Sills & Betteridge LLP > Grimsby, England > Firm Profile
Sills & Betteridge LLP Offices
18a Dudley Street
Grimsby
DN31 2AB
England
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Sills & Betteridge LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Private client > Family Tier 1
Combining ‘the depth of expertise and resources of a large regional practice with the personalised attention and care of a boutique firm’, Sills & Betteridge LLP has a broad offering spanning matrimonial finance, emergency, care, children and public law matters. Heading up the practice, Helen Derry oversees the mediation team, while Lisa Kellett leads the matrimonial team, with areas of expertise including complex financial proceedings, pension matters and divorces. Chrystal Theofanous heads up the emergency team and specialises in sensitive domestic abuse and children’s law cases. Mo Hayes leads the care team and is well-versed in public law care proceedings; Nicholas Flatt also offers extensive knowledge in this field. Dominic Lee is a key contact for financial remedy proceedings, and Jessica Firth-Brown, Ailsa Tennant and Emma Lawler are other key names to note.Practice head(s):
Helen Derry
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Chrystal Theofanous is an amazing and dedicated solicitor. She is always up to date in terms of the law and never afraid to challenge to achieve a fair result. Despite her heavy work load she keeps on top of every case and is incredibly quick to respond to any emails so there is no drift in her cases.’
‘Lisa Kellett – Very experienced. Good allrounder. Strong on cases where the pension assets are particularly numerous or complex.’
‘I have worked on several occasions with Dominic Lee, who is an excellent solicitor. Pragmatic, empathetic and principled. He works hard to ensure the best outcome for his clients, including as part of a team with emotional support, and financial advice, so the client has a rounded experience with the right support team in place.’
‘Compared to other firms, Sills & Betteridge LLP’s Family Team combines the depth of expertise and resources of a large regional practice with the personalised attention and care of a boutique firm, making them a trusted choice for clients navigating challenging family law matters.’
‘Lisa Kellett’s work was outstanding and her knowledge of the law was second to none. She was compassionate and caring, and always advised me in the correct manner and made sure that I fully understood what was going to happen.’
‘Mo Hayes – partner Mo is an excellent lawyer. She provides robust and insightful advice to professional and lay clients. She is empathetic with the vulnerable whilst also managing to be realistic about their options. She approaches all of her given tasks with diligence and ensures that she keeps her team up to date with cases.’
‘One of the very best teams in the region and particularly sought after by parents who want representation that will stand its ground and fight their corner.’
‘The whole team are absolutely dedicated to achieving the best result for the client. They advise realistically and then work tirelessly and efficiently. The culture within the firm to train paralegals and juniors means that everyone is involved and gives 110%.’
Work highlights
- Represented the father in care proceedings in respect of a 13-year-old girl.
- Acted in a child abduction case in which the child sought to appeal the recognition and enforcement of an Irish Special Care Order pursuant to Article 23 of the Hague Convention 1996.
- Acted for the respondent children in a children’s care case.
Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in East Midlands Tier 2
Based in Lincoln, Sills & Betteridge LLP’s client base primarily comprises manufacturing, construction and engineering companies. Practice head James Conduit is skilled at advising on demerger and MBO issues, often acting for shareholders from vehicle companies. Martin Walsh is a key contact for drafting and negotiating leasing agreements and investment paperwork, often working on deals that involve the US. Praised by clients for his ‘efficient, quick and direct yet straightforward approach’, Euan McLaughlin leads on restructuring, management buyout and investment issues.Practice head(s):
James Conduit
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They have a great relationship with local professionals which helps when working on complex issues. They deal with challenges quickly and efficiently with openness and clarity.’
‘Euan McLaughlin works very quickly, this helps ensure we don’t forget issues or challenges, his direct but informative approach works really well. Euan is flexible and reacts quickly and directly to clients and also the ‘other party’.’
‘The team have a thorough knowledge of their portfolio areas and communicate in clear terms to their customers.’
