Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Experienced Solicitors in Witney | John Welch & Stammers
Established in 1932, John Welch & Stammers has built a reputation as a trusted law firm serving clients in Witney and surrounding areas. Our practice combines traditional values with modern legal expertise, offering personalised services across dispute resolution, property transactions, and probate matters. We prioritise accessibility and client care, maintaining a small-team ethos while embracing technological advancements to enhance service efficiency.As the first Alternative Business Structure in our region, we integrate non-lawyer expertise into our leadership, ensuring comprehensive support for clients. Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, our team of experienced solicitors and legal professionals delivers tailored solutions grounded in decades of local knowledge and professional integrity.
Services
Dispute Resolution
Commercial Property
Probate Services
Wills & Trusts
Conveyancing
Estate Administration
Powers of Attorney
Inheritance Tax Planning
Landlord & Tenant Disputes
Equity Release Schemes
Details
- Year established: 1932
Highlights and features
- We offer 90+ years of combined legal expertise in Witney
- Our team includes STEP-qualified probate specialists
- Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for professional standards
- Pioneering Alternative Business Structure enabling non-lawyer leadership
- Specialist residential/commercial property solicitors with local market knowledge
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
- Alternative Business Structure (ABS)
What people say
Friendly, professional and efficient manner
Compassion and support
Experienced and approachable
Sensitive and emotive handling
Cost effective mediation
Services
Dispute Resolution
Our dispute resolution team handles commercial/personal contractual disputes, property conflicts, and inheritance disagreements. We prioritise cost-effective mediation while maintaining litigation expertise for complex cases. Clients benefit from strategic guidance and negotiated settlements that protect their interests.
Commercial Property
Specialist support for commercial transactions including acquisitions, leasing, and development projects. We manage licensing requirements and landlord-tenant agreements, ensuring compliance with current regulations while protecting commercial interests through meticulous contract drafting.
Probate Services
Comprehensive probate assistance covering wills, trusts, and inheritance tax planning. Our STEP-qualified solicitors guide executors through estate administration, providing clear advice on grants of probate and complex intestacy situations with sensitive client support.
Conveyancing
Residential and commercial conveyancing services covering purchases, sales, and remortgaging. We manage shared ownership agreements and equity release schemes, offering transparent pricing and timely transaction completion through dedicated conveyancing specialists.
Wills & Trusts
Expert creation of legally sound wills and trust arrangements. Our solicitors provide tailored advice on powers of attorney, living wills, and intergenerational wealth transfer, ensuring client intentions are clearly documented and protected under current legislation.
People
Bernadette Summers
Managing Partner
Qualified legal accountant with 25+ years' experience managing firm operations since joining in 1995. Specialises in wills, probate and trust management while overseeing administrative functions to maintain service efficiency.
Mark Drasdo
Partner
STEP-qualified solicitor with 30+ years' experience in private client matters. Specialises in complex estate administration and inheritance planning, bringing expertise from 20+ years in trust and probate law practice.
Hayley Smith
Partner
Private client specialist since 2012, focusing on vulnerable client support. Recognised for empathetic handling of elderly client estates and complex family trust arrangements while maintaining strict regulatory compliance.
Kenneth Skinner
Salaried Partner
Residential property expert with 20+ years' conveyancing experience. Manages domestic property transactions with emphasis on retirement home sales and shared ownership schemes since joining in 2015.
Sarah Dark
Solicitor
Commercial property specialist with 20+ years' experience in Oxfordshire market. Handles development projects and commercial leasing arrangements, providing practical solutions for business property requirements since 2023.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We specialise in dispute resolution, commercial/residential property transactions, probate, wills & trusts, and estate planning services.
How long has the firm been established?
John Welch & Stammers has operated continuously in Witney since our founding in 1932.
Are you regulated by legal authorities?
Yes, we're authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 8007703).
What makes your firm different from other solicitors?
As an Alternative Business Structure, we combine legal expertise with business management professionals to enhance client service efficiency.
Do you offer transparent pricing?
Yes, we provide clear cost information for property transactions and maintain competitive hourly rates for legal services.
