With Stones Solicitors LLP, you can be sure that the legal advice you receive is reliable, realistic, practical and, above all, tailored to your precise needs.
The Stones Team offers expert advice across a broad range of legal issues, and we have exceptional abilities in the areas listed opposite. Along with our vast experience, this expertise has ensured we remain one of the top legal firms in the South West.
No two businesses are the same, so we take time to get to know our clients to achieve the best results. Theory is fine, but one size doesn’t fit all.
It takes more than the basics to do a job properly. We ensure the legal service we provide to clients is exactly what you need.
Having a team of solicitors who truly understands the challenges you face can make all the difference. Our areas of expertise offer a service from multiple legal disciplines with an in-depth knowledge of your industry, because we know when it comes to legal advice that one size doesn’t fit all.
Travel & TourismStones' team of solicitors has significant expertise and experience providing legal advice for both the national and international travel and tourism industries.
Our team of expert travel and tourism lawyers provide practical legal advice on travel insurance, employment and buying and selling ‘facilities’ such as hotels, holiday parks and golf courses.
Our understanding of the travel and tourism industries is enhanced by our location in one of the UK’s leading tourism areas.
Stones' specialist team of Travel and Insurance solicitors provides responsive, commercially practical legal advice and solutions on issues in this complex area of law.
We act for a variety of clients, both corporate and individual, including insurers, underwriters, legal expenses insurers and claims handlers. We act as panel solicitors to several high-profile insurers, and represent both insurers defending claims and policyholders seeking compensation. We provide legal support on policy wording, subrogation and recoveries, claims handling and breach of contract matters.
Stones' team of Travel and Insurance solicitors has significant experience providing legal advice and support on employment issues in the travel and tourism industry for both local and national businesses.
We can advise on disciplinaries, grievances, absence management and holiday pay, and help explain the subtle differences between employees, the self-employed and casual workers. In particular, we can clarify how each of the staff categories you engage or sub-contract should be dealt with, together with how those relationships are documented and, potentially, develop over time.
We provide fast, no-nonsense advice based on a thorough understanding of your commercial needs. In conjunction with our commercial and commercial property colleagues, we can provide legal advice on all aspects of employment, including TUPE and the buying and selling a wide range of businesses in this sector.
Stones' team of expert travel and tourism lawyers provides legal advice and services for tourism businesses specialising in country sporting pursuits, such as horse riding, shooting and fishing throughout the South West.
These interests are shared by a number of solicitors at Stones, so we can give practical advice based on a thorough understanding of the sport. For example, we can provide help with claims arising out of horse riding accidents, advice on occupiers’ liability issues and guidance on operating fishing ponds.
Our broad range of legal knowledge allows us to advise country sports stakeholders on all aspects of providing tourism services, including practical advice on guarding against accidents, contractual agreements between suppliers and consumers for goods and services, planning-related issues, company formation and business structures.
Stones' specialist solicitors provide legal support for a variety of sporting organisations, ranging from cricket and hockey clubs to national governing bodies of sport. Our work has ranged from the acquisition of land for pitches to drafting governing documents.
We can help sporting clubs, whether charitable or not, by drawing up contracts with other bodies, or people, offering services they need, such as catering, web hosting, advertising and sponsorship. We can also provide help with HR issues and employment contracts, and, in the case of companies, directors’ service contracts.
A club or organisations’ intellectual property - their brand or trademark - may also need protection, and Stones can help with advice on the registration of trademarks, in the UK and abroad.
When relationships break down at a club, Stones' Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team can advise on property disputes, contractual disputes or claims against the club for personal injury.
Stones’ Commercial Property Team deals with land matters whether they involve a licence, lease or transfer.
Stones' team of lawyers can provide expert legal advice on the full range of issues covering caravan parks and mobile homes, including purchasing, development, planning and sales. Our location in the South West means we have developed unrivalled expertise in this area.
The Commercial Property and Company Commercial Teams of specialist solicitors at Stones have a wealth of expertise in providing legal advice for hotel and tourist businesses.
Our solicitors understand the needs of people operating and working in the tourism industry, as well as the challenges they face. Stones offers clear, practical advice, ranging from the purchase, sale or development of a business, through to day-to-day operational issues, such as licensing and employment.





HealthcareThe legal expertise and experience of Stones’ team of specialist healthcare solicitors is available to a broad spectrum of healthcare operators, including GP practices, vets, dentists, independently operated hospitals, domiciliary care, supported living and independent foster care agencies.
Stones’ specialist healthcare solicitors have a wealth of expertise and experience providing legal advice to GP practices and other healthcare professionals, in relation to structures available for their businesses.
These can include partnerships, limited liability partnerships, companies limited by shares, or by guarantee, and social enterprises. We can provide legal advice on the setup, development and dissolution of all types of joint ventures and collaborations, including contractual, partnership and corporate structures.
We can ensure that any constitutional documents reflect your needs, taking into account your third-party contracts. Whether you want to develop value and sell your enterprise, or reinvest profits, we will ensure that that the legal vehicle we recommend is suitable for you, and provides best value in terms of qualifying for any benefits and grants that may be available.
A recent announcement from the chair of Wessex Local Medical Councils (LMCs), reveals that around quarter of its practices are operating without a formal partnership agreement. Find out why a partnership agreement is required and what practices should do to mitigate the issue.
Stones’ healthcare team can prepare partnership agreements tailored to your specific business and the individuals involved. Our agreements provide clarity and reassurance to current, outgoing and incoming partners, and help avoid misunderstandings and disputes.
Our specialist healthcare solicitors can work with you and your accountants to guide you through the process of incorporating your business into a new company, or in dealing with ongoing issues surrounding changes to directors and shareholders.
Unless agreements are professionally drafted, partnerships are frequently prone to misunderstanding, misinterpretation and unintended invalidation. If there is no formal agreement, or if the terms of any written partnership agreement are not adhered to, reverting to the statutory terms of partnership law often results in expensive liabilities for the partners.
A recent announcement from the chair of Wessex Local Medical Councils (LMCs), reveals that around quarter of its practices are operating without a formal partnership agreement. Find out why a partnership agreement is required and what practices should do to mitigate the issue.
Stones' specialist healthcare solicitors have the expertise and experience needed to deal successfully with the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold healthcare premises – from clinical sites to residential homes. We can help you avoid the pitfalls and offer sensible, pragmatic legal advice tailored to your business.
Every employment law situation is unique. The expertise and experience of our lawyers in the healthcare sector allows us to be ahead of the game in terms of drafting contracts of employment and dealing with disciplinaries, grievances and the employment aspects of strategic and transactional issues.
We can quickly determine key issues and, when necessary, provide you with links to other specialist advisors who also understand your sector.
Given the rise of social media, we recommend that you have a clearly drafted social media policy. Stones can help you draw up such a policy so employees understand that inappropriate use of social media and social networking sites may result in dismissal. Your disciplinary policy should also make it clear what your business expects in relation to the use of social media.
The current ‘NHS market’ provides an opportunity for healthcare professionals to develop business ideas. Stones can provide expert legal advice on the contractual elements of documenting these newly generated income streams.
We can help GPs and other healthcare professionals with general procurement issues and advise on the negotiation of all types of contracts for the supply of goods and services by, and for, the private and the public sectors. We can also provide advice on outsourcing arrangements, such as IT and telecoms services, facilities management and back office operations, whether as a provider or recipient. Our other areas of expertise include confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, developing standard terms and conditions of service, the use of e-commerce, and protecting and exploiting intellectual property rights.
Stones can provide advice to GPs and other healthcare professionals to help them ‘performance manage’ their contracts. This service includes identifying mechanisms to improve for poor performance, and dealing with disputes.


