Hedges Law

Formed in 1789, Hedges has been providing legal services for over four consecutive centuries. The last member of the founding family, Sir John Hedges, died in 1983, but his legacy lives on in the firm, with his portrait hanging in both the Oxford and Wallingford offices. The firm restructured in 2012 as a limited company and is led by Managing Director Nicola Poole.

Nicola is committed to maintaining the very best of Hedges’ established values of personal service and long-term client loyalty, while continuing to move the practice forward with a fresh, ambitious and modern outlook. This is a law firm where its values are central to the way people work, collaborate and look after clients. Making a difference to clients and to each other lies at the very heart of Hedges’ culture and is deeply embedded in its daily life.

A significant new chapter in Hedges’ long history began in 2026 with its acquisition by Oak Legal Group, a new legal group backed by private investment office CKM3. Hedges was the group’s first acquisition, followed shortly afterwards by Hertfordshire-based Perrin Myddelton. The group’s model is designed to bring together high-quality independent law firms while preserving their individual brands, leadership and local identity, supported by collective investment, governance and operational expertise.

The addition of Perrin Myddelton has further broadened the specialist expertise available across the group, particularly in social housing, commercial property, property development and company commercial work, alongside residential conveyancing and dispute resolution. Perrin Myddelton continues to operate under its established name in Harpenden and is a trading name of Hedges Law. Together, Hedges and Perrin Myddelton form the first two firms within Oak Legal Group, whose stated ambition is to build a multi-brand legal services group which preserves firms’ identity and heritage while providing the capital, infrastructure and support for sustainable long-term growth.

The philanthropic nature of the Hedges family has also been retained within the business, with giving back remaining one of its core values. Hedges’ staff are regularly involved in raising funds for local and national charities, reflecting a wider culture focused not only on excellent client service, but also on making a positive contribution to the communities in which the firm operates.

The firm: Hedges Law has positioned itself as a legal adviser of choice to high-net-worth individuals and their families. The firm’s reputation and visibility have continued to grow, supported by its presence in Summertown, North Oxford. This enables the business to continue serving its long-established clients in and around Wallingford while being close to many of the firm’s Oxford-based clients, with easy access to Oxford city centre and strong connections nationally and internationally.

The firm, its client base and its reputation continue to grow. Hedges offers clients expertise across family, property, private client and dispute resolution, together with a dedicated team specialising in contentious probate. Its approach combines high-quality technical legal advice with the personal, proactive service on which the firm has built its reputation over more than two centuries.

Types of work undertaken: Hedges advises on all areas of residential property law and has established a strong reputation for providing a superior service that is both personal and proactive. The team combines thorough legal expertise with a broader understanding of clients’ circumstances and can work alongside other areas of the firm to provide complementary advice, including inheritance and estate planning.

Hedges’ family team comprises specialist lawyers advising clients across the full spectrum of family and divorce law. Led by Helen Hanson, the team has a proven track record of achieving excellent outcomes for clients, as well as a deep understanding of the emotional impact that divorce and separation can have on individuals and their families. Ian Davies is a highly experienced lawyer and mediator, and the team is regularly sought out for its mediation expertise.

Members of the family team adopt a practical and conciliatory approach to resolving matters on their clients’ behalf wherever possible. They act for a range of high-net-worth clients across complex family and divorce matters, including the growing area of pre- and post-nuptial agreements. The firm's Managing Director, Nicola Poole, has also established a reputation as a tenacious but highly practical and approachable lawyer.

The private client team represents one of the strongest and most established practice areas in Hedges’ long history. Led by highly experienced lawyers Lucy Savage and Peter Tyrell, the team’s attention to detail, technical expertise and personable approach win high praise and loyalty from clients and professional colleagues alike. The team advises on all aspects of wills, probate, tax, trusts, estate and inheritance planning, and powers of attorney, helping individuals and families protect and pass on their wealth with confidence.

Claire Speed heads the firm’s dispute resolution team, which handles a wide range of litigation matters, including property, business, consumer and employment disputes. The team has developed a particularly strong reputation for its work in property disputes, combining robust technical expertise with a pragmatic focus on securing the best possible outcome for its clients.

The firm also has a dedicated contentious probate practice led by Lucy Savage. The team advises clients on disputes concerning wills, estates, trusts and inheritance, supporting individuals and families through what are often highly challenging and emotionally charged circumstances. Its approach combines specialist legal expertise with the sensitivity, pragmatism and clear strategic advice required to navigate complex disputes.

Other offices: Wallingford, Chipping Norton.