Wansbroughs > Devizes, England > Firm Profile
Wansbroughs Offices
NORTHGATE HOUSE
DEVIZES
SN10 1JX
England
Wansbroughs > The Legal 500 Rankings
Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 2
Wansbroughs‘ specialities include tax planning, trust administration and advice on inheritance tax saving reliefs. Clients include high-net worth individuals, business owners and vulnerable individuals. The practice is led by Alan Ciechan. He has over 40 years’ experience in private client work, with focus in tax efficient structures, formation of trusts and advice on administration of estates involving complex assets.Practice head(s):
Alan Ciechan
Other key lawyers:
Anna Wensley Stock; Kathryn Smith Cowap; Thomas Britten
Testimonials
‘An excellent team of people, all very knowledgeable and professional, and the service I obtain is always prompt and reliable.’
‘You never feel hurried or that to are ‘on the clock’. They all take time to listen and understand your needs.’
‘Top people, good advice, timely service.’
‘Wansbroughs is a long established firm of lawyers able to recruit exceptional personnel and provide a complete range of legal services.’
‘Alan Ciechan has exceptional knowledge and experience.’
‘The private client team at Wansbroughs are approachable, cohesive and knowledgeable. They respond promptly, provide sufficient cover in colleagues’ absence and communicate clearly and efficiently with their clients and advisers.’
‘Wansbroughs have been highly professional, and very responsive. They never leave a message or question unanswered.’
‘Wansbroughs were efficient and professional from start to finish. They met our every need and made a difficult situation much easier to deal with. Their billing was transparent and fair and their customer service was impeccable.’
Work highlights
Real estate > Commercial property: Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire Tier 3
Wansbroughs is known for its strengths in commercial property matters arising in the healthcare, renewables and development sectors. Led by Neil Patterson, who sports a focus on complex land development projects, the practice counts corporations, developers and landed estates amongst its clients. The ‘always reliable’ Laura Ingram Hill specialises in landlord and tenant work, particularly in regard to the healthcare sector.Practice head(s):
Neil Patterson
Other key lawyers:
Laura Ingram Hill; Jonathan Bruton; Christopher Ware
Testimonials
‘Attention to detail and view things commercially. Dealt with some very complex transactions with tight deadlines efficiently and quickly but without compromising on detail.’
‘Laura Ingram Hill – Always reliable, eye for detail, easy to get on with and clients like skill set.’
‘Top people. Good to deal with. Timely advice.’
‘Good advice, reasonable cost, quick.’
Work highlights
Private client > Family Tier 4
The practice at Wansbroughs is led by both Naomi Owen and Jeremy Tier. Naomi oversees the care and children team, handling matters before the Court of Appeal. Jeremy oversees the divorce and finance team.Practice head(s):
Naomi Owen; Jeremy Tier
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Roberts; Anne Goodenough
Testimonials
‘Naomi Owen is a dedicated partner who works tirelessly for her clients and the firm.’
‘This firm has a strong reputation all across the South West. The team deals with all aspects of family law, which can include particularly complex cases involving international elements.’
‘Naomi Owen has vast experience and excellent judgement in family law. She is hugely respected by peers for her knowledge, experience and approachable manner. She is extremely reliable and robust in her case management.
‘Good knowledge of all aspects of law and able to give good advice put in understandable layman’s terms.’
‘Very hard working – always contactable – go the extra mile and produce very well written and carefully thought out statements.’
‘Naomi Owen is always willing to go above and beyond to support. Always taking the time to listen and talk things through until all questions have been answered, never making you feel that you are taking up too much of her time.’
Work highlights
Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire
Based in Devizes, Wansbroughs brought on William Ingram-Hill in September 2021 to serve as practice head. The corporate team is now expanding its focus beyond its traditional expertise in landed estates to handle matters in the energy, media and tech sectors.
Wansbroughs > Firm Profile
Wansbroughs, a leading law firm in central Wiltshire, is a modern commercial practice with a national footprint. Wansbroughs has developed a strong client base and established a reputation for conducting work more commonly associated with much larger practices. The firm was first established in 1882 and has grown rapidly over the years. It now has around 100 staff including 19 partners. The firm’s head office is in Devizes, Wiltshire with further satellite offices in London and Melksham.
The firm: offers a wide range of legal services to private clients and businesses. Wansbroughs has developed a strong client base and offers a wide range of tailored legal services. The firm has a highly collegial environment with a fresh approach to client care and service levels.
Types of work undertaken: the firm provides services to a wide range of organisations in a variety of sectors dealing with regional, national and international businesses, and private clients.
Private client: complex wills, trusts, tax and probate matters and high-end residential conveyancing are specialities of the private client teams, with recognised expertise in estate planning for large landed estates and agricultural clients, literary estates and business owners.
Corporate and commercial: this specialist team provides full support on the formation and reorganisation of all business structures (in particular Partnerships and SMEs), acquisitions and sales, and the running of a business, including advice and representation in connection with all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment matters and civil disputes.
