Latest news

New Out of Hours Family Law Clinic

The specialist family law team at Kirby Simcox Solicitors in Thornbury are launching a new evening surgery for those people seeking initial legal advice and support for any family issues.
The new ‘surgeries’ begin on 26 November and will run every Wednesday evening between 5- 7pm. The idea of the evening sessions is to offer a free initial 30 minute diagnostic appointment to those who struggle to see a solicitor during working hours.

There may be some opportunities to drop in to the surgery on spec and see a solicitor, but clients are advised to make an appointment by contacting Kirby Simcox’s Thornbury reception, if they want to ensure they will be seen.

Kirby Simcox’s has one of the largest family legal departments in Bristol and the team offers specialist advice on a full range of family issues including divorce and relationship breakdown, civil partnerships, adoption, financial and property issues, domestic violence and family disputes.

Commenting on the new surgeries family solicitor Kirsten Hale said, “We receive a lot of calls from clients who find attending a meeting during the office hours very difficult, usually due to their work commitments. We therefore decided to introduce this new evening service once a week, which we hope will assist those looking to take that first step in obtaining our advice and support.”

Anyone wishing to make an appointment should contact Kirby Simcox’s Thornbury office on 0845 840 0045.
 

New Collaborative Law specialist joins the team

One of the most successful collaborative lawyers in the South West, Peter Berry has joined the specialist family law team at Kirby Simcox Solicitors, to support the growing needs of business clients across the region.

Peter, who joins Kirby Simcox from Charles Lucas and Marshall, has over 20 year’s specialist experience in family law. He is a Member of the Law Society Family Panel and is a Resolution Accredited Collaborative Lawyer. Peter has also undertaken advanced collaborative law training through the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Peter will be based in Kirby Simcox’s, Queens Square, Bristol office and will focus on providing a high quality service for clients across the South West.
The Collaborative process enables couples facing marital breakdown or family problems to work together as a team to resolve issues and disputes respectfully. The process avoids the stress, upset and uncertainty of going to court. 

Following Peter’s appointment, Kirby Simcox now has three experienced collaborative practitioners in its family team. Peter believes that the use of Collaborative Law to resolve marital breakdown in a family run business is becoming increasingly popular. He said, “The impact of divorce or separation for any family is immense, but for those who own or manage a family business the situation can become very complex. By using the collaborative process our clients retain control over what happens and can sort out a settlement quickly that suits their specific needs. Increasingly both individuals and business owners are seeking specialist collaborative support to find a non-confrontational solution to family difficulties.”

He continued, “I am delighted to be joining Kirby Simcox which has one of the largest family teams in the South West. The firm has an excellent reputation for the high quality service it provides to its business and private clients. I am very impressed by the energy and enterprise of the partners and I am looking forward to supporting them in their plans to expand and develop the business further.”

Peter Berry can be contacted for further information, radio and other media interviews on 0117 9221524

Trainee qualifies to join expanding team

After completing a two year training contract with Kirby Simcox Solicitors, Samantha Williams is having a double celebration, as not only has she just qualified as a lawyer, but she has also been given a permanent role within the firm’s expanding Personal Injury department.

Sam, who is from Bristol, attended Colston Collegiate School until 2002 before she went on to complete a law and politics degree at Swansea University. She then returned to her home town to take a Legal Practice Course at University of the West of England. Sam was then lucky enough to be selected from the many hopeful candidates, to join Kirby Simcox’s training scheme in 2006.

Sam’s training involved working in most departments within the firm in each of its three offices in Queen Square, Kingswood and Thornbury, but in particular she worked closely within the firm’s Personal Injury and Family departments.

Sam, is delighted with her new role, she said, “Now having qualified I will be working on a permanent basis within Kirby Simcox and in particular focusing on Personal Injury and Civil Litigation. It has been a great experience taking part in the training scheme and I have learnt an enormous amount from my colleagues and I have made many friends here. I am now really looking forward to being able to stay with the firm and to work as part of our specialist Personal Injury team and in assisting with the department’s continued expansion plans.”