Agriculture & EnvironmentThe legal expertise of the Stones’ agricultural sector solicitors is highly valued and widely used by farmers, land owners, tenants and mortgage lenders throughout Devon and further afield.
Our Agricultural Centre of Excellence is based at our Okehampton office in the centre of Devon’s farming community. We have developed an outstanding reputation for our ability to understand the needs and provide solutions for this specialised market.
Devon farmland is renowned for its high quality, and remains a buoyant market. We have seen an increase in overseas interest, with more investors buying agricultural land for existing portfolios and newcomers to the farming industry. All our agricultural legal practitioners have strong local connections with Devon and Cornwall, and are able to provide you with tailor-made agricultural legal advice.
We offer a ‘joined up’ service with our colleagues in employment and corporate and commercial law - and work closely with banks, accountants, specialist independent financial advisors and land agents to offer a ‘one stop shop’ to the agricultural community.
‘Lifestyle acquisitions’ are an important feature of the local rural economy. Stones’ team of specialist solicitors is highly experienced in providing legal support for these rural property transactions.
We understand the choices you need to make and our expertise is available every step of the way – whether you simply need to buy a field next to your house for a pony, or to acquire an equestrian centre.
The concept of a farm business tenancy was introduced by the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, which offers a degree of protection to tenants of agricultural land. Stones’ agricultural sector solicitors offer specialist legal advice on all aspects of renting your land to others.
Too much caution cannot be exercised, so we ensure the documents we prepare for you are bespoke. Grazing agreements, or grass keep licenses are more popular with landlord farmers who wish to retain a degree of control over their land.
Our specialist agricultural legal practitioners understand the local marketplace and offer a comprehensive legal package when it comes to buying and selling working farms or farm land.
We know it is important for you to sell or buy with the minimum of fuss, and that maximising profit is just as important in the farming sector as any other. You can rely on our expertise to help you make the right choices.
Granting third-party rights over land can be a trap for the unwary.
Our agricultural legal practitioners are highly experienced in all aspects of granting rights, including rights of way, both public and private, village greens and common land, water and draining agreements, telecommunication masts and electricity wayleaves.
Restrictive covenants are promises made under deed which restrict the use and enjoyment of land.
Restrictive covenants are important to stop adjoining owners carrying out activities which could harm the local farming community, or your land, in particular. Andrew Lugger writes extensively on this subject, and can give you legal advice on how to impose these conditions when selling parcels of land, or, clearing off the burden of this type of covenant.
Our agricultural legal team work closely with the firm’s Private Client Department and local accountants to provide the technical expertise needed to ensure you maximise agricultural property relief and make the right succession planning decisions.










Real Estate & Residential Property DevelopmentWe have specialist solicitors in planning, construction and property tax issues who can provide expert legal help on all areas of real estate and residential property development.
Our Real Estate and Residential Property Development Team of lawyers has the expertise and experience to deliver the legal advice you need to achieve your goals a cost-effective way.
The Stones’ team of residential property development solicitors has many years’ experience of working with developers to ensure a successful outcome for their projects. Our legal advice and support is available throughout the whole process and includes identifying potential problems that may impact on the future sale of new homes.
Our lawyers regularly deal with arrangements for funding the purchase of land and the development itself, these could include negotiations with the Government-backed ‘Get Britain Building’ scheme.
Sites are generally acquired through conditional contracts, options, joint ventures, building leases or licenses. Our team has considerable experience of the drafting the complex documentation involved, and will negotiate throughout to protect the developer’s interests.
Our residential property development solicitors have extensive experience providing legal advice on joint venture development contracts. These complex arrangements allow developments to proceed with both the developer and landowner benefitting from the proceeds of the sale.
Usually, the developer will not acquire the land at the outset, removing the need to raise significant finance, upfront. Sometimes, land will be transferred to a company specifically set up for the joint venture.
Joint ventures have to be negotiated extremely carefully to achieve a sensible balance between the interests of the landowner and developer. Joint ventures can run for a number of years, and our advice will ensure everyone understands the long-term implications of the agreement.
The Stones’ team of specialist property solicitors has acted for a significant number of local and regional developers, over many years, dealing specifically with the legal aspects of site set-up.
Once the site is acquired, a great deal of work is needed before individual properties can be sold. Easements around access and services, both for the site and third parties, may need to be addressed, and we have experience of handling these delicate negotiations.
We can also provide advice on the modification or release of restrictive covenants, and conduct negotiations on infrastructure arrangements for roads, drains and other services.
When everything is agreed, we can draft a standard documentation pack for individual sales, which includes general information about the site.
Our specialist property solicitors’ legal expertise in drafting and negotiating planning documents ensures a proper balance between the demands of the local authority and the requirements of the developer.
Invariably, planning consent for development now involves a Section 106 Agreement with the local authority. In recent years, these agreements have become increasingly complicated and lengthy, with the local authorities seeking to obtain maximum planning gain.
The Stones’ team of property solicitors deals with all arrangements required for the financing of sites, including the recent ‘Get Britain Building’ scheme.
We also have experience of the ‘First Buy’ and ‘New Buy’ schemes introduced by the Government to help purchasers buy new homes in circumstances where, otherwise, they would have insufficient funds.
Our team of specialist property solicitors oversees plot sales, on a daily basis. These include freehold sales of individual plots, leasehold flats, shared equity arrangements and sales of affordable homes to housing associations, normally through development agreements or building contracts.





Private ClientStones’ private client team of solicitors can provide expert advice on how best to protect your assets and wealth - for your future, and for future generations of your family.
We will ensure that, when you die, your estate will pass to your named beneficiaries in a seamless and tax-efficient manner. Our estate planning advice will incorporate the mitigation of inheritance tax and capital gains tax, where required, and may be based around your will, or the creation of a will trust. By using other forms of trusts, we can place assets outside your estate, which may generate inheritance tax savings and protect your assets from being assessed for long-term care.
Our wealth management expertise incorporates financial planning, investment portfolio management and a number of aggregated financial services. High net worth individuals, business owners and affluent families can call on our wealth managers to coordinate retail banking, estate planning, legal resources, tax professionals and investment management. By incorporating powers of attorney, can also help your family manage your wealth in the future.


