At some point in our lives we will need to consult a solicitor. It might be about our property or investments. It could relate to our workforce or family. It might be a dispute we'd rather not be in. Or it might be the chance to embark on the business opportunity of a lifetime. Whatever your need, you deserve straightforward, uncomplicated advice that delivers results, and that is where we come in. With a comprehensive range of services, Ashtons Legal will give you prompt and effective advice for your business or personal matter.
The rankings below show the areas of expertise that Ashtons Legal offers to clients. You can see how good the service offered is in comparison to all other law firms nationally.
Data shown above is based on the reviews and client feedback collected by ReviewSolicitors over the last 12 months.
I am very pleased with the sale of my fathers property at this difficult time
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 21 March, 2019
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes
We were thoroughly pleased with the professional way Ashtons advised us on the purchase of a proprety, The advice was clear and provided us with the basis upon which our decisions were made. The team were a credit to Ashtons.
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 21 March, 2019
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes
It is great to have total confidence in the person dealing with your legal work, someone you can trust to get on with the job without hassles, taking the stress out of selling.
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 21 March, 2019
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes
I would highly recommend Ashtons legal, very helpful, professional and knowledgeable. Excellent at keeping you up to speed.
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 21 March, 2019
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes
A thoroughly satisfactory consultation and outcome.
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 04 February, 2019
Thank you for five star feedback and we hope to work with you again in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes
So far so good. Thanks to Claire at Meridian Way. She has always been prompt and informative. We are still underway with the conveyancing and everything has been positive to date. She has done a thorough job and we are very pleased with the work done to date.
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 07 January, 2019
Glad to hear that your conveyancing matter has progressed well to date. Please do not hesitate to contact Claire or her team if you have any issues, we will always do our best to help you in anyway that we can. Best wishes.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ashtons provided an excellent conveyancing service. They dealt with two separate house sales and a purchase in an extremely efficient and friendly way. There was always someone available to answer questions and paperwork was handled speedily. They helped make the process much less stressful.
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 07 January, 2019
We are delighted to hear that our staff could take away some of the stress from these house sales and purchase. We will be sure to share your five star rating and feedback with the team. Best wishes.
Was this review helpful? Yes
We have moved many times in the past few years and ALWAYS use Ashton’s. Simon Parker is our point of contact with his assistant Carrie being our go between. The best thing I would say is Ashton’s quickly get on with things and I cannot fault them.
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 07 January, 2019
Thank you for the glowing feedback. We will pass your kind words onto Simon, Carrie and the team. Best wishes.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Claire was our solicitor for the purchase of our first home. She was brilliant, always stayed in touch updating us with the goings on. The process was quick and easy thanks to her, would definitely recommend.
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 28 November, 2018
Thank you very much for your five star recommendation.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Most helpful in all ways knowing or finding out answers about any problems that occurred. Also very helpful and quick to respond back to other solicitors therefore the conveyancing of my bungalow was very quick .The selling of the hotel was very long and drawn out but through no fault of our solicitors they kept us informed at all stages and were most helpful guiding us through this stage.
A representative from Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 28 November, 2018
Thank you for your feedback, it is greatly appreciated. We are delighted that you are satisfied with the support and advice you received, particularly during the more complex hotel sale. Very best wishes. Vicki
Was this review helpful? Yes
If anyone needs a solicitor for family law please choose this firm, Francesca Easter at the Norwich branch she is wonderful, determined and she cares for her clients. She has given us our life back. I can't thank her enough. From the puricelli family.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 14 November, 2018
Hi Kerry, Thank you for this fantastic feedback and five star rating. I will share this with Francesca and her team. Best wishes for the future. Vicki
Ashton’s Legal is an outstanding law firm. I have worked with many firms over the years both in a personal and professional capacity and none compare to the standard set by Ashton’s.
My case was treated as if it was their own. Every detail was carefully listened to and considered, communications were prompt, and there was a real sense of passion to achieve the right outcome.
Highly recommended!
