Stevens Drake
Basic Information:
Name:
Stevens Drake
Address:
117-119, High Street
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1DQ
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1DQ
Phone:
01293 596900
Fax:
01293 596968
Email:
Website:
Area(s) of Business:
Lawyer - Solicitor
Year Established:
1782
Company:
The business law department specialises in corporate law - encompassing company/corporate, property, employment, insolvency, debt recovery and litigation.
This division also offers a range of discreet packaged services including a Small Business Unit which is tailored to start-up and emerging businesses. The Media & Technology Unit focuses on providing an all encompassing service to specialist technology businesses and companies operating websites.
The PRIVATE division concentrates on providing high quality family law and private client work covering wills, probate, tax planning and residential conveyancing.
This division also offers a range of discreet packaged services including a Small Business Unit which is tailored to start-up and emerging businesses. The Media & Technology Unit focuses on providing an all encompassing service to specialist technology businesses and companies operating websites.
The PRIVATE division concentrates on providing high quality family law and private client work covering wills, probate, tax planning and residential conveyancing.
Staff:
Stevensdrake comprises nine Partners, two Consultants and sixty-five personnel in total.
Please contact:
Residential conveyancing, Mike Berry
Commercial Property, Minesh Patel
Business Law, Mark O Halloran
Employment Law, Steven Eckett
Recovery and Insolvency, Gavin Pickering
Commercial Litigation, Ian Price
Debt Recovery, Graham Penn
Wills and Probate, Ian Paul
Family, Sue Jago
Please visit our website where you will find specific information on all our people and their individual contact details.
Please contact:
Residential conveyancing, Mike Berry
Commercial Property, Minesh Patel
Business Law, Mark O Halloran
Employment Law, Steven Eckett
Recovery and Insolvency, Gavin Pickering
Commercial Litigation, Ian Price
Debt Recovery, Graham Penn
Wills and Probate, Ian Paul
Family, Sue Jago
Please visit our website where you will find specific information on all our people and their individual contact details.
Areas of Business (Products / Services):
Residential Property - At Stevensdrake we realise that buying or selling your home may be the biggest single financial transaction you ever make. Our aim is to make that transaction as smooth and stress free as possible. Our small Conveyancing Team offers a quality one to one service. Services we provide:
Sales
Purchases, including right to buys, shared ownership, buy to lets and key worker schemes;
Re-mortgages, including equity release schemes
Transfers of Equiyt;
Miscellaneous
Property and Land Issues, Rights of Way, Boundary Issues, Residential Lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement;
Residential Tenancy Agreements;
Residential Development Site Acquisition and Plot Sales;
Commercial Property - The Commercial Property department is managed by Alex Mitchell and Minesh Patel. This division is retained by clients in the retail, office, industrial, leisure, investment and development sectors. A high proportion of clients are national and City of London based: including listed Plcs, private companies and high net-worth individuals.
We provide a quick, commercial and proactive service to our clients and liaise with other professionals - surveyors, agents, architects and accountants. By understanding their business priorities, we are able to give the best advice. All members of the team have considerable landlord and tenant experience and can advise on the granting and taking of business leases, as well as the operation of the Landlord and Tenant Acts.
Business Law - stevensdrake has a wide range of commercial clients: from large public companies to small, medium enterprises and start-ups. We advise on all aspects of company and commercial law including acquisitions and disposals, group company re-organisations, financing, technology, media and technology and Internet trading, agency, joint ventures, franchise, distribution, intellectual property and EC competition law.
Employment - Whether it is advising on discrimination, preparing a disciplinary and dismissal procedure or assisting with tribunal procedures, we pride ourselves on providing pro-active, precise and easily workable commercial solutions to the employment law problems that our clients are facing.
Specifically, we can assist you in the following areas:
Contracts of employment and service agreements;
Fixed term contracts;
Share options and employee incentive schemes;
Policy, procedure and employee handbooks;
Compromise agreements;
Employment Tribunal representation and assistance;
Regular updates on changes in the law;
In-house training to key personnel;
Employment aspects of a transfer of a business (TUPE);
Redundancy advice - how to select and consult;
Discrimination advice-how to avoid the pitfalls;
Recruiting, managing and dismissing staff.
This is a sample of issues we advise clients on regularly. Please contact the team if you require advice on any other specific area of employment law not featured in the list above.