Some things in business just have to be done, whether it’s employment contracts, IP protection or shareholder agreements. But each business is different, so we get to know our clients and offer bespoke, real-world legal advice.
There may be set requirements, but one size doesn’t fit all.
Company CommercialStones’ team of company commercial solicitors works with clients on all corporate and commercial matters. We take the time to understand your objectives, before providing the expert legal advice you need to negotiate commercial contracts, successfully.
The team has a wealth of experience in providing corporate legal advice for start-ups, joint ventures, partnerships, reorganisations, company administration, shareholder disputes, mergers, acquisitions, buy-outs and investments.
We act for buyers and sellers, applying our expertise to terms and conditions relating to goods and services, outsourcing agreements, distribution, franchising, agency, joint ventures, intellectual property and IT licences.
Our specialist commercial solicitors will provide comprehensive legal advice, guiding you through every stage of the process of acquiring or disposing of a business, whether by way of shares or assets and goodwill - from agreeing heads of terms to completion of the purchase or sale.
We provide a proactive approach to transactions, and can project manage the process so it proceeds as smoothly as possible, with minimum disruption to the underlying business. We appreciate the financial and personal investment made by the owners of businesses, and provide the highest levels of commitment, combined with practical, honest advice, that is sensitive to your needs.
Our team also has experience of advising investors and management teams on how best to invest in, or purchase, businesses. We give appropriate, pragmatic advice, working closely with other professionals, including investors, bankers and accountants, to effectively manage the process.
Our company commercial solicitors provide cost-effective legal advice for entrepreneurial businesses – concentrating on those areas where we can genuinely add value.
You may wish to incorporate a new company, an LLP, set up a partnership or transfer an existing partnership into a new corporate vehicle. Alternatively, you may need to amend your articles to take advantage of new statutory powers under the Companies Act 2006.
We can support you through the lifecycle of your business, dealing with compliance, succession and exit planning, the introduction of new shareholders, investors, partners or members. We can provide advice on the relationships between directors, shareholders and the company, and assist in its governance, drafting shareholders' agreements and/or bespoke articles of association. We can help you, as the owners or managers, to prepare for the sale of your business.
Stones’ commercial solicitors provide a full range of legal advice and support services for commercial clients, banks and other financial institutions on finance and fundraising.
We can help with every aspect of the transaction, from drafting the initial documentation, to strategic advice on the implications for your business of entering into financial arrangements.
We provide straightforward advice to businesses and lenders on a range of financial arrangements. These include legal charges, guarantees, inter-creditor structures, taking overseas security and obtaining appropriate legal opinions, overdraft facilities, debentures and personal guarantees.
Commercial agreements take many forms, and can range from your standard terms and conditions of sale or supply, to framework agreements for specific customers and bespoke commercial contracts. Our company commercial solicitors provide comprehensive legal advice and support for clients entering into all commercial agreements.
Whether you need to understand a contract, or wish to negotiate the terms of an agreement, our team of lawyers is experienced in drafting, reviewing, negotiating and advising on the terms and use of a wide range of commercial agreements.
Commercial agreements can also help with the expansion of your business, whether you choose to franchise your business, or appoint distributors to take your business into a wider geographical area, including exporting to the European or international markets. Our forward-thinking team are always ready to help you grow your business.
Charities can be governed by various legal structures, including companies limited by guarantee, unincorporated associations and trusts. Our charity sector specialist solicitors work closely with our Property and Private Client Departments to fulfil our charity clients’ wide-ranging legal advice and support requirements.
In many ways, charities face the same hurdles as others – buying and selling property, buying and selling goods and services from others and employing people to work for them.
However, there is also another level of statutory compliance and Charity Commission regulation to consider. Our team can provide advice on compliance and other issues affecting existing charities, as well as advising new charities on the drafting and adoption of the appropriate governing instrument and, subsequently, assisting with Charity Commission registration.
Every day, businesses and organisations create new information and ideas which need to be protected.
Our team is highly experienced in helping businesses achieve this protection by registering their trademark, patent or design nationally, in the or internationally. We also help designers and artists to protect their copyright, and grant licences for other businesses to use your know-how.
IT is important, and company websites need to be compliant with data protection. You need to ensure you have the correct privacy policies, cookie policies and terms and conditions in place, and that they can be easily found by website visitors. Our team can help make sure everything is correct, so you can focus on maximising the opportunity presented by e-commerce.



















Commercial PropertyBusinesses need property and often, timing is everything. At Stones, our job is to provide the legal expertise to help you assess any proposals quickly and, once you have made your decision, to act effectively to get the deal done as smoothly as possible.
Whether you are buying property for your own business use or for development, our team of commercial property solicitors has the right people to give you legal advice and guide you through the process, ensuring you have the information you need to make the right decisions.
If you are considering selling, involving us at the earliest stage will give our team the chance to get to know the property, so we can identify and rectify any potential problems, in good time. This means your buyer won't be waiting for contracts and the risk of complex, costly delays can be avoided.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to commercial lettings - whether the lease is for a small industrial or shop unit, or a large multi-occupancy site. That is why our commercial property solicitors offer bespoke legal services and advice for landlords and tenants.
Our lawyers provide commercial, no-nonsense legal advice on the implications and liabilities of new leases and offer practical guidance, tailored to your particular deal. Our experts will help you through the intricacies of statutory protections for business tenants and the implications of termination and renewal of business tenancies.
Our commercial property solicitors work closely with institutional lenders and private banks, and are used to dealing rapidly and securely with acquisition finance, refinance, debentures and guarantees on a range of investment and business property portfolios.





Employment Law & HRThe Stones Employment and HR team of specialist solicitors provides ‘no-nonsense’, commercial, legal advice in a world where businesses are burdened with ever increasing, evolving regulation.
We understand that your workforce can be your biggest asset, but that the right advice is required at the right time to avoid, or reduce, liability.
Our team serves a local and national client base, providing advice on operational and strategic plans. These range from redundancy and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations (TUPE), through to everyday decisions involving disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance management. We also provide advice on issues ranging from breach of contract to whistleblowing.
The Stones Employment Team has a national client base, ranging from owner managed, multi-site businesses, to charities and local authorities. We act for clients across a variety of sectors, including leisure and tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, charities and professional service providers.
Our Employment and HR team of specialist solicitors provide responsive, commercial, tailored, legal advice on maternity, flexible working, absence and performance management, disciplinary and grievance, holiday pay, home working and all other employment-related issues.
We can also help you anticipate difficulties and resolve them before they become significant.
You will find that we do not tell you what you ’cannot do’ but rather, offer creative solutions to suit your business. Our approach is to provide legal advice that minimises your employment law problems, and we do this by listening to your aims and goals. We pride ourselves on raising our client’s knowledge levels and, ultimately, reducing legal costs.
Our team of employment solicitors can provide legal advice including the drafting and negotiation of directors’ service agreements and consultancy agreements.
We also provide legal advice on protecting your business in terms of confidential information, post-termination competition and the poaching of clients, customers and staff.
We can provide your business with a full suite of tailored employment contracts and employment policy documents to give you the right platform from which to grow your business.
We offer 24/7 access to a lawyer who can provide, commercial, responsive legal advice on a wide range of subjects, from managing a disciplinary, to dealing with a grievance, or series of grievances.
Stones Employment Team regularly provides training to local and national clients, covering changes in employment law and practical implications for compliance, together with case study workshops.
The Stones team of specialist employment solicitors can manage an employment tribunal claim for your business from start to finish, or provide legal advice and support at discrete stages.
Our tribunal support includes drafting and filing a response to all claim forms and providing all legal advice relevant to each case. This can include a commercial summary of your options, the compilation of tribunal bundles, the preparation of witness statements and legal representation at the tribunal by a solicitor, or carefully selected barrister. We also negotiate with claimants and/or their representatives and ACAS and, if relevant, we will summarise the Tribunal decision and key learning points.
Carrying out a redundancy exercise, restructuring, or being involved in a Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) transfer can cause significant problems for employers, particularly in collective consultations.
Our team of employment solicitors provide expert, practical guidance from start to finish, including legal advice on process, strategy, pooling, suitable alternative employment and consultation obligations.
Our Employment Law Team has extensive experience of dealing with transactional TUPE issues as part of a business sale or purchase. We also have experience of providing robust, responsive legal advice on change of service provision in contracting out situations, and in relation to due diligence and the practical aspects of consulting on each TUPE transfer.
All too often, employers get caught out by awards of up to 13 weeks’ pay as a result of not consulting correctly, with employees or, indeed, the correct groups of employees. Particularly in a change of service provision, it is not always clear which employees, if any, are assigned to a specific undertaking. There can also be confusion over potentially onerous implied terms in contracts of employment for which the inheriting business may be liable, in the future.
In terms of redundancy and restructuring, our team of lawyers can provide advice ranging from setting out step-by-step guidance, right through to running the project from initial briefing to successful conclusion and assisting in consultations with elected representatives and unions.
We also offer our increasingly popular, fixed-fee arrangement for access to day-to-day legal advice from our solicitors, together with regular legal updates.
This service was described by a particular client in the leisure and tourism industry as “an integral part of our business planning”. The BOLDER Scheme is designed to provide access to legal advice for ad-hoc queries, and, ultimately, provides peace of mind. You will also have the option to take out insurance cover for tribunal awards, legal expenses and compensation with our specialist insurance partners.
















