Nockolds Solicitors > Bishops Stortford, England > Firm Profile

Nockolds Solicitors Offices

Nockolds Solicitors
6 MARKET SQUARE
BISHOP'S STORTFORD
CM23 3UZ
England
Visit website 01279 755777 01279 260047

Nockolds Solicitors > The Legal 500 Rankings

Insurance > Clinical negligence: claimant Tier 1

Nockolds Solicitors frequently advises on complex medical negligence claims that stretch into millions of pounds, with particular expertise in serious brain and spinal injuries. Practice leader Jennie Jones is highly experienced and comes highly recommended by clients. Yasmin Ameer has specialised in high value medical negligence litigation for over 30 years.

Practice head(s):

Jennie Jones

Other key lawyers:

Yasmin Ameer

Testimonials

‘The team at Nockolds all are there for you when you need them most. After such life changing events, this firm have been a rock, always so empathetic and understanding. Throughout the whole process my family have been treated with honesty and respect. No matter how tough the situation, Nockolds will get you though. If the worst has happened, you need Nockolds.’

‘I could not possibly list all of the amazing humans at Nockolds whom have been there for my mum and dad. They’re all top tier.

‘I would like to again thank Yasmin Ameer, Yasmin really is so deserving of her top tier status, so calm and collected. Experienced with such the wealth of knowledge. Yet always so very approachable and empathetic. Manage to raise my spirits countless times. If a catastrophic injury affects you or your family’s life you need the best! You need Yasmin Ameer! Thank you again Yasmin.’

‘Jennie Jones has always been there if we needed her, Jennie has a way of explaining things so that us layfolk can really get our heads around the bigger picture. Honest, efficient and yet still so very human. Thanks Jennie, we look forward to all of our dealings with you.’

‘Very personal service, excellent knowledge, reliable and personable.’

Work highlights

  • Acted on a case where a baby’s skull was fractured during forceps delivery, as a result the baby suffered a brain haemorrhage which went undiagnosed for five days. Received a favourable judgement (100% on liability) and quantum is currently being resolved.
  • Acting on a case where delivering a baby caused hypoxic brain damage. As a result, the client suffers from severe cognitive and physical impairment and will not be capable of independent living.
  • Represented client on medical negligence case where surgeon left the gall bladder stones in the retention bag inside the 69-year old’s client’s abdomen. Received judgment on liability in 2021 and settled the case for £2.1 million in November 2022.

Insurance > Personal injury: claimant Tier 1

Coming highly recommended for its ‘very personal service and excellent knowledge’, Nockolds Solicitors is vastly experienced on all aspects of personal injury work and also frequently handles Court of Protection matters, acting for vulnerable clients. Seasoned practitioner Yasmin Ameer heads the department. Jennie Jones handles complex personal injury cases whilst also heading the firm’s resolution division, which delivers ADR for complaints and claims made by clients, patients and consumers in regulated sectors.

Practice head(s):

Yasmin Ameer; Jennie Jones

Testimonials

‘The team at Nockolds, from the receptionists to the partners, are all there for you when you need them most. After such life changing events, this firm have been a rock, always so empathetic and understanding. Throughout the whole process my family have been treated with honesty and respect. No matter how tough the situation, Nockolds will get you though. If the worst has happened, you need Nockolds!’

‘Very personal service, excellent knowledge, reliable and personable.’

‘I could not possibly list all of the amazing humans at Nockolds whom have been there for my mum and dad. Honestly, they’re all top tier.’

‘I would like to again thank Yasmin Ameer, Yasmin really is so deserving of her top tier status, so calm and collected.’

‘Jennie Jones has always been there if we needed her. Jennie has a way of explaining things so that us lay folk can really get our heads around the bigger picture. Honest, efficient and yet still so very human. Thanks Jennie, we look forward to all of our dealings with you.’

Employment > Employment: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 2

In Bishop’s Stortford, Nockolds Solicitors‘ ‘amazing‘ team handles the full spectrum of employment matters, including redundancies and TUPE-related issues, in addition to the employment aspects of corporate transactions. Darren Hayward leads the practice alongside Gary Smith. Hayward advises national employers on both contentious and non-contentious employment issues, particularly in relation to wrongful and unfair dismissals, and equal pay matters, while Smith has extensive experience in the enforcement of restrictive covenants and whistleblowing claims.

Practice head(s):

Darren Hayward; Gary Smith

Other key lawyers:

Joanna Sutton

Testimonials

‘Amazing team all round, knowledge is 10/10 and we are very happy with Nockolds!’

‘They empathise with our requirements and make things easy, considering any complicated litigious issues.’