Insolvency - The corporate recovery and INSOLVENCY department is run by Gavin Pickering. The Department responds quickly to clients needs at partner level ensuring a solid proactive approach for best results. This is a niche department retained by major accountants and insolvency practitioners and specialises in corporate insolvency and personal bankruptcy. This Department is listed among the Legal 500 Recommended Law Firms.
Importantly, we recognise that companies are run by people who may need help and practical advice on the issues facing them personally, if their business gets into difficulties.
Stevensdrake can advise on all insolvency and recovery issues, of which funding and restructuring are often integral parts. We have extensive experience acting for insolvency practitioners in litigation and investigation, the recovery and disposal of assets.
Our aim is to maximise recovery whilst ensuring cost is proportionate. We advise creditors on taking and enforcing security and methods to protect their position before and after a creditor becomes insolvent. We can also offer advice on the restructuring of company and group business plus sale of assets.
Services offered include:
Administration
Provisional liquidation
Liquidation and bankruptcy
Preference and transaction at undervalue claims
Wrongful/fraudulent trading claims
Misfeasance claims
Retention of title
Corporate restructuring and finance
Asset Sales
Directors' duties and liabilities
Debt Recovery - The Debt Recovery Department is retained by major national and international companies such as American Express and DaimlerChrysler Services (UK) Ltd. We handle a substantial volume of consumer debt, particularly credit cards, motor finance and bank loans as well as business debt.
Stevensdrake can alleviate your debt collection problems by:
- tailoring a service to suit your needs;
- focusing on collecting debt from difficult payers;
- estimating the cost of pursuing collection against the value of the debt;
- investigating the reasons for the debt and seeking to resolve any disputes found.
At stevensdrake we believe that it is important to protect your reputation and have found that our clients' debtors react quickly as soon as a law firm becomes involved in debt collection. The Debt Recovery Department is included among those recommended by the Legal 500.
Litigation - The Litigation Department, headed by Ian Price and John Lovatt is renowned for practical advice in developing win-win solutions and in providing advice on measuring cost against benefit. Our specialist skills include high value complex commercial litigation, problems with the sale and supply of goods and services, professional negligence disputes, and property based litigation.
We aim to give our clients all available options and tailor solutions to achieve the most favourable outcome for their business, whether by court action, negotiated settlement, or via alternative dispute resolution measures, such as arbitration, adjudication, conciliation or mediation.
With our proactive approach, our specialist team of litigators offers a complete service including:
Contractual disputes
Complex debt collection
Personal injury and uninsured loss recovery
Insurance litigation
Property disputes
Personal Injury
Members of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel, we handle all kinds of injury claims, from minor whiplash through to severe disability, obtaining compensation effectively and efficiently.
Family Law - The Family Department is headed by Susan Jago. As well as being an accredited member of Resolution (formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association), Susan is on the Family Law Panel of The Law Society. Sue practices as a Collaborative Lawyer and is also an accredited Mediator having qualified with the Family Mediator's Association.
Divorce and related Financial settlements
We handle the full range of financial settlements. The importance of Pension Sharing within the split of family assets is fully recognised. We handle divorces and nullity proceedings of all types, including those with an international element.
Children
We are very active in resolving all manner of disputes involving children, including private residence, contact and parental responsibility disputes. We recognise the emotional issues involved and take all steps to resolve disputes as amicably as possible.
Collaborative Law
Collaborative Law is the new Dispute Resolution model in which both parties to the dispute retain separate specially trained lawyers whose only job is to help them settle matters without Court proceedings. All participants agree to work together in good faith to try to find solutions to the legitimate needs and entitlement of both parties.
Mediation
Mediation is an alternative to litigation for resolving disputes relating to relationship breakdowns. Susan Jago is a qualified Mediator. In mediation the parties to the breakdown meet together with Susan Jago in an effort to resolve disputes amicably and without recourse to the Courts. In many cases this is an effective way of resolving the disputes and reduces to a minimum the costs involved in resolving the issues resulting from the relationship breakdown. If mediation does not work the parties may have to resort to litigation.
Domestic Violence
We are able to efficiently and effectively make emergency applications to the Court for Orders necessary to protect those suffering domestic abuse. We are represented on the Domestic Violence Forum and are actively involved with the Women's Aid Movement.
Pre-nuptial/Cohabitation Agreements
Before getting married, or setting up home together, couples often wish to make clear the financial or other arrangements which are to exist between them. We can draw up appropriate agreements to reflect these arrangements. Such agreements help to reduce the likelihood of disputes in the future and are increasingly recognised by the courts in the event of relationship breakdown.