Travel & InsuranceStones Travel and Insurance Team provides responsive, commercially practical legal advice and solutions for the cost-effective resolution of issues in this complex, fast-changing area of law.
We represent a variety of clients, both corporate and individual, including insurers, underwriters, claims handlers and legal expenses insurers. Our expertise is recognised by several high-profile insurers for whom we act as panel solicitors. We act for both the insurer and their policyholders in compensation claims and in a defendant capacity, when necessary. We provide legal support on insurance policy wording, claims handling and breach of contract claims. We also deal with recoveries for insurers.
The team has been established for over 20 years, and is listed by Chambers Guide to the UK Legal Profession as one of the top firms in the travel sector. We have an international network of specialist lawyers and experts which we can call on, when the need arises.
Decisive legal advice on liability issues is essential. Liability can include both civil liability and criminal procedures leading to civil claims.
We fight claims made against individuals and insurers brought in both the United Kingdom and abroad, in relation to a wide range of matters, such as road traffic accidents, marine incidents, fires, assaults, and skiing and snowboarding liability. We deal with both large loss and small claims.
Liability claims require prompt and efficient action, with proper investigation, combined with commercial advice. The specialist, experienced team at Stones maintains a round-the-clock service to clients who need instant action, regardless of location, or time zone. We are well equipped to provide answers in matters involving international law and procedures, and have an extensive network of agents which we can call on, at any time.
Stones understands that, in challenging economic times, it is important that insurers achieve prompt, economic recoveries.
We have helped travel insurers and assistance companies improve the recovery of insurers’ outlays, including repatriation costs, medical expenses and cancellation costs. We provide effective, innovative ways to recover unwanted outlays and bad debts. We aim to achieve the right commercial solution by avoiding costly court proceedings, wherever possible, using negotiation and mediation techniques to reduce costs and speed up timescales.
Stones conducts investigations for insurers with regard to suspected fraud. Independent medical examinations can be arranged, where appropriate, and we represent insurers, where policyholders are pursuing breach of contract claims against them.
Stones provides advice on legal expenses insurance to insurers, underwriters, claims handlers and specialist providers of legal expenses insurance.
We deal with legal expense cover relating to:
Accidents and personal injury claims in the UK.
Accidents which occur abroad.
Sporting accidents.
Employment disputes – giving advice to both employees and employers.
Land law disputes.
Consumer contract disputes.
Professional negligence claims.
Education law advice.
Commercial motor vehicles in the UK and Europe.
We aim to give responsive, commercially practical advice in all cases. We provide helplines, where required, and advice as to the cover provided, taking into account policy wording, relevant law and the individual facts of the case. Where legal expenses cover is granted, we represent the policyholder and seek to resolve their claims successfully.
Our legal specialists provide advice in plain English, so policyholders can understand what they can claim for, how their claim will be handled and within what time frame. We also provide regular progress updates.
At the same time, our understanding of insurers’ interests is reflected in our high service levels and the detailed management information we provide.






Litigation & Dispute ResolutionStones Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team is a well-balanced unit - combining the experience of age with the enthusiasm of youth. We understand that business litigation can be stressful, time consuming and expensive.
Our aim is to swiftly identify your problem, advise on the law and suggest the most cost-effective way of resolving the dispute - whether by negotiation, mediation, or the issue of court proceedings. We will work within agreed financial limits, and, for some elements of our work, we are happy to negotiate fixed fees.
Where appropriate, we will consider working on a ‘no win - no fee’ basis, otherwise known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), or alternatively, a discounted CFA, where we work at a reduced hourly rate, with the balance, plus an additional success fee, if the outcome is successful.
Contractual disputes come in all shapes and forms, including buying and selling goods on a commercial basis, contracts for professional services and contracts for building work.
Sometimes, the terms of the contract are clear, but, frequently, there is no single sheet of paper on which all the contractual terms are written.
We will advise on the terms that go to form the contract, whether any of the terms have been breached and what the financial consequences of that breach may be. The advice is always pragmatic and proportionate to the sums involved.
It is unfortunate that, sometimes, professionals, get their advice wrong and this can cause the client to lose money. Professional negligence claims can include solicitors, accountants, investment advisors and architects.
Stones is well versed in the area of professional negligence, particularly in relation to claims against other solicitors. Professional negligence claims are usually complex, and often involve significant amounts of documentation. Our aim is to quickly sort ‘the wheat from the chaff’ to establish whether duty of care has been breached and whether a loss has resulted. We then provide advice on the most proportionate, cost-effective way of seeking to recover the loss.
Stones Property Litigation Team provides legal advice and services for a broad range of clients, including property developers, retailers, investors and charities.
We offer a proactive, hands-on approach to resolving property disputes, whether by negotiation, mediation, arbitration or court proceedings. We will always put the client first, and seek to find the best, most cost-effective solution to any dispute. Our innovative thinking and creative solutions can often save clients a substantial amount of time and costs.
Our specialist areas include:
Ending and renewing business leases.
Dilapidation disputes.
Disputes over boundaries, easements and restrictive covenants.
Disputes over consent to assignment, sub-letting, change of use and alterations.
We can also provide expert advice and assistance with:
Forfeiture of business leases by peaceable re-entry, or court proceedings.
All forms of lease disputes.
Commercial rent arrears and service charge arrears recovery.
Tenant insolvency.
Recovery of land from trespassers.
Party Wall Act disputes.
Boundary disputes.
We provide legal advice on a wide range of building disputes, from problems with extending your business facilities to full-scale commercial property disputes relating to the construction of retail or commercial units.
Larger disputes are often complex with significant amounts of documentation, but we have the resources to check through the paperwork, identify the core documents and advise on their implications.
With the ever-increasing pressure on land, disputes over the precise ownership of land are becoming much more common. We regularly provide legal advice on boundary disputes and have significant expertise in the area of the enforcement of restrictive covenants.
Often the deeds to a property are not entirely clear, but, with a sound knowledge of the legal principles and presumptions of ownership, we can provide advice on the interpretation of title deeds and plans, and give guidance on how ownership may be claimed by adverse possession.
Recently, we advised a local developer that covenants, which purportedly inhibited development on land he had acquired, were not enforceable.
We are well versed in procedures from the Upper Tribunal (formally the Lands Tribunal) and have extensive expertise in all forms of disputes relating to land.
At Stones, we provide insolvency legal advice and assistance for insolvency practitioners, professional advisers, directors, partners and individuals in corporate, contentious or non-contentious situations.
Stones successfully acted for Exeter City Council in the landmark case of Re: Trident Fashions [2006] All ER 140, (liability of administrators to pay non-domestic rates as an expense of the administration).
Stones also act for liquidators and other office holders across a wide range of matters, including antecedent transactions and the recovery of assets from debtors, directors and customers, where there are retention of title clauses. We also act for creditors of insolvent companies in all aspects of debt recovery.
We can help prevent a difficult situation becoming a disaster by providing prompt and practical advice on bankruptcy, voluntary arrangements and every area of corporate insolvency.
Stones act for local authorities in respect of the enforcement and collection of council tax and non-domestic rates. We provide legal advice on appropriate methods of enforcement, including charging orders and the service of statutory demands, as a prelude to filing bankruptcy and winding-up petitions.
Stones acted for Exeter City Council in Re: Trident Fashions [2006] All ER 140, (liability of administrators to pay non-domestic rates as an expense of the administration).
As local authority budgets have come under increasing pressure, there has been a growing tendency for them to take a hard line on non-domestic rates. We recently acted for a company in the entertainment and leisure industry in a claim brought against it by the Vale of Glamorgan Council, where our client’s claim for empty property rate relief was refused by the local authority. Our client was successful at trial, and the case established that the true intentions of the business was pivotal in establishing whether or not it was entitled to rates relief, where there was a genuine and legitimate aim to mitigate its rates liability.
We provide insurers with legal advice on a diverse range of issues, taking into account the likely stance of the Financial Ombudsman Service.
We advise insurers on a diverse range of issues – from whether an injury suffered by a holidaymaker abroad was caused by an insured peril, or negligent local medical treatment, to whether insurance policies requiring the use of solicitors from a nominated panel are generally enforceable.
If your business is owed money by individuals or businesses, Stones can provide the legal advice and guidance to help you deal effectively with the debt recovery process, while reducing the associated time, stress and inconvenience.
We operate a low-rate, fixed-fee system, providing a cost-effective, proactive way to recover debts which have, previously, proved difficult to recover. Starting with an initial letter of claim, each case will receive expert, individual attention to bring the matter to a conclusion in the most economical and expedient way.
Stones recognises that the cost of bringing legal action needs to be proportionate to the claim, and we are always happy to discuss fixed-fee charging.
The Stones Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team deal with all forms of commercial mediation. Our legal services include preparing cases for mediation and representing our clients throughout the process.
Courts and judges actively encourage companies and commercial enterprises to attempt to resolve their differences by mediation, rather than by issuing proceedings or going to trial. If the parties reject mediation, the costs of settling the dispute could increase significantly.
A professional mediator acts as a neutral third party, and will attempt to facilitate agreement at a meeting attended by all the parties, including their solicitors. After a successful mediation, the solicitors immediately draw up a binding agreement which is then signed by all the parties.















