Ansons > Lichfield, England > Firm Profile

Ansons
5-7 BREADMARKET STREET
LICHFIELD
STAFFORDSHIRE
WS13 6LQ
England

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 2

Headed by Simon James , the experienced team at Ansons attracts a steady flow of instructions from across the country. It frequently advises agricultural landowners on development work, as well as on all aspects of agricultural land acquisitions and disposals, rural subsidies and other matters including conservation projects, tenancies, business structures, tax planning and trusts. Neil Faunch also has a wealth of experience in all aspects of agricultural sales and purchases.

Practice head(s):

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The company has a good range of specialists but still maintains the approachability of a local firm. Clear, concise advice provided in terms that are easily understood and in a timely fashion’.

‘Simon James is an excellent solicitor in a field that inevitably throws up complex matters and his experience is invaluable‘.

The agricultural team is part of a small mixed practice so clients can get advice on many areas of the law under one roof, co-ordinated by the lead partner. They provide value for money and no-nonsense advice‘.

‘Simon James has provided rounded and robust advice throughout the forty plus years that I have engaged with him. He continues to take a practical view to find solutions and brings a sense of humour to business, which has been essential over the past couple of years. Always quick out of the traps, his pace efficient and effective‘.

‘The team comprised experienced and long standing professionals acting in this rural area. The lawyers have a wealth of experience and local knowledge. They are local and ‘hands on’ firm. The members of the team we deal with are experienced and long standing professionals acting in this rural area‘.

Key clients

The National Forest Company

Work highlights

    Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: elsewhere in the West Midlands Tier 3

    Working across several sites, Ansons‘ ‘responsive’ and ‘extremely knowledgable’ team routinely handles multi-million pound transactions for a broad roster of clients. The practice is jointly chaired by Sutton Coldfield-based Hilary D’Cruz and Cannock-based Neil Jones, who advise on the full gamut of corporate and commercial matters, leading multi-million pound transactions for clients in a diverse range of sectors. Also in Cannock, newly-promoted director Jamie Gill is most frequently engaged by the firm’s healthcare and logistics sector clients, and is additionally noted for his niche expertise in money laundering matters. Paul Bennett, who joined the practice as a consultant from George Green LLP in January 2022, is renowned for his considerable experience handling big-ticket corporate deals, with recent highlights including high-value sales in the telecom and pharmaceutical arenas. Sutton Coldfield-based senior associate Emma Rowley is recommended for her capabilities in pharmaceutical, dental, and care home sector work.

    Practice head(s):

    Neil Jones; Hilary D’Cruz

    Other key lawyers:

    Testimonials

    ‘Ansons are a solutions based law firm who look at a client assignment and seek to add value to the clients requirements; looking at successful outcomes rather than just commoditised services.’

    ‘Neil Jones drives client success telling them what they need to know and not just what they expect to hear and Jamie Gill goes the extra mile for clients.’

    ‘Always responsive and have the ability to gear up from a resource and capacity point of view when needed.’

    ‘ We have worked with Hilary D’Cruz for many years. She is proactive, technically strong and extremely commercial. Always puts her clients first and has, in many cases, secured trusted adviser status.’

    ‘The addition of Paul Bennett to the firm is a real win. Paul is highly regarded and excels in his field. He has deep knowledge of the law and, having worked with him on numerous occasions, he offers a wealth of sensible advice in all manner of commercial and corporate situations.’

    ‘Neil Jones is extremely able and has consistently demonstrated a well balanced approach with clients, blending technical ability with clients’ commercial requirements and needs in an exemplary way.’

    ‘In comparison to other specialist lawyers, they provide us with regular updates and are always willing to help when either we have a question or a problem arises, which they proceed to resolve immediately.’

    ‘The whole team are refreshingly responsive, punctual, extremely knowledgeable with respect to the pharmacy industry. In fact their depth of knowledge of the industry is astounding; a knowledge which you would only expect a pharmacy owner to be aware of!’

    Key clients

    Néos International Limited

    Busch UK Limited

    Pharmaelite Limited (and group)

    Work highlights

    • Advised Néos International Limited in relation to its acquisition of the business and assets of Superform UK, a division of Luxfer Gas Cylinders.
    • Advised Busch UK Limited (wholly owned subsidiary of Busch SE) in relation to its acquisition of Vacuum Furnace Engineering Limited.
    • Advised the sellers in respect of the entire issued share capital of Pure Washrooms Limited to Elis UK Limited

    Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: elsewhere in the West Midlands Tier 3

    The team at Ansons has particular expertise in handling disputes relating to shareholders and partnerships, breach of duties, property, insolvency and construction. Martin de Ridder  has headed up the department for 12 years, specialising in shareholder and insolvency matters.

    Practice head(s):

    Martin de Ridder

    Testimonials

    ‘Always available, great advice, own the issue to achieve the required outcome.’

    ‘Proactive, flexible approach to achieve the objective.’

    ‘Martin de Ridder has great tact in conveying not just the book of law but also always takes a practical business approach so that the problem is dealt with economically.’