‘I have dealt with James Conduit in respect of corporate matters and he provides clear, relevant advice to mutual clients and advice on complex proposed legal contracts.’
A team of specialists in all areas, they have a great relationship with local professionals which helps when working a complex issues.’
‘They deal with challenges quickly and efficiently with openness and clarity. They spend time to ensure correct understanding and provide comprehensive support. They are flexible and do what they need to, to help conclude your case.’
‘Euan works very quickly, this helps ensure we don’t forget issues or challenges, his direct but informative approach works really well. Euan removes the sometimes unnecessary Jargon and complex language with simple explanations. Euan is flexible and reacts quickly and directly to clients and also the ‘other party’. In my dealings with previous solicitors, Euan’s efficient, quick and direct yet straightforward approach is rare and a pleasure to work with and have on my side and the side of my clients.’
‘Approachable but pragmatic. Not just interested in the legal position but also take an interest in the people situation too, which can often inform the legal position anyway.’
Key clients
Active8 Managed Technologies Limited
Almond Financial Limited
Ballet Makers Europe Limited
Beaphar BV
Castlet Holdings Limited
Chandlers (Farm Machinery) Limited
Clydesdale Bank PLC
Energy Specialist Solutions Limited
Hemswell Estates Limited
Micronclean Limited
Omex Agriculture Limited
SHD Group
Sleeping Disorders Centre Group
Turnbull & Co Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the board of Castlet Limited on the implementation of the Castlet Employee Ownership Trust, placing ownership of the advanced electrical engineering company in the hands of its employees.
- Acted for the Seller of Silt Side Services Limited to Partic Motor Spares (Holdings) Limited.
- Advised Mystery Jersey King on its investment from ‘Dragon’ Sara Davies as featured on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.
Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud Tier 2
With offices throughout the region, Sills & Betteridge LLP‘s comprehensive practice includes homicide, sexual offence, road traffic offence and complex financial matters. The team also represents clients in Court Martial proceedings. Christopher Hogg specialises in private road traffic offences in particular and ‘exceptional individual’ Katie Scott’s homicide and drug conspiracy expertise comes to the fore on cases committed to the Crown Court. The pair co-helm the offering.Practice head(s):
Christopher Hogg; Katie Scott
Testimonials
‘The Sills and Betteridge team are always dedicated and proactive.’
‘The team are all extremely efficient and easy to work with under pressure.’
‘Katie Scott never ceases to impress with her ability to handle large and small cases. Her knowledge of her cases and the law mean the client gets high-quality advice from the start of their case.’
‘Katie Scott is excellent. She has insight, tactical acumen and outstanding client care. She is hardworking and committed to ensuring the case is properly prepared and well-presented.’
‘Efficient, conscientious and approachable. A very experienced team that always uses its extensive knowledge and skills to find solutions practically and pragmatically.’
‘Professional and friendly with a real determination to go above and beyond for the clients, in particular Katie Scott stands out as an exceptional individual in this respect. Katie has a real understanding of her clients’ needs and communicates this in a strategic and skilled manner.’
‘This practice is made unique by how personal and people-focused they are. They were there for me, to guide me through every step of the way.’
‘Our engagement was notably with Christopher Hogg who is an extremely capable and hands-on litigator with excellent client application, leadership and direction skills. His support team entirely complements that, and team delivery is first-class and most reassuring.’
Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 2
Primarily acting for trustees and executors on will dispute matters, Sills & Betteridge LLP is praised by clients for providing ‘expert legal support’ with a ‘personal touch’. Leading the practice from Lincoln, Karen Bower-Brown is a key contact for matters involving will disputes, contentious probate proceedings and financial provision claims, primarily acting for private individuals. Splitting his time between Nottingham and Lincoln, Robert Pearson specialises in property-related issues and claims under the Inheritance Act.Practice head(s):
Karen Bower-Brown
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I had an outstanding experience with Sills & Betteridge. Their team was incredibly kind, helpful, and considerate throughout the entire process. Communication was excellent, and I truly felt like I had exceptional fighters in my corner.’
