Butcher & Barlow LLP

Butcher & Barlow provides a broad range of personal and commercial legal services to its clients. With eleven offices across the North West the firm has doubled in size in the last ten years now boasting 29 partners, over 46 additional fee-earners and total staffing figures exceed 160.

Approachable, open and client-focused, we pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with our clients. Aiming to be seen as an extension of our clients’ businesses, or a life-long friend, our team of experts are here whenever our clients need us and at whatever stage of life they are at.

The firm has its roots on the high street but has always had a strong commercial client base with a dedicated commercial and agricultural office on Gadbrook Park, Northwich. Having key commercial teams under one roof, including corporate, property, agriculture and dispute resolution, means that the Gadbrook Park office has the breadth and depth of experience, and is perfectly placed, to navigate and advise on complex and high value transactions at rates lower than city centre practices due to lower overheads.

The firm’s commercial function is supported by a network of specialists across the branch offices, all of whom work collaboratively to inspire confidence in our clients. The firm has the knowledge, the staffing and resources to deliver legal services which match those of city practices whilst maintaining the personable and approachable attitude the firm is known for.   The firm’s commercial clients include regional construction companies, commercial landlords, national brewers, manufacturing companies and builders’ merchants.

Whilst the firm is based within the North West, the reputation it has established has meant that work has been undertaken for individuals based elsewhere in the UK, utilising technology to ensure that service standards remain at the high level the firm is renowned for.

Types of work undertaken
Corporate and commercial: headed by Justin Kelly, the department’s expertise includes mergers and acquisitions, asset finance and secured lending, shareholder agreements and review of commercial documents. The department has a particular expertise in advising charities such as The Hulme Trust Estates and Booth Charities on management and administration, and property and investments. Specialist areas of expertise include advising on share sales, EMI Share Option Schemes, Family Investment Companies and Employee Ownership Trust.  Particular experience has been built up in respect of the sale and purchases of companies in the care home sector as well as those involving the brewery industry and is able to provide advice on licensing matters. The team is able to advise businesses on employment issues.

Commercial property: the team is led by Rachel Martin and Zoë Paton-Crockett. The department is noted for its expertise in land acquisition, planning and development in the commercial and residential sectors, public house sales and purchases, commercial re-financing and commercial property and self-invested personal pensions.

Agriculture: the agriculture and rural affairs team is based at the dedicated Gadbrook Park office and is led by Mike Bracegirdle. Working with partners Graham Gigg, a fellow of the Agricultural Law Association (and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and honorary legal officer of both the Agricultural Chaplaincy in Cheshire and the Cheshire Agricultural Society), John Hyatt, Rebecca Jepson and James Hodgson, the team can advise individuals and business on a range of matters such as land development, agricultural tenancies, succession issues and business structure. The department acts for a number of landed estates in relation to agricultural holdings and tenancies and farm business tenancies.

Private client: Tim Bailey is department head of the private client team. The team provides a full range of private client services, including preparation of wills and trusts, succession planning, administration of estates and trusts, Court of Protection applications, and powers of attorney. Partners of the firm also act as trustees and are involved in the management of a number of trust funds totalling several million pounds which have been operating for many years. The department holds niche expertise in agricultural work and is able to offer a bespoke service in relation to estate planning for farmers. The team undertakes work on behalf of business owners and high net worth clients, frequently working in combination with the corporate and commercial department to offer clients wide ranging and well-rounded advice.

Dispute resolution: headed by Alex Sandland (commercial) and Gregory Porter (personal/civil), the team advises both individuals and businesses on land and property disputes, corporate and partnership disputes, adjudication, construction matters and contentious probate issues. Members of the team also cover all areas of personal injury claims and professional negligence actions and has a property dispute team which is regionally renowned. Alex Sandland is also a qualified commercial mediator, and is able to mediate all manner of civil disputes.

Family: the firm has an experienced family law team headed by Kevan Hankinson, and is made up of Solicitors who are members and accredited specialists of recognised family law associations including Resolution, the Law Society’s Children Panel and the Advanced Family Panel. The firm has an accredited mediator in Caroline Cockill-Guy. The firm boasts a highly regarded team specialising in high value and complex divorce and financial matters. The team is well equipped to deal with all children and financial issues arising from a relationship, including pre- and post-nuptial settlements, businesses and inheritance disputes. The firm has legal aid contracts to carry out family legal aid work at six offices and holds the specialist quality mark.

Residential property: as an accredited member of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme the firm provides high quality residential property services to a wide range of clients.

The firm also has five notaries public who are impartial legal experts with a wealth of varied experience within this distinct facet of the legal profession.  They are able to certify and authenticate documents for use throughout the world.