020 7492 9800
With offices in Bournemouth, Southampton and London, full-service law firm Lester Aldridge advises businesses and private individuals on a regional, national and international scale. The firm has grown to be one of the largest law firms in the South, employing more than 350 staff. We are known for our ability to offer top-quality advice in a straightforward way, making us accessible and easy to deal with. Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that every client has their own unique requirements, and we tailor our ways of working by thoroughly understanding their business or personal circumstances. We understand the importance of giving our clients a high-quality service and are proud to be recognised for this via our Law Society Lexcel accreditation since 2007 and ISO 27001 for information security management. Read more...
Lester Aldridge LLP
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Excellent does not necessarily mean ‘cheap’. It means that clients thought that the level of service received was Excellent for what they paid.
This score has been calculated using up to the last 300 reviews left by clients of Lester Aldridge LLP on ReviewSolicitors.
As part of our review questionnaire we ask reviewer questions about the value for money they felt they received by using Lester Aldridge LLP. These questions include:
We use data science to amalgamate the answers to these questions and create a ‘ReviewSolicitors score’ out of 100. The above chart representation score is a simple percentage representation of the averaged score across those who have reviewed this law firm.
If you would like to read more about how we work with our review data please see our Transparency section.
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ReviewSolicitors uses our community data to show you how many clients used Lester Aldridge LLP and have had a satisfactory experience where they have indicated that they would recommend the services of the law firm to their friends and family.
You can use this data to see how Lester Aldridge LLP performs against other law firms nationally. A score close to 100% indicates that this firm is highly valued by their clients.
As part of our review questionnaire we ask the question:
"Would you recommend this firm to somebody else?"
The reviewer can select either “Yes” or “No”.
The above score is a simple percentage representation of the total amount of clients who selected the “Yes” option:
If you would like to read more about how we work with our review data please see our Transparency section.
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ReviewSolicitors uses our community data to show you how many clients used Lester Aldridge LLP and were satisfied with the outcome of their matter. Being satisfied with the outcome of your matter is an important consideration to have in mind.
You can use this data to see how Lester Aldridge LLP compares to the national average of clients being satisfied with the outcome of their matter after instructing a solicitor.
As part of our review questionnaire we ask the question:
"Were you satisfied with the outcome of your case?"
The reviewer can select either “Yes” or “No”.
The above score is a simple percentage representation of the total amount of clients who selected the “Yes” option:
If you would like to read more about how we work with our review data please see our Transparency section.
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The rankings below show the areas of expertise that Lester Aldridge LLP offers to clients. You can see how good the service offered is in comparison to all other law firms nationally.
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Nationally
Data shown above is based on the reviews and client feedback collected by ReviewSolicitors over the last 12 months.
Client Reviews
Verified review
This review has been left by a verified client who used Lester Aldridge LLP.
Michael
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
Swift assistance with the matter. Good communication. Very professional and helpful.
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 13 June, 2025:
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and will pass on your kind words to Rebecca.
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Matter Type:
Discrimination at Work
Darren
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
I would highly recommend this organisation based on my experience with the above named solicitors. They provided me with tremendous help during a difficult time, with prompt, professional and easy to understand advice. I would not hesitate to use this organisation in the future. Thank you so much.
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Matter Type:
Wills
Anonymous
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
We would like to extend our gratitude for all your assistance completing the final estate. Over the years both yourself and Martin attended to all her legal affairs and became someone she regarded as trusted, good friends. She would mention your visits and valued the advice and assistance you offered.
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 21 May, 2025:
Thank you for your feedback - we will pass this on to Olivia and Martin.
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Matter Type:
Probate
Anoymous
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
I think it is important to say a few words when people go beyond the usual high standards we expect from LA and have that extra special touch. Olivia falls into this category.
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 21 May, 2025:
Thank you for your feedback - we will pass this on to Olivia.
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Matter Type:
Trusts
Noel
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
Exceptionally good. Friendlym, knowledgable, engaging. Recpetionist friendly and efficient. Olivia a treasure and great asset to the firm
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 21 May, 2025:
Thank you for your feedback - we will pass this on to Olivia.
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Matter Type:
Wills
Michael
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
Very good local reputation. Olivia was professional, knowledgeable, friendly and patient.
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 21 May, 2025:
Thank you for your feedback - we will pass this on to Olivia.
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Matter Type:
Employment Law
Johannes
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
Always very responsive and punctual. Good knowledge
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 21 May, 2025:
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
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Alex
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
I think it is easier to provide the list of complaints issued to the legal ombudsman as to the firms conduct then write out the full chronology, needless to say as someone legally qualified, their conduct was atrocious, the partner who lied to me on the telephone (fortunately I have recordings), a member of the firm who I believe solely removed me as a client when he was told by the complaints team I would be issuing a complaint; should be struck off the Solicitors Roll. I would recommend every client record their interactions with this firm.