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 19 September, 2018
Thank you very much for the fantastic feedback, Samantha. I will be sure to pass it onto the team. Best wishes. Vicki
Thankyou for a very speedy and professional service. Unlike other companies they do not leave you waiting for weeks wondering what is happening would definitely reccommend.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 05 September, 2018
Thank you very much for the positive feedback, I will pass it onto the team. Best wishes. Vicki
Use for work good service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 05 July, 2018
Thank you for the positive feedback and the four star rating.
So far our dealings with them have been prompt and professional.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ashtons Legal responded to this review on 30 April, 2018
Thank you very much for the five star rating. I will pass your feedback onto the team. Best wishes. Vicki
Tom is a practising Barrister and was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in October 2005. He has a law degree from Queen Mary College (London University). Tom worked at a leading common law Chambers in London for a number of years before moving to private practice. Tom has significant experience across the full range of civil and commercial litigation with particular specialisms in commercial agency, franchise disputes, heavyweight breach of contract claims and consumer rights. Tom also supervises the debt recovery process and deals with larger matters and cross-border jurisdictions. Tom is a member of the London Common Law and Commercial Law Bar Association and the Bar Association for Commerce Finance and Industry. He is the Honorary Secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Law Society. Tom is also a volunteer advisor at the Norfolk Community Law Service, a Governor at Notre Dame Prep School and a Member of the Wensum Trust.
James is a partner in the corporate and commercial team. James specialises in advising on corporate transactions and in advising innovative technology companies. He has a wealth of experience in guiding businesses through complex contractual matters to find practical commercial solutions. James is also known for his experience in advising clients on intellectual property, data protection and privacy issues. James helps businesses develop compliant processes and is able to lead more complex data management issues including managing data breaches. James also has particular experience within the motorsport industry with clients valuing his detailed understanding of the technical and sporting regulations governing the sport working with suppliers, competitors and sponsors. Clients value James’ practical and commercial approach to finding solutions for their business. James is based in the Norwich office.
Ross qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and leads the highly acclaimed Employment Team in the conduct of both non-contentious and contentious employment law work across the Eastern Region. His work has included several successful enforcements and defences of post termination restrictive covenants as well as complex discrimination and whistleblowing cases. He has a particular interest in directors’ service agreements and directors’ duties more generally with the emphasis on employment issues arising from a boardroom bust up. Ross works closely with the firm’s Corporate Team on people issues arising from restructuring, business transfers or outsourcing (especially those involving insolvency issues). He advises on all aspects of confidentiality and data protection law relating to the employment relationship and frequently deals with Subject Access Requests and data privacy issues as part of his employment practice. Ross supervises the assistant solicitors in our team in the conduct of Employment Tribunal proceedings (including unfair and wrongful dismissal) Ross is our firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice.
Damian heads up the firm’s nationally recognised franchise team, which provides a first class service to many of the country's leading franchise brands. His work involves helping franchisors set up and grow their franchise networks with a particular emphasis on helping franchisors expanding their brands internationally. Damian regularly speaks at franchise industry events (both nationally and internationally) and has been awarded the Qualified Franchise Professional qualification by the British Franchise Association. As a recognised expert in his field, Damian was invited to contribute to the 2019 edition of Franchise – the 13th edition of expert research and analysis produced by renowned publishers Getting the Deal Through. This involved giving an overview of the legal landscape in UK Franchising.
Simon is a Partner in our Agriculture and Estates team. He acts for farmers, landowners, and agricultural businesses. Simon has worked in East Anglia for over 20 years and has a solid knowledge of all aspects of property law. Due to his expertise in acting for a wide variety of rural businesses and a diverse client base, he is able to identify issues and solutions quickly. Simon’s practical and creative approach allows him to provide advice from a commercial perspective as well as understanding the underlying agricultural businesses and the issues which may affect their property and business. He advises on a broad range of property related matters including: Sales and Acquisitions of farms and land; Agricultural Landlord & Tenant work both commercial and residential; Estate Management including farming arrangements, occupational and third party rights; Diversification Projects including Energy generation projects. Simon also heads up our Rural Energy Team and has been involved in a number of projects across the Region and nationally. He has developed expertise in acting for Landowners and Developers and projects in which Simon has been involved include: Dealing with options and leases of over 1,500 acres of developed solar projects amounting to in excess of 250 mws of electricity generation; Negotiation and completion of options and subsequent leases for anaerobic digestion projects together with supplemental agreements including feedstock and digestate arrangements; Developing bespoke precedent documents for property occupation and management of energy projects, including solar, anaerobic digestion, gas to grid and wind. He is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association and a member of the Country Land & Business Association and Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.
