Debenhams Ottaway

Debenhams Ottaway is a law firm based in the heart of St Albans in Hertfordshire, helping clients navigate legal challenges and make the most of new opportunities at home and in business. Our vision is to change the way people think about lawyers.

Our lawyers are seen as trusted advisers to our clients in Hertfordshire, London and across the UK. We have combined our experience with creativity to grow a strong and loyal client base who rely on Debenhams Ottaway to look after them, their family and their business. Clients include wealthy individuals and families, professionals, celebrities, medium-sized businesses, owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs in a range of sectors including healthcare, real estate and charities.

Clients are regularly asked for feedback on their experience of working with the team at Debenhams Ottaway. We use the Net Promoter Score as a benchmark and we consistently have one of the highest scores in the legal sector.

Key clients include Brook Street (UK) Limited, McNicholas Construction Services Limited, Dermal Laboratories Limited, St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance, Stratton Land, The Church Lands Trust, Veruth Holdings, Seva Care Home Group and Luxottica North Europe Limited.

Managing Partner: Susan Glenholme
Number of partners: 18
Fee earners: 52
Offices: St Albans and Radlett, Hertfordshire

Main areas of work:

Corporate and commercial: Acquisitions and disposals, banking, finance and loan agreements, business structuring, commercial contracts.

Dispute resolution: Boardroom disputes, company dissolutions, contractual disputes, banking litigation, professional negligence, alternative dispute resolution, real estate disputes, commercial creditor services.

Employment law: Contract preparation and policy guidance, disciplinaries and grievances, workplace discrimination, unfair and wrongful dismissal, employment tribunal and court representation, redundancy and restructuring programmes, restrictive covenants and data thefts, board level advice, settlement agreements.

Family law and divorce: Divorce and separation, civil partnership dissolution, financial disputes, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, living together and cohabitation agreements, child arrangements including international relocation, collaborative law, surrogacy.

Insolvency and restructuring: Office holder claims, defending director actions, distressed creditor actions, formal insolvency procedures, debt advisory and restructuring.

Real estate: Landlord and tenant work, property development, sales and purchases of owner occupied and investment property, secured lending, residential conveyancing.

Wills, trusts and probate: Protecting and managing wealth through inheritance tax, estate planning and estate administration., setting up and administering trusts, lasting powers of attorney, Court of Protection and professional deputyship services, Wills, trusts and inheritance disputes.