Wills and Probate - Our dynamic and forward thinking department offers the following range of services:
Wills and Tax Planning
Whatever your requirements, we can provide you with the Will you need. Using our expertise in tax planning and trusts, we are able to offer you creative solutions designed to fit your individual circumstances.
Post-death Tax Planning
Not all of us get around to making tax-efficient Wills during our lifetime. However, all is not lost. Your beneficiaries have a two year 'window' following your death to alter the terms of your Will. They can do this by signing a Deed of Variation.
Enduring Powers of Attorney
It's important to plan for the future. Let's face it, none of us knows what is around the corner. By signing an Enduring Power of Attorney, you can ensure that your financial affairs will be attended to when you are not in a position to handle them yourself. The document is relatively straightforward and can be produced quickly.
Our Private Client department has many years experience in advising upon and drafting Enduring Powers.
Estate Administration
Dealing with the estate of a loved one can often be a time consuming, complicated and stressful experience. Our department has the knowledge and experience to help you through every stage of the administration period.
We can ensure that your estate is administered in a timely and efficient manner. What is more, we also have the resources and expertise to act as the executor of your estate and trustee of any ongoing trusts created by your Will.
Sales
Purchases, including right to buys, shared ownership, buy to lets and key worker schemes;
Re-mortgages, including equity release schemes
Transfers of Equiyt;
Miscellaneous
Property and Land Issues, Rights of Way, Boundary Issues, Residential Lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement;
Residential Tenancy Agreements;
Residential Development Site Acquisition and Plot Sales;
Commercial Property - The Commercial Property department is managed by Alex Mitchell and Minesh Patel. This division is retained by clients in the retail, office, industrial, leisure, investment and development sectors. A high proportion of clients are national and City of London based: including listed Plcs, private companies and high net-worth individuals.
We provide a quick, commercial and proactive service to our clients and liaise with other professionals - surveyors, agents, architects and accountants. By understanding their business priorities, we are able to give the best advice. All members of the team have considerable landlord and tenant experience and can advise on the granting and taking of business leases, as well as the operation of the Landlord and Tenant Acts.
Business Law - stevensdrake has a wide range of commercial clients: from large public companies to small, medium enterprises and start-ups. We advise on all aspects of company and commercial law including acquisitions and disposals, group company re-organisations, financing, technology, media and technology and Internet trading, agency, joint ventures, franchise, distribution, intellectual property and EC competition law.
Employment - Whether it is advising on discrimination, preparing a disciplinary and dismissal procedure or assisting with tribunal procedures, we pride ourselves on providing pro-active, precise and easily workable commercial solutions to the employment law problems that our clients are facing.
Specifically, we can assist you in the following areas:
Contracts of employment and service agreements;
Fixed term contracts;
Share options and employee incentive schemes;
Policy, procedure and employee handbooks;
Compromise agreements;
Employment Tribunal representation and assistance;
Regular updates on changes in the law;
In-house training to key personnel;
Employment aspects of a transfer of a business (TUPE);
Redundancy advice - how to select and consult;
Discrimination advice-how to avoid the pitfalls;
Recruiting, managing and dismissing staff.
This is a sample of issues we advise clients on regularly. Please contact the team if you require advice on any other specific area of employment law not featured in the list above.
Insolvency - The corporate recovery and INSOLVENCY department is run by Gavin Pickering. The Department responds quickly to clients needs at partner level ensuring a solid proactive approach for best results. This is a niche department retained by major accountants and insolvency practitioners and specialises in corporate insolvency and personal bankruptcy. This Department is listed among the Legal 500 Recommended Law Firms.
Importantly, we recognise that companies are run by people who may need help and practical advice on the issues facing them personally, if their business gets into difficulties.
Stevensdrake can advise on all insolvency and recovery issues, of which funding and restructuring are often integral parts. We have extensive experience acting for insolvency practitioners in litigation and investigation, the recovery and disposal of assets.
Our aim is to maximise recovery whilst ensuring cost is proportionate. We advise creditors on taking and enforcing security and methods to protect their position before and after a creditor becomes insolvent. We can also offer advice on the restructuring of company and group business plus sale of assets.
