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How Stowe Family Law LLP Compares

Value for money

This firm - 92%
National Average
Poor Competitive Excellent

Excellent does not necessarily mean ‘cheap’. It means that clients thought that the level of service received was Excellent for what they paid.

This score has been calculated using up to the last 300 reviews left by clients of Stowe Family Law LLP on ReviewSolicitors.

As part of our review questionnaire we ask reviewer questions about the value for money they felt they received by using Stowe Family Law LLP. These questions include:

  • Value for money (a rating of 1-5)
  • How much were you initially quoted or how much did you expect to pay?
  • Approximately how much did you end up spending for the legal services provided (ignoring disbursements and court fees)
  • Did you think this was underpriced, overpriced or about right?
  • Overall experience

We use data science to amalgamate the answers to these questions and create a ‘ReviewSolicitors score’ out of 100. The above chart representation score is a simple percentage representation of the averaged score across those who have reviewed this law firm.

Underpriced 4%
Overpriced 78%
About Right 17%

If you would like to read more about how we work with our review data please see our Transparency section.

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Would recommend to
friends and family

This firm - 96%
National Average
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

ReviewSolicitors uses our community data to show you how many clients used Stowe Family Law LLP and have had a satisfactory experience where they have indicated that they would recommend the services of the law firm to their friends and family.

You can use this data to see how Stowe Family Law LLP performs against other law firms nationally. A score close to 100% indicates that this firm is highly valued by their clients.

As part of our review questionnaire we ask the question:

"Would you recommend this firm to somebody else?"

The reviewer can select either “Yes” or “No”.

The above score is a simple percentage representation of the total amount of clients who selected the “Yes” option:

Yes 96%
No 4%

If you would like to read more about how we work with our review data please see our Transparency section.

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Satisfied with
outcome of matter

This firm - 94%
National Average
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

ReviewSolicitors uses our community data to show you how many clients used Stowe Family Law LLP and were satisfied with the outcome of their matter. Being satisfied with the outcome of your matter is an important consideration to have in mind.

You can use this data to see how Stowe Family Law LLP compares to the national average of clients being satisfied with the outcome of their matter after instructing a solicitor.

As part of our review questionnaire we ask the question:

"Were you satisfied with the outcome of your case?"

The reviewer can select either “Yes” or “No”.

The above score is a simple percentage representation of the total amount of clients who selected the “Yes” option:

Yes 94%
No 6%

If you would like to read more about how we work with our review data please see our Transparency section.

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Rankings by area of expertise

The rankings below show the areas of expertise that Stowe Family Law LLP offers to clients. You can see how good the service offered is in comparison to all other law firms nationally.

Data shown above is based on the reviews and client feedback collected by ReviewSolicitors over the last 12 months.

Review Sources

Client Reviews

4.7/5

Reviews summary

  • Excellent

    605
  • Very Good

    24
  • Average

    5
  • Poor

    3
  • Awful

    35

Overall experience

  • Value For Money
  • Communication
  • Initial Impressions
  • Approachability
  • Documentation Accuracy
  • Legal knowledge
Stuart

Matter Type:

Child Access

Stuart

August 28, 2024

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Be Careful

I tried to use this firm when I was having issues regarding my daughter, she was 11 years old at the time. They were unhelpful and didn't listen, they did not take points on board or listen to what I was saying. The only thing they were good at was giving excuses.

I made the mistake of creating an evidence bundle myself which took many hours and was not easy. I am a Veteran who suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder and the nature of some of the evidence was extremely distressing for me, especially when I was battling my own demons.

Some of the evidence related to my 11 year old daughter being groomed online and the bundle contained screen shots of the conversations and copies of the images that grown men were sending to an 11 year old child. The bundle also contained images that these grown men persuaded my 11 year old daughter to send of herself.

As I couldn't risk this bundle being lost in the post I 100% took it into the Harrogate Office and handed it in and personally gave it to a young female member of staff.

