Business Details
Trusted Legal Experts Since 1827
Bailey Smailes has been delivering expert legal advice to individuals and SMEs in Huddersfield, Holmfirth, and surrounding areas since 1827. Our firm combines centuries of heritage with modern legal expertise, offering tailored solutions across family law, private client matters, residential and commercial conveyancing, and estate administration. Our team of solicitors and licensed conveyancers prioritises clear communication, avoiding legal jargon to ensure clients understand every step of their case. We acquired Helios Legal Services Limited in 2023 to secure long-term growth while maintaining our commitment to personal, pragmatic service. Our STEP-accredited solicitors and specialists in lifetime legal planning demonstrate our deep expertise in wills, probate, and inheritance tax.With offices in Huddersfield, Holmfirth, and Mirfield, we serve clients with dedicated solicitors handling matters from start to finish. Our transparent pricing includes fixed-fee options for estate administration, with hourly rates ranging from 215 to 245 plus VAT. We invest in technology to streamline processes while maintaining the human touch that has built our reputation for excellence. Our team includes specialists in agricultural law, commercial property, and family disputes, reflecting our comprehensive service offering. With over 30 years of experience in property law, our leadership drives innovation while upholding the highest standards of client care.
Services
Residential Conveyancing
Wills & Probate
Estate Administration
Inheritance Tax Planning
Family Law
Commercial Property
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Court of Protection
Trusts
Commercial Conveyancing
Highlights and features
- We have over 190 years of legal expertise serving Huddersfield communities
- Our STEP-accredited solicitors specialise in complex estate planning
- We provide fixed-fee estate administration options with transparent pricing
- Our team includes specialists in agricultural law and commercial property
- We combine heritage with modern technology for efficient service delivery
Associations and certifications
- STEP
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Association of Lifetime Lawyers
What people say
Excellent professional service
Communicative and helpful
Impressed with service
Dedicated solicitors
Complex matters handled well
Services
Estate Administration
Our specialist solicitors handle estate administration with gold-standard legal advice. We manage probate applications, asset collection, and distribution with transparent pricing from 2,000 to 5,000 plus VAT. Our STEP-accredited team ensures smooth processes for estates with valid wills and up to five beneficiaries, handling complex cases involving multiple properties and bank accounts.
Residential Conveyancing
We provide expert residential conveyancing services for property sales and purchases. Our licensed conveyancers handle freehold and leasehold transactions, transfers of equity, and remortgages with professional client-focused service. Our team includes specialists with decades of experience in residential property law, ensuring smooth transactions for first-time buyers and experienced homeowners alike.
Wills & Probate
Our private client solicitors offer comprehensive will writing and probate services. We specialise in complex wills, tax planning, trusts, and lasting powers of attorney. With Association of Lifetime Lawyers accredited solicitors, we provide expert guidance on inheritance tax mitigation and court of protection matters, ensuring your wishes are legally protected.
Family Law
We advise on all aspects of family law including divorce, child arrangements, and financial settlements. Our resolution members focus on achieving amicable solutions while protecting client interests. With experienced solicitors in our Huddersfield, Holmfirth, and Mirfield offices, we handle complex family disputes with sensitivity and legal expertise.
Commercial Property
Our commercial property team handles transactions for businesses of all sizes. We specialise in commercial leases, property acquisitions, and development projects. With over 30 years' experience in property law, our solicitors provide practical advice on commercial property matters while maintaining the highest professional standards.
People
David Gilman
Director and CEO
With over 30 years' property law experience, David leads Helios Legal Services Limited as CEO. He drives business innovation while maintaining client service excellence. His expertise in property transactions and financial institutions shapes our strategic direction.
David Wells
Director
STEP-accredited solicitor specialising in private client matters with 15+ years' experience. He advises on complex wills, tax planning, and estate administration while maintaining active involvement in professional legal societies.
Sarah Markham
Solicitor
Association of Lifetime Lawyers accredited solicitor with 25+ years' experience in private client law. She specialises in wills, probate, and lasting powers of attorney, bringing expertise from long-established regional firms to our team.
Ian Holmes
Senior Consultant Solicitor
Over 50 years' legal experience including wills, probate, and agricultural law. As former head of private client team, he maintains STEP accreditation and provides expert guidance on complex estate matters.
Jonathan Padgett
Head of Commercial Property
Senior solicitor with 30+ years' experience in commercial property and agricultural law. He provides pragmatic advice to business clients while maintaining expertise in private client matters through his legal career.
Questions
What areas do you cover?
We serve clients across Huddersfield, Holmfirth, Mirfield, and surrounding areas.
Do you offer fixed fee services?
Yes, we provide fixed fee quotes for estate administration and other legal services.
Are your solicitors accredited specialists?
Our team includes STEP-accredited and Association of Lifetime Lawyers specialists in wills and probate.
How quickly can you handle probate?
Grant of Probate typically takes up to 16 weeks, with full estate administration 6-12 months.
What legal areas do you specialise in?
We specialise in family law, conveyancing, wills, probate, estate planning, and commercial property.
