A named partnerWritten costs before work beginsClear updates throughout
A named partner. From the first conversation.
Legal work starts with understanding what is at stake. Whether you are buying a home, planning for your family or running a business, we explain your position and the decisions ahead.
You’ll know who is looking after your matter, what happens next and how the fees will work. If we’re not the right people to help, we’ll tell you.
Cambridge
01 / Our practiceSix areas of advice
Legal services
Advice for individuals, families and owner-managed businesses, with a clear explanation of your options.
I / Residential conveyancing
Before the keys change hands
From the first contract to the final transfer, we explain the searches, enquiries and dates that shape your move. You’ll hear from us when there is something to decide.
II / Family law
Room to consider what comes next
We help you work through the practical questions around separation, finances and arrangements for children, with clear advice about your options.
III / Wills & powers of attorney
Your wishes, in your own words
We help you make a will and plan who can make decisions if you are no longer able to. We explain lasting powers of attorney and the practical steps involved.
IV / Probate & estate administration
A careful hand with the practicalities
We explain what needs to happen, which documents to gather and where we can take work off your hands. We move at a pace that leaves space for questions.
V / Business & commercial law
Good agreements start with a conversation
Tell us how your business works. We can help with the terms you trade on, the space you occupy and the arrangements between the people who own it.
VI / Dispute resolution
Understand the choices before taking a position
We look at the papers, the costs and what you want to achieve. Then we discuss the practical routes available, including ways to resolve matters without court proceedings.
Not sure where your question fits? We can work that out in a first conversation.
Time for the detail
Read carefully.Think clearly.
The small print deserves the same attention as the big decision.
Alder & Rowe / Cambridge
02 / Working togetherFrom the first conversation
Your matter, step by step
There is enough to think about already. You shouldn’t have to chase the next step.
01
First, we listen
Tell us what has brought you here
Bring your questions, the relevant paperwork and any dates you’re working towards. We’ll ask about the background before suggesting a way forward.
A conversation, not a commitment.
02
Then, we agree the work
Know what you’re asking us to do
We set out the scope, who will handle it and how our fees are calculated. You receive that in writing before deciding whether to instruct us.
Clear scope. Written costs.
03
As things progress
Keep the next decision in view
Your named contact explains the important developments and anything we need from you. If the work or likely cost changes, we discuss it before going further.
You won’t need to interpret the jargon.
04
When the work is complete
Leave with the details in order
We explain what has been completed, give you the documents you need to keep and point out any dates or next steps that remain yours to look after.
The end of the matter, clearly set out.
03 / The partnersPeople, before paperwork
Our solicitors
We keep the conversation close to the work. A named partner takes responsibility for your matter, with a clear point of contact from the start.
E.A.
Partner / Private client & family
Eleanor Alder
Eleanor works with people planning for their family or managing a change at home. She starts by making space for the questions that are hardest to put into words.
T.R.
Partner / Property & business
Thomas Rowe
Thomas focuses on property and commercial matters. He takes the time to understand the deal behind the documents, then explains the points that need a decision.
Our approach
“Our job is to make the position clear enough for you to decide.”
Sometimes that means moving quickly. Sometimes it means pausing, reading the papers again and asking one more question.
04 / Fees & the first conversationAgreed before work begins
Clear fees, agreed in advance
You should be able to decide with the scope and the fees in front of you.
Alder & RoweA NOTE ON FEES
Before you instruct us,
we’ll send a written explanation of the work, the basis of our fees and any other costs we can reasonably identify.
Fixed fees
Where the work can be defined, we explain what the fixed price includes.
Hourly work
Where the scope may change, we give the rate and an estimate for the work ahead.
Other costs
VAT, searches, court fees and other third-party charges are set out separately, where applicable.
If something changes, we talk about it. Before it becomes a surprise.
Alder & Rowe
A first conversation
Start with the question
Tell us briefly what you need help with and any deadline you’re facing. We’ll explain whether we can help and arrange the right next step.
E.A.
T.R.