Modern families are often complex, so issues relating to your personal life, home and work need a bespoke approach. Only by spending time with our clients can we make their lives easier. We may have seen similar situations before, but we know one size doesn’t fit all.
Residential PropertyWe deal with the sale and purchase of all types of houses, whether freehold or leasehold, in the town or in the country.
As we are based in the West Country, we are experienced in dealing with country properties and the particular legal issues which can apply to private services, shared access arrangements and tied properties. Our team has vast experience in dealing with flats and other leasehold properties where the need to extend many of the leases granted last century is increasingly an issue.
The purchase of ‘new build’ homes is another area where we have an enormous amount of expertise. As we also act for developers, we have a real understanding of the often lengthy, complex documentation associated with ‘new build’ homes.
We deal with all types of financing for purchases, remortgages, equity release schemes and the Government-backed ‘First Buy’ and ‘New Buy’ schemes.
Our team specialises in helping landowners seeking to maximise the development potential of their land.
We provide advice on planning where you are seeking your own planning permission, and deal regularly with the drafting and negotiating of Section 106 Agreements with the local authority.
Where you do not want to pursue your own planning application, but are looking for the assistance of a developer, we can provide you with expert advice on options, conditional contracts, joint venture agreements and development agreements, including licenses and leases.
We act for all types of investors who are buying property as part of their portfolio.
Issues that concern investors are not always the same as private house buyers, and our knowledge of this market and the available options is extremely important.
Our team understands that the financing of an investment property can be quite different from the mortgages for private house purchase, and, again, our expertise in this area can prove crucial.
We have considerable experience of dealing skillfully with property disputes. Problems over boundaries, rights related to access or services and covenants are common, and our team focus on finding practical, cost-effective solutions which, otherwise, can become litigious, extremely stressful and costly.


Life PlanningStones provides advice for private clients on all aspects of managing and administering their individual and family affairs, at all stages of life.
We can help in planning your estate to protect your wealth for the future and planning for retirement and business succession. We can also administer your financial affairs, when appropriate, for example, when you are ill, and, ultimately, plan for the passing on of your estate to your beneficiaries.
You can depend on our expertise across a whole range of specific legal issues, including wills, trusts, tax advice and planning, and sympathetic understanding and informed advice in situations involving elderly clients and power of attorney.
Every family's affairs are different, and every will we draft is specifically designed to take your personal circumstances and wishes into account.
Stones will make sure your will provides maximum benefit for your loved ones. This will include arrangements to protect your wealth, arrangements for the protection of your business and its succession, and inheritance tax planning. It may involve the use of trusts to protect assets and manage the interests of different individuals.
Stones can provide detailed advice on appropriate trust structures to manage funds for the benefit and protection of your beneficiaries.
We can give you advice on the most appropriate type of trust, the terms of the trust and whether, or not, a trust is the answer to your particular problem. Typically, trusts are used to address problems such as protecting vulnerable beneficiaries, including beneficiaries with disabilities.
They can also be used to provide for succession, enabling your assets to be managed in the most tax efficient fashion and arranging a fair division of assets between individuals with differing needs and interests.
Stones’ experts can show you how to arrange your affairs so you mitigate your tax liabilities, and pay as little tax as possible.
We specialise in capital tax planning, and, in particular, inheritance tax planning to protect your estate for the benefit of your family and beneficiaries. Our team can devise tax efficient arrangements, which take advantage of all appropriate reliefs, including trust arrangements and lifetime gifts.
We can work with other professionals, including accountants and financial advisers to establish the most appropriate solutions.
We often think about making wills to protect our family. But have you made arrangements to look after your financial and other affairs, if you are unable to do so?
Stones can provide expert, sympathetic advice, covering ordinary powers of attorney, lasting powers of attorney for property and affairs, and lasting powers of attorney for personal welfare. We can also advise in relation to end-of-life decisions and advance directives.
Our team can also help with the management and administration of your financial affairs, if there are no appropriate people available, or we can assist those you have charged with administering your affairs.
Stones can provide advice, and make the appropriate application to the Court of Protection, when an individual loses the mental capacity to deal with their own financial affairs, and arrangements have not been made in anticipation of the situation.
Once an application is accepted, the Court of Protection makes decisions and appoints deputies to make decisions in the best interests of the individual involved.
Our team can help with applications for the appointment of a deputy and handle all appropriate paperwork. We liaise with the Court of Protection and offer expert advice for statutory wills, where an individual lacks the capacity to make a will, or to approve gifts for tax planning purposes.
We can also act as deputy to deal with the affairs of someone who does not have the mental ability to handle their own affairs, if there is no appropriate person to take on this role.
Sadly, many people end their days in a care home. We can provide sympathetic, but realistic, advice help you make plans to anticipate this possibility.
Stones can help you make plans to anticipate this possible eventuality, and can help with affairs of relatives who may be facing this situation. This could include providing straightforward solutions for funding the costs of care, protecting the estate and preserving as much capital as possible for future inheritance.
Of course, you may already be receiving care. In which case, you can rely on us to provide the advice you need, suggesting ways in which pensions, investments and savings can be used to pay for care, now, and in the future. We can also explain how to claim state entitlements, such as Attendance Allowance.


