Shakespeare Martineau

25 reviews

6 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4JE, United Kingdom

www.shma.co.uk

+441179069400

About

Shakespeare Martineau is a Attorney located at 6 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4JE, United Kingdom. It has received 25 reviews with an average rating of 4.4 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday8:30AM-5:30PM
Tuesday8:30AM-5:30PM
Wednesday8:30AM-5:30PM
ThursdayClosed
FridayClosed
Saturday8:30AM-5:30PM
Sunday8:30AM-5:30PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Shakespeare Martineau: 6 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4JE, United Kingdom

  • Shakespeare Martineau has 4.4 stars from 25 reviews

  • Attorney

  • "I would never recommend this company based on my experience with them"

    "I just wanted to share my experience about James at Gregg Latchams in Bristol"

    "Since the initial consultation, right the way through to divorce completion, SHMA were professional, unjudgmental, attentive, human, communicative & up-front"

    "I wanted to write to you to express my gratitude and thanks, for the professionalism, commitment and incredible support provided by Jen over recent months"

    "Nicholas Jones of Gregg Latchams’ employment team was brilliant in helping me with negotiating a settlement agreement with my former employer"

Reviews

  • Daniel Whelan

I would never recommend this company based on my experience with them. It was horrible. I was going through a divorce and I was suffering with severe stress along with worry and sleeplessness and I feel they took advantage of me. When I had a chance after the main part of the divorce was over to review the invoices I found they had over charged me. They had been charging me for 2 solicitors on 1 phone call on several occasions. They didn’t mention they were going to do this prior nor does it say they may do this in their terms and conditions. They charged me for 16 hours of phone calls and at least 8 of those calls were billed at 125+250 per hour plus vat so £450 per hour all without telling me prior. It wasn’t just the phone calls. They billed me 6 hours of time for “consideration”. This might have been a valid point but the case was already worked out by Gregg Latchams previous solicitor who went on maternity leave. She passed the file on to the new guy so he didn’t have much to consider as she had done it all for him. Then there was the time when GL had their top paid solicitor in the room along with their top paid barrister and the assistant who was on full pay also. They didn’t give me a choice on this. They told me this is how it had to be done at a time when I didn’t have the strength to argue. They billed me £6000 in one day for one meeting! It was only when the legal ombudsman stepped in they went from demanding and threatening the full amount plus interest with legal action to backing down and accepting my version of the bill. Thank goodness I called the legal ombudsman when I did. I could go on about how I was treated by GL but I must say I don’t fully know if the culture in this company is always like this or maybe some of its individual employees are let’s say “enthusiastic” when it comes to working out their bill. But what I do know is they failed to add up their own bills correctly on several occasions and they took payments off me that their “system” didn’t even show they had taken. What sort of professional legal firm has that problem? I spent so much time arguing with them that I had paid them. I would never go back even if they offered me free legal advice with a different solicitor. When I discovered there were issues with the finances I said please do no further work for me until we have this sorted out. Yet 2 months later bills for I don’t know what came through for £750. I was told before the first solicitor went on maternity leave the hourly rate would be £220 per hour after she leaves but they kept on charging me £250. I imagine a lot of people just accept what they say is right and just pay up. I hope whoever reads this does not do that. Was this just sloppy accounting or something more deliberate? You decide. I won’t ever know but I’d never use them again. It’s hard choosing a solicitor especially when a divorce is at hand and I hope this review goes some way in helping you decide to use GL or not. If I went through this again I would google Mckenzie Friend in my area. You will find a network of normal people who have varying levels of legal expertise but ultimately are not there to make the vast sums most family law solicitors charge and not driven by profits over people.

  • Jessica Bell

I just wanted to share my experience about James at Gregg Latchams in Bristol. Too many people write to complain but I like to write when I have a particularly exceptional experience. I’ve been having financial issues with my ex husband after 8 years of being separated and divorced, plus problems with getting my name of the mortgage. I had trawled through the internet trying to find a good solicitor. I gave a few a call but found them too busy to talk or not that knowledgeable. When I spoke with James, it was ,immediately, crystal clear that’s he’s been in the industry a while and knew what he was talking about. I was offered a free half an hour consultation over the phone. What I liked about this solicitor is, he was more interested in making sure that he had conveyed the information over to me , properly, to understand, rather than about the time, itself ! That’s rare in this industry. He was not only professional and efficient, but kind, empathetic and very helpful also. Many female divorcees need a little empathy. I have been an estate agent for many years and dealt with many solicitors. James certainly stood out from the crowd and I’ll be booking in my appointment shortly. I Highly recommend them.

  • Ralph Rutter

Since the initial consultation, right the way through to divorce completion, SHMA were professional, unjudgmental, attentive, human, communicative & up-front. Alice Gibson & James Myatt dealt with my case; they made the experience as smooth as possible, answered my multitude of questions patiently and fully, listened to my perspective & ethos and gave me opportunities to do leg work at points to save myself money - this was much appreciated and was not aligned with the reputation sometimes associated with solicitors - I was very grateful for this! That being said, the process was expensive, but that is to be expected and I have no point of comparison, being a one-off scenario, so can't comment on value relative to the market. The total ended up being in the ball park of the estimates James made in the beginning. At times, unusual circumstances with my ex-wife's legal representation led to unexpected challenges - Alice was extremely helpful in handling these issues, and did so very tactfully - a stark contrast to the behaviour of the solicitors on the other side! I can't thank Alice enough for the service and care she provided throughout.

