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When a child has special educational needs, parents rely on the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) process to secure the right support. However, Local Authorities don’t always meet their legal responsibilities, leading to unnecessary delays and...
On Friday 21st March, family, friends, and colleagues came together in London to remember and celebrate the life of Keith Lomax – a passionate solicitor, campaigner, and advocate for justice. Jointly organised by Watkins Solicitors and Garden Court...
Pre-Action Protocols: Empowering Parents to Challenge Local Authority Delays in EHCP Provision Ensuring your child receives the right educational support is crucial, yet navigating the complexities of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) can be...
Legal Victory Keeps Pencalenick SEND Boarding School in Cornwall Open for Vulnerable Pupils Watkins Solicitors has successfully supported a legal challenge that resulted in Cornwall Council reversing its decision to close the residential provision at ...
If your child or young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you may receive a notice from your Local Authority stating that they intend to cease maintaining the plan. However is this the right decision? And what can you do if you disagree? ...
Shaping the Future of Conveyancing: Watkins Solicitors’ Sophia Ramzan, Partner & Head of Conveyancing, Joins National Conveyancing Week Panel Watkins Solicitors is proud to announce that our Partner and Head of Conveyancing, Sophia Ramzan, will...
Phase Transfer Deadlines – What Parents Need to Know If your child is transitioning from Primary to Secondary school for September 2025, this is your reminder to make sure the Local Authority issues you with an Amended Education, Health and...
How Long Does it Take for A Leasehold Conveyancing Transaction to Complete? Buying or selling a leasehold property is often more complex than a freehold transaction. With additional legal checks and third parties involved, the process can take longer....
Are There Ever an Exchange of TR1s in Conveyancing? In property transactions, the TR1 form is a crucial document that legally transfers ownership from the seller to the buyer. However, many people wonder whether there is ever an exchange of TR1 forms in...
What Is Conveyancing? If you’re buying or selling a property, you’ve likely heard the term "conveyancing"—but what does it actually mean? At Watkins Solicitors, our expert Conveyancing Team, led by Partner and Head of...
Can I Prevent My Child from Being Abducted By A Parent Abroad? International child abduction is a deeply distressing issue for any parent to face. There are proactive steps you can take to reduce the risk and protect your child. At Watkins Solicitors,...
Watkins Solicitors is representing families in a pivotal Judicial Review case against Devon County Council and Bristol City Council’s Safety Valve Agreement, due to be heard at the Bristol High Court from 28–30 January 2025. This significant...
What Is Wrongful Removal or Retention of a Child in Parental International Abduction Cases? When a child is taken to or kept in another country without the agreement from the parent or guardian who has custody rights, it can be an incredibly distressing...
What to Expect When Buying or Selling Property in 2025: Key Trends and Laws That Could Impact You As we step into 2025, residential property markets in England and Wales are adapting to a landscape shaped by economic shifts, evolving legislation, and...
Understanding the Hague Convention: Is the Country in Your Child Abduction Case a Signatory? If your child has been taken to or kept in another country without your consent, it’s crucial to know whether that country is part of the Hague Convention...
My Child is Being Wrongfully Kept Abroad Without My Consent. What is the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction? When a child is wrongfully taken or kept in another country without one parent’s consent, it can be an incredibly...
On Sunday, 22nd December, members of the Watkins Solicitors team swapped their usual office attire for Santa suits as they took part in the annual Hereford Santa Run to raise vital funds for St Michael’s Hospice. The event saw Beverley Watkins , ...
We are delighted to announce that Wania Hussain has been awarded a training contract at Watkins Solicitors. Since joining the firm in March 2024, Wania has made a significant impact in the Family Law Department, showcasing her dedication, enthusiasm, and...
Watkins Solicitors Announces Court Date for Landmark Judicial Review Against Bristol City Council’s Safety Valve Agreement Watkins Solicitors is preparing for the upcoming court hearing of its judicial review challenge against Bristol City...
Watkins Solicitors Marks the End of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with Launch of the Court Guide for Survivors of Domestic Abuse Today marks the final day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an important...
Watkins Solicitors is proud to announce that our Partner and Head of Conveyancing, Sophia Ramzan, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Female Trailblazer of the Year award at the LEAP Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2024. This recognition celebrates...
On Tuesday 26th November, Watkins Solicitors proudly participated in the White Ribbon event in Hereford, held as part of the global 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The event, hosted by West Mercia Women’s Aid (WMWA), brought...
Watkins Solicitors has been featured in Bristol 24/7's article , which takes an in-depth look at the ongoing challenges within the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system in Bristol. The article discusses the increasing strain on SEND...
On Monday, November 25th, the team at Watkins Solicitors joined the powerful Domestic Violence Vigil organised by Next Link . Representing the firm were Sophie Sims, Marwah Saleh, Priscilla Agyenim, and Daisy Barrows, who walked alongside the community...
We are pleased to welcome Gregg Burrough to Watkins Solicitors as a Judicial Review and Education Solicitor. With over 12 years of experience in Legal Aid work, Gregg brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to supporting individuals with Special...
