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Ridley & Hall Solicitors Appoint New Managing Partner

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

Ridley & Hall Solicitors Huddersfield Adam Fletcher, formerly head of strategy & business development, has been appointed managing partner at Ridley & Hall. He will be continuing with his client facing position as a residential property lawyer whilst fulfilling the managing partner role. Adam replaces Sarah Young who held the position for 6½ years and is to stay with the firm, but is now concentrating her efforts heading up the expanding contentious probate department. Sarah commented, “Ridley & Hall has grown significantly over the last few years – and the firm has won many awards as well as some landmark legal victories for our clients. I am confident that Adam has the enthusiasm and skills to map a successful future for the firm so that we can continue to deliver an outstanding service to our clients.”

Adam has previously been a partner at Hartley & Worstenholme, based in Pontefract and Castleford. He has project managed the launch of two major services whilst at Ridley & Hall; Elderflower and Grandparents Legal Centre. Elderflower (www.elderfloweradvice.co.uk), which launched in June 2011, is a collaborative service which provides specialist legal, financial and bereavement advice to those at or approaching retirement age. It brings together solicitors, financial advisors and bereavement counsellors to offer a wide-range of services. In October 2011 the firm launched the Grandparents Legal Centre (www.grandparentslegalcentre.co.uk). The Centre provides specialist legal advice to grandparents who need to be represented in Court Proceedings about their grandchildren or who want to challenge a local authority for support. He was instrumental in Ridley & Hall becoming one of the first firms in the country to gain accreditation in the Law Society’s conveyancing scheme (CQS) which meets the highest possible standards for the residential conveyancing process. He also headed up the firm’s successful bid in gaining Legal 500 status for the Family and Private Client departments in 2011.

Picture left to right – Michael George congratulates incoming Managing Partner Adam Fletcher, along with Sarah Young and Nigel Priestley

Adam commented “I am proud to take on the role of leading this firm, which has already accomplished so much and I look forward to building upon and developing the quality of service our clients have come to expect. I’m fortunate that I have the opportunity to be working with a great team who have a passion for the work they do.  There are difficult times ahead for high street law firms, with huge legal aid cutbacks and the introduction of ‘Tesco Law’ – but I’m looking forward to the challenge and I think that Huddersfield has a vibrant business environment. I have very much enjoyed meeting new clients in the Huddersfield area whilst continuing to support my long-standing clients across Yorkshire and in London.”

For further information about Ridley & Hall Solicitors Huddersfield please vist www.ridleyandhall.co.uk

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New partner at Ridley and Hall Solicitors Huddersfield

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Ridley & Hall Solicitors HuddersfieldHuddersfield Solicitors, Ridley & Hall, have appointed solicitor, Adam Fletcher, as a Partner. Adam was previously a partner at Harley & Worstenholme in Pontefract.

Senior partner, Nigel Priestley said, “I am delighted to welcome Adam on board.  He will be heading up our Business Development activities, following his successful project management of our new venture, elderflower. This brings together a network of legal and financial specialists to advise older clients on issues that affect them”.

Mr Priestley continued, “At Ridley and Hall we’ve recently acquired 3 new partners; Michael George, Kevin Ludgate and Adam Fletcher. I’m confident that by growing, we are in a stronger position to meet the changing needs of our clients both regionally and nationally.”

With over 10 years’ experience in residential property,  in addition to his business development role, Adam will continue to undertake property work for his large client following, who appreciate his proactive approach and excellent client service. He has been instrumental in gaining the firm the newly launched Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme, which is a mark of excellence in the home buying process.

Adam Fletcher Ridley & Hall Solicitors Huddersfield

Adam commented,  “ I’ve joined at an exciting time for the firm, with the launch of elderflower which I think meets a real need for those approaching retirement especially.  There are difficult times ahead for high street law firms, with huge legal aid cutbacks and the introduction of ‘Tesco Law’ – but I’m looking forward to the challenge and I think that Huddersfield has a vibrant business environment.”

For further information please call Ridley and Hall on 01484 538421 or visit the Ridley and Hall solicitors website or the Elderflower website

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Motorcycling lawyer motors into growing firm

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Ridley & Hall Solicitors HuddersfieldLocal Solicitor Kevin Ludgate, a former British motorcycling champion, has joined Ridley & Hall.

Commenting Mr Ludgate said “I have always practiced as a solicitor in Huddersfield, working for other firms before forming Ludgates in 2000. This later became Ludgate Morrell and has been a firm favourite of local residents for their house moves for over a decade.

