Tayntons LLP Solicitors News

Just the ticket for Tayntons!

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:25:00 BST

One of Gloucester’s best respected legal players has signed up for a second season to sponsor the Gloucester Rugby’s season ticket. Tayntons LLP in Clarence Street - a legal fixture in the city for 150 years - is sponsoring the club’s 2010/11 season ticket package, offering supporters a host of benefits.

For the first time, the season ticket package includes entry to the home pool matches in the Anglo Welsh Cup, with Gloucester Rugby reaching the final for the past two seasons.

The package also includes great offers for families. Youngsters now have the opportunity to watch Premiership, European and Anglo Welsh Cup rugby in selected stands with prices starting at just £3.00 per match.

For Pete Grzonka, head of sales and marketing at Gloucester Rugby, Tayntons’ support is invaluable.

“We’re delighted that Tayntons are continuing to back Gloucester Rugby this season for the second consecutive year,” he said. “Both organisations have their roots well and truly at the heart of the city and we’re grateful for their ongoing support.”

Tayntons’ managing partner Andrew Ollerenshaw said: “We are passionately committed to supporting our local community. So it is with pride that, for the second year running, we are backing Gloucester Rugby, which has been at the heart of the city for the past three centuries.

“This year's season ticket package means holders will enjoy a host of added extras this year, whilst our recent acquisition of James Cook Solicitors means we are able to offer a great range of expanded services to supporters.

“We look forward to cheering the club all the way.”

For more information, visit www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk

We care about what you think of us

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:29:00 BST

At Tayntons we are committed to doing the right thing and delivering the best customer experience. Your opinions are very important to us - from what we're doing well to where there's room for improvement.

Congratulations go to Caroline Jones who has been randomly selected as our prize draw winner after taking part in Tayntons’ online client care survey. As a special thank you for sharing her experiences of our services, Caroline wins a £50 dinner-for-two voucher.

Over 1,000 clients were invited to take part and the findings from the review will help us to align our business to what is important to clients, both now and in the future. The online survey was completely anonymous which means that the feedback is genuine and comprehensive.

Practice manager Maria Cox explains the survey is illustrative of our total commitment to providing a first-class service to clients.

She said: “Tayntons is committed to providing a positive customer experience across all our legal services. We listen to what our clients have to say about us and always do what we can to make improvements with service delivery."

Independent market research company iCustomerExperience carried out the survey and the results will be posted onto the website shortly – watch this space.

Buyers and sellers benefit from expanded conveyancing service

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:04:00 BST

A wealth of unrivalled expertise for home buyers and sellers is now available at leading Gloucester law firm Tayntons.

Following the firm’s acquisition of James Cook Solicitors in May, Tayntons has strengthened its conveyancing department with the arrival of specialists Jim Cook and Jane Davies, who between them bring nearly 60 years of sector-specific expertise. Their arrival is a coup for Tayntons, simultaneously strengthening its senior management and residential property teams.

In particular, Mr Cook’s experience in residential commercial development work and his extensive private sector contacts are proving a real draw to prospective clients. Working with a wide range of clients, Mr Cook’s expertise covers help for people taking their first step onto the property ladder. This sees him assisting purchasers with low-cost housing schemes, such as the government-sponsored HomeBuy Direct.

For Mr Cook, it is important home-buyers consult a trusted solicitor for conveyancing services. He said: “Conveyancing can be a notoriously lengthy and complicated process and quite rightly people want it dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“We strive to provide a really personal, value-for-money service to make any move as stress-free as possible.

“It’s vital to do your homework before choosing a conveyancing specialist, because even seemingly small mistakes can have huge ramifications that do not become apparent until the property is sold on.”

Jane Davies explained that the choice of services on offer at Tayntons sets the firm apart locally. She said: “We offer an extensive range of conveyancing services ranging from standard matters such as freeholds, leaseholds and remortgages to niche services including handling tenancy disputes, cohabitation issues and shared ownerships.

“Clients can be sure that whatever their conveyancing needs – whether they are buying or selling residential or commercial property, or they simply need a sounding board - when they come to us they will get expert advice based on years of experience.”

For Tayntons’ managing partner, Andrew Ollerenshaw, it is a golden time in the firm’s 150 year-history. He said: “Tayntons LLP has been a prominent fixture in Gloucester for a period spanning three centuries, and 2010 has been a really exciting time for the business.

“We pride ourselves on delivering a first-class service to all our clients and look forward to welcoming more over the coming weeks and months.”

Tayntons’ new website www.tayntons.co.uk was recently launched to coincide with the expansion in services, and it is being partially accredited for helping to boost enquiries.

For more information, call the firm's reception team 0800 158 4147.

Rising numbers being ripped off by Will-writing services warns Tayntons

Thu, 27 May 2010 08:36:00 BST

A Gloucester-based firm of solicitors is warning people to beware of companies offering cut-price will-writing services following a surge in clients who have fallen victim to substandard and illegal practices.

Tayntons on Clarence Street has reported a significant rise in the number of people seeking advice after making wills with the aid of will-writing agencies.