However when I asked for the bundle to be returned, they denied ever receiving it. I couldn't believe this, they had lost it. The Harrogate office is in a building with multiple companies, this now meant that somewhere in this building was my bundle containing the sensitive documents. I tried my best to get my bundle back but they continued to state they never received it, I am not a liar and they most definitely did have it. I submitted a complaint with them and took it all the way to the ombudsman but had to drop it as I could not prove they had it without a tracking number (they had it) the firm gave me a full refund but still I have to constantly think about where the bundle is and who has it and what they are doing with it. All of the above greatly impacted on my already poor mental health and the firm just didn’t care.

I would recommend avoiding this firm and I most certainly would never recommend them to anyone ever.

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Tom

Tom

March 28, 2024

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A Critical Review of Stowe Family Law's Practices and Client Care

In navigating the complexities of legal services, the clarity and adherence to regulatory standards set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) are paramount for any law firm. Regrettably, my experience with Stowe Family Law starkly contrasts these expectations, revealing significant shortcomings that potential clients ought to be wary of.
First and foremost, the firm's apparent disregard for SRA guidelines is a glaring concern. This disregard is evident in several critical areas, including client care, complaints handling, billing practices, data protection, and the clarity of legal documents provided to clients.
The firm's process for handling complaints is notably deficient. Despite engaging with complaints officers who boast impressive credentials and extensive experience, it became apparent that their understanding of the law and its application in resolving client grievances is lacking. This raises questions about the efficacy of the firm's internal training and quality control measures.
Ambiguity is a recurring theme in my dealings with Stowe Family Law. The client care letter and terms and conditions provided at the outset of engagement were both ambiguous, failing to clearly outline the complaints process. This lack of clarity extends to the firm's billing practices, which I found to be highly questionable. The documents provided did not sufficiently communicate my rights and responsibilities as a client, leading to potential miscommunications and unmet expectations.
Moreover, the explanation of how my data is protected and my rights under data protection laws were worryingly vague. In an era where data protection is of utmost importance, the firm's failure to provide clear, understandable information on this subject is a significant oversight.
The scope of services offered by Stowe Family Law and their limitations was another area where clarity was sorely lacking. This ambiguity could leave clients unclear about what to expect from the firm, potentially affecting their legal outcomes.
The firm also seems to underestimate the necessity for clients to promptly update their information. This oversight could impede the efficiency of communication, affecting the timely progression of legal matters.
Finally, the use of legal terminology and complex language in the firm's documents could easily obscure their meaning, potentially leading to confusion among clients who may not be familiar with legal jargon.
In conclusion, while Stowe Family Law may have the façade of a reputable law firm, my experience has unveiled a series of practices that fall short of the professional standards expected within the legal industry. Potential clients should proceed with caution and consider these issues when deciding whether to engage the firm's services. It is imperative for Stowe family law to address these shortcomings promptly, prioritizing transparency, clarity, and adherence to regulatory guidelines to restore confidence in their client care and legal services.

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Leigh

Matter Type:

Divorce

Leigh

March 14, 2024

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Make horrendous blunders then charge you to correct their errors

Awful, awful, awful….! After £40k they messed up with the D81 not putting a single word of motivation for my case which obviously had to be thrown out by the judge. Stowe’s response was that judges don’t like much reading! They are now charging me excessively to correct their error to now provide motivation to the judge with numerous pages of motivation when all that was needed was a few paragraphs. They have also sent me erroneous statements for signature which are completely untrue, one statement actually defending one of their errors. They do not follow instruction and keep sending bills saying they are trying to be cost effective. £40k down on legal bills and we are not even in court. My husband’s lawyer runs rings around them. I will be taking matters further with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. These people need to be stopped!

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S

S

March 13, 2024

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Excellent legal services

approached Stowe and was appointed Rebecca Finnigan as my solicitor in a matter related to the children. She have been attentive , communicative, and compassionate all through the proceedings. My case is very complex as it includes issues related to child abduction and many safeguarding issues . Rebecca provided excellent legal advice throught the case .

