The Legal 500

Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV) has over 300 employees and 51 partners operating from offices in Bristol and London. VWV is a full-service law firm providing sector-focused services nationally in the education and charities, healthcare, private wealth, public and family-owned business sectors. The firm also offers a dedicated service to individuals.

The firm: The firm believes that the quality of service provided to clients is fundamental to the success and growth of the business. VWV was the first major regional law firm to acquire the Investor in People accreditation in June 1996. The firm has adopted the Law Society’s practice management standards as statements of good practice and has maintained the Lexcel accreditation since January 2004.

As part of its commitment to staff and clients, the firm has three core values which span all work groups and business plans. These core values are teamwork and collaboration; putting the client at the centre of the firm; and a commercial approach. VWV is also a founder member of the Association of European Lawyers and has strong connections with law firms in southern China.

Types of work undertaken: Corporate clients include international groups and owner-managed businesses, such as Aviza Technology Limited, Essilor International, dmrKynetec Group Limited, The International Centre for Families in Business and Mole Valley Farmers Ltd. The client base includes well-known organisations, medium and large enterprises and public sector agencies, including Airbus UK Ltd, EDF, C & J Clark International Ltd, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Crest Nicholson plc and Quintain Estates. The firm is also on the legal panel for five major banks.

The firm offers a range of services for individuals, including wills, probate and matrimonial matters, contentious probate and trusts, and private wealth. VWV is accredited by several frameworks, including all seven OGC Buying Solutions Legal Services Panels, Crescent Purchasing Consortium, ACESeS Southern, Oxfordshire Authorities, LitCat, TSol, London Universities Purchasing Consortium, Welsh Further Education Purchasing Consortium and the Charity Commission.

The firm has national recognition for its work in the following sectors:

Education and charities: education clients include universities, FE colleges, academies and nurseries, and more than 800 independent or publicly funded schools. Charities are a growth area for the firm and clients include London Symphony Orchestra, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People, The Dunhill Medical Trust and The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau. The firm is also on the Charity Commission’s panel of approved intermediaries and interim managers.

Healthcare: the strengths of the healthcare team are in acting for operators and care providers in primary care and social care. The team acts for over 300 GP practices and a number of private providers. The team has acted on over 85 GP surgery development schemes and also acts for dentists, pharmacies and private consultants. VWV acts for care providers, including adult care homes, children’s homes, special schools and social care charities. With expertise in social enterprise and not-for-profit organisations, the team is engaged with the changes to the NHS.

Public sector: this practice ranges from major projects for central and local government to support on property matters, planning, commercial contracts and employment issues. Specialist lawyers provide expertise in public procurement, state aid, vires and standards. The practice is strengthened by its Roll A parliamentary agent. VWV acts for more than 50 local authorities and has provided legal training to local authority lawyers through the Local Government Training Partnership for over 12 years.

Family-owned businesses: the firm advises family business clients on a broad range of corporate matters, including the reorganisation of shares between family members and family trusts, shareholders’ agreements and disputes. VWV is a founder member of the Association of Family Business Advisers and is closely associated with the International Centre for Families in Business (ICFIB).

Private wealth: the firm acts for individuals and families with many different interests and requirements. The aim is to assist in protecting assets and to provide for the succession of family members. Services and advice include: matrimonial, property purchase, will and trust disputes, estate planning, trust and estate administration, family businesses and philanthropy. Many of the estate planning team are members of STEP, which means they are recognised specialists in this field. The firm also manages two distinctly branded divisions, Augustines Injury Law and Convey Direct, handling residential conveyancing.

Breakdown of work %
Commercial and projects 7
Commercial litigation 14
Corporate 9
Education and charities 15
Employment 6
Private client 19
Real estate 30

Number of UK partners 51
Number of other UK fee-earners 145