Key clients

Scoffs Group Limited

BioMarsh Environmental Holdings Limited

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust

Work highlights

  • Advised Scoffs Group Ltd on its acquisition of a portfolio of Costa Coffee stores directly from Costa Ltd.
  • Advised BioMarsh Environmental Holdings Ltd on its acquisition of Wales Environmental Ltd, a waste management company.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 2

Nockolds Solicitors has recently been bolstered by the arrival of senior associate Michael Henry who joined the team from Debenhams Ottaway in January 2023. The team is headed up by Daniel Winter who is a member of the Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists. Gemma Dudmish assists clients with inheritance disputes and the removal and replacement of executors, while Andrew Jenkins is noted for his expertise of Court of Protection matters. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Hertfordshire.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Winter

Other key lawyers:

Gemma Dudmish; Andrew Jenkins

Testimonials

‘A highly skilled team of specialist lawyers who stand out due to their expert knowledge in contentions probate. They have flexibility and a modern approach to legal services.’

‘Daniel Winter and his team are very supportive, I could not recommend him highly enough.’

‘Daniel Winter is a leader in his field. With thorough knowledge of contentious probate matters, he has been outstanding in assisting us.’

 

Key clients

The Estate of Michael John De Clare Studdert

Work highlights

  • Advised the Executors of Michael John De Clare Studdert’s estate where there may be unascertained creditors with claims arising out of the deceased’s past misconduct.

Private client > Family: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 3

The team at Nockolds Solicitors approaches a broad range of issues with ‘honesty and integrity‘, including legal parenthood and child relocation matters, in addition to relocation work. Lynn Cowley heads up the Bishop’s Stortford-based practice alongside Peter Dodd. Cowley often acts in ancillary relief, cohabtation and pension matters, while Dodd has broad knowledge surrounding high-value divorces and Schedule 1 Children Act claims. Associate Adam Dunkley is ‘excellent‘ and has extensive knowledge of pension sharing orders and financial arrangement issues. Zen Thompson departed the practice in October 2022 to join Curwens LLP.

Practice head(s):

Lynn Cowley; Peter Dodd

Other key lawyers:

Francesca Davey; Adam Dunkley; Karen Pritchard

Testimonials

‘I think the honesty and integrity of the individuals are the key issue here. When you are going through emotional and traumatic personal issues it is so important that the people handling cases do not just hide behind what you want to hear.’

‘The team is approachable, pragmatic, and focused on solutions.’

‘The firm is multi-disciplinary with a well-established, excellent reputation in the local area.’

‘Adam Dunkley is an excellent solicitor who takes a proactive approach to collaboration between parties seeking to reach amicable agreements. Karen Pritchard is a dedicated solicitor to her clients, providing sensible and realistic advice.’

‘Karen Pritchard is very approachable, knowledgeable and honest. I have no issues recommending her to my family, friends, clients or anyone else, who say she is truly amazing.’

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 4

In Bishop’s Stortford, Daniel Winter leads the team at Nockolds Solicitors, leveraging his extensive expertise in agency regulation claims and franchising work. The group is particularly praised by clients for handling a variety of disputes ‘brilliantly‘, including company breaches of restrictive covenants, distribution agreements, and product liability cases. Associate Lucy Slatter is adept at handling director and shareholder disputes, and associate George Burton maintains a contentious IP-focused practice, advising on domain disputes, corporate goodwill, and brand protection issues.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Winter

Other key lawyers:

Lucy Slatter; George Burton; Alex Haddad

Testimonials

‘The team deals with a broad range of disputes and the associates manage to have specialist knowledge of several areas. So, a commercial dispute may involve a property angle and an insolvency angle and one team (and sometimes one individual) is able to handle all aspects brilliantly.’

‘Lucy Slatter stands out.’

Key clients

Lasered Components Limited

Real estate > Commercial property: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 4

Nockolds Solicitors‘ ‘impressive‘ team exhibits ‘excellent knowledge‘ of affordable housing sales, and freehold reversions. Michael Talbot co-heads the practice alongside James Griffiths; Talbot has vast knowledge of planning and infrastructure agreements, and often dispenses advice on large-scale residential developments, while Griffiths frequently represents promoters and developers in matters concerning portfolios. Associate John Stigwood is a ‘stand out‘ practitioner who often acts for both buyers and sellers when negotiating conditional contracts and promotion agreements. Director Lucy Riley is ‘particularly exceptional‘ in advising on the tax aspects enfranchisement transactions, and acts for high-net-worth individuals and landlords.

Practice head(s):

Michael Talbot; James Griffiths

Other key lawyers:

John Stigwood; Lucy Riley

Testimonials

‘Very strong and extremely competent team, we deal with Nockolds on an almost daily basis and we feel they provide a fantastic level of service to their clients. They are a personable team with excellent knowledge of the different aspects of the law.’

‘John Stigwood is a stand out within the commercial property team. His attention to detail is admirable and his level of due diligence and care in his work is impressive, John is always on hand to pick up the phone to go through matters and is very easy to communicate with. His work ethic is clearly very strong.’

‘I have always been impressed with Lucy Riley’s technical ability and skills. Her knowledge of the field of leasehold enfranchisement is particularly exceptional.’

‘Nockolds all-round knowledge and ability to put the right team in place is impressive. They have specialist knowledge in commercial landlord and tenant matters.’

‘John Stigwood is worth a special mention. He is able to grasp the important parts of any transaction and really concentrates on the detail.’

