as 'names to note'.
Clinical Negligence
Advising on a wide range of clinical negligence issues including failure to diagnose injuries and surgical errors, areas of expertise also include delays in diagnosing cancer which has led to death and also acting in cases of inadequate care in nursing homes.
Partner and head of the Accident and Injury and Medical Negligence team, Alison Underhill - who specialises in claims relating to antenatal care, birth injury, prescription errors and surgical negligence - is described by clients as having 'extensive experience' as well as being 'intelligent, perceptive and thorough'.
Personal Injury
Wards Solicitors, says the guide, handles a broad spectrum of personal injury matters including road traffic accidents, accidents at work, accidents caused by animals and accidents at work.
It also acts in claims involving the police, local authorities, occupational stress, sexual abuse, harassment and catastrophic injury.
Once again, Alison Underhill is praised for her 'excellent eye for detail', supported by 'very experienced' Partner, Helen Boyd and Associate Solicitor, Angela Carnell.