I would certainly recommend using them .

S.M

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Shizel

Matter Type:

Child Access

Shizel

March 11, 2024

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Avoid and run

Review of Stowe Family Law LLP:

I recently had the unfortunate experience of working with Stowe Family Law LLP, and I must say that I was deeply disappointed with their services. From my personal encounter, it became evident that they prioritize their financial gain over providing quality representation.

One of the most concerning aspects of my experience was their tendency to drain clients' funds without delivering the necessary representation in court. They would consistently request money to be deposited into their account and then flood me with unnecessary letters, each requiring additional payments. It felt like they were intentionally prolonging the process to maximize their own profits.

To make matters worse, despite the substantial amount of money I had already paid, they failed to adequately represent me in court. Instead, they continued to send irrelevant letters, adding insult to injury. As a result, and said am owing them an additional £1900, which they aggressively demanded payment for, even threatening legal action and the seizure of my furniture.

Based on my experience, I strongly advise others to steer clear of Stowe Family Law LLP. Their actions and behavior suggest a lack of professionalism and integrity. It is clear that their primary focus is on financial gain rather than providing genuine support and representation to their clients. I regret ever placing my trust in this firm and strongly urge others to avoid them at all costs.

Please be cautious and conduct thorough research when seeking legal representation, as it is vital to find a solicitor who genuinely cares about your best interests and will provide the services they promise.

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Yassr

Yassr

February 26, 2024

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Avoid. 15k in 3m and for what?!

Avoid. 15k spent in 3 months. Before any hearings. Just to read things and change letter font. Lack of knowledge e.g right to a family life, lies claiming they've sene the evidence when it hadn't been sent, refusal to look at evidence . Every barrister/solicitors iv spoken to since. Gasps and tuts at the cost and lack of proactivenes.

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zeynep

zeynep

September 12, 2023

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Rubbish Divorce Lawyers

Extremely rubbish lawyers, inexperienced and keep missing deadlines. They tell you what you cannot do while the other side's lawyers do it very easily. The court deadlines are missed as well. Specifically stay away from Katy Jordan (also is not a family lawyer but criminal lawyer as she said so many times during the meetings) and Louise Chipchase (who promised to work with Katy Jordan and was never been seen). I wasted my time and money, and it cost me a lot. Stay away.

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Christina

Christina

July 20, 2023

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Unprofessional and unreliable

After trusting them twice as to the case not being completed within the time of the essence of the contract they yet again failed to put things in place within the time frame then lied I would say to my face but it was via phone. To which I have evidence.
I then paid them up to date and had nothing more to do with them.
They have now sent me a bill for nearly £1000 for work not requested by me and of their own violation.
Including in this “bill” are many emails and phone calls that were not received or answered of which they are trying to bill me £23.50 a time for.
I therefore urge persons thinking of using this firm to look elsewhere.

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Toby

Toby

July 13, 2023

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Avoid this company. Unprofessional, unorganised money grabbing.

I would highly recommend against using this company for any legal issues. If you do, then Do Not proceed with Katy Jordan. She is more of a salesman than a lawyer. Highly unprofessional, information not shared between lawyers and barristers. Only responsive when asking for additional funds. Bundles not prepared for court hearings, barristers left chasing their tail due to inadequate preparation from lawyers. Crucial information not noted by lawyers. At one point I even had highly sensitive emails sent to me, intended for another client.

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Ian

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Stowe Family Law LLP.

Ian

March 02, 2023

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Excellent service

I approached Stowe and was appointed Jennifer Reddy as my solicitor in my divorce . She ( and her associates) have been attentive , communicative, and compassionate all through the process , they kept me informed throughout , and the result was better than I ever imagined.
I would certainly recommend using them .