Key clients

Fairview New Homes Limited

Beverley Homes Limited

Scoffs Group Plc

Foxley Homes Limited

John Banks Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised Scoffs Group Ltd on the acquisition of 19 stores from Costa Limited as part of an existing franchise agreement between Costa and the client.
  • Acting for 24×7 Limited on its purchase of around ten acres of bare land with planning permission for the development.

Nockolds Solicitors > Firm Profile

Nockolds is an established law firm which offers reliable, quality legal advice to businesses and individuals.

The firm: With a history dating back to 1831, we have supported clients through generations, providing almost 200 years of professional, personal services to clients throughout their life and business stages.

A great deal has happened in the world since 1831, but we have always taken particular pride in the relationships we build with our clients – continuously listening, gathering feedback and evolving the business to our clients’ needs. To date, this has seen:

The launch of an office in London Liverpool Street in 2013 to further cater to City clients and those on the Hertfordshire and Essex border.

Expanding and diversifying our existing services through Nockolds Wealth, a financial planning company offering guidance to clients and maximising the efficiency of their finances; and Nockolds HR, an HR consultancy supported by our employment law solicitors to provide effective human resources solutions to small and medium-sized businesses.

Providing alternative dispute resolution services for consumers of optical care and the veterinary sector. Working for the regulatory bodies, Nockolds Resolution provides complaint mediation schemes alongside insight, feedback and training into conflict resolution.

Our clients receive a personal and tailored service, whether they are an individual, a small to medium enterprise or a large corporation. Our focus is on our clients, their business and meeting their expectations – this is what clients expect from us, and this is what we deliver.

Types of Work Undertaken
The commercial property team is first choice for a number of heavyweight regional residential developers. Due to its expertise and commitment to its deep-rooted client relationships, it has been resilient to the economic downturn in the property markets to date. Working with clients to enable them to secure ongoing financial investment, both long-standing and new clients have been able to continue to complete high-value acquisitions.

The commercial property team is regularly supported by the dispute resolution team, which supplies advice and representation in contentious property issues arising for commercial clients, as well as High Court actions in a range of commercial disputes.

The firm also offers a comprehensive non-contentious commercial service. Advice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring, contractual and intellectual property protection are key strengths.

Darren Hayward, managing partner, heads the employment team which is renowned for its commercial focus and practical down-to-earth application of the law in this fast-paced area. Acting for large PLCs, the employment team provides a bespoke service whether on a retainer as a human resources advisor, one-off health checks or full representation in tribunal proceedings. The work involves employment obligations, procedures and disputes, but now extends to advisory work to assist clients in securing business contracts and tenders themselves.

The firm also focuses on high-net-worth private client work. There is increasing cross-referral between commercial clients and their instruction of the firm in personal matters, a further illustration of their satisfaction and confidence in the firm. Nockolds’ key attraction is the high standard of client care and lawyers’ ability to build relationships with clients of the firm, both commercially and personally.

The firm is also proud of the legal and official translation services offered to its own clients and beyond. Dalila Segador, of the Spanish law team, is one of the most qualified legal and official translators in the UK, offering authorised services in Spanish and English. The Spanish law team receives instructions from European and Latin American embassies and consulates in addition to commercial clients with cross-border transactions and disputes, including enforcement.

Members of the family team have key roles in developing and establishing the collaborative and mediated approach to divorce and family breakdown. This enables Nockolds to offer clients a range of solution-based options when it comes to family breakdown, from the traditional adversarial approach to collaborative and mediated resolution, along with international expertise for clients married or with foreign interests.

The personal injury and clinical negligence team continues to serve claimants and bring claims to a successful conclusion sensitively. It has seen an ongoing increase in clinical negligence work and patient complaint and regulatory advice.

Key Awards

  • Investors in People Gold
  • Best Companies 2020
  • Sunday Times 75 Best Companies to Work for in the East of England 2019
  • SME Hertfordshire Employer of the Year (Winner) 2019
  • SME Hertfordshire Business of the Year More than 50 Employees (Runner Up) 2019
  • SME National Employer of the Year (Winner) 2019
  • SME National Overall Silver (Winner) 2019
  • Customer Service Excellence Award

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing Partner: Employment Darren Hayward dmh@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Contentious Probate Daniel Winter dwinter@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Employment Gary Smith gsmith@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Corporate and Commercial James Brunton jnb@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Commercial Property James Griffiths jgriffiths@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Jennie Jones jsj@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Family and Matrimonial Lynn Cowley lc@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Residential Property Mario Panayiotou mario@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Commercial Property Michael Talbot t@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Family and Matrimonial Peter Dodd pd@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Commercial and Property Litigation Sam Cook scook@nockolds.co.uk
Partner: Wills, Probate, Tax and Trusts Sarah Lockyer slockyer@nockolds.co.uk
Legal Director: Commercial and Property Litigation Alex Haddad ahaddad@nockolds.co.uk

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Peter King photo Mr Peter King Consultant View Profile

Staff Figures

UK Partners : 13
Other UK Fee Earners : 61
Trainee Solicitors : 7

Languages

Spanish
English