SA Law LLP

Key Legal Developments and Emerging Trends: Supporting Clients Through Change   Throughout the past year, SA Law has provided ongoing guidance and practical support to clients in response to significant developments in employment law, family law and corporate transactions. Through thought leadership, client events and practical implementation advice, the firm has helped clients understand, prepare for and respond to change.   Employment Law Reform and Workplace Readiness One of the most significant areas of legal development has been the progression of the Employment Rights Bill and the Government's consultations on its implementation. The proposed reforms cover a broad range of workplace issues, including enhanced protections for pregnant employees and new mothers, bereavement leave rights, trade union access to workplaces and new obligations on employers to inform workers of their right to join a trade union. These changes have the potential to reshape employment practices and workplace policies across many sectors. SA Law has helped employers understand these developments by covering the key proposals and practical implications through newsletters, articles and at its HR Forums throughout the year. By providing clear guidance on what the reforms could mean in practice, the Employment team has supported businesses in reviewing policies, assessing risks and preparing for future compliance requirements. Related insight: Employment Rights Bill | SA Law Alongside legislative reform, the courts have also delivered important guidance for employers. The Court of Appeal's decision in Geeks Ltd v Watts highlighted the risks associated with poorly drafted training fee clawback clauses and confirmed that repayment provisions may be unenforceable where they operate as a restraint on employee mobility rather than a genuine recovery of training costs. In response, SA Law has advised employers on reviewing employment contracts and training repayment arrangements to ensure they remain proportionate, evidence-based and legally enforceable. This has included assisting businesses in assessing whether repayment obligations accurately reflect genuine training expenditure, recommending appropriate exemptions and ensuring contractual protections align with the latest legal principles. Related insight: Training Fee Clawback Clauses After Geeks Ltd v Watts: What Employers Need to Know   Family Law Reform and Cohabitation Rights Family law has also been the subject of significant discussion following the Government's consultation on cohabitation reform. With increasing numbers of couples choosing to live together without marrying, the proposals seek to address the gap between public perception and the reality of current legal rights. The consultation explored whether qualifying cohabitants should receive greater financial protection when relationships end or where a partner dies without leaving a will, while maintaining a distinction between cohabitation and marriage. If implemented, the proposals could represent one of the most significant developments in this area of family law for many years. SA Law has supported clients by raising awareness of the current legal position and advising on practical safeguards that individuals can implement now, including cohabitation agreements, declarations of trust and estate planning arrangements. Drawing on expertise across Family, Private Client and Property teams, the firm has helped clients navigate the increasingly complex overlap between family, property and inheritance issues. Related insight: Cohabitation Reform: What Could It Mean for You?   Emerging Trends in Corporate Transactions Beyond legislative and judicial developments, the corporate market has witnessed growing interest in innovative investment and acquisition structures. One notable trend has been the increasing use of search funds within the UK and European markets. Search funds provide entrepreneurial managers with the opportunity to acquire and operate established businesses with investor backing, creating an alternative route to business ownership and succession planning. While the model has a long-established presence in North America, it is becoming increasingly relevant within the UK mid-market M&A landscape as entrepreneurs, investors and business owners seek new approaches to growth and succession. Recognising growing interest in this area, SA Law published guidance explaining the structure, operation and legal considerations associated with search fund transactions. The article was designed to help entrepreneurs, investors and business owners understand an investment model that is becoming increasingly relevant within the UK mid-market M&A landscape. Related insight: Demystifying Search Funds   Supporting Clients Through Change These developments demonstrate the breadth of legal and commercial change affecting employers, families, investors and business owners. SA Law continues to provide practical, commercially focused advice that helps clients stay ahead of an evolving legal landscape, tackle any challenges and come out stronger. Through thought leadership, client events, specialist workshops and ongoing advisory work, the firm remains committed to translating complex legal developments into clear guidance and effective implementation, enabling clients to make informed decisions and respond confidently to change.