Dispute ResolutionStones Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team is a well-balanced unit - combining the experience of age with the enthusiasm of youth. We understand that litigation for private individuals can be stressful, time consuming and expensive.
Our aim is to swiftly identify your problem, advise on the law and suggest the most cost-effective way of resolving the dispute - whether by negotiation, mediation, or the issue of court proceedings.
We will work within agreed financial limits, and, for some elements of our work, we are happy to negotiate fixed fees.
Where appropriate, we will consider working on a ‘no win - no fee’ basis, otherwise known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), or alternatively, a discounted CFA, where we work at a reduced hourly rate, with the balance, plus an additional success fee, if the outcome is successful.
For private individuals, contractual disputes come in all shapes and forms, including buying and selling goods, contracts for professional services and contracts for building work.
Sometimes, the terms of the contract are clear, but, frequently, there is no single sheet of paper on which all the contractual terms are written.
We will advise on the terms that go to form the contract, whether any of the terms have been breached and what the financial consequences of that breach may be. The advice is always pragmatic and proportionate to the sums involved.
It is unfortunate that, sometimes, professionals, get their advice wrong and this can cause a private individual to lose money. Professional negligence claims can involve services you have received from solicitors, accountants, investment advisors and architects.
Stones is well versed in the area of professional negligence, particularly in relation to claims against other solicitors. Professional negligence claims are usually complex, and often involve significant amounts of documentation. Our aim is to quickly sort ‘the wheat from the chaff’ to establish whether duty of care has been breached and whether a loss has resulted. We then provide you with advice on the most proportionate, cost-effective way of seeking to recover the loss.
If you are a landlord, problems with tenants can be time consuming and, potentially, expensive. At Stones, we have a clear understanding of the practical issues landlords face and can advise on the best method of obtaining possession as quickly as possible, or recovering rent arrears, or both.
We can also provide advice on health and safety issues arising from the letting of residential property, and can prepare standard, or bespoke tenancy agreements, if required. We offer a fixed-fee service for certain types of possession proceedings, and are always happy to discuss the most cost-effective way of proceeding.
Issues can also arise in relation to allegations by the tenant that the property is not in a good state of repair, and we can advise on how to minimise these arguments.
Head of Team, Paul Keeling, is himself a residential landlord and has managed a small portfolio of properties for many years, and is a member of the National Landlords Association. As such he has not only the legal expertise to deal with virtually all issues that may arise, but also the practical experience which is so vital in giving pragmatic advice.
When returns for landlords are under pressure, minimising void periods is essential. Consequently, the swift eviction of non-paying tenants is essential. We recognise this fact, and provide an efficient, streamlined eviction service, so your property can be re-advertised and re-let, as quickly as possible.
Individuals are living longer, and making wills when they are older. This can raise the issue as to whether the person making the will really knows what they are doing.
With second marriages being much more common, and the existence of stepchildren within a relationship, disputes often arise as to whether the spouse who was second to die made proper provision for his or her stepchildren, or favoured his or her natural children.
The Litigation Team has advised private clients on a wide variety of wills contested on the basis of an alleged lack of capacity, and has brought and defended claims against estates on the basis that inadequate financial provision was made for minor, or adult children, under the 1975 Inheritance Act. We regularly advise disappointed beneficiaries as to whether they have a claim.
The team also regularly acts for executors, providing advice as to how they should deal with claims against the estate they are administering.
Our significant experience in this area enables us to advise with clarity and compassion in what are often emotionally charged situations.
With the ever-increasing pressure on land, disputes over the precise ownership of land are becoming much more common.
Often the deeds to a property are not entirely clear, but, with a sound knowledge of the legal principles and presumptions of ownership, we can provide private clients with advice on the interpretation of title deeds and plans, and give guidance on how ownership may be claimed by adverse possession.
We regularly advise on boundary disputes, and recently successfully advised on a claim which went all the way to court, where our client’s neighbour was claiming ownership of land to facilitate access for a development.
We also provide advice on a wide range of building disputes, such as problems with house extensions.
We are well versed in procedures from the Upper Tribunal (formally the Lands Tribunal) and have extensive expertise in all forms of disputes relating to land.
At Stones, we provide insolvency advice and assistance for insolvency practitioners, professional advisers, directors, partners and individuals in corporate, or personal, contentious or non-contentious situations.
We also act for creditors of insolvent companies in all aspects of debt recovery. We can help prevent a difficult situation becoming a disaster by providing prompt and practical advice on bankruptcy, voluntary arrangements and every area of insolvency.
If you are a private individual owed money by other individuals or businesses, Stones can help you deal effectively with the debt recovery process, while reducing the associated time, stress and inconvenience.
We operate a low-rate, fixed-fee system, providing a cost-effective, proactive way to recover debts which have, previously, proved difficult to recover.
Starting with an initial letter of claim, each case will receive expert, individual attention to bring the matter to a conclusion in the most economical and expedient way.
The Stones Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team are experienced in dealing with all forms of private mediation. We prepare cases for mediation and represent our clients throughout the process.
The courts actively encourage private individuals to attempt to resolve their differences, without issuing proceedings or going to trial. If the parties reject mediation, the costs of settling the dispute could increase significantly.
A formal mediation involves the appointment of a professional mediator, who acts as a neutral third party. The mediator will attempt to facilitate agreement between the parties at a meeting attended by everyone involved, including their solicitors. If the mediation is successful, the solicitors draw up an agreement, there and then. This is signed by all the parties and becomes binding.





Employment LawThe Stones Employment Team also provides advice to individuals. We have expertise in drafting and negotiating service agreements, compromise agreements and, where necessary, working closely with our Corporate / Commercial Team colleagues to provide advice in relation to directorships, share schemes and other related matters.
We understand the importance of delivering responsive, situation-sensitive, cost effective advice, in the right manner and at the right time.
You may need advice on, employed or self-employed status, compromise agreements, bonus disputes or other contractual matters. We have extensive experience in advising senior executives on exit strategy and termination package including finances, restrictive covenants and other key issues.
You may also require advice on your rights and duties as a director, or help with boardroom disputes or confidentiality.
You may require advice around family-friendly rights, discrimination and bringing Tribunal proceedings.









Administration of EstatesWe can provide sensitive and efficient help with all legal, tax and administrative arrangements, following a death - from initial steps to final accounting and distribution.
Our services include applications for grant of probate, and letters of administration where there is no will. We will also ensure that full advantage is taken of all reliefs and tax planning opportunities, such as deeds of variation.
ChildcareStones has a dedicated team to deal with any issue relating to children.
The law relating to children can, at times, be complex and difficult to apply. Children often suffer when their parents separate, and issues relating to children need to be handled carefully. Sadly, disputes about where the children will live and the parental contact arrangements are all too common, and parents struggle to know what is best for the children concerned.
We can provide advice and act on your behalf if a local authority wants to take your child into care, or if you wish to adopt a child, or if you are experiencing difficulties with an education authority about school attendance.
If disputes over children cannot be resolved through negotiation or mediation, applications can be made to the court. We can help with all types of application, including Contact Orders, Residence Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issues Orders.
The people who apply for these orders are usually family members, for example, grandparents.
There is no presumption that a grandparent should have contact with a grandchild, as there is between parent and child. The courts, however, recognise that grandparents play an important role in their grandchildren’s lives, and, therefore, it is not uncommon for grandparents to want to make an application for a Contact Order.
Stones can help with the application and make sure that, first, they obtain permission from the court.
The law relating to children can, at times, be complex and difficult to apply.
Children often suffer when their parents separate, and issues relating to children need to be handled carefully. Sadly, disputes about where the children will live and the parental contact arrangements are all too common, and parents struggle to know what is best for the children concerned.
Stones can provide expert help and advice when the court is asked to deal with:
Applications from a parent wishing to move abroad with the children.
Applications to stop children being taken abroad.
Applications to change a child’s school or change a child’s surname.
Disputes about religious upbringing.
We can also provide advice and act on your behalf if a local authority wants to take your child into care, or if you wish to adopt a child, or if you are experiencing difficulties with an education authority about school attendance.
In fact, Stones can provide assistance with any legal matter relating to children.