‘Karen Bower-Brown and the team were beyond exceptional. From start to finish, they provided unwavering support, making me feel genuinely cared for throughout the entire process. They eased my stress, ensuring everything was as comfortable and straightforward as possible.’
‘Karen Bower-Brown was highly professional in all of our communications, it was always made absolutely clear where I stood in the situation and what the risks were if things should escalate.’
‘I feel this practice is outstanding in the work they deliver, nothing is too much for them and their support to me over the last few years has been unbelievable. Sills and Betteridge have supported me through a very difficult time.’
‘Karen Bower-Brown and her team were helpful and knowledgeable and at no time were we given false promises of a favourable outcome. Through their hard work and expertise we were granted probate. In all conversations with her she knew exactly what was happening with case.’
‘Karen Bower-Brown was thorough, determined and extremely capable resulting in the removal of the caveat to the complete satisfaction of my client. This enabled the completion of the administration to proceed efficiently. Karen was always available to discuss matters when needed and kept me fully informed throughout the process. I would not hesitate to recommend her services.’
‘Sills & Bettridge is one of the few regional firms with a genuine specialism in this area of work.’
‘Karen Bower-Brown is a very experienced practitioner and very pleasant to work with.’
Work highlights
- Advised an individual on a homemade will dispute.
- Advised a client on a will dispute that involved cross-border elements.
- Advised two individuals on financial provision proceedings.
Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 2
Jointly led by Andrew Durkan and Richard Bussell, Sills & Betteridge LLP‘s Lincoln-based wills trusts and probate practice acts for businesses and landowners. Singled out as a ‘powerhouse of trust knowledge’, Durkan is well versed in family estate planning. Bussell is a specialist in succession planning and regularly advises clients in the agricultural sector.Practice head(s):
Andrew Durkan; Richard Bussell
Testimonials
‘Richard Bussell has excellent knowledge and is approachable and provides practical advice.’
‘The individuals that I have dealt with are everything you would hope for. Responsive, knowledgeable, empathetic and understanding of difficult family decisions. Richard always presents the facts clearly, with all options laid out then encourages me in my decision making process.’
‘Their knowledge is next to none, they understand what I need before I even know! Excellent knowledge, and genuinely have an interest in you.’
‘Andrew Durkan is a powerhouse of Trust knowledge. Every single thing he advised in some way benefited the management and execution of the Trust.’
‘Andrew Durkan has been of great assistance to me and my family, providing expert and clear guidance on family estate planning. He has been able to work with various members of our family, showing great patience and producing insightful and innovative solutions to complex, specific challenges regarding discretionary trusts and wills. Andrew is always happy to help and is happy to explain prior work if I need a refresher.’
‘Richard Bussell leads from the front, with innovative thinking to find good outcomes.’
‘Personal touch, always happy to go over and above to assist clients and ourselves. Always happy to pick up the telephone and talk through any queries or worries.’
‘Richard Bussell is a first-rate lawyer with a wealth of private tax client knowledge and experience. He is approachable and turns law speak into normal language, so clients understand the proposed actions. He provides an all-round service and is extremely reliable.’
Work highlights
- Advised local HNW family with complex family dynamics on tax planning in the lead up to and following the Budget.
- Advised with only 6 weeks to the deadline to vary the estates of two deceased family members to maximise IHT reliefs and allowances and achieve the detailed restructuring of the family assets for the longer-term benefit of the client’s family.
- Advised local farming and haulage company owners in respect of IHT planning on £14m estate. Devised plan to afford maximum flexibility on the distribution of assets to avoid a claim against the estate whilst ensuring that the family farm will not be split up on the deaths of the clients.
