Solicitor at Wollens
Craig Smith
Solicitor - Partner
SRA ID: 456623
Craig is an Associate Solicitor having qualified in 2012. He joined Wollens in 2022. He is a versatile litigation lawyer and has a thriving mixed Chancery practice dealing predominantly with contentious probate and trusts litigation. He gained valuable experience in the South East in both private practice and the public sector and takes a practical and sympathetic approach towards his client’s requirements and understands the need to navigate disputes in an efficient and proactive manner. He is adept at digesting complex legal problems and scenarios and providing practical and easy-to-understand advice. He is an advocate of alternative dispute resolution believing it is a vital tool in resolving disputes amicably and proportionately. A litigator who provides sound and timely commercial advice, he has litigated in the higher echelons of the court system (from County Court to High Court to Court of Appeal) and has worked closely with eminent KCs. Notable cases include: Instructed by a defendant in a multi-million-pound probate/ trust dispute revolving around sham trusts and syphoned funds. Instructed by a claimant company in High Court (Chancery Division) proceedings for a purported breach of a Sale and Purchase Agreement relating to deferred payments. Instructed by a claimant in challenging the validity of a will in light of undue influence, pleading proprietary estopel in the alternative. Instructed by defendant LLP for alleged breach of a Quistclose trust / investment agreement following a multi-million pound investment by an investor. Instructed by a claimant in The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 litigation on behalf of an adult child, omitted from her mother’s will. Instructed by a claimant seeking to rely on section 116 Senior Courts Act 1981 to pass over executors due to past/ historical conduct towards the claimant beneficiary. Instructed by an individual claimant in respect of an urgent freezing injunction application in the High Court (King’s Bench Division) in aid of contemplative proceedings outside of the jurisdiction. He has been recognised in the Legal 500 as a Next Generation Lawyer.
Wollens, Aperture, Pynes Hill, Rydon Lane, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AZ
Licensed for 12 years
Practice Areas
Dispute Resolution
- Dispute Resolution 100%
9 Client Reviews
Overall experience
- Value For Money
- Communication
- Initial Impressions
- Approachability
- Documentation Accuracy
- Legal knowledge
About Craig Smith
Craig is an Associate Solicitor having qualified in 2012. He joined Wollens in 2022. He is a versatile litigation lawyer and has a thriving mixed Chancery practice dealing predominantly with contentious probate and trusts litigation. He gained valuable experience in the South East in both private practice and the public sector and takes a practical and sympathetic approach towards his client’s requirements and understands the need to navigate disputes in an efficient and proactive manner. He is adept at digesting complex legal problems and scenarios and providing practical and easy-to-understand advice. He is an advocate of alternative dispute resolution believing it is a vital tool in resolving disputes amicably and proportionately. A litigator who provides sound and timely commercial advice, he has litigated in the higher echelons of the court system (from County Court to High Court to Court of Appeal) and has worked closely with eminent KCs. Notable cases include: Instructed by a defendant in a multi-million-pound probate/ trust dispute revolving around sham trusts and syphoned funds. Instructed by a claimant company in High Court (Chancery Division) proceedings for a purported breach of a Sale and Purchase Agreement relating to deferred payments. Instructed by a claimant in challenging the validity of a will in light of undue influence, pleading proprietary estopel in the alternative. Instructed by defendant LLP for alleged breach of a Quistclose trust / investment agreement following a multi-million pound investment by an investor. Instructed by a claimant in The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 litigation on behalf of an adult child, omitted from her mother’s will. Instructed by a claimant seeking to rely on section 116 Senior Courts Act 1981 to pass over executors due to past/ historical conduct towards the claimant beneficiary. Instructed by an individual claimant in respect of an urgent freezing injunction application in the High Court (King’s Bench Division) in aid of contemplative proceedings outside of the jurisdiction. He has been recognised in the Legal 500 as a Next Generation Lawyer.
Languages Spoken: English
Contact Craig Smith
Address
Wollens
Wollens
Aperture
Pynes Hill
Rydon Lane
Exeter
Devon
EX2 5AZ
Phone 01392 539204
WebsiteResume
LICENSE
Country
Status
Acquired
Updated
United Kingdom
Currently Registered
02/04/12
01/10/24
We found no instances of professional misconduct for this solicitor
WORK EXPERIENCE
Title
Name
Duration
SRA-approved manager - Partner
Rainer Hughes
?-01072018
Head of Dispute Resolution
Dunn And Baker LLP
?-2022
Solicitor
Wollens
2022-Present
Property Dispute
My first time at having to get involved with solicitor's. Craig professionalism and expertise has been nothing but outstanding. Wouldn't hesitate at using this law firm again.
Thank you Craig at dealing with my very complex matter.
Lawyer named in this review: Craig Smith
A representative from Wollens responded to this review on 15 November, 2024
Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your comments and are pleased that Craig has been able to assist you. Kind regards Wollens
Was this review helpful? Yes
Craig Smith & Monica O'Neill
We unfortunately required Craig & Monica's assistance to help with a dispute between ourselves and a client. But what a positive experience we had despite the issues!