  • Neil Carthy

I wanted to write to you to express my gratitude and thanks, for the professionalism, commitment and incredible support provided by Jen over recent months. Earlier this year, I was somewhat deflated at the legal advice and support I was receiving with my previous solicitor, and frustrated that my divorce case wasn’t progressing. However, since being advised by a close friend to approach GL, I’ve never looked back. I can’t thank you and Jen enough for everything you’ve done for my divorce case, and the position I find myself in today. Yesterday, we achieved a deal, having moved the other sides position considerably from the beginning of the FDR hearing. In a difficult year for us all, you have managed to end my year on a high note, for which I am very grateful.

  • Monika Šmit

Nicholas Jones of Gregg Latchams’ employment team was brilliant in helping me with negotiating a settlement agreement with my former employer. In a very stressful time just after completing my medical treatments and before hoping to return back to work, he guided me through the process with minimum effort and stress on me. He drafted everything for me and he was also not afraid to provide his assessment and advice of best way forward at each stage. The communication throughout was brilliant, understandable without legal jargonesse, and I was always promptly updated on the situation.

  • Daniel Brooks

I couldn’t have asked for a better representative!! I was kept up to date at every stage and felt at all times that nick had my back. I was so impressed with the bundle he produced, and even more impressed by his excellence in the court room, and above all the way he used my dad’s one liner in his closing statement “ this is a book on how not to run a company” you did me proud and thanks to us taking this step my former employer has been forced to buck up his ideas once again thank you for all your help gregg Latchums number 1 ☝️

  • Rachel Lee

I found the team at Gregg Latchams to be friendly, supportive, and professional. I was kept up to date with progress and made to feel welcome to get in contact with any queries. The process and implications of the matter were explained to me so that I was able to make fully informed decisions about next steps - it really felt like we were working together in partnership. Costs were made clear to me at the start and did not exceed the agreed amount. I'd definitely recommend Gregg Latchams.

  • Martin Paul

Terrible experience - do not use. Pre pandemic I used GE, received inaccurate advice that I needed to pay for a 2nd opinion to put right. Set up a payment plan to pay off bill due to not being able to pay in 1 go as not working due to Covid. Bill was paid off in full and now GL are chasing me for the interst accrued. So in summary paid for wrong advice and have now been charged interest for receiving wrong advice as I couldn't pay the bill in 1 payment due to Covid

  • Adam Task Force Tasker

I was highly recommended to use Gregg Latchams by a respected friend. I have to say, it was very easy to conduct business with them (even from a long distance away from their offices), communication was frequent and pricing was made clear from the very start. Overall I'm very happy with the service received and now I can highly recommend them to anyone else needing help.

  • Louise Brown

Jade Champ at Gregg Latchams acted on our behalf in the purchase of our property. We were extremely impressed with the service we received - Jade went above and beyond to make sure that our purchase proceeded rapidly and that all due diligence was undertaken very thoroughly. We highly recommend using Gregg Latchams' conveyancing services.

  • Aga Sikora

I needed help with a house purchase matter, Olga was extremely kind, professional and knowledgeable. Not only have I got my advice and documentation signed within a day, but the way I was treated by Olga and the rest of the lovely staff has left me smiling for the rest of the day. Totally recommend Shakespeare Martineau, thank you Olga!

  • Vanessa Harrison

I would highly recommend reaching out to Gregg Latchams if you need some legal assistance. Nick Jones gave me very guided, practical and clear advice in a supportive way which was easy to understand and digest. He was clear about costs at all times and the investment in such advice was worth it.

  • Joanna Randall

Wholeheartedly recommend working with the team at Gregg Latchams, they have a great range of services across many different departments and I have found them helpful and supportive for personal legal needs and also as a business owner.

  • lorna knapman

I would never go anywhere else for legal services, the team are very reassuring and professional and have always handled all of my legal matters brilliantly, offering great advice and a brilliant service for very reasonable price.

  • Judy Holyer

A well-established law firm that I have used for both business and personal matters. I have always received an efficient and effective service. Located on Queen Square in a convenient location with nearby parking.

  • Catriona Dejean

The advice I received was first class and very timely. The service was excellent and the whole process was very easy and clearly explained and implemented. I would recommend this company.

  • Andrew Simmonds

Gregg Latchams provided me with fantastic legal support during a highly stressful period. Pragmatic and honest advice and fees that are not out of the ordinary. Highly recommended.

  • Bill

Hopeless. Impossible to speak to the person you need to.

  • Alice Bradshaw-Smith

Approachable team with a wide range of legal expertise.

  • elliott robinson

Scare tactics lawyers . Only care about paycheck.

  • Malcolm Mcdonald

Thank you to Tina and Melissa

  • Noble Dani George
  • Den Anstey
  • Deon Fourie

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