Personal InjuryStones Personal Injury Team has the experience and expertise to deal sympathetically and professionally with compensation claims for personal injuries - from minor to fatal - arising from accidents in England and Wales. Our services also include assisting at coroners’ inquests.
We are dedicated to obtaining the maximum amount of compensation, quickly, efficiently and without fuss. All injury claims are on a ‘No Win-No Fee’ basis, and you will receive 100% of any compensation award. Generally, to be eligible, we have to be in a position to issue court proceeds with three years of your accident happening or you illness being diagnosed.
Stones can act on your behalf for all types of slip, trip, or fall compensation claims. These are claims that are not due to an accident at work, or road traffic accident, and can be made against public authorities, shops or anywhere that isn't your place of work.
Typical claims include accidents involving potholes in the road or uneven pavements or kerbs. Claims can also be brought against private individuals or occupiers. Ideally, you should have an independent witness, and take photographs and measurements of the defect, as soon as possible.
Our dedicated Road Traffic Accident Injury Team can handle claims for incidents involving drivers, passengers, cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, livestock and farm animals, cars, taxis, lorries or any other motor vehicles involved in a collision on the highway.
We deal with a wide range of injury claims, from minor whiplash injuries to very serious, physically debilitating injuries, including spinal and brain damage.
Despite Health and Safety Regulation, accidents and illness resulting from working activities and environments continue to rise. Stones has the expertise to conduct investigations into accidents and illnesses associated with the workplace, and will provide the professional help and advice you need to obtain compensation.
The Stones Personal Injury Team can provide advice to help obtain compensation in a wide range of occupational health situations, including hearing loss caused by repeated exposure to noise, dermatitis caused by contact with chemicals and injuries resulting from the use of machinery and equipment, such as hand/arm vibration syndrome, carpel tunnel and vibration white finger.
Our dedicated Livestock Injury Team has extensive experience of obtaining compensation for injuries caused by livestock, horses, cows, dogs, cats and, sometimes, wild animals.
Claims can be made under negligence and under the Animals Act. This legislation is particularly complex, and Stones have a substantial amount of expertise and experience in this area. If your claim is successful, in addition to compensation, you could recover any financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses.


You deserve a great future. Talented people need to be nurtured and allowed to develop in their own way, not restricted or shaped into something they don’t want to be. So if you’re looking for an exceptional career opportunity, join a law firm that knows one size doesn’t fit all.
Join UsTalented people deserve to be nurtured and allowed to develop in their own way, not restricted or shaped into something they don't want to be. So if you're looking for a great future, join the law firm that knows one size doesn't fit all.
We have a high retention of employees thanks to our core business values; open, trust, deliver.
Open: because we involve our staff in the development of the business
Trust: because we trust them to perform to their best ability, and because they trust us to support them in that
Deliver: because together we deliver, for our clients, for ourselves, and for the wider economy and community
There’s a real sense of family at Stones, and in the true sense – we support each other and in return we get great professional development and a real opportunity to strike the right work/life balance. And all located in one of the most beautiful areas in the world! - Michelle Colridge, Legal Secretary
When you join Stones, you will be joining one of the most popular and successful legal businesses in the South West.


