Lexcel Accreditation
The Lexcel accreditation is the Law Society's quality control standard. Tailor made for the legal profession it is an independent assurance of quality of service. At the time of being awarded the Lexcel accreditation we were the largest legal practice in the country to gain it and the first in Cornwall.
Chambers UK 2009
Stephens Scown is a significant force in the South West legal market with offices in Devon and Cornwall serving regional and national clients.
The last year has been one of continued growth as the firm pursues its strategy of becoming the pre-eminent provider of legal services in the region. Chief executive Andy Steele, who joined the firm in 2005, has used his customer-orientated background to reinforce the firm's focus on meeting client needs.
No 1 South West Ranking
Dispute Resolution
‘Absolutely first class' according to clients.
Capacity to handle a wide range of matters but notably strong are financial services and private client litigation. The team is developing an international reach by handling work against companies in the Far East, USA and Europe.
Family
The firm remains at the forefront of family work in the South West. High net worth individuals feature heavily in the client list and the team is commended for its ability to handle cases involving foreign assets, complex pension issues and large scale investment.
Highly Ranked
Corporate Finance: The team has seen a steady increase in the number of deals over the past year and a substantial increase in deal values
Planning: The groups recent work demonstrates its wide range of planning expertise. Clients prize the full-service nature of the practice and the range of experience it brings together.
Mining & Minerals: The group's ability to secure work ahead of the some of the larger firms is evident from its continuing advice to clients on property, mineral and planning matters.
Legal 500
Corporate & Commercial: ‘provides excellent service'. It handled 33 deals with a total value of £190m in the last year.
Commercial Litigation: provides ‘outstanding service'. Areas of strength include professional negligence, construction and contractual disputes.
Insolvency and Corporate Recovery: ‘first-rate' team is led by ‘one of the country's leading insolvency specialists', Matthew Wald. Recent highlights include a multimillion-pound cross-border administration.
Employment: The ‘renowned' Nigel Moore, based in Exeter, leads the employment practice.
Private Client: Includes a dedicated rural team specialising in farming arrangements, boundary disputes and animal welfare.
Family - tier 1; The team has considerable experience in child law, including adoption, international abduction and immigration issues. Liz Allen is the only Family Lawyer in the top 30 Lawyers in the South West.
Commercial Property: The team has ‘excellent legal skills' and offers ‘sound business advice'.