This week, SA Law celebrates its 20-year anniversary - a proud milestone in the firm’s history. To celebrate, the firm will be holding a series of events with the team, as well as with clients and the local community. SA Law began in St Albans in 2005, growing both organically and through rewarding mergers with complementary businesses Pickworths in 2012 and Leigh Davis in 2018. Since then, it has become one of the most successful and well-known full-service law firms in the South East of England, advising organisations across the board, and HNW individuals and families across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London, as well as nationally and internationally. Our firm’s departments have climbed up to the top tiers/bands by independent legal directories Chambers and Partners, and The Legal 500, and we attract and nurture top legal talent - in last year’s rankings, the firm celebrated 18 lawyers being recognised as leaders in their field in each directory respectively. SA Law also continues to be accredited by The Law Society’s Lexcel scheme for the high quality of client care and practice management. The firm has also been nominated for numerous legal awards over the years for our workplace wellbeing and the services we provide to clients. In 2024, Tracey-Lacey Smith was appointed to Joint Managing Partner, working alongside Founding Partner Steve Ryan to steer a new strategic direction for the firm. Since then, Tracy and Steve have implemented ambitious growth plans to widen the support and services the firm provides to private clients and prestigious local businesses, as well as leading national, and international companies. Joint Managing Partner, Steve Ryan commented: “When I co-founded SA Law in 2005, our goal was to create a ‘one firm’ holistic approach providing a comprehensive service to our clients to meet their legal challenges, whether personal or commercial, or both. We wanted to be more than just a law firm: modern in our approach, grounded in strong social and commercial values, active in our communities, and committed to creating opportunities for our people, while delivering exceptional results for our clients. I’m proud to say through our team, clients and community, SA Law is the very definition of this today. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to make SA Law such an excellent and leading law firm. “Looking ahead, I am looking forward to collaborating further with my joint managing partner Tracy Lacey-Smith on our ambitious growth plans. She has been a tour de force within the firm. I am excited to see what else SA Law can achieve in our next chapter.” Tracy Lacey-Smith, Joint Managing Partner added: “It has been incredible to see the firm grow into the powerhouse it is today, after joining as a Partner in 2007. “Our team has worked so hard to provide outstanding levels of service, and we have had the opportunity to work with some amazing individuals and businesses, who have contributed immensely to the firm’s success. I want to extend my thanks to everyone who has been a part of our journey. “Working with Steve, we are keen to continue building on this success over the next twenty years.”

SA Law has become the first Hertfordshire-based law firm to achieve B Corp certification. Headquartered in St Albans, the firm has been recognised for its high standards of ethical and sustainable practices. There are over 2500 B Corps in the UK, but only a small number of law firms have achieved B Corp certification. Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Rather than focusing solely on profit, B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, clients, suppliers, community, and the environment. B Lab, the global non-profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, assesses companies’ eligibility and pushes organisations to drive more inclusive, equitable and regenerative practices. This is central to B Corp’s mission, which is ‘to transform the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet.’ SA Law saw the B Corp certification as an essential next step for the firm. Since SA Law was founded in 2005 – it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year – the firm has consistently upheld strong ethical standards. This includes, but is not limited to, working for clients in industries that prioritise ethical standards in their commercial operations; investing in and supporting the wellbeing of its staff, including championing flexible working; and having a solid commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility in the communities they serve. As part of its journey to B Corp, SA Law has also introduced other initiatives to enhance its environmental and social performance, such as taking steps to reduce its emissions. To certify as a B Corp, SA Law has undergone B Lab’s rigorous verification process, under their B Impact Assessment, which measured the firm’s social and environmental performance across five Impact Areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. In order to achieve certification, companies must demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above and passing B Lab’s risk review. Steve Ryan, co-founder and Joint Managing Partner, commented: “When we set out on our B Corp journey, we were conscious that, whilst we had made great strides to becoming a socially conscious business, there was so much more we could do to be, in B Corp’s words, a ‘force for good’. “Very few law firms in the UK have B Corp certification, but at SA Law, we felt that a focus on the continual improvement of ethical and sustainable practices in business was non-negotiable. “Lawyers play a huge role in developing standards – not only are they at the forefront of legislative change, but through their legal advice, they heavily contribute to their clients’ commercial practices. “As a firm, we pride ourselves on our multi-disciplinary, holistic approach to clients’ legal issues. We see the consideration of ethical and sustainable standards as part of this.” Tracy Lacey-Smith, Joint Managing Partner, added: “We are proud that SA Law is the first Hertfordshire-based law firm to become a B Corp and has joined its growing community of organisations looking to do business more ethically. “Becoming a certified B Corp gives us more opportunities to engage with others who share our ambition to create positive change. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, this really is the beginning of a new era for the firm. “Being conscious about the environmental impact of your business is a necessity. Whilst SA Law’s staff were already working and advising with sustainability in mind, we felt we could do more to improve on these initiatives. “We are looking forward to building on the sustainable business initiatives which has earned us this recognition, and we are excited to collaborate with the B Corp community.” Kelly Pike, Head of Human Resources, also said: “The passion to become a B Corp has been felt across the firm, with our team taking great strides to explore new ways to improve our impact. We are thankful for everyone’s creativity, commitment and dedication to achieving certification. “B Lab’s Impact Assessment process challenged and stimulated our thinking. It was hard work, but so worth it. We have already seen the positive effects it has had on staff morale and client engagement. We would encourage our peers across the legal industry to consider embarking on the certification process. The legal sector has an important role to play in creating a more equitable and environmentally conscious world.” To find out more about the ethos and work behind B Corp and the B Lab certification process, please read here.