Private client > Family: elsewhere in Yorkshire Tier 2
The ‘prompt and reliable’ practice at Sills & Betteridge LLP incorporating Acclaimed Family Law is ‘friendly and efficient’, and is well versed in handling complex matters for a range of clients. The department splits its focus across finance, care work, private children issues, emergency work, and mediation. Leading the team is Emma Lawler, with expertise in the financial elements of relationship breakdowns, particularly pre- and post-nuptial agreements and separation agreements. Peter Dadswell is of note, with experience in children disputes and cohabitee issues. Sandra Russell is well versed at handling complex financial matters, and handles non-court family dispute resolution, while Michelle Cooper acts mainly for clients in the media sector.Practice head(s):
Emma Lawler
Other key lawyers:
Peter Dadswell; Sandra Rusell; Michelle Cooper
Testimonials
‘The practice is very approachable and welcoming to clients. I have found the team to be friendly and efficient in dealing with requests at all times.’
‘I have been working with Sandra Russell and have found her to be incredibly supportive during a difficult process. She gets straight to the point and has been great at finding solutions for me.’
‘The team has provided a personable and high level of service, easy to work with and very efficient.’
‘Sandra Russell is an exceptional lawyer and is a delight to work with. She is highly professional, extremely knowledgeable and fair minded. Sandra has provided a high level of service and support throughout the legal process, given clear advice and most importantly has given me peace of mind knowing I am in very capable hands.’
‘Sandra Russell and the team have been exceptionally helpful, focused and supportive throughout a difficult period in my life. They are honest, provide strong guidance on what is best for me and my family and are willing to be flexible to accommodate our needs.’
‘Sandra Russell is very supportive, to the point and gives me full confidence that the decisions I’m making are right for my family. Sandra’s experience in the field and the context she is able to provide me about certain elements of the proceedings gives me that peace of mind that it’s a realistic approach and that it is what is best for me and my family. She’s attentive, responsive and knows my case inside out.’
‘Very informative and precise with outlining processes and potential realistic outcomes.’
‘Sandra Russell- she was very understanding, had an extensive knowledge. She gave me the time I needed to process the information and followed everything up with an email.’
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: elsewhere in the East Midlands Tier 3
Sills & Betteridge LLP‘s team acts on a range of commercial disputes. Practice head Karen Bower-Brown specialises in breach of contract, breach of warranty, and commercial property disputes. Robert Pearson’s varied caseload includes misrepresentation claims arising from the sale of businesses.Practice head(s):
Karen Bower-Brown
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A professional approach to instructions with a commercial and realistic view to risk of litigation.’
‘Available and knowledgeable.’
‘I was instructed as counsel by Sills & Betteridge about a trade mark infringement claim, at both the liability and quantum stages, and in successfully resisting permission to appeal. I worked closely with Robert Pearson, throughout.’
‘I was impressed by Sills & Betteridge’s partner-led approach to conducting proceedings.’
‘Robert Pearson provided a high-quality level of advice and assistance, and took personal responsibility for the majority of the work required to conduct the case, whilst sensibly delegating lower-level tasks to appropriate fee-earners, and seeking counsel’s assistance where required.’
‘This practices professionalism, communication and collaboration and knowledge of the applicable laws was first-rate and enabled me to achieve an excellent outcome.’
‘We were provided with a highly personal, empathetic, and supportive responses throughout. The whole team made us feel as if we were their only client.’
‘Karen Bower-Brown became like a friend and confidante, she was very attentive and nothing ever seemed too much for her.’
Key clients
George Bateman & Son Limited
Hemswell Biogas Limited
Micronclean Limited
Omex Agriculture Limited
SHD Composite Materials Ltd
SHD-MTI Limited
The Burdens Group Limited
The Snoring Disorders Centre Ltd
Turnbull & Co Limited
George Bateman & Son Limited
Hemswell Biogas Limited
Micronclean Limited
Omex Agriculture Limited
SHD Composite Materials Ltd
SHD-MTI Limited
The Burdens Group Limited
The Snoring Disorders Centre Ltd
Turnbull & Co Limited
George Bateman & Son Limited
Hemswell Biogas Limited
Micronclean Limited
Omex Agriculture Limited
SHD Composite Materials Ltd
SHD-MTI Limited
The Burdens Group Limited
The Snoring Disorders Centre Ltd
Turnbull & Co Limited
Work highlights
- Advising the client in an alleged breach of a restrictive covenant by a former employee.
