ODT SOLICITORS:
Serving Mid Sussex ODT Solicitors LLP is based in Hurstpierpoint and Brighton and serves private and business clients throughout Sussex and the South East. Harvey Osler co-founded the firm in 1998, and opened its Hurstpierpoint office in 2005, bringing a fresh approach to the local legal world.
Previously known as Osler Donegan Taylor, the firm incorporated in 2011 and provides high-end specialist legal services within the framework of a modern, technologically-adept practice. Harvey (pictured right) explains: “I find it surprising that, even today, many firms have no proper website, no individual email facilities, no document scanning facilities, no voicemail facilities, have strict 9am to 5pm opening hours and close at lunchtime, charge hidden extras on the costs they are quoting, or provide important legal services through unqualified staff. But these very weaknesses have enabled our firm to gain a substantial market share in a relatively short period of time.” Priding itself on being approachable, efficient, digitally and technology literate, providing full and clear information regarding costs, and being flexible to client needs, ODT has made a significant impact in the Mid Sussex area over the past 8 years and, despite the difficult economic times, looks forward to a period of sustained growth and prosperity as Mid Sussex recovers from recession. “Since December last year, we have seen a significant increase in new enquiries and instructions, and have the definite feeling that the general mood is improving locally and that the ‘feelgood factor’ is beginning to return.” Harvey developed his expertise as a property and civil litigation lawyer in the 80s and 90s, before resigning from his former partnership to set up his own practice, and then teaming up with Rupert Taylor,
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Jeremy Donegan and Paul Barnes as a leading property practice. Rupert oversees the commercial and residential conveyancing in Brighton, Jeremy now dispenses justice as a judge, and Paul heads up the litigation department in Brighton. The firm has developed and recruited some of the leading property lawyers in Sussex in the shape of partners Lawrence Gibbons, Tim Morgan and Phil Rowland and is regarded as the leading firm in the highly specialist field of leasehold enfranchisement (freehold acquisitions, lease extensions, formation of right to manage companies, landlord & tenant disputes). Additionally, partner Charles Fuente provides a wealth of experience and expertise in business and company law, in which he is an authority, contributing to the leading text books in the field. In 2005, Harvey opened the current office in Hurstpierpoint, the village where he lived for many years, developing excellent relations with local estate agents, independent financial advisers, accountants and others, to establish a permanent and growing presence in Mid Sussex. Harry Tuke (pictured far right) joined the practice in 2010 as an experienced, qualified conveyancing solicitor and has established himself as one of the leading property lawyers in Mid Sussex, now handling a large part of the conveyancing work. Harry discusses ODT’s position in the market: “Having worked for other practices in Sussex, ODT stands out as
mixing modern technology with established principles of client care, and protecting their best interests. Although most conveyancing matters thankfully run smoothly, inevitably there are ‘problem properties’ with technical legal problems (for example regarding access/ easements/covenants/planning). As an experienced and trained solicitor, I can identify these at any early stage, resolve those that are capable of being resolved, and warn clients of those that cannot. Our charges reflect the personal and customised service we provide with a qualified solicitor personally in charge of every stage of the transaction, which we think represents excellent value. All too often, clients tell us of previous experiences of law firms through gritted teeth – as first time buyers who shopped around for the very cheapest they could find, then learnt that many of these practices (often based away from the South East) offer a ‘factory line production’ service via numerous unqualified personnel, who can each deal perfectly well with the specific routine task allocated to them, but who do not see the whole, and cannot spot and resolve issues with ‘problem properties’. These clients tell me that in circumstances where, for example, they agree to purchase a property for over £500,000, and incur a liability to the government for over £20,000 on stamp duty land tax, it is a false economy to have unqualified staff handling one of the most important transactions in their lifetime.” Lindsay Keith joined the practice as a consultant solicitor in 2011 to provide specialist wills and probate services, having previously been the principal of a local practice, and he continues to serve the local community where he is well known and respected. Lindsay offers free home visits to local clients. Harriet Hamilton-Orr (pictured right) is a paralegal and splits her time between the Hurstpierpoint and Brighton offices, assisting behind the scenes and keeping the office running smoothly.
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