Wollens

Wollens are one of the largest independant law firms in the region, employing over 140 people with exceptional specialists across private client matters as well as company and commercial law.

Wollens has offices located in South Devon, Exeter and North Devon.

The firm: Being in business for over 150 years can bring very different perspectives for any company but for Wollens , it brings a combination of years of knowledge and experience, alongside energy and progression.

Identifying and taking advantage of growth opportunities, Wollens has substantially developed over the last few years into a strong regional practice with a mix of geographic expansion, through mergers and acquisitions plus organic growth of departments and development of new services.

The firm is probably unique in that its growth has been significant in the region . There are five key departments across all offices  property, family, private client (wills, probate & mental capacity), corporate & commercial and dispute resolution.

Experiencing the success of awards is something the firm has enjoyed with recent recognition at the Devon & Somerset Law Society Excellence awards where it was awarded Law Firm of the Year (£3m+ turnover).

Types of work undertaken
Private property: the work undertaken is very wide-ranging and includes house sale and purchase; business sale and purchase; commercial or residential leases; acquisition of development sites and their subsequent plot sales; first-time buyers; mortgages and re-mortgages; auction sales; and commercial and residential landlord and tenant.

Wills, probate and private client: the expertise of Wollens  private client lawyers has long been recognised by clients and other professionals. Most of its lawyers are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), and also list the Charity Law Association, Solicitors for the Elderly, the Law Society's Private Client Section and the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Practitioners among their professional memberships.

Family law: the team comprises experienced lawyers in all aspects of family work, who have helped many clients through the difficult and emotional process of relationship breakdown with a sensible, sensitive and pragmatic approach. The finance and children teams have specialist negotiation, mediation and collaborative law skills, as well as experienced court room lawyers.

Disputes and litigation: Wollens offers dispute resolution in a wide range of commercial fields, including contractual disputes concerning land, accident and personal injury claims, and landlord and tenant matters. It also covers professional negligence; consumer problems; building disputes; housing; planning; copyright and patents; licensing; and contentious wills and trusts.

Childcare: Wollens team helps clients understand their rights and ensures they are properly represented in court as well as in negotiations with social services where there are concerns about a child. Its specialist lawyers cover all aspects of care work including serious sexual abuse, non-accidental injury and learning disabilities.

Clinical negligence: the firms specialist lawyers have significant amount of combined experience.  The team offers expert advice and responds sensitively to circumstances. It deals with all types of clinical negligence claims, including in particular healthcare-associated infections, including MRSA, MSSA and necrotising fasciitis; orthopaedic injury; incorrect diagnosis, delayed diagnosis and failure to refer; surgical errors; fatal claims; surgical amputation; dental errors; cosmetic surgery; and still birth.

Licensing and gaming: the firm has significant experience within the tourism and leisure industry, and its licensing practice extends throughout the South West. The licensing team has been recognised nationally for its expertise and quality of service, undertaking premises licence applications; personal licence applications; variation applications; review hearings; appeals; and gaming permit applications.

Leisure and tourism: tourism is the South Wests main industry and Wollens has specialist expertise in advising those involved in all forms of leisure and tourism. Its experience is such that it routinely advises hoteliers, restaurateurs, retailers, publicans, nightclubs and tourist attractions on all aspects of their business, including property; licensing; employment; commercial and partnership.