Kiran Beeharry, Partner at St Albans and London-based law firm SA Law, has been appointed as joint head of Family Law. Kiran will jointly manage the team alongside Partner Marilyn Bell, who has led the team for the last 20 years. This is a natural next step for Kiran, who has become a strong leader within the department and collaborates with Marilyn on the team’s strategic focus. Kiran joined SA Law – which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year - in 2012 and was promoted to Partner in 2019. He has become an integral part of the Family Law team, recommended by legal directory The Legal 500 for his ‘extremely good eye for detail’ and ranked as a top lawyer by researchers at Chambers and Partners. Kiran specialises in cases that involve high-value and complex asset-tracing, acting for High Net Worths, senior professionals, entrepreneurs, professional athletes and sportspeople, celebrities and their spouses. He also advises on legal challenges around cohabitation and family law matters affecting children and has extensive experience in cases with an international dimension. In addition, Kiran has niche expertise in the highly complex field of Islamic marriages/divorce. SA Law’s Family Law department advises on the full spectrum of family law issues from high-value, high-conflict disputes with international and corporate dimensions, to urgent and sensitive cases involving safeguarding, domestic abuse, abduction, addiction, or parental alienation. The department is integrated with the firm’s broader multi-disciplinary practice: The team works closely with colleagues across legal disciplines to provide comprehensive, joined-up advice to family cases which touch on business, tax, employment and immigration law issues. The team was ranked in the top tiers/bands in the latest Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners rankings. Kiran will be working with Marilyn to further strengthen and grow the collaborative approach for the benefit of their clients across London and the South-East. Kiran Beeharry, Partner and Joint Head of Family Law, said: “I am proud to be co-leading SA Law’s Family Law team with Marilyn. She is well-known in the field of family law, respected highly by peers, colleagues and clients for the extraordinary scope and depth of her practice, and I’ve learnt so much from her. “I am excited to co-lead our hard-working team with her, collaborate on the growth plans for our department, and provide further support to the wider firm.” Marilyn Bell, Partner and Joint Head of Family Law, added: “I have worked with Kiran for 13 years, and he is a phenomenally talented lawyer. “His precision, tactical vision, tenacity and client commitment, as well as his empathetic handling of extremely sensitive issues, routinely result in significant gains for our clients. He is a highly valued member of the team and the wider firm. “He is also an excellent leader, and I am looking forward to working closely with him to strengthen the holistic service we provide to our clients.” Steve Ryan, Joint Managing Partner at SA Law, commented: “Kiran will be a welcome addition to the senior management team. Kiran has successfully spearheaded various initiatives at SA Law and has always impressed me with his big-picture thinking and his astute, collaborative approach to legal issues.

SA Law is pleased to announce the appointment of Catherine Banks as Head of Residential Conveyancing. Catherine joined the St Albans and London-based law firm following the retirement of longstanding team member Steve Kenneford, who stepped down on 19 June after two decades at the firm. Steve was a key figure in SA Law’s residential conveyancing offering from its inception in June 2005. Throughout his career at SA Law, he played a central role in shaping a thriving residential property team known for its local insight, personal service, and deep commitment to clients. Catherine brings extensive experience in residential property matters, particularly equity release arrangements. She has worked collaboratively as a conveyancing team leader and advised clients on all aspects of residential transactions, including sales, purchases, and equity release arrangements for homeowners looking to release capital. Catherine joins from Tees Law, where she played a key role in managing the residential property team. Commenting on the appointment, Steve Ryan, Joint Managing Partner at SA Law, said: “Steve Kenneford's contribution to SA Law over the past 20 years has been immense. We’re incredibly grateful for his commitment, knowledge, and attention to client needs, and wish him the very best in retirement. Catherine’s specialist expertise—particularly in equity release—adds further strength to our team, and we’re excited to see the department continue to grow under her leadership.” Catherine Banks added: “It’s a real privilege to be joining SA Law during its 20th anniversary year. The firm has a well-deserved reputation for property law excellence, and I’m looking forward to building on the fantastic foundations Steve Kenneford has laid. My focus will be on continuing to deliver a high-quality, client-focused service while developing our offering in the equity release space and beyond.”