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Reviews collected from

Will

Will

August 25, 2021

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Will

I have had some quite complex and serious issues that led to a child custody case, I contacted Stowe and luckily for me I was represented by Jennifer Reddy. Throughout the proceedings Jennifer has been an absolute God send, very friendly as she made me comfortable and it was as if I'd known her for a long time, she was very professional and responsive.I believe she went above and beyond for me and my children, even though it looked liked the odds were stacked against me somehow she managed to turn things around and gain me full custody of my children.
Words can not express how grateful I am to this amazing woman and how lucky I feel to have had her helping me throughout this very difficult period.
I would certainly use Stowe again in the future and Jennifer Reddy without a doubt!
Thank you so much Jennifer, you have improved all of our lives.

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Dave

Matter Type:

Divorce

Dave

May 19, 2021

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Dave

Just wanted to say thanks to Julian Hawkhead for his help over the last couple of years - for a difficult period in my life. He clearly knows his stuff from a legal perspective and I found the advice he offered on how best to manage differences of opinion to minimise conflict very helpful. I would absolutely recommend him to anybody who needs support in this domain.

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Chris

Chris

February 19, 2021

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Chris

Jennifer has been fantastic, dealing with my case in gaining access for my 8 year old son. I'm very grateful for all the advice and how the case has been handled in a professional manner.

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Melanie

Melanie

February 19, 2021

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Melanie

I've been represented by both Olivia Barry and Jennifer Reddy during my divorce and financial court proceedings and would not hesitate to recommend either of them. Going through a divorce is extremely stressful and I found them both to be very understanding and reassuring, whilst giving straight forward, honest and realistic advice. Most importantly they demonstrate they have the clients best interests at heart at every stage. They have both helped make the entire process far less stressful, and although it's not over yet I am so glad I will have Jennifer at hand if needed. Thank you to both of you. Melanie Ross (Rowbotham)

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Mike

Mike

February 07, 2021

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Mike

I'm glad based on previous reviews that I chose Stowe to represent me during a difficult divorce. I had no prior experience with solicitors and was put completely at ease at our first meeting.
A solicitor was selected that I could afford but certainly wasn't short on experience, Olivia Barry set my mind at rest and was supportive when I was anxious about the case and communicated at a level I could understand completely, she replied promptly to emails and was on time for any phone calls, part way through I felt like giving up but Olivia assured me that her advice was correct which was proven in the outcome. I felt at all times as if I was in a safe pair of hands. At times during the case when Olivia was unavailable I was handled by a higher ranking solicitor but the fees remained the same.
I recommend Stowe Family Law.

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Stowe Family Law LLP are accredited by

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About this branch

Description

We will provide a detailed cost estimate before you agree to proceed with your case. For peace of mind, we also provide monthly statements showing your cost in detail. If for any reason your estimate changes, we will immediately consult you to explain the changes and get your agreement before any further work is carried out.

Regulated by

Solicitors Regulation Authority

Legal services

Personal areas of law

  • Family Law
    • Adoption, Surrogacy, Care and Special Guardianship
    • Asset protection and tax mitigation
    • Child Abduction
    • Child Access
    • Child Arrangements Following Divorce
    • Child Custody
    • Child Law
    • Child Maintenance
    • Child Relocation After Divorce
    • Child contact
    • Children
    • Children Act proceedings
    • Civil Partnership Dissolution
    • Civil partnerships
    • Cohabitation agreements and disputes
    • Cohabitation and Unmarried Relationships
    • Collaborative Law
    • Divorce
    • Divorce After A Brain Or Other Serious Injury
    • Divorce Mediation
    • Domestic Abuse
    • Domestic Violence
    • Family Mediation
    • Family law
    • Financial Matters
    • Grandparents' Rights
    • High Net Worth Divorce
    • Inheritance Act claims
    • Injunctions
    • International Divorce
    • Marriage and civil partnerships
    • Matrimonial finance
    • Out Of Court Divorce
    • Parental responsibility, paternity disputes, surrogacy
    • Pension and property advice
    • Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
    • Separation
    • Separation Agreement
    • Unmarried Couples' Rights
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