Louisa qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has specialised in Wills and Probate since 2007. She has worked for firms in Cambridge and most recently Bury St Edmunds before joining Ashtons Legal in 2016. Louisa currently heads up the Lifetime Planning team in our Norwich office. She is a fully qualified member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and is currently a student member of ATT (Association of Tax Technicians) whilst studying for this qualification. She has a wide range of experience dealing with obtaining Grants of Probate (or Letters of Administration) and Estate Administration, either where there is a Will or under the Rules of Intestacy. She also deals with all aspects of advising clients in relation to preparing Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Louisa is regarded by her past clients as sensitive, approachable and able to give peace of mind and reassurance at what can be a difficult and upsetting time. Outside of the office Louisa endeavours to keep up with her two young sons and has a rather too great a love for all things chocolate.
Francesca is a Family Law Associate Solicitor who specialises in all areas of family law, including divorce, financial matters and children issues. Francesca has a wide range of experience in family disputes, including between spouses, parents, grandparents and step-families. Francesca is a Committee Member of a local domestic violence charity and also provides advice for Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS) by way of two legal advice clinics and supervises the Family Court Advisers based at NCLS.
Hannah advises on a variety of commercial property matters including leasehold and freehold disposals, investment properties and commercial leases as well as assisting with commercial development work. She is able to tailor her advice to the meet needs of a range of clients including individuals, commercial organisations or charitable institutions.
Jessica is a Solicitor in the Employment team, involved in advising on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment issues, for both employers and employees, including directors’ service agreements, employment contracts, policies and procedures, claims in the Employment Tribunal and settlement agreements. Jessica also provides employment support on corporate transactions, such as on the impact of TUPE. Jessica is a regular speaker at Ashtons Legal’s HR events and is the Treasure of the Norwich & Norfolk Law Society. Jessica was the recipient of the Norwich & Norfolk Law Society Trainee Lawyer of the Year Award in 2015.
Amanda has joined Ashtons with 20 years Residential Conveyancing experience. Amanda specialises in freehold and leasehold sales and purchases together with remortgages. She is a Graduate of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Amanda is based in our Norwich office.
Mark is a Senior Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team and advises upon a broad range of corporate transactions and on complex commercial arrangements for a range of local and national businesses. Mark has a wealth of experience in leading numerous corporate transactions, advising clients on sale and purchase agreements and disclosure letters in relation to various share and asset mergers, acquisitions and disposals, as well as confidentiality agreements, heads of terms, due diligence and managing the transactional processes as lead adviser. Mark also advises a number of franchisors and franchisees on franchise business sales. This corporate experience extends to advising on shareholders rights and protections, including drafting and negotiating shareholders agreements and investment agreements. In addition, Mark also advises a wide range of business clients on their commercial arrangements, including distribution and agency agreements and supply agreements, as well as drafting terms and conditions for a variety of businesses. Mark is a member of Ashtons Legal’s cross-team banking and finance group, advising banks and other financial institutions on the corporate aspects of their lending and associated securities. Mark is the Chairman of the Company Commercial Committee of national law group LawNet.
Vanessa specialises in a wide range of private client work including Will drafting, Lasting Powers of Attorney, obtaining Grants of Probate and all aspects of estate administration. Vanessa qualified as a Solicitor in 2013 and worked for firms in Thetford and Bury St Edmunds before joining Ashtons Legal in 2017. She is currently working towards the STEP Trusts and Estates Diploma.