Complaint Points issued to Ombudsman
Conveyance law firm partner:
a. Poor Service – Conveyance partner misled the Client as to property report production provision date.
b. Failure to keep informed – Conveyance partner did not inform the Client report would not be provided on provision date.
c. Poor Service - Conveyance Firms Partner was aware of the fee cover offer from Seller to the Client, but the Firm did not "request an undertaking from the Seller's Solicitor" pursuant to where Complaints Manager stated the Firm would have done should the Firm have ever been made aware of such offer.
d. Poor Advice & Service – Conveyance Firms Partner misled the Client as to reviewing amended Lease documents from the Sellers Solicitor by him purporting to be going through the ‘track changes’ ones when in fact LESTER ALDRIDGE never reviewed any different documents; they solely took the 1st version (ignored the Client's Review of it that was provided weeks earlier), never engaged with the Sellers Solicitor to amend the Lease and instead simply produced a report recommending the purchase and Lease (that had no changes made).
e. Failure to follow instructions - Conveyance Firms Partner had at no time raised the Client’s issues with the draft Lease to Sellers Solicitors, nor did they raise his queries with them as LESTER ALDRIDGE told the Client they had.
f. Failure to follow instructions – Conveyance Firms Partner did not inform other Client of issues the Client had raised, which affected them both.
g. Poor Service & Failure to follow instructions – Conveyance Firms Partner allowed other Client to proceed with completion without the Client when together both clients could have ensured that the Lease and other Red-Flag issues were resolved – instead their other Client was left to a disadvantage (and put to issues that he would not have been) as LESTER ALDRIDGE had not cured the issues the Client had raised. The Client was put to additional costs to do this, and it needed more work done due to LESTER ALDRIDGE allowing their other Client to complete – as they had not conveyance properly, the Client's Conveyancer who completed the Client's Conveyance was able to cure defects to Lease and other documents that the Client had flagged.
h. Failure to follow instructions – did not raise the Client’s issues with the Lease to Sellers Solicitor.
i. Poor Service – Conveyance Firms Partner misinformed Conveyance Solicitor that the Client was “not a cash buyer”.
j. Poor Service – Conveyance Firms Partner provided incomplete Property Report to the Client.
k. Poor Advice – Conveyance Firms Partner recommended the Client’s acceptance of draft Lease despite numerous red flag issues.
l. Failure to respond – Conveyance Firms Partner would not explain to the Client despite a minimum of three emails from the Client as to what work Conveyance Firms Partner had done since being instructed.
m. Poor Service – Conveyance Firms Partner upon being made aware that the Client had requested the complaints procedure manufactured a financial documents issue in order to remove the Client as a Client.
n. Poor Service & Failure to keep informed – Conveyance Firms Partner discriminated against the Client; he sent a convoluted email to the Client asking for financial information in the evening, whereby, in the same email, he told the Client he was unsure if the Client had already sent them to the Firm (Conveyance Firms Partner had not attended office to check), then when the Client emailed LESTER ALDRIDGE what he thought was again being asked for, rather than clarify to the Client, in response an hour later (late in the evening) LESTER ALDRIDGE’s Conveyance Firms Partner simply terminated the Client’s retainer and removed him from being a client with the reason being the Client had ‘refused’ to provide requested documentation. NB. Conveyance Firms Partner only stated what specific document he was after in the termination of retainer email to the Client.
o. Poor Service & Failure to progress – Conveyance Firms Partner failed to withdraw termination of the retainer when the Client immediately responded with the document Conveyance Firms Partner stated the Client had 'refused' to provide (at no time had the Client) refuse to provide any document and Conveyance Firms Partner was (as Conveyance Firms Partner proclaimed himself) was ‘unsure’ which what document LESTER ALDRIDGE sought or even if LESTER ALDRIDGE had already been provided to the Firm).
p. Poor Service & Failure to progress – Conveyance Firms Partner failed to withdraw termination of the retainer when the Client’s LESTER ALDRIDGE Conveyancer noted the Client had provided the document and LESTER ALDRIDGE’s Conveyancer questioned Conveyance Firms Partner so as to continue to act for the Client.
q. Poor Service – Conveyance Firms Partner knowingly left the Client in a state of distress.
r. Poor Service – Conveyance Firms Partner prejudiced the Client with a financial loss regarding the property deposit (£5000) or, in the alternative, with the cost of conveyance fees which the Seller had agreed to cover if LESTER ALDRIDGE conveyed the Property.
s. Poor Service – failed to take accurate or any client notes in relation to calls, then in final Complaint replies, it is noted he did not recall his telephone interactions with the Client.
