The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Dorset and South Wiltshire, Wilsons is a second tier firm,

Wilsons delivers ‘London service levels at reasonable prices’, and frequently advises in connection with the charities, rural landowning and private wealth activities of the firm, such as on private loans, partnership and shareholder disputes and the reorganisation of family companies. Stephen Whitmore is ‘first rate’, and Andrew Roberts is ‘brilliant on complex corporate transactions’.

Within Commercial litigation: Dorset and South Wiltshire, Wilsons is a first tier firm,

Wilsons’ ‘expert team of extremely tough litigators’ is a practice that ‘rivals London firms’ and includes the ‘utterly frank as well as very sympathetic’ Mike Parker. The group acted for a client regarding a challenge to testamentary dispositions.

Within Employment: Dorset and South Wiltshire, Wilsons is a first tier firm,

Wilsons provides a ‘very responsive and reliable service’ to clients including Savills and West London Academy. Clients rate the ‘great understanding’ of Deborah West, the ‘outstanding’ Anthony Edwards, and team head Stephen Oxley.

Within Regional review,

Also of note are Wilsons in Salisbury, known for its strength in private client in particular; Charles Russell LLP and Rickerbys LLP in Cheltenham; and Withy King LLP and Stone King LLP in Bath.

Within Agriculture and estates, Wilsons is a second tier firm,

Burges Salmon LLP’s team acts for a number of high-profile clients including HSBC, The Crown Estate, the National Trust and many other landed estates. William Neville, and Charles Wyld lead the team, with Vivienne Williams handling contentious agricultural matters. Peter Williams departed to Wilsons.

Within Charities, Wilsons is a second tier firm,

Wilsons advised the Macfarlane Trust on restructuring the charity and its associated bodies, and advised The Edward Heath Charitable Foundation on the powers of the trustees to dispose of property. Charity legacy work is an important part of the practice. Peter Steer has an ‘excellent manner’, and quickly resolves problems.

Within Family, Wilsons is a second tier firm,

Wilsons’ team is led by Christopher Nisbet, who is ‘very commercial and provides clients with realistic, robust advice’. Katharine Shaw acts in a ‘sensible, professional manner’, and is ‘not phased by aggression from the other side’. The practice is attracting increasingly high-value instructions.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Wilsons is a first tier firm,

Wilsons provides ‘exceptional service’ and expertise in advising foreign-resident and foreign-domiciled individuals on structuring investments and bringing funds to the UK. ‘Brilliant practitioner’ Frances Mayne heads the group, and Matthew Bennett is also recommended.

Within Education, Wilsons is a third tier firm,

Wilsons’ ‘always excellent’ team represents many independent schools, and advises on school conversions. Stephen Oxley heads the group.

Within Commercial property: Dorset and South Wiltshire, Wilsons is a third tier firm,

Wilsons’ ‘great practice’ includes Alison Bailey, team head Judith Beddow and Dominic Ogden, whose ‘service is second to none’.

Within Property litigation, tier 5

Practice head Peter Bourke at Wilsons specialises in litigation including rights of way cases, boundary disputes, and landlord and tenant matters.