Services offered include:
Administration
Provisional liquidation
Liquidation and bankruptcy
Preference and transaction at undervalue claims
Wrongful/fraudulent trading claims
Misfeasance claims
Retention of title
Corporate restructuring and finance
Asset Sales
Directors' duties and liabilities
Debt Recovery - The Debt Recovery Department is retained by major national and international companies such as American Express and DaimlerChrysler Services (UK) Ltd. We handle a substantial volume of consumer debt, particularly credit cards, motor finance and bank loans as well as business debt.
Stevensdrake can alleviate your debt collection problems by:
- tailoring a service to suit your needs;
- focusing on collecting debt from difficult payers;
- estimating the cost of pursuing collection against the value of the debt;
- investigating the reasons for the debt and seeking to resolve any disputes found.
At stevensdrake we believe that it is important to protect your reputation and have found that our clients' debtors react quickly as soon as a law firm becomes involved in debt collection. The Debt Recovery Department is included among those recommended by the Legal 500.
Litigation - The Litigation Department, headed by Ian Price and John Lovatt is renowned for practical advice in developing win-win solutions and in providing advice on measuring cost against benefit. Our specialist skills include high value complex commercial litigation, problems with the sale and supply of goods and services, professional negligence disputes, and property based litigation.
We aim to give our clients all available options and tailor solutions to achieve the most favourable outcome for their business, whether by court action, negotiated settlement, or via alternative dispute resolution measures, such as arbitration, adjudication, conciliation or mediation.
With our proactive approach, our specialist team of litigators offers a complete service including:
Contractual disputes
Complex debt collection
Personal injury and uninsured loss recovery
Insurance litigation
Property disputes
Personal Injury
Members of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel, we handle all kinds of injury claims, from minor whiplash through to severe disability, obtaining compensation effectively and efficiently.
Family Law - The Family Department is headed by Susan Jago. As well as being an accredited member of Resolution (formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association), Susan is on the Family Law Panel of The Law Society. Sue practices as a Collaborative Lawyer and is also an accredited Mediator having qualified with the Family Mediator's Association.
Divorce and related Financial settlements
We handle the full range of financial settlements. The importance of Pension Sharing within the split of family assets is fully recognised. We handle divorces and nullity proceedings of all types, including those with an international element.
Children
We are very active in resolving all manner of disputes involving children, including private residence, contact and parental responsibility disputes. We recognise the emotional issues involved and take all steps to resolve disputes as amicably as possible.
Collaborative Law
Collaborative Law is the new Dispute Resolution model in which both parties to the dispute retain separate specially trained lawyers whose only job is to help them settle matters without Court proceedings. All participants agree to work together in good faith to try to find solutions to the legitimate needs and entitlement of both parties.
Mediation
Mediation is an alternative to litigation for resolving disputes relating to relationship breakdowns. Susan Jago is a qualified Mediator. In mediation the parties to the breakdown meet together with Susan Jago in an effort to resolve disputes amicably and without recourse to the Courts. In many cases this is an effective way of resolving the disputes and reduces to a minimum the costs involved in resolving the issues resulting from the relationship breakdown. If mediation does not work the parties may have to resort to litigation.
Domestic Violence
We are able to efficiently and effectively make emergency applications to the Court for Orders necessary to protect those suffering domestic abuse. We are represented on the Domestic Violence Forum and are actively involved with the Women's Aid Movement.
Pre-nuptial/Cohabitation Agreements
Before getting married, or setting up home together, couples often wish to make clear the financial or other arrangements which are to exist between them. We can draw up appropriate agreements to reflect these arrangements. Such agreements help to reduce the likelihood of disputes in the future and are increasingly recognised by the courts in the event of relationship breakdown.
Wills and Probate - Our dynamic and forward thinking department offers the following range of services:
Wills and Tax Planning
Whatever your requirements, we can provide you with the Will you need. Using our expertise in tax planning and trusts, we are able to offer you creative solutions designed to fit your individual circumstances.
Post-death Tax Planning
Not all of us get around to making tax-efficient Wills during our lifetime. However, all is not lost. Your beneficiaries have a two year 'window' following your death to alter the terms of your Will. They can do this by signing a Deed of Variation.
Enduring Powers of Attorney
It's important to plan for the future. Let's face it, none of us knows what is around the corner. By signing an Enduring Power of Attorney, you can ensure that your financial affairs will be attended to when you are not in a position to handle them yourself. The document is relatively straightforward and can be produced quickly.
Our Private Client department has many years experience in advising upon and drafting Enduring Powers.
