Howells Solicitors has promoted two of its solicitors to become directors. The firm, which opens a new office in Bridgend this August, has awarded the directorships to Rhidian Hobbs and Laith Khatib.

Rhidian heads up the firm’s commercial property department and has played a key role in expanding this area of work. Rhidian acts for property developers, investors and business owners in connection with all aspects of commercial property. 

Laith works in the firm’s private client department, which deals with wills, trusts and estates. His practice focuses on high value trusts and estates, and litigation in those areas.  He also advises charities representing the elderly and people with learning difficulties on matters relating to his specialism. In his spare time Laith sits as the chairman of trustees of Age Connects Morgannwg.

Mark Hobbs, managing director of Howells Solicitors, said, “The firm has witnessed significant growth in the last few years, which has required us to develop our people right across the business. Rhidian and Laith have played a massive role in the firm’s ongoing success and I am very pleased to welcome them to the senior team.” More...

Laith Khatib, private client specialist solicitor at Howells Solicitors, was recently invited by the editor of the London Gazette to write an article for the first official public record and the newspaper of the Crown. 

In the article, entitled ‘DIY Probate: The Dos and Don’t’s, Laith explains the potential pitfalls of do-it-yourself probate are and what anyone considering DIY probate should know before they commit to this important duty.

Some of the aspects that Laith said should be considered included:

•    The deceased’s financial affairs
•    The length of time before the estate should be distributed
•    Whether to distribute the estate if it may be contested
•    Whether to carry out bankruptcy searches
•    What to do about probate if there is no willMore...

After being named as one of the UK's top three large conveyancing companies in the Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year 2013 Awards, Howells Solicitors has continued its impressive 2014 with a number of accolades and industry achievements.

This year, the leading Welsh legal practice has:

• Been named as the UK Family Law Firm of the Year by Corporate LiveWire.
• Announced a new office in Bridgend which is to open in the summer of 2014.
• Recruited and promoted more than 20 legal professionals across South Wales.
• Been named by Chambers and The Legal 500.
• Had individual solicitors also named by Chambers and The Legal 500.
• Completed the first Help To Buy Wales house purchase.
• Maintained membership of the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
• Introduced Howells' Employment Law Packages (HELP) to provide employment law advice and guidance for employers.
• Worked closely with the University of South Wales to help law undergraduates and provide pro-bono legal advice via University drop-in clinics.
• Provided pro-bono legal advice for Welsh charities and organisations supporting individuals overcoming addictions and adversity.More...

Karis Jones, solicitor, with Andrew Sims, administration and project support, Recovery Cymru meeting with a Recovery Cymru member.

Howells Solicitors will be providing their legal expertise free of charge to members of recovery Cymru, a self help, mutual support community for people recovering from drug and alcohol problems in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Karis Jones, part of Howells' team of solicitors in Cardiff, a family law specialist from Howells Solicitors will be attending the Cowbridge Road East office of the not for profit organisation every other month to meet members seeking legal advice regarding children matters.

Due to the significant changes in Legal Aid funding and the quality of advice being provided, the first clinic earlier this month proved to be very popular. Karis explains: “When we were approached by Recovery Cymru and learned about the support services they provide, we were keen to help and agreed to run free legal clinics for their members.

"Unfortunately the changes to the allocation of Legal Aid has made it often impossible for everyone to seek legal advice in respect to family matters. These clinics help those in a vulnerable position and the advice provided has been appreciated.” More...

Howells Solicitors was recently delighted to have the honour of sponsoring the fifth annual Future Entrepreneur Awards to celebrate the success of some of Cardiff’s brightest young business brains.

Howells are dedicated sponsors of the awards having taken part for the past 3 award ceremonies and form part of the Future Entrepreneur Awards judging panel.

The event, presented by the University of Glamorgan and Cardiff Vale and College, and held at Cardiff City’s Hall, hosted the great and good of Cardiff’s media and business communities.

The winner of the Best Bright Idea and the Overall Best Enterprise award was LJM Photography, run by Lisa-Jane Meates, pictured above. After graduating from the Photography for Fashion & Advertising degree at the University in 2012, Lisa-Jane decided to start her own fashion and wedding photography business.The awards were established by the University of Glamorgan in 2009 to encourage entrepreneurship and enterprise among the university students and graduates in Wales. The deserving winners were the recipients of the much coveted Future Entrepreneur Award trophy along with a cheque for £1,000. More...