What we offer

Value for money and putting our clients first have always been our most important priorities.

Expert legal advice

Our primary focus is on providing you with the very best advice. Our solicitors have many years of experience in the legal profession. Their knowledge and skills and how they apply them to your individual legal matter means you can be absolutely assured that you are receiving sound legal advice that you can trust.

Value for money

We completely understand that you do not want to be charged fees that make your eyes water. Legal fees are a sensitive issue but this need not be the case. Our approach is always to be open and honest about our fees. We offer a free initial telephone consultation during which we’ll find out what you want to achieve, explain what needs to be done to achieve that and what the likely costs will be. For many clients we can quote you a fixed fee, agreed at the start, so that you know from day one what your total bill is going to be.

Putting our clients first

For us, developing a close working relationship with all of our clients is a must. When you choose us as your lawyers you are putting your faith in us to help you and we work hard to ensure that you feel safe in our hands. Without wishing to blow our own trumpet, it’s fair to say that we are frequently complimented on our friendly, approachable style as being a refreshing change from people’s past experiences of lawyers. This is something that we are very proud of and comes from being committed to what we do and really caring about achieving the best possible results for all of our clients.

Our Services

Following the merger, an array of new legal service areas will be available at Clifford Johnston & Co including:

Will and inheritance disputes

Sometimes the terms of a Will can cause disappointment, confusion and distress. If there isn’t a Will , this can create difficulties too. We can advise on any matter where a will or inheritance is in dispute.

When a loved one passes away, leaving a will, disagreements canarise because of the terms of that will. There can be disputes about who or what is included or excluded and sometimes, whether there is a valid will at all. The law is not straightforward when it comes to interpreting wills and so the best way to sort things out is by seeking professional expert advice and guidance.

If there is no will – then the laws relating to intestacy will apply and what these say should happen to someone’s estate and who has control over it can lead to family disagreements.

Our expert wills and probate dispute solicitors can help you to understand where you and your family stand and what can be done to resolve any such disputes.

Our role is to offer practical and professional advice. Options, costs and timescales will be explained before we start work for you. Not all disputes will require court action – many can be resolved through sensible negotiation and mediation.

Professional negligence

When you ask for professional advice that is what you expect. If that advice results in some form of loss Clifford Johnston and Co. will help you decide what action to take – and how to go about it.

If you ask a professional advisor for help, the last outcome you imagine is one where their advice causes a problem. Surveyors, Architects, Solicitors and Accountants are all bound by professional standards. They owe you a duty of reasonable care and skill. When their advice is negligent, damage or some form of loss may occur. If this happens you need to know what options you have – and how to go about making a claim. It can feel daunting taking on a professional advisor – expert legal advice can support you achieve the result you deserve.

Our professional negligence lawyers are among the best in the UK. They will explain the process of making a claim, what it may cost and how long it will take. Dealing with a professional negligence dispute can take time. Demonstrating what has failed – and the losses suffered can be complicated. Together we explore options, agree the best course of action – this could be litigation, negotiation or mediation but we explain each, and what they mean in clear, straightforward language. Whatever the circumstances, we aim to secure the best outcome possible for you.

Disputes

Disputes are never pleasant. When two parties have a disagreement, it can often result in damaging behaviour and allegations. No one enjoys falling out but sadly, it happens. At Clifford Johnston & Co Solicitors, we work with you to find the best outcome – a resolution that avoids undue unpleasantness, unnecessary costs and prolonged anxiety and worry.

Disputes can arise for any number of reasons. You may have a boundary dispute with your new neighbour, a disagreement with family members over the terms of a will or perhaps it is the quality of workmanship carried out on your property by a builder. Whatever the reason, you want to trust your solicitor to achieve the best possible result for you. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Business Disputes

Business disagreements can be damaging. They take time; can be protracted and very often costly.  Our aim is to help you resolve business disputes quickly, and let you get back to doing what you do best – taking care of your business.