For more than 20 years I have specialised in providing plain speaking face to face legal advice in conveyancing and wills & probate.

I am delighted to be joining Ridley & Hall as a partner. They have a long established reputation in conveyancing and they really understand the needs of local people. Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions a family can make and I want to make sure that whether the family is buying or selling they are getting the best advice.

I am very pleased that I will continue to be assisted by Liz Wallis, a Licensed Conveyancer.  Together we have acted in an impressive 5,000 plus house moves during the last decade alone.  “

As to his past life in motorcycling, he said “Now that I am married with two children and approaching half a century, my passion for motorcycles is restricted to fair weather days when the temperature is above 20 degrees!”

Solicitor Kevin Ludgate former British Motorcycling Champion joins Ridley & Hall Solicitors Huddersfield

Sarah Young, Managing Partner said “I am delighted to welcome Kevin as a partner.  He has an excellent reputation in Huddersfield, gaining all of his work by recommendation.  I believe that by strengthening our property team we can offer an even better all round service to our clients.  Although we act for clients all around the country our heart will always be in Huddersfield.

We may be the firm in Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for bikers -Kevin is joining another motorcycling solicitor at Ridley & Hall. Michael George, whose firm merged with Ridley & Hall last year, has his own “big bike” and is a real enthusiast!”

At the same time, Ridley and Hall have promoted solicitor Julie Devenport who specialises in commercial property law, to Associate Solicitor in recognition of her experience and ability. She said “It’s been tough for business owners in recent years – I aim to offer practical, personal advice to my clients to help them weather the problems they face.”

Ridley & Hall has become a local firm with a national presence having succeeded in winning a number of ground breaking cases nationally in recent years in community care, judicial review and kinship care law.  The firm has won Yorkshire Lawyer specialist law firm of the year awards in 2006 and 2008 as well as many other awards and commendations.

For further information, please visit www.ridleyandhall.co.uk

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Ramsdens launch series of free management seminars

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

Ramsdens launch series of free seminars for local businesses. Free parking, free breakfast and free networking!

A new years resolution that costs you nothing and is very good for your business health.

Seminars start at 9am and run until 10.30am, followed by networking!

First seminar is on 25th January at the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce offices at Lockwood, Huddersfield.

For further information call Sinead Sopala on 01484 558 087 or email sinead.sopala@ramsdens.co.uk or visit www.ramsdens.co.uk

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Ramsdens Solicitors announce merger with Whitfield Hallam Goodall

Monday, November 1st, 2010

Sinead Sopala, Marketing Manager at Ramsdens Solicitors announces the merger with Dewsbury based Whitfield Hallam Goodall Solicitors.

Further details can be viewed on the Ramsdens Solicitors website

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Huddersfield Law Society Uganda Twinning Committee – Highly Commended at the Law Society Excellence Awards

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Last night the Huddersfield Law Society Uganda Twinning programme was recognised at the Law Society Excellence Awards presented by BBC broadcaster Mishal Husain. The programme was highly commended in the category of “Excellence In Community Investment”. This award highlighted best practice and innovation in community investment including fundraising and charitable giving, pro bono and non-legal volunteering. The judges were looking for innovative and sustainable solutions to an identified need which produced significant impacts for both the community and the organisation, in programmes over and above core business activity.

Huddersfield Law Society Uganda Twinning project- Highly Commended at the Law Society Excellence Awards

Anne Pendlebury from Eaton Smith along with Sarah Young and Nigel Priestley received the award on behalf of the twinning committee and Nigel used his acceptance speech as Solicitor of the Year to raise the profile and praise the success of Huddersfield Law Society’s twinning project with Uganda.

Judges commented “Huddersfield Law Society’s Twinning Programme with Uganda is exemplary in demonstrating the power of pro bono work to unite and develop the legal community locally and internationally. The longevity of the partnership is testament to its success and the creation of the Legal Resource Centre in Kampala is a highly valuable legacy.” For more information abou the Law Society Excellence Awards visit www.lawsociety.org.uk.

For more information about the Huddersfield & Uganda Law Society Twinning link, visit http://www.huddersfielduganda.wordpress.com

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Nigel Priestley wins Solicitor of the Year Award

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Nigel Priestley, senior Partner of Ridley & Hall Solicitors achieved national recognition as Solicitor of the Year in Private Practice  at the Law Society Excellence Awards 2010.