2. LESTER ALDRIDGE’s Conveyance Solicitor:
a. Poor Service – Conveyance Solicitor provided incomplete Property Report to the Client.
b. Poor Advice – Conveyance Solicitor recommended the Client’s acceptance of draft Lease despite numerous red-flag issues.
3. LESTER ALDRIDGE’s Complaints Manager:
a. Poor Service & Poor Complaint Handling – Complaints Manager constructed an alternate reason to try and substantiate the termination of the Firm's retainer “I have reviewed the emails on your file, and it is clear to me that the solicitor/client relationship has broken down such that it would not be possible to act in your best interest.”
b. Poor Service & Poor Complaint Handling – Complaints Manager lied when she stated there was “no prejudice to you since I note that your transaction is at a very early stage” as it was towards the end of the Conveyance, the Firm was aware there would be financial prejudice if the sale did not proceed (loss of deposit) and if it did proceed but not with them conveyance fee coverage loss.
c. Poor Service & Poor Complaint Handling – As the Complaints Manager was the subject of the Complaint, she should have recused herself from the complaint handling without the Client having to request it.
d. Poor Service & Poor Complaint Handling – Complaints Manager should never have been involved in the decision process of a complaint where she was a subject of the Complaint.
e. Poor Service & Poor Complaint Handling – Complaints Manager stated in her email of 15 October 2020 that “As far as we are aware, the Seller has not made it a condition of the sale that you should instruct us in the conveyancing, he merely recommended Lester Aldridge when you moved on from your first Firm of solicitors.” This was a lie as the firm was fully aware of the financial agreement and incentive for the Client to transfer conveyancers to LESTER ALDRIDGE.
f. Poor Service & Poor Complaint Handling – Complaints Manager stated in LESTER ALDRIDGE’s 16 March 2021 complaint reply letter that “[t]here is no correspondence contained on your file in support of what you say,” with regards to the Seller offering to cover the Client’s conveyance fees if he conveyed with LESTER ALDRIDGE, whereby, LESTER ALDRIDGE’s Complaints Manager went on to state that had there been "This Firm would have requested an undertaking from the Seller's Solicitor in that respect." However, email obtained from Subject Access Request at firm shows an email thread between LESTER ALDRIDGE’s Partner Conveyance Firms Partner and the Sellers Solicitor where he was aware of it from the onset of the Client’s instructions to the Firm.
4. LESTER ALDRIDGE’s made sexist ablest remarks about the Client in email communication to one another while they were conducting/investigating the Client’s Formal Complaint.
5. LESTER ALDRIDGE’s Managing Partner:
a. Poor Service & Poor Complaint –Complaints Manager who was the Subject of the client's complainant, should not have been permitted to take over the Firms response to the Complaint and find the Client's complaints about herself unjustified.
b. Poor Service & Poor Complaint – the Client raised further issues with regards to the Firm ignoring the majority of his complaints and where he raised further Complaint as to Complaints Manager for which was ignored by Managing Partner.
c. Poor Service & Poor Complaint – when the Complaints Manager asked the Client to provide evidence to establish his submissions, this evidence should not have gone ignored by the Firm/Firms Partner when it was provided.
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Matter Type:
Family law
Beverly
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
Kurt Lee of this form acted as executor of my late Mother in law's will. He was efficient, competent and kept us well informed. I considered that they represented good value for money.
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 05 June, 2025:
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
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Matter Type:
Employment Law
James
Collected on:
This review is for a different branch.
I have just used this law firm for an employment dispute. I found them very quick to respond and they explained each stage of the case well.
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Matter Type:
Residential Conveyancing
Celina
Collected on:
Max was incredibly helpful and efficient, even while working under a tight deadline for March 31st. His communication was excellent—always clear, professional, and positive. We truly appreciated his dedication, ability to deliver on time, and his consistently upbeat attitude throughout the buying a property process. Thanks!
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 07 April, 2025:
Thank you for your lovely feedback. We will pass it on to Max.
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Matter Type:
Residential Conveyancing
Philip
Collected on:
I was very happy with the quick and efficient service provided by Lester Aldridge. My solicitor Max went above and beyond to help us complete dealing with a few complexities on our side very professionally and always kept us well informed about the progress of the case. I would recommend to use their services and if I need to buy again in the future I will be in touch . A big thank you to the Max and LA solicitors.
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 24 March, 2025:
Thank you for your review - we will pass on your comments to Max.
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Matter Type:
Residential Conveyancing
Yueqi
Collected on:
I believe this has been the best purchasing experience I’ve ever had!
I had the pleasure of working with Max Yuen as my property solicitor, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. He ensured my house purchase was completed smoothly and ahead of the law change, allowing me to avoid a significant tax increase.