Employment > Immigration Tier 3
Sills & Betteridge LLP‘s group ‘provides exceptional services with very knowledgeable partners’ across its spread of offices in the region, and the team possesses strong expertise in relation to the immigration impacts of Brexit, with expertise regarding EU Settlement Scheme applications. Spearheading the practice, Deborah Linford has acquired a wealth of experience in personal immigration which sees her engaged by clients on immigration applications, citizenship applications, EEA applications and appeals.Practice head(s):
Deborah Linford
Testimonials
‘Sills & Betteridge LLP is an excellent firm that provides exceptional services with very knowledgeable partners and speedy solutions thanks to the tech used and the range of specialists within the group that can be called upon in times of need.’
‘Deborah Linford is exceptional with regards to the service provided – knowledge, speed and resolutions – but also humble and understanding.’
‘Deborah Linford has extensive knowledge. She was extremely thorough and explained everything to me every step of the process. And I would highly recommend her services to anyone who needs help with immigration issues.’
‘Deborah always goes above and beyond, she is always on-hand to help with any query we have and as well as providing us with an answer to a query and will always, where possible, provide a link to a resource to where the information is located which helps with developing our learning as well.’
‘Deborah Linford provides an impressive quality of service.’
‘They remained in contact with me until the application had been successfully completed. I found the service I received to be excellent value for money.’
‘Deborah Linford has been amazing from the initial consultation through to the end of my application process. Their advice and assistance were invaluable to me. I cannot thank Deborah enough for the help.’
‘It is Deborah Linford and her team that make this practice unique and exceptional. We were overwhelmed by the care and attention that Deborah and her team gave us while dealing with our complex immigration case.’
Real estate > Commercial property: elsewhere in the East Midlands Tier 3
Sills & Betteridge LLP‘s team’s commercial property workload includes significant agricultural and energy projects. Team lead Malachy McGill advises investor and developer clients on various development projects. Melissa Kirk handles a varied stream of financing matters, acquisitions and retail development projects, while Steven Dowse has a similarly broad practice, managing agricultural transactions, sales and lease transactions. Susan Thomas retired in December 2024.Practice head(s):
Malachy McGill
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Steven Dowse and his team is quite amazing really – he went far beyond the necessary requirements when purchasing a commercial property. We could not recommend Sills & Betteridge any higher.’
‘I have always found Sills & Betteridge to be approachable, thorough and collaborative in approach. They have certainly helped me to make sense of things I found difficult to understand, have given me great advice and have felt like an extension of my own team.’
‘Malachy McGill has been the person who I have worked with the most – efficient, personable and approachable.’
‘Malachy McGill is knowledgeable and practical and explains things in a way that I completely understand. His communication has always been excellent.’
‘The Sills & Betteridge team are extremely proficient and attentive. Rarely do we wait more than a couple of hours for a reply and the advice is always robust.’
‘Their speed, competence, commitment and attentiveness are standout.’
Steven Dowse has supported us in many projects, our company feels very fortunate to have this excellent team working alongside of us.’
‘A strong, local and knowledgeable commercial property team offering excellent advice in all aspects of commercial property transactions.’
Key clients
LEP Developments Limited
Kingsbridge Corporate Solutions Limited
Venues Group Limited
Omex Agriculture Limited
John HB Andrews Limited
Ballet Makers Europe Limited
Hemswell Estates Limited
Micronclean Limited
Turnbull & Co Limited
RCS Filling Machines Ltd
Croney Group Holdings Limited
Work highlights
- Acting on all aspects of this ongoing matter for LEP Developments Limited including new unit sales.