We are pleased to announce that Watkins Solicitors has received recognition at the Bristol Law Society Awards 2024, with Andy Kerese, International Family Law Solicitor, winning the Rising Star of the Year award. This award reflects Andy’s dedication...
We are thrilled to announce that Watkins Solicitors has been shortlisted for the Legal category at the Bristol Property Awards 2024 . This nomination is a significant recognition of our commitment to supporting Bristol’s property sector through...
On 11th October, Watkins Solicitors proudly hosted our third Domestic Abuse Conference in Bristol, an all-day event that brought together professionals from across various sectors to share knowledge, experiences, and strategies to tackle domestic...
The Law Commission has launched a public consultation to review the legal framework governing social care for disabled children in England. This important consultation aims to modernise outdated laws, ensuring that children with disabilities receive the...
We are proud to announce that Watkins Solicitors has been shortlisted for three prestigious awards at the upcoming Bristol Law Society Awards 2024 . This recognition highlights the firm’s commitment to legal excellence, community support, and...
We are delighted to announce that Watkins Solicitors has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards at the LEAP Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2024 . These nominations highlight our team’s dedication to delivering exceptional client service,...
Watkins Solicitors is representing parents in a critical judicial review challenge against Bristol City Council over the controversial Safety Valve agreement, which raises concerns about cuts to Special Educational Needs (SEN) support. The challenge, led by...
Watkins Solicitors is featured in a recent Bristol Live article covering our involvement in a high-profile legal challenge against Bristol City Council’s Safety Valve agreement. The case, led by our Managing Partner Beverley Watkins ,...
An Afternoon Packed with Expert Insights On 27th September 2024, Watkins Solicitors hosted a highly informative SEN (Special Educational Needs) Information Day at The Kindle Centre in Hereford. The event was designed to equip parents with the knowledge and...
Watkins Solicitors is delighted to announce that Joanne Davies , one of our leading Family/Public Law Solicitors, has been awarded Resolution Accredited Specialist status in Public and Private Children matters. This prestigious accreditation recognises...
We are honoured to announce that Ellie Wilson, a passionate advocate for domestic abuse survivors, will be one of the keynote speakers at the Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol 2024. Ellie’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit...
We are proud to welcome Hibo Wardere, an internationally recognised campaigner against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), as a headline speaker at the Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol 2024. Hibo’s work has been instrumental in raising awareness and...
Watkins Solicitors is delighted to announce that Andy Kerese , one of our leading International Family Law Solicitors, has been awarded the Family Law Advanced Accreditation by the Law Society. This prestigious accreditation is a testament to Andy’s...
We are excited to announce that Emma Thompson has qualified as an Education Solicitor at Watkins Solicitors, marking a significant milestone in her legal career. Since joining Watkins Solicitors as a Paralegal in October 2018, Emma has shown a deep...
Watkins Solicitors is proud to announce that one of our International Family Law Solicitors, Andy Kerese , has had one of his Hague Convention child abduction High Court cases, reported. The case involved complex cross-border child abduction issues between...
Watkins Solicitors is proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for two prestigious awards at the LexisNexis UK Family Law Awards 2024. Our firm has been recognised in the categories of Family Law Firm of the Year – South and the Community...
To PAP or not to PAP Use of judicial review pre-action protocol (PAP) during the EHC process Please note the below is ‘ some ’ of the times you may need to consider pre-action and will be dependent on individual circumstances and whether...
Watkins Solicitors is thrilled to announce that it has been shortlisted for the Regional Firm/Not-for-Profit Agency category at the prestigious 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) awards . The LALY awards are the only annual event dedicated...
Watkins Solicitors, a leading law firm specialising in family law, education law, wills and probate, and conveyancing, is delighted to announce the appointment of Sophia Ramzan as Partner and Head of Residential Conveyancing . With offices...
Understanding Autism: Key Insights Autism Awareness Week shines a spotlight on ASD, revealing crucial statistics and evolving terminology. Only 26% of autistic pupils feel happy at school Only 29% of autistic people are in any form of employment 70% of...
In celebration of National Conveyancing Week , slated for March 11th to 15th, 2024 , prospective homebuyers will benefit from a wealth of information, advice, and guidance aimed at dispelling the complexities often associated with conveyancing. During...
The information you must provide when selling your home When selling your home, you may recall the expression ‘ buyer beware’ . But what does this mean, and is it still relevant today? ‘Historically, the buyers in a conveyancing...
Simplifying Your Property Journey: Introducing Our New Conveyancing Calculator In the ever-evolving landscape of the legal industry, embracing technology is key to providing efficient and client-focused services. At Watkins Solicitors , we are thrilled...
Buying a property with a roof terrace or balcony A home with outside space appeals to many of us, but it may be hard to find somewhere affordable with a garden and, even then, you may not want the responsibility of its upkeep. A balcony or roof terrace...
Friends, family, staff and colleagues of Watkins Solicitors turned out on Friday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the firm opening its doors in North Street in Southville, Bristol. A hot summer evening and the front lawn of the...