Nigel Priestley, Solicitor of the Year, Law Society Excellence Awards 2010

The Law Society Gazette reported:

“Many outstanding solicitors were honoured at last night’s Law Society Excellence Awards, attended by almost 600 guests and presented by BBC broadcaster Mishal Husain. The private practice Solicitor of the Year award went to Nigel Priestley, child care solicitor and senior partner at Ridley & Hall in Huddersfield, who used his acceptance speech to speak out against legal aid cuts and praise the success of Huddersfield Law Society’s twinning project with Uganda.”
(See www.lawgazette.co.uk )

And the Law Society:

“The judges thought Nigel Priestley is exactly the type of solicitor who the profession should be commending – he is one who demonstrates through his work a passion for correcting the injustices of society and he has recently won two landmark cases which have national implications. He is also responsible for setting up the twinning link when he was president of Huddersfield Law Society with the Uganda Law society. He is an exemplar to all in the legal sector.” (See http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/)

For further information, visit www.ridleyandhall.co.uk

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Intestacy rules; out of date?

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

There’s some interesting new research by the National  Centre for Social Research confirming that nearly two thirds of the public do not have a will. In its survey of 1,556 people, only 37% had a will. The Intestacy Rules currently entitle a surviving spouse to inherit most (often all) of the estate if there’s no will. 80% of those surveyed thought that was right. The thought provoking issue  is that those surveyed thought that the same rule should apply to cohabiting couples; more than half of respondents thought a surviving partner should receive at least 50% of the estate.  The Inheritance Act 1925 currently does enable a surviving cohabitee to apply to Court for financial support but that can be stressful and expensive.  It seems that public opinion is now tending towards treating cohabitees in the same way as spouses. It’s an issue that would benefit from public debate. In the meantime, Ridley and Hall’s contentious probate team deals with the disputes that arise when someone dies ; we can help when it’s not possible for families to resolve these issues themselves.

Huddersfield Solicitor receives recognition on a national stage

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Huddersfield Solicitor Nigel Priestley shortlisted for Law Society Excellence Award 2010 Nigel Priestley, senior partner at Ridley and Hall Solicitors in Huddersfield, who has been honoured in the past for his work with kinship carers, has been shortlisted for the Law Society excellence award, Solicitor of the Year.

He has become one of the country’s leading experts in ensuring local authorities live up to their financial responsibilities to family carers, making judicial review challenges against several.

Mr Priestley said: “I was thrilled to get on the shortlist. It truly demonstrates the passion and dedication of the whole firm. We are very proud to be flying the flag for Yorkshire on a national stage.”

The nomination followed a number of important court decisions which have had a national impact.

  • He brought a successful challenge to Kirklees policy of paying carers with Special Guardianship Orders less than the basic fostering allowance.
  • He was the solicitor for a Kent grandmother in a landmark challenge to Kent CC policy of payments to kinship carers.
  • He represented a British aunt living in Florida in an application for Adoption which the barrister for the Local Authority described as “ground breaking.”
  • He was the Solicitor for a Christian Gateshead foster carer who was deregistered after a child in her care became a Christian. She is now about to have a child placed with her after the local authority’s decision was ruled illegal.

Ridley & Hall Solicitors have also been instrumental in helping to forge links with the Crossroads project in Meltham providing advice on welfare benefits, particularly for the elderly.

The winner will be announced in London on 21st October.

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Lawyers support Jane Tomlinson Appeal in Leeds 10k corporate challenge

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
Ridley & Hall Solicitors Huddersfield

Tel:01484 538421

The Jane Tomlinson Appeal was set up by a very determined Yorkshire woman to help children’s and cancer charities across Yorkshire, the UK and the globe.

Before her death in 2007 Jane Tomlinson CBE raised £1.85m through a series of incredible physical challenges. Ridley and Hall entered a team in the Leeds 10k and joined the Corporate Challenge to raise funds for the Appeal. For some of us the training and then the run was quite a physical challenge!

Congratulations to all of our Leeds 10K finishers – and thanks are due to  the staff at Ridley and Hall who baked cakes sold and bought dresses and sponsored the runners. With their help, it made a fantastic day to remember for all of us.

Ridley & Hall Solicitors run Leeds 10k in support of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal

British running legend Paula Radcliffe MBE started this year’s run, finishing the last 100m with three-year-old daughter Isla. Even James Cook who lead our team home couldn’t keep up with her – and the rest of us hadn’t a hope!

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