David joined Ashtons in September 2015 after working in-house in Cambridge for an international civil engineer and in private practice with another firm in Norwich. David advises on corporate and commercial matters for individuals and businesses across many industries including technology, manufacturing and professional services. His corporate work includes transactions, financing and security, and constitutions and restructuring. Recent commercial instructions have covered e-commerce, distribution, the supply and goods of services, and investment.
Tracy has extensive knowledge of franchising matters having worked in the industry for over 20 years.Her experience and knowledge of the franchising industry is invaluable and provides her franchisor clients with continuity and a seamless service. Tracy acts for new start, growing and mature franchisors providing them with ongoing support and advice.Her principle areas of specialisation include franchise resales; franchise agreements for new start franchisees and franchise agreement renewals. Tracy is a Qualified Franchise Professional, recognised by the British Franchise Association. She is also a member of Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWIF)
Carolyn starting working in the legal profession in 1983 and after a number of different roles across the country qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2005. She joined the Firm in 2006 having worked in the residential conveyancing sector in the East Anglian region since 1996. She has built up an extensive knowledge of the local property markets and deals particularly in freehold and leasehold purchases for new build properties. She also has experience in acting for Clients in re-mortgages, transfers of equity, equity release and Probate-related conveyancing. Carolyn is based at our Norwich office.
Victoria joined the Norwich Commercial Property team as a solicitor in 2018. She advises on non-contentious Commercial Property matters such as acquisitions and disposals, commercial leases, secured lending and corporate support. Victoria enjoys being able to work with a broad range of clients including individuals, businesses as well as lenders.
Simon is head of our large Residential Conveyancing Department. He joined the legal profession in 1990 and has worked in Norfolk specialising in Residential Property for almost the whole of his legal career. He has built up an extensive knowledge of the local and regional property markets and is highly experienced in dealing with property matters for a wide range of clients. Simon specialises in: - Freehold or Leasehold Sales and Purchases - Mortgages and Remortgages - Transfers of Equity - Deeds of Gift - Equity Release Schemes - The acquisition and sales of new developments. Simon is based at our Norwich office.
Leah joined the firm in 2013 and is a Trainee Legal Executive in our Dispute Resolution team working alongside Partner Tom Bailey. She assists Tom with general dispute resolution work but primarily focuses on landlord and tenant work and commercial litigation, as well as working with care homes on CQC and other regulatory compliance issues. She is studying to become a Legal Executive with CILEx, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Leah is based at our Norwich office.
Kate joined the legal profession in 2011 and immediately stated working in Residential Conveyancing. She joined Ashtons Legal in 2013 and specialises in various aspects of residential property work, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, re-mortgages and transfer of equity transactions. Kate is an Associate of the Institute of Legal Executives and is continuing her studies with ambitions to complete her course and become a Graduate of CILEx by 2018. Kate is based at our Norwich office.
John has specialised in franchising for over 20 years. He thinks of himself as a business man first and a solicitor second. His "no nonsense, practical, commercial approach" is appreciated by clients as much as is his unrivalled knowledge of the franchising sector. He read law at University College London and worked in the City of London for Mitsui, a Japanese trading company, and in the Middle East for Turner & Newall Plc. John then worked in sales and contract management roles in the oil industry, first in the UK and then abroad before deciding that he could provide more commercially focused and practical advice than he was receiving from lawyers. He re-trained as a solicitor and worked for two leading international law firms prior to setting up Chambers & Co in 1998. After establishing himself as one of the UK’s leading franchise lawyers and acting for 20% of the franchisors in the UK, Ashtons Legal acquired the practice in early 2012. John is a former member of the now disbanded British Franchise Association Legal Committee, and regularly speaks on franchising law both at home and abroad. As a recognised expert in his field, John was invited to contribute to the 2019 edition of Franchise – the 13th edition of expert research and analysis produced by renowned publishers Getting the Deal Through. This involved giving an overview of the legal landscape in UK Franchising.
Colette studied an undergraduate Psychology degree at the University of Kent, where she graduated with first class honours in 2014. After graduating she gained over a years’ experience as a Paralegal within the Risk & Compliance department at a large national law firm, before going on to complete the Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of East Anglia in 2017. Colette joined the Commercial Property team as a Paralegal in September 2017.
