We are pleased to offer all of our clients a free initial consultation.  This will cover the options available to you in terms of separation and divorce and the various processes by which your case can be resolved.  It will also include general advice about the different types of claims that can be made and hence the settlements which are available.  We will ascertain your objectives, prioritise the issues and formulate a plan of action for the further progress of your case.

Some firms offer and initial free half hour appointment but at Blackdown Family Law Solicitors we do not restrict the amount of time that we spend with you at our first appointment.  This is because we appreciate that half an hour or even an hour is a wholly inadequate period of time for you to obtain the information that you need to determine whether to proceed with what is a life changing decision.  It is also important that you have sufficient opportunity to establish a rapport with your Solicitor – as choosing the right person to represent you is crucial.

There is absolutely no obligation to proceed at the end of the initial appointment as we appreciate that you may want time to think before continuing.

We are happy for our free initial consultation to be either in person or to be conducted over the telephone, whichever is more convenient to you.  Clearly, however the former is far more beneficial and thorough for both Solicitor and client.

At Blackdown Family Law Solicitors we appreciate that it may not always be convenient for you to fit your dealings with us into normal working hours.  Most solicitors are only open between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. (some even close for lunch) and this means that you are severely restricted in your communications with them.  We want to make life easier for you at what is a difficult time and this is why we operate flexible working hours.  We are available for telephone calls and to meet with you from 9.00 a.m. in the morning until 10.00 p.m. in the evening – 7 days a week.  In this way, we are always accessible at the times when you need us and which are better for you.

Appointments, both initial and subsequent, can take place at our office on the Blackdown Hills just outside Wellington, at your home, a friend’s home, near to your place of work or at any other location of your choosing.  We also have office facilities in all of the local towns and city centres including the High Street, Taunton and Southernhay West, Exeter.

An all too common criticism of solicitors is that they fail to inform their clients in a timely fashion about developments, they fail to return calls or to generally be available to discuss matters.  At Blackdown Family Law Solicitors, we avoid this as it is counterproductive for you and the progress of your case.  We regard that it is extremely important that we are here to listen and to advise you when we are needed and when this is convenient for you.

We make full use of the latest technology to communicate with you.  Letters are sent to you and other solicitors by Email as well as by post, so as to avoid delay.  If we are away from our office, both telephone calls and Emails are redirected so, if possible, they can be answered immediately.  We will return all calls and respond to all Emails on the same day.

We will be honest with you.  We will provide you with realistic time scales and cost information from the outset.  We adopt a firm but fair approach and will be robust with all of our dealings on your behalf.

We have a full reference library which is well read, current and more extensive than most High Street firms.  We are consequently able to monitor all of the latest legal development.

While never yet having been required, Professional Indemnity Insurance of up to £2 million cover is in place.