Howells was recently featured in the most recent edition of Wales Business Insider. In a piece written by Geoff Wright about the rising confidence of property investors in Wales, Mark Hobbs, Managing Partner of Howells, provided his opinion on the sector. 

The article documented the large increase in businesses and individuals looking to invest in the Welsh property market over the previous 6 months. In particular, industrial units are proving popular with investors while increasing amounts of people are choosing to invest in land. Many people are also targeting property to be used by government departments, utility companies and housing associations. 

What’s more, with the property market in London and the South East already looking buoyant, and because it’s possible to buy buildings for less than they cost to build in some areas, other experts are anticipating that growth will spread across the country. More...

Howells has won a prestigious Bronze award for its conveyancing service in the Estate Agency of the Year 2013 Awards.

The Awards, sponsored by The Times and The Sunday Times, saw Howells win third place in the Best Large Conveyancer category – becoming the highest placed solicitors in Wales and across South England. Taking place at the Lancaster London Hotel on Friday 6th December and hosted by TV presenter Penny Smith, the events recognised some of the UK’s leading estate agents and housing experts.

A panel of independent industry professionals judged Howells over a number of months. They contacted various offices, acting as ‘mystery shoppers’, and sought the opinion of both staff and customers. A spokesman from the Awards praised the training, procedures and systems that were in place at Howells to ensure that the conveyancing process was as effective as possible for customers. They said:

“Particularly impressive is the large number of referrals they receive from house builders, who require a committed 28 day turnaround on conveyancing. The fact that they trust Howells to achieve this for them speaks volumes as to the efficiency and quality of their service.” More...

Family Law is an ever-changing legal sphere, with new regulations and practices being introduced every year. Internationally, family law becomes even more complex. That’s why it’s essential to work with trusted solicitors who know the relevant legal procedures inside out.

Our Family Law Partner Richard Scott was asked to give his experience of the issues facing families in the UK for Corporate Livewire.

Corporate LiveWire provides business professionals and individuals in the corporate finance sector with information on the latest news and developments from industry leaders from around the globe.

Specialising in all aspects of family law, from divorce and financial issues to cohabitee disputes and domestic, he joined other solicitors practicing in New York, London and Kiev and shared his experience of family law in Cardiff and the UK.

Richard and his contemporaries discussed a number of issues related to family law, from child support and dispute resolution to private investigators and the role of the media in family courts. They also talked about recent changes in their relevant jurisdictions, issues of privacy, the balance between maternal and paternal responsibilities and how different countries take varying roles in safeguarding clients. More...

Howells has started working very closely with the University of South Wales at its Legal and Financial Advice Clinic.

The clinic, which is based at Atlantic House in Cardiff, allows small businesses and the general public to access free professional advice over a range of different legal and financial areas. One of Howells’ family law solicitors, Hannah Magee, is in attendance at the clinic every Tuesday, mentoring students and providing free advice to the public.

Between the months of October and April in term time, clients can benefit from free advice and legal assistance on a number of different issues, including:

•    Business and consumer debt
•    Discrimination cases
•    Employment issues
•    Housing problems
•    Litigation queries More...

The Legal 500 UK 2013 guide recognises the very best lawyers, solicitors and barristers who set the benchmark for excellence across the UK market. In this year’s edition of the guide, Howells Solicitors are delighted to have received recommendations from the esteemed publication.

Five solicitors from Howells have been recommended for their private client expertise, and Margaret Phillips, head of the firm’s Family Law and Matrimonial team has been listed in the elite ‘Leading Lawyers’ list, a guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide.

Richard Scott, partner, and Margaret Phillips, have been individually recommended for cases involving substantial assets, including offshore trusts, whilst Jayne Hunt, partner and branch manager of the Caerphilly office, has received a recommendation for her family law work.

Claire Davis, partner and branch manager of the Newport office and John O’Connell, equity partner, have both been recommended for their work involving specialist personal tax, trusts and probate cases.

The family law departments in the firms Cardiff, Swansea and Caerphilly offices have also been individually recognised. More...