Ashtons Legal is 'a firm with a broad range of legal skills that enable it to support business across multiple sectors', and clients praise the fact that the key partners 'understand their business and where they can add value'. Practice head Geoff Hazlewood in Ipswich, who leads the team’s corporate advice to care home owners, sets the example. Newly promoted partner Craig Fiddaman, also based in Ipswich, specialises in share and asset acquisitions and disposals, and takes over the work of retiree Paul Whittingham in advising veterinary practices. The firm also calls upon niche expertise in commercial agency law, franchising, technology and banking.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Ashtons Legal is a firm with a broad range of legals skills that enable it to support business across multiple sectors. ’

  • ‘Most important to me is the relationships I have developed with senior partners at Ashtons Legal. These people understand my business and where they can add value.’

Key clients

  • Stow Healthcare Group
  • Cosworth Group Client focus: Cosworth – Ashtons Legal Solicitors
  • Medical Management Systems
  • TaxAssist Group
  • Signs Express
  • Titan Motorsport & Automotive Engineering
  • Camgrain
  • xDNA Group Limited
  • FO Ventures Limited (Flip Out)
  • Quadrant Management
  • Euston Ventures Limited
  • easyGym
  • Witnesham Ventures Limited
  • ServiceTick
  • Ubisend
  • Tech Educators
  • Gipping Construction
  • Abbey International Finance Limited
  • Smartspace Software PLC
  • CNet Training
  • Thomas Ridley and Son Limited

Work highlights

  • Acted for Shareholders of Academia Group Limited in the sale to Uptime 17 Corporate, a portfolio company of Dominus Capital LP.
  • Acted in the share sale deal of Thomas Ridley Foodservice to Caterfood Holdings Limited, subsidiary of Bidcorp UK, whose parent company is based in South Africa.
  • Advised US-based private equity investor Torquay Acquisition Co Ltd on the acquisition of the target group (with operations in the UK and Australia), working with Australian counsel. Advised on the roll-up of re-investment of one of the sellers into the acquisition vehicle.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Geoff Hazlewood

Other key lawyers

Craig Fiddaman