I cannot thank them both enough for their help!
Lawyer named in this review: Craig Smith
A representative from Wollens responded to this review on 05 November, 2024
Thank you for your lovely feedback. We appreciate your comments and are so pleased that Craig has been able to assist you in this matter. Kind regards Wollens
Was this review helpful? Yes
Contesting Will
Although I didn't actual meet Craig face to face and only dealt with him through phone calls and email
his legal knowledge with regard to family issues with them contesting the Will of my late husband was extremely useful and put my mind at rest after our first telephone consultation. It felt to me like Craig was always there for me, be it at the other end of an email and I could share with him anything that I had been sent, for him to cast an expert eye over.
Lawyer named in this review: Craig Smith
A representative from Wollens responded to this review on 22 October, 2024
Thank you for your feedback - we are pleased that Craig has been able to help in this matter. Kind regards Wollens
Was this review helpful? Yes
Craig Smith is the ultimate professional Solicitor
Craig has been the most professional, supportive and understanding Solicitor I have had the pleasure in dealing with, from the outset of our initial meeting he set out how we would proceed and explained clearly what outcomes to expect. His communications skills are exceptional, I was always kept fully aware of how my case was progressing with easy to understand and sensible advice.
Craig's legal knowledge is notable and is a credit to Wollens, I wish him continued success in his career and believe he has partner attributes and qualities.
Lawyer named in this review: Craig Smith
A representative from Wollens responded to this review on 29 February, 2024
Thank you for your review Debbie - we are so pleased to hear your feedback regarding the work that Craig and his team have helped you with. We would be pleased to assist you again in the future should you need anything further. With kind regards Wollens
Was this review helpful? Yes
Would definitely recommend
Craig was very helpful. Couldn’t have done it without his advice and help along the way. Would definitely use his services if I needed them in the future.
Lawyer named in this review: Craig Smith
A representative from Wollens responded to this review on 20 April, 2023
Thank you for your feedback - we are pleased to receive your comments and also that the team have been able to assist you in your matter. We hope to work with you again in the future. Kind regards Wollens
Was this review helpful? Yes
Excellent service
Craig helped us with an extremely lengthy dispute and at every juncture was excellent. His guidance and measured approach resulted in an extremely successful resolution. We are really grateful for his support and wouldn’t hesitate to use his expertise and knowledge again.
Lawyer named in this review: Craig Smith
A representative from Wollens responded to this review on 03 March, 2023
Thank you for your comments we are pleased to have helped and look forward to dealing with you in the future. kind regards Wollens
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ongoing act if 1975
Craig is very proactive friendly & professional at all times delighted with him,
Lawyer named in this review: Craig Smith
A representative from Wollens responded to this review on 02 February, 2023
Thank you for your feedback - we do appreciate your comments and are pleased that Craig has been able to assist. Kind regards Wollens
Was this review helpful? Yes
Craig, offers a package that is truly unrivalled ...
It is a universal fact, universally acknowledged, that, when someone sets out to engage and to instruct a solicitor, they want that person to be on their side, to listen to them, to protect their interests, to fight for their interests, to strive to achieve the best outcome they can for them.
That is what, Craig Smith, offers and delivers. His robust nature with the other side, and his phenomenal client care, Craig, offers a package that is truly unrivalled in its dedication to achieving the best outcomes for his clients.
I know this, because, I came to, Craig, at one of the worse times in my life; shortly after the death of my beloved father. I always knew I would have to instruct a solicitor, and when the time came, it was Craig and I could not have wished to have been placed in safer hands. All I had was a sense of what was right and a phenomenal solicitor on my side, it turned out, that was all I needed. Through a successful working relationship, Craig, managed to assist me in achieving what I thought was unachievable and impossible, Craig helped me achieve everything I had set out to achieve. For that, I will forever be grateful.
As mentioned above, client care is something, Craig, really prides himself on. He makes you feel that you are his only client, that your matter is the most important to him, his attentive nature to replying to emails / phone calls within a very short space of time ensures that, as his client, you are not left worrying, nor is there any delay in the matter at hand progressing. You feel as if you are always protected and safe.
With great people, often come great establishments and this is equally true here. Wollens as a firm is modern in their approach to dealing with clients, as well as traditional and truth worthy in the people they have to offer. They are elastic in their approach to difficulties where other firms wouldn't be to ensure that their clients needs are still met, sometimes if it means their needs come second. It is without doubt, that, Wollens, encompasses all that is needed when choosing a firm to approach and that starts and ends with employing top rate legal minds.
Lawyer named in this review: Craig Smith
A representative from Wollens responded to this review on 15 December, 2022
Thank you for your comments regarding Craig ,we are pleased to have helped and look forward to dealing with you in the future. kind regards Wollens
Was this review helpful? Yes
Great service and support
Had a difficult claim against a third party that went on for a couple of years. D&B offered continual support and advice throughout the process, right up the successful conclusion of the case.
Lawyer named in this review: Craig Smith
Was this review helpful? Yes