Although in themselves perfectly legal, such companies can be entirely unregulated and this means surprisingly their writers require no legal training, says Tayntons’ wills and probate solicitor Tristan Lewis.

He said: “Problems our clients have encountered range from crucial technical errors in the wills themselves, to being harassed by the companies and unlawfully denied a ‘cooling off’ period during which they have a right to change their mind”.

Huge hidden charges are also an issue, with many agencies asking for hundreds of pounds each year to store a will – a service usually carried out for free by a solicitor.

Elderly Gloucester couple Brian and Kathleen Reade came to Tayntons after an initially friendly chat with a will-writer turned sour. The pair signed with a will writer on a Friday night, but were shocked when family members advised that the price they agreed to was highly inflated.

Mrs Reade, 74, decided to terminate the agreement, but was met with a barrage of silence from the company concerned. She said: “Early the next week I called to cancel our agreement but was repeatedly told the gentleman I had dealt with was out of the office.

“When I eventually managed to speak to him, he was really unprofessional and just kept saying he had given us the best deal around. I politely disagreed with him and ended the conversation and as far as I was concerned the matter was closed.”

However, the couple were in for a nasty shock – two months later they received a letter from the company threatening to send in the bailiffs unless they paid a figure even higher than the original agreement. Mrs Reade said: “The whole experience was really unpleasant. I later found out that the company involved lied, denying all knowledge of my phone calls to them.”

Fortunately, by that time they had already approached Tayntons, who were able to resolve the matter quickly and draw up satisfactory new wills.

The rise in individuals seeking cut price advice could be attributed to people trying to save money in the credit crunch, explained Mr Lewis.

“There are a number of reasons why people use will-writing agencies and I am sure the prospect of financial saving is top of their agenda.

“The irony is however, that often the wills drawn up are not worth the paper they are written on – or worse still, could actually end up costing the client thousands of pounds.”

Another recent case highlights how even seemingly simple mistakes in a will can put a person’s future in jeopardy. Mr Lewis said: “I had a case in which a client and her husband had a joint will made, believing they had protected their home against potential nursing home fees.

“However, on the death of the husband it came to light that due to a drafting error in the will, this was not the case at all.

“Thankfully, we were able to sort this out before any damage was done. If the mistake had gone unnoticed, half the house for which this couple had worked all their lives could have been lost in care fees, leaving their children with a greatly diminished inheritance.”

Although there are some perfectly respectable will writing companies around, for Mr Lewis, the message is clear – do your research before procuring any will-writing services.

He said: “A will is one of the most important documents you’ll ever put your name to, so you need to be sure it is done correctly.

“Do your research and make sure the company you are employing is a reputable one. Better still, seek legal advice from a recognised firm of quality solicitors.

“People can rest assured that solicitors are fully regulated and of course have the appropriate legal training. Furthermore, many firms offer a free initial consultation which enables people to raise any questions they may have obligation-free”.

For more information contact Tristan Lewis on 0800 158 4147; tristan.lewis@tayntons.co.uk or see the Wills section of this site.

Tayntons expands services with acquisition of James Cook Solicitors

Tue, 11 May 2010 11:00:00 BST

Two of Gloucestershire’s most established law firms have joined forces.

Tayntons LLP on Clarence Street has acquired Russell Street-based James Cook Solicitors LLP.

Together, the firms who between them share over 160 year’s legal expertise, will trade as Tayntons LLP in a move which coincides with the launch of the firm’s new website www.tayntons.co.uk reflecting its progressive ethos.

The acquisition is part of a strategic growth programme by Tayntons for which, as a prominent fixture in Gloucester city centre for over 150 years, demand for its services has soared.

It sees 50-strong Tayntons boosted by eight staff including conveyancing specialists Jim Cook and Jane Davies who join as partners, further strengthening both the senior management, residential, and commercial property teams.

In particular, Mr Cook’s experience in commercial development work is seen as a major asset for the expanding firm.

Notably also, Tayntons’ Family, Divorce and Children’s department welcomes Rachel Weldrake who, as a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel – which recognises her skills as amongst the highest in the country - brings a wealth of new expertise to the table.

Rachel joins a dynamic three-strong department, all of whom are members of collaborative family law body Resolution, including an accredited private children law and domestic abuse specialist.

For Tayntons’ managing partner, Andrew Ollerenshaw the merger with James Cook is a natural fit with Tayntons’ progressive, client-focused approach.

He said: “Tayntons LLP prides itself on delivering a first-class, value-for-money service combined with a personal touch and as a result, we enjoy a high percentage of repeat work.

“Likewise, the James Cook team has built up an enviable reputation thanks to their dedication to achieving the best possible outcome for their clients.

“We therefore expect the transition to be of minimal disruption and can assure their clients of our total commitment to delivering a service which is second-to-none.”

Founder of James Cook Solicitors and now partner at Tayntons Jim Cook added: “We believe in strength in numbers and are looking forward to working together as a cohesive team.

“This is an exciting step forward for all involved. Having been established for over 150 years, Tayntons is already recognised as one of the top names in Gloucester and combined expertise will bring added value benefits to clients.”