Estate Administration
Dealing with the estate of a loved one can often be a time consuming, complicated and stressful experience. Our department has the knowledge and experience to help you through every stage of the administration period.
We can ensure that your estate is administered in a timely and efficient manner. What is more, we also have the resources and expertise to act as the executor of your estate and trustee of any ongoing trusts created by your Will.
Fees:
Please contact our residential property department for a quote on your sale, purchase or other residential property transaction where we can offer fixed fees for most routine transactions.
Please contact the people mentioned above for an estimate of fees. By and large, our fees are based on a variety of factors including the time we have to spend, the nature and complexity of the work involved, its urgency, value, risk involved and other material considerations. We can usually give you a fair estimate for the work if it is of a routine nature once we have a better understanding of your requirements and the work involved.
We are a private practice and do not deal with legal aid work.
Please contact the people mentioned above for an estimate of fees. By and large, our fees are based on a variety of factors including the time we have to spend, the nature and complexity of the work involved, its urgency, value, risk involved and other material considerations. We can usually give you a fair estimate for the work if it is of a routine nature once we have a better understanding of your requirements and the work involved.
We are a private practice and do not deal with legal aid work.
Memberships / Accreditations:
This information is required by the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002.
Professional Regulation:
Stevensdrake is a law firm and is regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
Graham Penn is a Notary Public and is regulated by the Court of Faculties. Notaries are subject to rules and principals of professional conduct.
Click here: www.facultyoffice.org.uk/Notaries4.html to find details of the rules.
Susan Jago is an accredited member of Resolution and a member of the Collaborative Family Lawyers Organisation and is regulated by Resolution with membership number 6492. Members of Resolution are subject to its Code of Practice.
Click here www.resolution.org.uk/index.php?id=12 to find details of the Code of Practice.
Susan is also an accredited mediator and a member of the Family Mediators Association and is regulated by the Association with membership number FMA235. Members of the Association are subject to its Code of Practice.
Click here: www.thefma.co.uk/downloads/Code of Practice.doc to find details of the Code of Practice.
Susan is also a member of the UK College of Family Mediators and is regulated by the College, which does not give membership numbers. Members of the College are subject to its Code of Practice.
Click here: www.ukcfm.co.uk/uploads/documents/code of practice 0400.doc
to find details of the Code of Practice.
Paul L'Estrange is a Resolution Accredited Specialist Family lawyer and is regulated by Resolution with membership number 10793. Members of Resolution are subject to its Code of Practice.
Click here www.resolution.org.uk/index.php?id=12 to find details of the Code of Practice.
Accreditations:
Stevensdrake and its members of staff have been awarded the following accreditations:
Register Person Registered Number
Lexcel stevensdrake 55896
Investors in People stevensdrake n/a
Law Society Family Law Panel
Susan Jago
23081
Law Society Personal Injury Panel
John Lovatt
PI4675
Professional Regulation:
Stevensdrake is a law firm and is regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
Graham Penn is a Notary Public and is regulated by the Court of Faculties. Notaries are subject to rules and principals of professional conduct.
Click here: www.facultyoffice.org.uk/Notaries4.html to find details of the rules.
Susan Jago is an accredited member of Resolution and a member of the Collaborative Family Lawyers Organisation and is regulated by Resolution with membership number 6492. Members of Resolution are subject to its Code of Practice.
Click here www.resolution.org.uk/index.php?id=12 to find details of the Code of Practice.
Susan is also an accredited mediator and a member of the Family Mediators Association and is regulated by the Association with membership number FMA235. Members of the Association are subject to its Code of Practice.
Click here: www.thefma.co.uk/downloads/Code of Practice.doc to find details of the Code of Practice.
Susan is also a member of the UK College of Family Mediators and is regulated by the College, which does not give membership numbers. Members of the College are subject to its Code of Practice.
Click here: www.ukcfm.co.uk/uploads/documents/code of practice 0400.doc
to find details of the Code of Practice.
Paul L'Estrange is a Resolution Accredited Specialist Family lawyer and is regulated by Resolution with membership number 10793. Members of Resolution are subject to its Code of Practice.
Click here www.resolution.org.uk/index.php?id=12 to find details of the Code of Practice.
Accreditations:
Stevensdrake and its members of staff have been awarded the following accreditations:
Register Person Registered Number
Lexcel stevensdrake 55896
Investors in People stevensdrake n/a
Law Society Family Law Panel
Susan Jago
23081
Law Society Personal Injury Panel
John Lovatt
PI4675
