Two more awards for Wards’ specialist solicitors
Local law firm, Wards Solicitors is proud to announce two more success stories to add to their specialist teams.
1. Suzanne Henderson, a solicitor at the Clevedon office of Wards Solicitors, has been recognised as a specialist by the UK's leading family law group, Resolution (formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association. Already a Law Society Family Panelist, Suzanne passed one of the profession's most demanding tests to become one of only a handful of Resolution accredited lawyers in the Clevedon area. Resolution stipulates that panellists hold 'exceptional levels of experience and skill' and must be qualified for 5 years, with substantial experience of family law. Susan specialises in private cases concerning children and advanced financial provision.
Suzanne said, "I am delighted to have achieved this formal recognition of my work as a family lawyer. My work involves helping people through what can be a very difficult and stressful time in their lives. External validation of this sort can help to reduce the stress by demonstrating that their legal advice comes on the back of proven experience".
All family lawyers at Wards are members of Resolution. This demonstrates the firm's commitment to dealing with matters in a professional, sensitive, constructive and cost-effective way.
2. Elizabeth Nash, a solicitor at Wards' Bristol City Centre office is now an Associate Member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS), having recently passed a diploma in Contentious Trusts and Estates.
Association with ACTAPS acts as a kite mark of excellence in this specialist area of law.
The ACAPS organisation provides a forum for specialists to exchange experience, keep up to date with changes in the law and to make representations to government and the judiciary in relation to contentious trust and probate issues. In addition it promotes the use of a practice guide for the resolution of probate and trust disputes (the ACTAPS Code)
Elizabeth explains that one of the key aspects of the Code is that it encourages the resolution of disputes without hostile litigation and where litigation becomes necessary, seeks to ensure early sharing of information between the parties.
Associate Membership of ACTAPS is only open to those solicitors, barristers and legal executives who have undertaken and completed an extensive two to three year period of study and assessment led by the College of Law.
Elizabeth says,"This organisation aims to maintain a high standard of service in this specialist area of the law. From a client's perspective, they can be reassured that they will be dealing with someone who has specialist knowledge and that efforts will be made to resolve their dispute without the need for costly and time consuming court proceedings and if a dispute does go to court, that the proceedings are conducted efficiently.
It further strengthens the contribution Wards can make to this fast growing area of practice. Wards now has a specialist team of three lawyers in this area.