It is common for most business disagreements to start small. Then they grow. Before you know it, you are embroiled in a legal dispute. Expert early advice can often prevent problems later on. Disagreements can arise over anything – literally. Employees may be unhappy about how you treat them, or a landlord might disagree about rights of access or car parking. Sometimes, suppliers fall short of what was promised.

The specialist lawyers at Clifford Johnston & Co understand how frustrating disputes can be. They identify quickly what is actually in dispute – then work with you on the best approach to resolve it. We use plain English – not legal jargon – so that you always understand. And there will never be any surprises about the cost as we keep in contact throughout and promise to tell you how much to budget before we begin work.

Contracts and agreements

When you enter in to an agreement, you hope that everything runs smoothly. Having legal documents that ensure this is the case provides you with peace of mind. We are experts in drafting contracts and other agreements and can ensure that your interests are protected no matter what.

We know the importance of a well-drafted contract. It sets out how your business works with another. The law of contracts is at the heart of most business dealings so it is important to get it right.

There are many types of contracts ranging from the simple to the more complex. Contracts can be a series of documents to ‘joint and several’. What you want to ensure is that the other party does what they promise. If there is a problem along the way, you want to be sure that the necessary safeguards are in place. Safeguards that help protect you, your business and your reputation.

Mediation

No one enjoys a dispute. They are damaging, can be costly and time consuming. Mediation is an alternative way of resolving a dispute. Clifford Johnston Solicitors can mediate for you so that you can focus on running your business.

Any business dispute is disruptive. Falling out with another company or with a customer can put your business at risk. Lengthy and expensive litigation may appear to be the only solution. Often, the time and legal expense this demands can prevent a successful resolution. An alternative way to resolve your dispute is through mediation.

Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution and is a very successful way to resolve disputes. Our experts will explain in simple terms what mediation is, and how it differs from litigation. We ensure you understand the process, and how any agreement is reached. Mediation can be quicker and less costly than litigation. Our mediators are trained mediation lawyers so you know they can be trusted to carry out their role professionally. We promise that you know the timescales involved, and likely costs of mediation.

Partnership disputes

Partnerships are like any commercial arrangement. When a dispute arises, resolving it without undue delay ensures the business is not damaged. Our experienced partnership dispute solicitors can successfully help Partners achieve this.

Partnerships imply a relationship more than just a business relationship. Yet they can come undone too. In many instances, the absence of an express agreement outlining the Partnership means disputes can cause serious problems. Disputes between Partners can happen over secret profits. It may simply be a personality clash or it could arise from one Partner not pulling their weight. Whatever the reason, without a resolution, the dispute harms all parties in the partnership.

Our the years, we have successfully helped all types of partnership to address and resolve disagreements. Our expert lawyers ensure they know what the dispute is, and set out the possible actions you could take. Timescales, costs and likely outcomes are all explained simply. Whatever action you decide, we support you to achieve your desired outcome.

Regulatory compliance

Complying with the laws and regulations that apply to your business or profession is vitally important. Every business owner or professional needs to be aware of their statutory and regulatory obligations. If you find yourself the subject of enquiry or investigation by the numerous authorities who govern you, we are here to help.

These days regulatory bodies are playing an increasingly large role in business and professional life. Europe and our own Government seem to impose more and more regulations each day.

Some business sectors, like charities, food production, financial services and professionals such as doctors, dentists, nurses and teachers are particularly heavily regulated and all UK businesses come under the control of Trading Standards, the Office of Fair Trading and the Department of Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. Even with the best will in the world it’s all too easy to fall foul of the plethora of laws and regulations and find yourself or your business the subject of complaint.

Get in touch

Peter and Andrea Belshaw, along with the whole team at Clifford Johnston, are ready to support you no matter what your situation. With many 35 years of experience providing legal advice across a wide range of services and sectors we are a leading law firm in Stockport and Manchester.

Call today or complete the online enquiry form and we will get back in touch with you as soon as possible. We will always respond promptly, and we will be happy to help. We build lasting relationships with our clients. Most of our work comes from existing clients, referrals and recommendations. We act regularly for clients from across the North West and Cheshire and an support your needs wherever you live in England, Wales & Northern Ireland.