Our History
The Batt Broadbent story began in 1967 when Solicitors Michael Broadbent and Robert Beecroft formed Batt Broadbent and Beecroft, having been introduced to each other by John Batt. The personal relationships they made with their community over many decades are still seen and valued today.
The Firm initially had offices on Minster Street in Salisbury and moved to the current offices in Castle Street in 1971. Over the following decades, Batt Broadbent continued to expand and in 2013 a second office was opened in the thriving market town of Chippenham, offering professional services to a broad spectrum of clients.
Today, Batt Broadbent is an independent law firm of solicitors, legal executives and licensed conveyancers working not only across the region but the whole of England and Wales, offering personal, commercial and ecclesiastical legal advice.
Knowing our clients and fostering valued relationships is central to our ethos and we aim to bring compassion, care and understanding in all that we do.
House Sales & Purchases
The sale or purchase of your home is probably the largest financial transaction you will ever undertake. Initially it may seem to be a daunting prospect, with numerous forms to complete and terms with which you may not be familiar and it can be a stressful time. But with our dedicated team, you do not have to navigate this journey alone. Our experienced and specialist team deliver a proactive conveyancing service. We work with you and your estate agent, keeping you fully informed and updated in a clear and accurate way.
With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to efficiency, we ensure your transaction proceeds smoothly from start to finish. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned property investor, or simply looking to make a change, our team is dedicated to delivering results in the following areas:
Wills
Nobody likes to think about their death and many people think that Wills and Estate Planning are not necessary or relevant to them.
But if you die without having made a Will the effects on your estate and loved ones may be far from what you envisaged would happen.
At Batt Broadbent Solicitors we help guide you through the relevant considerations that you need to think about whilst ensuring that your intentions are understood and your loved ones are secure.
Whether you need a Will for a modest estate or if your needs are more complex, we can provide the advice and assistance to ensure that you pass on your assets exactly as you wish, sparing your loved ones from additional stress at an already difficult time.
Probate
When someone dies, their estate and affairs have to be administered by a Personal Representative in a process known as Estate Administration.
If there is a Will the Personal Representative is known as the Executor, if there is no Will the Personal Representative is known as the Administrator.
If you have been named as the Executor in a Will of someone who has died, you are responsible for ensuring every loose end is tied up and the estate is distributed in accordance with the terms of the Will.
While it is possible to undertake this process yourself, the role of a Personal Representative can be complex and time consuming especially if there are a large number of beneficiaries or the estate has a high net worth. Many Personal Representatives choose to instruct a firm of Probate Solicitors to assist them with the administration of the estate to ensure that their obligations are met and that the estate is handled with efficiency and accuracy.
Powers of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a legal document with which you can appoint someone to act on your behalf in relation to your finances, property and possibly even your health and welfare.
By making a Power of Attorney, you can ensure that help is in place if an accident or illness renders you unable to manage your own affairs. Without prior arrangements, your friends and relatives may find it difficult to assist you.
Understanding the complexities of a Power of Attorney can take time and effort. We know the gravity of decisions involving your future and the importance of designating someone to make decisions on your behalf. That is why we prioritise clear and open communication, ensuring you are informed every step of the way.
Making a Power of Attorney gives both you and your family the security of knowing that if anything should happen to you, your wishes will be respected.
At Batt Broadbent Solicitors, we have helped many people to make and register a Power of Attorney, providing specialist advice tailored to each individual’s specific needs.
Court of Protection
The purpose of the Court of Protection is to help those who no longer have the mental ability to make their own decisions in relation to their finances, affairs and welfare.
Whether it is due to illness, accident, or age, sometimes our loved ones cannot make decisions for themselves.
Where a Power of Attorney has not previously been made to appoint someone specific to help them (an Attorney), then it may be necessary for the Court to appoint someone to help them in relation to their property and finances.
The person appointed to act is known as a Deputy and an application for the Deputy appointment is made to the Court of Protection. A Deputy application does not require attendance at the Court as the application can proceed by a paper application.
Batt Broadbent can help you to apply for a Deputyship or if you are already a Deputy, we can help you to fulfil your duties. We can also act as a Deputy in more complex cases.
Family
Our Family Law experts are here to guide you through the legal complexities of life. We can assist and advise you in regard to relationship breakdowns, including separation, divorce and dissolution, arrangements for children, matrimonial finances, pre-marriage, post marriage, separation and cohabitation advice and agreements, changes of name and almost everything in between.
If your relationship has broken down or you cannot agree on arrangements for your children, any legal intervention in family life can invoke a whirlwind of emotions. Rest assured that our team of highly experienced solicitors will treat you and your case with respect, sensitivity and compassion from the first moment you contact us.
Our bespoke approach will ensure that your voice is heard and that clear, conscientious and practical advice is provided to you to ensure that you get the best solution for you and your family. Our Family Law experts are all members of Resolution meaning that they follow a Code of Practice that promotes a constructive approach to family issues and considers the needs of the whole family. We cut through the complex legal jargon and hold you and your family’s best interests at the heart of what we do. At Batt Broadbent we bring legal excellence and a personal approach to each and every case.
Commercial Property
From understanding the intricacies of securing a prime plot for development to the finer details of setting up shop in the heart of town, we make sure you have all the information you need.
Our Commercial Property team can provide advice on acquisitions, disposals, SDLT and VAT issues, as well as all contractual issues for both developers and investors.
Commercial tenants and landlords also turn to us for assistance with negotiating lease terms and resolving any potential disputes. A hastily drafted or signed lease, or the absence of one, can lead to disputes such as those concerning maintenance obligations or how any party will end the lease.
At Batt Broadbent Solicitors, we pride ourselves on our personalised approach, taking into account your business’s unique requirements and ensuring you have the information you need to make informed decisions.
Business Sales & Purchases
The complexity of business sales and purchases can often cause confusion, but our expert Commercial Law Solicitors are trained to turn complexity into clarity. Whether it is understanding the obligations tied to shares, assets, or commercial properties, we take pride in ensuring you are well informed to not just make a choice but to make the right choice for you.
At Batt Broadbent, we stand by you, decoding the jargon, unravelling the intricacies, and ensuring you fully grasp every aspect of your decisions.
Church of England
As the Diocesan Registry we are retained by the Diocese of Salisbury, the Diocese of Winchester, and the Diocese of Portsmouth to advise the bishops, clergy, churchwardens, PCCs and other office holders in the Church of England.
We are experts in the faculty process, marriage laws, parish governance, and Canon Law. We offer advice on Data Protection for PCCs and church officers and deliver training on a wide variety of areas.
We can also provide conveyancing for church land and ecclesiastical property.
Clergy Discipline Complaints
We act for clergy where a disciplinary complaint has been made against them. These cases often involve complex legal and factual issues together with heightened emotions, and may also involve safeguarding concerns. These complaints can have a huge impact on both the respondent whose integrity is being questioned and those who are making the complaint.
We can provide you with advice on the intricacies of the church’s disciplinary processes and assistance throughout all stages of proceedings, from the initial complaint through to the disciplinary tribunal hearing.
We are not able to advise clergy from within the Dioceses of Salisbury, Winchester and Portsmouth because the Registry has a role in advising the Bishop about complaints. For all other clergy, Batt Broadbent can review your case to ensure that you receive the best possible advice at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Diocese of Salisbury
The Diocese of Winchester
The Diocese of Portsmouth
www.battbroadbent.co.uk