- Instructed to deal with the sale of Pine Tree Leisure Park for the holiday park client, for £2.75m.
- Acted on the purchase of an industrial site for Croney Holdings Limited consisting of 50 self-storage units, all rented and occupied, 2 industrial units which have been spilt up into 5 separate units all rented and occupied.
Employment Tier 4
With a particular focus on TUPE and drafting settlement arrangements, Sills & Betteridge LLP advises employers on a broad range of employment matters. Stephen Britton leads the practice from Nottingham, offering advice on TUPE issues and represents employers and claimants in Employment Tribunal claims. Britton operates across the recruitment, technology, care and agriculture sectors.Practice head(s):
Stephen Britton
Testimonials
‘The service we get is very tailored to our requirements based on what is a very complicated operation. We are supported very well throughout the management of issues and the solutions are commercially focused to enable us to manage our internal stakeholders and their expectations.’
‘Steve Britton is a key contact and has built up a knowledge of our business over a number of years. The support he provides reflects his in-depth knowledge of us as a business and the culture of the operation. Steve will ensure that we are aware of the risks associated with cases and the consequences of the decisions we make.’
‘We use Sills & Betteridge for employment issues and they are knowledgeable and offer practical advice to any problems we have.’
‘Stephen Britton as head of the Employment department is approachable, experienced and provides succinct real world advice on how to resolve the issues we have.’
‘The team at Sills & Betteridge LLP is very responsive and the advice they give is very informative and helpful.’
‘Not only is Stephen Britton incredibly experienced and knowledgeable, he is a lovely person to work with. He listens attentively, asks questions and offers sound advice. He presents case law in an easy to understand way and presents different options for consideration.’
‘Wide range of skills throughout the team to complement each other.’
‘Informative, comprehensive and reliable advice in a prompt and efficient manner.’
Key clients
Charles Kendall Group Limited
Cipher International Limited
Nottingham City Transport Limited
Newbury College
Concha Y Toro UK Limited
BFS Group Limited t/a Bidfood
3663 Transport Limited
Damons Restaurants (UK) Limited
NSK Europe Limited
George Bateman & Son Limited
Linsco Limited
Sytner Group Limited
Springstate Limited (CARH)
ADR UK Tyremart Ltd (CARH)
Alco Team Limited / Wild Water Warehousing Group Limited
Insurance > Personal injury and clinical negligence: claimant Tier 4
Sills & Betteridge LLP fields ‘diligent and thorough’ teams in personal injury, clinical negligence, abuse and claims. Heading up the personal injury and claims teams, Alison Hurton is skilled at handling a broad range of cases including road traffic accidents, employers’ liability claims and CICA claims. Louise Bush leads the clinical negligence team, with expertise in breach of duty claims and misdiagnoses. Leading the abuse team, Kim Overton handles sexual abuse claims and complex PTSD issues. Specialising in personal injury claims, Simon Breeden works on matters involving terrorist attacks and orthopaedic injuries. Michael Tunnicliffe has recently been engaged in employers’ liability claims and road traffic accident matters.Practice head(s):
Alison Hurton; Louise Bush; Kim Overton
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They are a very diligent and thorough team who prepare their cases well and manage clients effectively through the stress of litigation.’
‘Simon Breeden is very good, excellent at building good relationships with clients, very calm under pressure and has good legal acumen.’
‘Sills & Betteridge LLP provide a committed service to individuals who have suffered injury through medical negligence. The team are committed to achieving the best results for their clients and they leave no stone unturned in doing so. They have a wealth of experience and get great results.’
‘Louise Bush works very hard for her clients. She has a great eye for detail and is extremely thorough in her approach to cases.’
‘With a presence in most larger towns in Lincolnshire, the practice provides high quality and accessible legal services to individuals across Lincolnshire. They are also a very forward-looking practice.’