Vacancies
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Legal Assistant to join our well regarded Childcare Team based in our Exeter office.
| Ref: | LAC-13 |
|---|---|
| Office Location: | Exeter Office |
| Date Posted: | 13th May 2013 |
| Application Closing Date: | 24th May 2013 |
Stones Solicitors LLP is a highly regarded Legal 200 firm with our Head Office based in the heart of Exeter. With a reputation for delivering first class service to our clients, much of our work comes from repeat business or by recommendation.
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Legal Assistant to join our well regarded Childcare Team based in our Exeter office.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of managing cases within a Childcare team under the guidance of a Partner or Solicitor. They will also have some experience of attending Child Protection and Child in Care Review meetings. In addition, the successful candidate will have experience of meeting clients and taking instructions.
An understanding of legal aid procedures and costing for legal help would be desirable.
The role includes administrative duties and will include providing secretarial support to the fee earners in the team when required. Experience of using SOS legal software desirable, but not essential.
We are passionate about the people we employ, and acknowledge that our employees are the most important asset of our business. With a high retention of employees, Stones is one of the most popular firms to work for in the South West.
We understand the demands of working in a legal practice but we want people to enjoy working with us and feel part of an extended family. This is an open, friendly and collaborative environment, and we feel the work life balance offered by Stones allows employees to enjoy what there is to offer in the South West.
Stones is an Investor in People Silver Award Employer. We offer an excellent working environment and regard training and development as being vital to the future success of the firm.
Location – Exeter
Hours – Monday to Friday worked from 9.00am to 5.15pm with an hour for lunch.
Benefits – 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, contributory pension scheme and health cash plan.
If you would like a copy of the job description please contact eleanorwilson@stones-solicitors.co.uk To apply, please send your CV and covering letter detailing your salary expectations by email to eleanorwilson@stones-solicitors.co.uk or to Eleanor Wilson, Human Resources, Stones Solicitors LLP, Linacre House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1UG
No agency applications thank you
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Legal Cashier to join our team in Exeter.
| Ref: | LCA13 |
|---|---|
| Office Location: | Exeter Office |
| Date Posted: | 8th May 2013 |
| Application Closing Date: | 24th May 2013 |
Stones Solicitors LLP is a highly regarded Legal 200 firm with our Head Office based in the heart of Exeter. With a reputation for delivering first class service to our clients, much of our work comes from repeat business or by recommendation.
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Legal Cashier to join our team in Exeter.
The successful candidate will be experienced in solicitor’s accounts. Your day to day tasks will include all aspects of cash office duties, such as:-
• Inputting of all daily transactions eg receipts, payments, journals and transfers.
• Dealing with account queries.
• Reconciliation of bank accounts.
• Preparation and balancing of daily banking.
• Updating client monies received on system.
• Petty cash and expenses.
Previous experience in a legal cashier role and knowledge of Solicitors Accounts Rules is essential. Previous experience using billing software would be an advantage particularly SOS.
Due to the nature of the role you must be able to work well under pressure with a high standard of accuracy and have a methodical and logical approach to work. The successful candidate must have excellent communication skills and be able to deal with people at all levels.
We are passionate about the people we employ, and acknowledge that our employees are the most important asset of our business. With a high retention of employees, Stones is one of the most popular firms to work for in the South West.
We understand the demands of working in a legal practice but we want people to enjoy working with us and feel part of an extended family. This is an open, friendly and collaborative environment, and we feel the work life balance offered by Stones allows employees to enjoy what there is to offer in the South West.
Stones is an Equal Opportunities Employer and Investor in People. We offer an excellent working environment and regard training and development as being vital to the future success of the firm.
Location – Exeter
Hours – Monday to Friday worked from 9.00am to 5.15pm with an hour for lunch.
Benefits – 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, contributory pension scheme, death in service cover and health cash plan.
Please send your CV and covering letter, detailing your salary expectations by email to karenbonser@stones-solicitors.co.uk or to Karen Bonser, HR Manager, Stones Solicitors LLP, Linacre House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1UG
No agency applications thank you
Working for StonesWe are passionate about the people we employ: we know that they are the most important asset of our business.
We understand the demands of working in a legal practice but we want people to enjoy working with us and feel part of an extended family. This is an open, friendly and collaborative environment, and we feel the work life balance offered by Stones allows employees to enjoy what there is to offer in the South West.
Stones is an Equal Opportunities Employer and Investor in People. We offer an excellent working environment, and regard training and development as being vital to the future success of the firm.
“I came to Stones from a law firm in Bristol. I head up the Company Commercial Team and I am delighted to be able to develop this area of the business in ways I see fit, and with the full backing of the firm. Couple this with the opportunities I now have to pursue my love of running and cycling, even taking part in ironman competitions, and the work/life balance is pretty much perfect.” - Simon Morris, Partner
"The great thing about working at Stones is that the support and administration staff are made to feel as valued as the lawyers. We are given opportunities to train and develop our skills, and move around within the business.” - Mandy Marshall, Receptionist
Our commitment to staff is total and we encourage personal and professional development at all levels.
As an Investor in People training is key to us and all staff have access to the training they require
We place great stock in building home grown talent, which is why our Associate Development Programme is a popular and hotly contested facility.
We run an active Mentoring Programme as part of the Associate Development, to ensure that experience is passed from one level to the next.
We have many success stories in the business, where as a result of investment and employee potential, individuals have been able to realise their career aspirations and progress quickly to senior positions within the firm.
We believe that this investment benefits not only the individual, but also the firm and its clients in being able to provide first class service delivery.
I was one of the first people to come through the Associate Development Programme, and the support I received from the firm was superb. And it has not stopped there – I continue to benefit from all the professional development resources Stones has to offer. There’s a real sense that, if you have ambition, the firm will back you all the way.- Ian Brown, Associate Solicitor
“I started with Stones in 1997 as a paralegal and I passed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Exeter. By 2001 I was made Partner. I am now the Partner in charge of our trainees. My experience is true of so many of my colleagues here – complete professional support.” - Sam Pucci, Partner
Stones are committed to creating and maintaining a work culture where equality and diversity are the signs of our commitment to all employees and the standard of service that our clients can expect from us.
Our society today is based on a broad mix of individuals, cultures and communities all of whom have specific needs and differences to contribute to society and the world of work. This diversity also comes with a huge range of creativity, ideas and differences that add value to our lives.
Stones will continue to ensure that we do not discriminate in any of our activities on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, age or physical ability.
TraineesWe take our responsibility to our trainees very seriously, which is why we can offer one of the most effective trainee contracts in the region. We very much see trainees as a vital investment in our future, and indeed many go on to develop long and fulfilling careers with us.
Stones Solicitors LLP is a leading South West Law firm with a strong reputation for delivering expert legal services to its wide ranging client base. Each year we are looking for the next generation of lawyers to join our dynamic team.
If you are committed to a career in law, you may be struggling to decide which firm is right for you, who offers the best training, the best environment and the right opportunities. Read on to hear from our current trainees.
Trainee Solicitors are selected by attendance at a competitive assessment day which will be held on 15 March 2013 followed by second stage interviews for the shortlisted candidates which will be held in March/April 2013.
We are no longer accepting applications for training contracts for 2013.
Please see timetable below for 2014 applications:-
• Applications for 2014 training contracts accepted until Friday 4th January 2013;
• Assessment Day for 2014 training contracts will be held in March/April of 2013;
• Training contracts offered by the end of June 2013.
Stones Solicitors will only be accepting applications for 2014 training contracts through the online Trainee Application Form.
Here’s what some of our trainees have to say:
“Stones is very open in its approach to continuing professional development. I feel that I can ask the team to support me in continuing my training as a lawyer and they are always happy to enable me to fulfil my career ambitions, whether this is taking part in external courses or trying different areas of law within the firm.” - Nicola Johnston, Trainee
“In my opinion, the training programme at Stones is likely to be more intensive than many larger firms as trainees are usually allocated a team partner on a one to one basis, leading to more involvement in higher level work and to a better overall training experience. There is a large group of young lawyers and support staff at Stones so there is never any shortage of people to play sports with, go to networking events with, or (more usually) go for a drink after work with.” - Sam Reid, Assistant Solicitor (Stones Trainee 2009-2011)
“I enjoy working at Stones because of the varied workload I have, I never know what might land on my desk and that means no two days are the same. On a personal note the atmosphere at Stones is young and vibrant and gives someone of my level of experience real opportunities to progress.” - Tom Sampford, Assistant Solicitor (Stones Trainee 2008-2010)
“I was one of the first people to come through the Associate Development Programme, and the support I received from the firm was superb. And it has not stopped there – I continue to benefit from all the professional development resources Stones has to offer. There’s a real sense that, if you have ambition, the firm will back you all the way.” - Ian Brown, Associate Solicitor
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Work ExperienceWe understand that it is hard to enter the legal profession without relevant work experience.
At Stones we are pleased to offer a number of work experience placements throughout the year. If you are currently studying at A level or at University and interested in a career in law, then please contact us.
We try to offer placements wherever possible, but due to the high demand for opportunities we do limit the number available.
Please send your CV and a covering letter to the HR Manager outlining your interest in a work placement with Stones. Placements are offered on a first come first served basis, so please apply early.
Recruitment AgenciesRecruitment Agencies Information
All recruitment efforts are focused on resourcing suitable, high-quality candidates outside of agency use in the first instance. Therefore we politely request that agencies do not forward CV’s in respect of the roles shown on this website or on a speculative basis. If and when agency involvement is required the HR Manager will contact you directly.
Stones Solicitors will not recognise any CV submissions related to unsolicited applications and no agency fees will apply. Where an agency forwards us an unsolicited CV, we will not accept liability for commissions or other charges if we subsequently employ that candidate whether directly or through another agency. Where your correspondence contains a disclaimer indicating otherwise, our policy prevails.
If you wish to be considered as a supplier to Stones Solicitors please send an introductory email to karenbonser@stones-solicitors.co.uk prior to sending any CVs.
We’re innovative professionals, not puppets. We’re here for you, and will tailor our approach to your needs, using our knowledge, skills, experience and expertise to make sure you get the best possible result.
Partner & Head of PI
Partner and Head of Travel Tourism & Insurance
Partner & Head of Private Client
Partner and Head of Childcare
Partner and Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Partner and Head of Okehampton Office
Partner and Head of Social Housing
Partner and Head of Company Commercial
Partner - Commercial Property Team
Partner and Head of Commercial Property Team
Partner and Head of Employment
Partner and Head of Real Estate
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The first stage of the Jackson Reforms for civil litigation in England Wales were implemented on the 1st April 2013, with more reforms to come in July. The reforms see major changes in the way in which litigation is funded and managed. While personal injury claims are the main target of the reforms, they cover all civil litigation.
Conditional Fee Agreements are agreements between clients and their solicitors where the funding risk is borne by the solicitors: there is only an entitlement to charge fees if the clients’ claim was successful. As the funding risk for the claim is with the solicitors there was an entitlement to charge not only base fees but also a success fee, an uplift, calculated as percentage of the base fee.
For Conditional Fee Agreements entered in to before the 1st April 2013 the success fee (uplift) was recovered from the losing party in the same way as other legal costs, but since the 1st April 2013 this is no longer the case. Any success fee or uplift is now payable by the solicitors’ own client from the damages recovered and not the recovered from the other side.
It would seem that the change is deliberately designed to reduce the number of litigation cases especially in personal injury.
An after the event legal expense insurance policy insures the policyholder against the risk of having to pay the winning parties’ costs where a claim fails. Where a policy was issued before the 1st April 2013 then, generally, on a successful outcome the policy premium was recoverable from the other party as part of the costs of bringing the claim. In many cases the policy premium could be deferred until after judgment and if a claim failed the policy self-insured. For policies issued after the 1st April 2013 the premiums are no longer recoverable as part of the costs and have to be paid by the policyholder.
Where Conditional Fee Agreements were entered in to before the 1st April 2013 then a client could recover damages in full without bearing any of the costs of the litigation but this is no longer likely to be the case. These changes are bound to have an impact particularly on personal injury litigation, where, and as a nodding recognition of this, there has been an uplift of 10 per cent in the overall level of compensation awards for injury (pain, suffering and loss of amenity) to make some redress.
For solicitors, the fees that they are likely to recover in relation to most personal injury claims have been capped, probably at a lower level than was previously likely to be recovered. Now both solicitors and their clients need to undertake an even more rigorous assessment of chances not only for success but also if success can be achieved so that the outcome is economically worthwhile for both client and solicitor. The test was: were costs reasonably incurred to achieve justice? That is no longer the case and the test now (where costs are not fixed) is: are the costs proportionate to the outcome?
The Jackson Reforms have also introduced Damages Based Agreements (DBAs), where a contingency fee is charged based on a percentage of the damages recovered. These have been in use in employment cases for some time. DBAs are likely to be most effective (and used) in cases where the levels of damages are sufficient to justify the risk both for the client and their solicitor.
The Jackson Reforms inevitably shift the burden of some litigation funding back on to the client, with the result that both clients and their solicitors will need to assess the chances of success and the cost of achieving that success before any action is taken. In some cases this may well mean that no action is taken at all, especially for personal injury claims.
Realistic assessments of the strength of cases and the costs of running those cases need to be assessed even more stringently before any decision is taken to make a claim.
For further advice please contact James Browne on 01392 666777 or e mail jamesbrowne@stones-solicitors.co.uk
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