Tell us about your business:
Brearleys Solicitors is a specialist firm providing expertise on a wide variety of legal matters. Established in 1833, we have a long-standing reputation for prioritising client care, with our friendly team of fee earners and support staff working together to deliver high quality standards and professional advice at a competitive price. We operate nationally but are conveniently located close to the main motorway networks with offices in Leeds centre, Morley, Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton and Brighouse.
Our team
Probate, estate planning and conveyancing
James Shingleton, Solicitor
Qualified: 2010
Professional specialisms: Wills, probate, estate planning and administration, Power of Attorney, Court of Protection, trust creation and administration, and inheritance tax
Accreditations and awards: Full Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), Member of the Law Society Wills & Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS)
What services do you offer to support customers who are dealing with legal issues, or are facing bereavement?
I offer an all-round service to help families dealing with bereavement. I deal with applications for Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration and also assist in administering estates, from sending initial letters to banks and financial institutions to distributing the estate. I often assist in the most complex of estates, including those with Inheritance Tax liabilities.
What are the benefits to customers of Adroit for using your business?
By using Brearleys, the client can be reassured that an estate will be dealt with efficiently, professionally and with the utmost sensitivity. We receive excellent feedback for the service we provide. We are competitive on fees and offer all Adroit clients a fixed-fee service, with no hidden costs.
What three words would describe your customer service and approach?
Polite, understanding and courteous.
Civil, commercial and land litigation
Hayley Walker, Solicitor
Qualified: 2016
Professional specialisms: Civil, commercial and land litigation
What services do you offer to support customers who are dealing with legal issues, or are facing bereavement?
I deal with issues relating to consumer rights, debt claims, contract disputes, tenancy disputes and possession proceedings. Additionally, I specialise in employment settlement agreements, boundary and land disputes and adverse possession claims over land.
Describe a situation that was particularly challenging for a client, and how you helped them through this difficulty?
My most challenging case was for an elderly client who had been restricted access to their field by a neighbour who owned the only right of way. The client has intended to develop the land, however, without access, they had in become landlocked. The opponent was a particularly difficult litigant in person who caused the matter to run to a tribunal. The matter was finally resolved at the Land Tribunal after a three-year battle, with our client awarded the free right of way at all times, with or without a vehicle. The opponent was also instructed to pay any legal costs incurred. A positive result for both myself and my client.
What are the benefits to customers of Adroit for using your business?
Customers who work with us will be provided with an understanding and friendly approach throughout. Instructing a solicitor can be quite daunting, so we always aim to make clients feel comfortable with us and offer the reassurance that they can trust us to deal with the matter professionally, with their best interests at heart.
What three words would describe your customer service and approach?
High class, professional and friendly.
Family law
Alex Kennedy, Solicitor & Partner
Qualified: 2003
Accreditations and awards: Resolution Specialist in Domestic Abuse and Private Children Law
Jayne Shorrock, Solicitor
Qualified: 2008
Accreditations and awards: Full Accredited Member of the Advanced Family Law Panel
Anna Barnard, Solicitor
Qualified: 2018
Professional specialisms: Family law
What services do you offer to support customers who are dealing with legal issues, or are facing bereavement?
The breakdown of a relationship or marriage is an extremely stressful and upsetting time. We offer clear, easy-to-understand advice in relation to all aspects of family law in a constructive and sensitive manner. We understand the difficulties clients are facing and will guide them through the process.
We offer advice and assistance in relation to the arrangements for children following the breakdown of a relationship and aim to deal with all matters in a non-confrontational way in order to try and avoid lengthy and expensive court proceedings. In the event that court proceedings are necessary, we are a highly experienced team who guide client’s through the process.
We can also advise and assist with the division of assets at the time of divorce or separation, often resolving matters seamlessly and without unnecessary animosity or court proceedings. We look at all available options for our clients and offer full representation for court proceedings, if needed.
In addition to the above, we assist victims of domestic abuse by way of injunctive proceedings and protective orders. Our solicitors will also provide advice on pre-nuptial agreements, cohabitations agreements, separation agreements.
Describe a situation that was particularly challenging for a client, and how you helped them through this difficulty?
Often the most challenging part of a relationship breakdown is the arrangements for the children. We have dealt with numerous complex cases involving allegations of abuse, parental alienation and implacable hostility.
Divorce, and the financial issues associated, can be straight forward when there is a simple split and a clean break order is issued. However, we’ve dealt with high net worth individuals where spousal maintenance claims have been lodged, where one party has a large pension that needs to be shared and more. With such complex cases, and anything similar, we are able to work sensitively, providing professional advice to ensure all parties receive a fair outcome.
What are the benefits to customers of Adroit for using your business?
We take a no-nonsense approach to meeting clients’ expectations. At an early stage in your case, we’ll tell you how strong or weak your position is, the options you have open to you and the likelihood of success. We deal with all matters sensitively and will always attempt to keep costs to a minimum. We offer fixed fees for some types of work and are able to offer Legal Aid to eligible clients.
Conveyancing
Lorraine Hoyle, Conveyancing Executive
38 years of conveyancing experience
Professional specialisms: All types of residential conveyancing
What services do you offer to support customers who are dealing with legal issues, or are facing bereavement?
I’ve almost 40 years’ experience in conveyancing, mainly focusing on elements such as preparing contracts on sales and replying to enquiries on purchases, checking relevant searches, progressing mortgage offers and reporting to clients on the title prior to completion and when we receive title deeds for a property after completion, sending the same to the client. I also work in probate sales, for those who have suffered a bereavement.
Describe a situation that was particularly challenging for a client, and how you helped them through this difficulty?
Conveyancing is a challenging area, and during the COVID-19 pandemic it was made even more so because of the market slow down. Clients became particularly concerned about if their sales and purchases would go ahead due to the strict lockdown rules, while potential buyers were prevented from visiting properties they had previously expressed interest in. Timescales were put under great pressure for various reasons, but we worked to ensure that any customer receiving conveyancing support from us during that time was given as much reassurance, care and personal service as possible.
What are the benefits to customers of Adroit for using your business?
We deliver a very personal service because we’re a small, connected team. That means a client gets continuity and consistency in their communication. We’re told we’re very approachable compared to firms our clients have used previously, and that’s because we make the effort to be!
What three words would describe your customer service and approach?
Professional, diligent and methodical.