Dispute resolution: the team is well-known for their strength and expertise. Our lawyers act for a wide range of individuals and businesses on often complex disputes. Where possible the team promotes negotiation or mediation to resolve issues early on and to minimise the costs to the client.
Commercial property: the team has in-depth expertise in a wide range of areas and can assist with all commercial property requirements including sales, purchases, landlord and tenant matters, agricultural property matters and development work.
Residential property: the team deals with a very broad range of matters, from leasehold flats to landed estates; from city-based landlord and tenant work to rural property issues.
Family: the firm has an experienced team of specialist family lawyers including a collaborative law practitioner, children panel members and agricultural family finance specialists. The team are well equipped to deal with all private family law matters such as financial remedy work, complex children matters and cohabitation disputes. Our lawyers regularly act for high net worth clients and provide expert advice relating to complex asset structures. The team also boast a highly respected public law team who represent parents, relatives and children’s guardians in cases involving complex issues, non-accidental injuries, international and jurisdiction elements and child exploitation.
Recruitment: Up to three high-calibre graduates gain training contracts each year. Full details are available on the website.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Alan Ciechan | ||
| Managing Partner | Oliver Price | ||
| Private Client | Alan Ciechan | ||
| Corporate & Commercial | William Ingram Hill | ||
| Dispute Resolution | Oliver Price | ||
| Commercial Property | Neil Patterson | ||
| Residential Property | Matthew Life | ||
| Family | Naomi Owen |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sarah Alexander | Sarah is a Partner specialising in all types of residential property work. | View Profile |
 | Emily Anderson | Emily is a Partner with a great deal of experience in administering… | View Profile |
 | Tom Britten | Tom is a Managing Associate in the Wills, Tax, Trusts and Probate… | View Profile |
 | Jonathan Bruton | Jonathan is a Partner with a broad experience of all aspects of… | View Profile |
 | Alan Ciechan | Alan is Chairman and Partner with over 40 years’ experience advising on… | View Profile |
 | William Ingram Hill | William is a Partner and is the head of our Corporate and… | View Profile |
 | Andrew Jenkins | Andrew is a Partner with the Private Client team advising on wills… | View Profile |
 | Emma Jewell | Emma is a Managing Associate and advises on a wide range of… | View Profile |
 | Sarah Lawton | Sarah is an Associate Solicitor and advises clients on a broad range… | View Profile |
 | Matthew Life | Matt is a Partner specialising in all types of residential property work. | View Profile |
 | Naomi Owen | Naomi is a Partner leading the Family Team and specialising in public… | View Profile |
 | Neil Patterson | Neil is a Partner specialising in many areas of expertise including commercial… | View Profile |
 | Tim Prees | Tim is a Partner specialising in personal dispute resolution and employment law. | View Profile |
 | Oliver Price | Oliver is Managing Partner specialising in real estate litigation with work in… | View Profile |
 | Matthew Roberts | Matthew is an Associate Solicitor in our Family team and is well… | View Profile |
 | Kathryn Smith Cowap | Kathryn is a Partner advising clients in relation to the preparation of… | View Profile |
 | Josh Taylor | Josh is a Partner in our Commercial team and advises both businesses… | View Profile |
 | Jeremy Tier | Jeremy is Head of Divorce and Financial Matters and Partner in the… | View Profile |
 | Jennifer Vooght | Jennifer is a Partner advising clients on a broad range of matters… | View Profile |
 | Christopher Ware | Christopher is a Partner in the Commercial Property Team and deals with… | View Profile |
 | Anna Wensley Stock | Anna is a Partner with many years’ experience in dealing with estate… | View Profile |
 | Philip Wigg | Philip is a Partner in the Corporate and Commercial Team, specialising in… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK Partners : 18 Number of UK Managing Associates : 3 Number of UK Associate Solicitors : 4 Number of other UK Solicitors : 11 Number of other UK Fee-Earners : 5Languages
EnglishClient Testimonials
“I have always found their level of service to be of the highest standard.”
“They are without doubt the most efficient firm we have dealt with.”
“First class service from start to finish. Not only incredibly supportive throughout the whole court case but whenever I’ve needed them for advice they have been there for me. Such a personal centred approach with outstanding professionalism. A++ service can’t fault a single thing. Thank you again.”
“Excellent service whenever we’ve required commercial legal advice and assistance. We’ve used Wansbroughs for over 6 years now and cannot recommend them highly enough.”
‘We have worked with Wansbroughs for many years as a firm and over that time the team have been consistently friendly and very good to work with as a professional partner. Their willingness makes them stand out. They have a wealth of knowledge and all departments seem to be the best in their field, their advice is second to none.’
‘A good local company with an excellent reputation. They have a wide range of experts in all legal areas to cater for my client’s needs. It is a ‘welcoming environment’ for clients who are usually very nervous with all things legal.’