The Legal 500

This substantial Bournemouth broad-spectrum practice provides a range of services for businesses including commercial property, construction disputes, general company and commercial advice, employment law and computer and information technology expertise. Laceys is also very well known for private client work and in particular inheritance tax planning, wills and trust arrangements.

Laceys has one of the largest mediation practices in the area with full-time mediators having particular expertise and reputation in matrimonial dispute mediations. It has had for many years an experienced family team providing separation and pre-nuptial agreements, divorces, dealing with children matters both public and private, and collaborative law for financial and property settlements.

The firm: Laceys was founded in about 1860 and has expanded alongside the huge growth in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch conurbation. Originally a traditional private client firm, Laceys has retained its traditional private client practice but has developed a thriving business practice. It has also expanded its expertise in contested probate actions, Inheritance Act claims, disputed wills, trusts and tax cases. Its more recent areas of expansion are employment, leasehold enfranchisement, mediation and construction.

The firm’s professional staff are divided into specialist teams, who appreciate that each client’s needs are different and are flexible in their approach, providing advice that is practical, efficient and speedily delivered. The firm ensures that its staff keep fully abreast of legal developments in their field, through regular internal meetings and use of an extensive library backed by modern communications technology.

The culture of the firm is to deliver a high-grade modern service to suit the needs of its clients but without losing its traditional personal touch.

Types of work undertaken: Services for commercial clients include formation and cessation of companies and partnerships, purchase and sale of companies, commercial agreements, consumer law, construction law, employment, computer contracts and all commercial law matters.

Commercial property has been a particular area of expertise for many years, including acquisition, disposal and financing of freehold and leasehold land for commercial, industrial or agricultural use. All types of business leases and planning matters are dealt with.

Employment expertise includes drafting contracts, unfair dismissal discrimination and redundancy.

Laceys can handle all forms of commercial and employment disputes, and the firm is particularly strong in both residential and commercial landlord and tenant law and disputes. Its strength in this field was recognised by its appointment this year as national solicitors for the Association of Residential Managing Agents.

Laceys’ well-known private client department handles inheritance tax planning, wills, winding up estates, court of protection work and powers of attorney.

All types of residential property work are dealt with and the firm has particular expertise in leasehold enfranchisement.

The firm has for many years dealt with claimant personal injury and accident claims. Conditional fee agreements are undertaken.

Other offices: Parkstone, Westbourne

Number of UK partners 13
Number of other UK fee-earners 16