Max is incredibly efficient, communicative, and a fantastic problem solver. He handled every step of the process with great professionalism and always kept me informed. His deep understanding of regulations regarding deposits from China was especially valuable, making the entire transaction stress-free.
Additionally, his ability to communicate fluently in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese was a huge advantage, particularly for international buyers, like me.
This has truly been my best property purchasing experience, and I am beyond grateful for Lester Aldridge and Max’s outstanding service. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and highly competent solicitor.
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 19 March, 2025:
Thank you for the lovely feedback - we will pass it on to Max.
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Matter Type:
Purchase and Sale
Joseph
Collected on:
Lester Aldridge are an absolutely first class outfit. They rightly dissuaded me from buying a property and acted incredibly promptly throughout the whole process of my eventual purchase which I secured through them. Doug and Alice were great and always responded to my calls and made what was quite a tricky process exponentially less stressful. Fully recommend using them, I constantly felt they were on my side!
A representative from Lester Aldridge LLP responded to this review on 15 September, 2023:
Thank you for your great review - we shall pass to Doug and Alice.
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Maribel
Collected on:
Wonderful, helpful and very caring. Cannot recommend them enough.
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From offices in Bournemouth, Southampton and London, full-service law firm Lester Aldridge advises businesses and private individuals on a regional, national and international scale. We are known for our ability to offer top-quality legal advice in a straightforward way, making us accessible and easy to deal with. Our core practice areas are real estate, litigation & recoveries, dispute resolution, corporate & commercial services and private client, and within these, specialist niche practices such as healthcare, marine, aviation, charities, debt recovery and construction. The firm has grown to be one of the largest law firms in the South and can offer city expertise at regional rates. Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that every client has their own unique requirements, and we tailor our ways of working by thoroughly understanding their business or personal circumstances. We believe that through listening to our client’s needs, concerns and expectations, we can deliver a solution which is innovative, realistic and delivers the optimal result for our client. Lester Aldridge was honoured with Highly Commended for Law Firm of the Year: The Independents at The Lawyer Awards 2023 and again recognised in 2024 and Property Law Firm of the Year at the South Coast Property Awards 2023 & 2024. We have held Lexcel accreditation since 2007, the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark. The firm has also achieved ISO 27001, the international standard for information security, and ISO 14001 certification, demonstrating our proactive commitment to environmental management and sustainability.
Types of work undertaken include: Real estate: the firm’s extensive property team span sectors including commercial development, care, residential and lending, investment and retail, with expertise to handle a wide range of property issues, from development projects, management and investment, buying and selling properties, landlord and tenant issues, to planning, environment and construction. It also has expertise in the niche areas of ports and marinas, waterside developments and assisted living. Dispute resolution: Lester Aldridge’s experienced team covers a broad range of general commercial litigation, as well as working for clients in specific industries, handling everything from emergency injunctions to mediation and high court litigation in areas as diverse as debt collection and multi-million cross-jurisdictional claims. Corporate and commercial: The team handles an array of corporate work for a diverse client base. Particularly noted for its M&A work, the team regularly advises clients on other company and commercial issues, including joint ventures, IT and IP licensing, competition law and restructurings. The team also acts for international, national and regional clients in many sectors, including charities and the third sector. Litigation and recoveries: Lester Aldridge’s team has a proven track record in providing effective advice to banks, building society, finance houses, leasing companies and insolvency practitioners. It specialises in the recovery of secured and unsecured commercial and personal finance, as well as asset recovery. Marine: LA Marine is the specialist shipping and marine law team of Lester Aldridge, providing expert advice and practical solutions to the commercial shipping, logistics, superyacht and leisure marine industries. LA Marine deals with all aspects of maritime law, from non-contentious matters to collisions, charterparty issues, bill of lading disputes, demurrage claims and personal injury. Healthcare: One of the leading areas of expertise at Lester Aldridge and one for which the firm has a national reputation. For over 20 years, members of the specialist healthcare team have been specialising in the regulation of health and social care services, regularly acting for independent social care providers, independent hospitals, NHS Trusts and GPs. The team also acts for children’s homes, schools and fostering agencies. Employment: As one of the leading employment teams in the south, the team provides specialist advice on all areas of employment law, acting for international, national and major regional employers in all sectors. The team supports HR and senior management in dealing with a multitude of employment issues, from drafting service agreements, employment contracts, employment policies and handbooks, to advising on tribunal claims, redundancy programmes and TUPE-related matters. Private client: The firm offers a full range of services for individuals, with specialists in wills and estates, tax planning and trusts, contentious probate, community care, residential conveyancing, family, employment, personal injury and medical negligence. The international private client team supports both professionals and private individuals across a range of global estate planning and administration matters, including a specialist medallion signature guarantee service.