    ‘Sense of humour and a sense of perspective.’

    ‘Martin de Ridder is fabulous at explaining complicated company law issues to clients.’

    Key clients

    Moore Insolvency

    Seconique Limited

    St Philips Care Limited

    Walter Tippers (building suppliers)

    Walton Homes Limited

    Wirquin Limited

    Wright’s Pies

    Work highlights

    • Advised Seconique Ltd, on copyright claims against various parties seeking to infringe their intellectual property rights.
    • Advised Gainlive Ltd on matters arising following a local sports facility entering receivership.

    Real estate > Commercial property: elsewhere in the West Midlands Tier 3

    The ‘extremely knowledgable’ team at Ansons handles a sweep of commercial real estate projects for clients operating across the region, including high-value residential developments, agricultural land transactions, and secured lending matters. Practice head Richard Saum works with various corporate occupiers on landlord and tenant transactions, as well as various land acquisitions and disposals. Legal director Neil Faunch possesses key expertise in HS2 and CPO matters, working with a varied roster of regional property investment companies, high net-worth families, and local authorities. Senior associate Jon Rowley, who works between Sutton Coldfield and Cannock, is widely praised for his expertise in residential development matters. All named lawyers are based in Lichfield unless stated otherwise.

    Practice head(s):

    Richard Saum

    Other key lawyers:

    Neil Faunch; Jonathan Rowley

    Testimonials

    ‘The team at Ansons have a strong cross-specialism cooperation within the firm, so coordinated and consistent advice and support is provided at all levels.’

    ‘Ansons are extremely knowledgeable and have expertise in all areas, but what sets them apart is their willingness to engage with clients.’

    ‘Jon Rowley is a stand-out individual and the company are extremely fortunate to have such an individual in their mist, he is certainly one to watch for the future. He is professional, yet personable and offers council and advice effectively and efficiently, drawing on his team as required. He has taken the time to gain great knowledge of our industry which makes legal processes easier and effective.’

    ‘Jon Rowley provides us with an exceptional service: professional, well-informed and very fair.’

    ‘Jon Rowley is a stand-out individual and the company are extremely fortunate to have such an individual in their midst.’

    ‘The entire team is friendly and professional.’

    ‘Excellent service provided on time and on budget.’

    Key clients

    Sandyford Properties Limited

    IP Developments Limited

    Portal Construction NW Limited / Andrews Property

    Boningale Homes Limited

    Work highlights

    • Assisting Boningale Homes Limitedwith the set-up and sale of a three phased development comprising 120+ residential plots with a gross development value of circa £30m.

    Employment Tier 6

    Ansons advises its commercial clients on a wide spectrum of issues from disciplinary and grievance issues to redundancy and restructuring advice and TUPE matters. It is also skilled at advising on the termination of employment relationships and on a broad array of contentious matters. Jason Alcock and Martin De Ridder are the names to note.

    Testimonials

    ‘Jason Alcock is a very good litigator and he ensures his clients are fully aware of the legal protocols whilst making them feel comfortable. He is a great sounding board for individuals or businesses who have legal compliance questions and queries’.

    ‘Jason Allcock is a very professional and efficient solicitor providing accurate legal advice with a good commercial understanding of a situation. He is always available to help and even taken calls whilst on holiday !His support team is equally as good’.

    Our point of contact Jason Alcock made a very good impression when we first went to Ansons for advice. It was clear that he was not looking to just earn fees for his firm as his advice could have taken us down a path that did this but he was realistic about the likely outcomes and suggested we use the money we would pay out on fees in a more positive way such as winning new business’.

    ‘The lawyers are highly experienced, professional and a true pleasure to work with. Jason Alcock is one of a kind, highly experienced and capable with years of experience. He listens to you implicitly and really takes the time to understand you and your situation. He provides exceptional advice in a manner you fully understand and need. He follows up with you and makes you feel so heard and in safe hands. His knowledge and communication are unbelievably amazing’.

    ‘Despite Covid restrictions, communication remained a high priority with on line meetings and email communication very prominent. In all instances, communication was excellent with all relevant parties. The team at Ansons worked very hard to ensure timely advice and all party communication whilst keeping costs to a reasonable level. Very flexible‘.

    ‘Flexibility and communication skills were excellent. Jason Alcock was extremely supportive and knowledgeable’.

    The team at Anson’s is always extremely helpful when we request any of their services. What we enjoy the most is that it always feels like a collaborative approach whenever Ansons is handling our cases.  Jason always exceeds our expectations from the initial enquiry we make and his collaborative approach allows us to navigate our business affairs with confidence we have a supportive partner on our side. This extends to the rest of the team at Anson’s and we hope the great business service and support continues’.

    The team offers straight talking, practical advice that is understandable at all levels.They always make time to speak to the client and offer them personal service, which they can put to great use. I work closely with Jason Alcock and I always know exactly where I stand in the process and how best to resolve the employment issue’.

    Key clients

    Seconique Limited

    Walton Homes Limited

    Work highlights