Whitney joined the firm in 2014 and is a Paralegal in our Corporate & Commercial team working alongside Partner, James Tarling; Associates, Mark Watson and Solicitor, David Sloman. She primarily focuses on Company Incorporations and Company Secretarial services, in addition to supporting the team on Corporate Acquisitions and general commercial matters. She is studying to become a Legal Executive in her own time with CILEx, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
Alex acts for farmers, landowners, lenders and companies with an agricultural focus, specialising in agricultural land and property. Alex advises on the sale, purchase and re-financing of agricultural property, along with the preparation of licences and Farm Business Tenancies (FBT), and the termination of FBTs and Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies. She also specialises in Deposits of Plans under the Highways Act 1980 and Commons Act 2006 matters. Alex is able to work closely with both clients and land agents to ensure a smooth and timely process.
Claire has worked predominantly within the legal profession since 1984, joining the firm in July 2015. She has worked within a variety of areas including Family, Wills and Probate. More recently, joining the residential property team dealing with sales, purchases and re-mortgages, specialising in transfer of equities and probate sales. Claire is studying with the Institute of Legal Executives and working towards achieving Associate status.
Abby joined our Residential Conveyancing team in 2015, she completed her law degree in 2012 and since this has qualified as a Graduate of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (GCILEx). She specialises in various aspects of residential property work, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, re-mortgages and transfer of equity transactions. Abby is based at our Norwich office.
Melissa began working in Residential Conveyancing in 2007 and joined Ashtons Legal in 2014. She is experienced in the local property market, working primarily with clients based in Norfolk and North Suffolk. Melissa is currently studying with a view to qualification as a Licensed Conveyancer, and specialises in Freehold and Leasehold Sales and Purchases, and Transfer of Equity and Remortgages. Melissa is based at our Norwich office.
Sally specialises in Commercial Property and Environmental Due Diligence and heads up Ashtons Norwich Commercial Property team. She is widely experienced in all areas of commercial property, including corporate support, having trained at a large international law firm and subsequently working at senior level at Top Tier regional law firms. Her clients are as diverse as the matters with which they have instructed her. Sally is as at home dealing with a multi-million pounds re-financing project as she is dealing with the lease of a shop. Her commercial property experience includes landlord and tenant matters whether for investors or owner/occupiers, development land transfers and options, due diligence for industrial sites involved in corporate sales and purchases, freehold and leasehold transfers for buyers and sellers. Sally is also experienced in advising on ways to mitigate risk in relation to potential environmental liability. This is obviously something that she has dealt with for sellers and buyers and their funders on brownfield site acquisitions, disposals and developments, but she has also had to advise on methods to apportion responsibility for compliance with environmental permits. Given that the permitting regime is wide, the matters have included a multi-million pound project agreement for the installation and use of a waste to energy production plant for the public sector to permits for waste and surface water discharges for a wide variety of clients, large and small. Sally qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and is a member of UKELA. Sally's clients tell her she is responsive, commercial and takes the time to understand their business needs. Consequently, this enables her to negotiate effectively on their behalf. Sally's highest compliment she has been paid is that she doesn’t make a crisis even out of a crisis! Sally likes helping people achieve their aims and supporting them through challenges. Having a job where she can exercise discretion and creative thinking to support her client’s goals is hugely satisfying. Outside of work, Sally plays the flute in a folk band and enjoys yoga, baking and reading. Sally is a Beanstalk volunteer and loves outdoor challenges. She has taken part in the 3 peaks challenge, takes part in the Cancer Research 10k each year and often signs up for the 10K Adnams charity run too.
We realise that when you call us it may well be for specific help at a difficult or stressful time. When you appoint Ashtons Legal for your personal legal needs, you can be sure that we will approach every issue with the utmost care and sensitivity. We will always try to understand what is important to you and offer advice, which will solve all the issues surrounding your needs. Our team includes lawyers who are members of the Law Society Children Panel, the Family Law Panel, and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. We also have trained mediators and collaborative family lawyers.