‘Two individuals stand out: Simon Breeden and Kim Overton. Both provide exceptional client focused legal advice. Both are prepared to go above and beyond for their clients. It may seem trite to say, but both really do make every effort to ensure that the very best result is achieved and leave no stone unturned in terms of investigations into evidence. The personal approach and ethos of the firm in this regard really does shine through.’
‘Simon Breeden is outstanding. He is everything you want in a solicitor – friendly, efficient, effective, professional and knowledgeable. I would have no qualms in recommending Simon to anyone.’
‘Try to get the best for their clients. Louise Bush is highly regarded as a clinical negligence practitioner.’
Work highlights
- Acted for the only two surviving passengers in a high-speed RTC in a claim against the driver of the vehicle.
- Acting for two claimants, both of whom were severely abused in the 60s and 70s.
- Assisting the claimant on a clinical negligence matter arising out of an incorrect diagnosis.
Sills & Betteridge LLP > Firm Profile
Sills & Betteridge LLP offers a wide range of personal and commercial legal services. Clients include both private and publicly funded individuals, businesses, charities and government bodies.
The firm: The recorded origins of Sills & Betteridge date back to 1759, and the firm now has 17 offices with over 400 partners and staff across Lincolnshire, the wider East Midlands and Yorkshire.
The firm has used mergers and acquisitions as a strategy for expansion into new geographic areas and to further strengthen its existing operations.
It continues to effectively meet and overcome the challenges facing the legal profession thanks to the sound strategic management of the firm’s operations by its management board. Accelerated investment in the firm’s IT and telecoms infrastructures has enabled significant efficiencies in case management, service delivery methods and flexible working arrangements.
Throughout over 260 years of practice, Sills & Betteridge has built up a wealth of experience and knowledge of what clients require and expect from their legal advisors. The firm believes that by putting client needs at the heart of everything it does it can solve their problems, meet their goals and provide the best possible advice, in a clear, straightforward manner. Regular client feedback confirms its people are professional, efficient and courteous – and operate with skill, integrity and flair.
The firm’s people are indeed its proudest asset, with many at the very top of their field. They include members of multiple Law Society Panels, The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS), the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and accredited specialists of Resolution (Solicitors Family Law Association).
The firm has held the Law Society’s Lexcel practice management standard since 2002. It also holds the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation.
Types of work undertaken: For private individuals, the firm can offer advice on family law, residential property, wills, trusts and probate, personal injury, medical negligence, employment law, crime and immigration law. The firm undertakes publicly funded work in the areas of care proceedings, domestic abuse, forced marriage and honour-based violence, international child abduction and crime.
For business clients, Sills & Betteridge has extensive experience in corporate sales and purchases, commercial property, employment law, litigation and dispute resolution, renewable energy, agriculture and rural business, regulatory law, commercial contracts, partnerships and LLPs, professional negligence, licensing, banking and finance, health and safety law, GDPR advice, insolvency and debt recovery.
Lincolnshire offices: Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Sleaford, Skegness, Boston and Spilsby.
East Midlands: Nottingham, Derby, Northampton
Yorkshire: Sheffield, Doncaster, Thorne, Wath upon Dearne and Howden.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Partner | Karen Bower-Brown | ||
| Chief Executive | Martyn Hall | ||
| Residential Property | Edward Sharpe | ||
| Crime | Christopher Hogg | ||
| Family | Helen Derry | ||
| Wills, Trusts and Probate | Andrew Durkan | ||
| Corporate | James Conduit | ||
| Commercial Litigation | Karen Bower-Brown | ||
| Personal Injury | Alison Hurton | ||
| Employment Law | Stephen Britton | ||
| Commercial Property | Malachy McGill |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Deborah Linford | Next Generation Partner 2024 Associate and Head of the Immigration Department, specialising… | View Profile |
|
Victoria Rowson | Victoria qualified in 2013 and is an accredited member of the Law… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 58 Number of other UK fee-earners : 147- Private client > Family
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in East Midlands
- Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud
- Private client > Contentious trusts and probate
- Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate
- Private client > Family: elsewhere in Yorkshire