Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Wimborne
Established in 1877, Dibbens Solicitors is a long-standing legal practice based in Wimborne, Dorset. Our firm combines historical expertise with a modern approach to deliver high-quality legal services tailored to private individuals and small-to-medium enterprises. Specialising in residential and commercial conveyancing, probate, wills, trusts, matrimonial matters, and business documentation, we prioritise client needs while maintaining a commitment to fair pricing and community responsibility. Our team of experienced solicitors and legal professionals is dedicated to providing clear, practical advice, ensuring clients receive comprehensive support throughout their legal journeys.As an SRA-regulated firm, we uphold rigorous professional standards, continuously adapting to technological advancements and evolving client expectations. Our core philosophy, 'We're here to help you,' reflects our approachable, flexible service model, which remains central to our market position and client relationships.
Services
Residential Conveyancing
Commercial Property
Family Law
Probate Services
Wills and Trusts
Business Documentation
Lasting Power of Attorney
Debt Collection
Employment Law
Lease Negotiation
Highlights and features
- We have over 145 years of experience in legal services.
- Our team includes SRA-regulated solicitors with specialist expertise.
- We provide comprehensive legal solutions tailored to individual needs.
- Our firm prioritises community and environmental responsibility.
- We combine traditional values with modern technological advancements.
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Professional expertise
Clear communication
Long-standing reputation
Comprehensive legal advice
Approachable team
Services
Residential Conveyancing
Our residential conveyancing service guides clients through property transactions with expertise honed over decades. We handle purchases, sales, and buy-to-let arrangements, offering pre-sale preparation guides and transparent fee structures. Our Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation ensures adherence to industry standards, while our team provides practical advice on legal complexities, helping clients navigate the process confidently from initial offer to completion.
Family Law
We provide comprehensive family law support, including divorce proceedings, cohabitation agreements, child custody arrangements, and financial settlements. Our legally qualified team offers empathetic guidance on sensitive issues, ensuring clients understand their rights and obligations. Services extend to drafting prenuptial agreements and resolving disputes through negotiation or court representation, prioritising clients' best interests and long-term stability.
Wills and Trusts
Our wills and trusts service ensures clients' wishes are legally documented and protected. We create tailored solutions for inheritance tax planning, asset distribution, and lifetime trusts. Our solicitors advise on complex scenarios involving blended families or vulnerable beneficiaries, ensuring compliance with current legislation. Regular reviews and updates help maintain relevance as clients' circumstances evolve over time.
Commercial Property
We support businesses with commercial property transactions, including lease negotiations, grant of leases, and premises management. Our expertise covers landlord and tenant obligations, contract drafting, and dispute resolution. We help clients understand their legal responsibilities regarding employment contracts, disciplinary procedures, and minimum wage compliance, ensuring business operations remain legally sound and commercially viable.
Probate Services
Our probate team assists executors in administering estates efficiently, handling all aspects from initial valuation to final distribution. We provide clear guidance on inheritance tax liabilities, contentious probate matters, and trust management. By maintaining transparent communication throughout the process, we alleviate administrative burdens during challenging times, ensuring compliance with legal requirements while respecting the deceased's wishes.
People
Tony Mellowes
Senior Partner & Solicitor
With extensive experience in residential and commercial conveyancing, Tony leads Dibbens' property department. He specialises in guiding clients through complex transactions while maintaining the firm's commitment to accessible legal services. Tony's expertise spans over decades of practice in Dorset's property market.
Lucy Craig
Partner & Solicitor
Lucy Craig oversees family law and private client services, offering expert advice on matrimonial matters, wills, and trusts. Her practice focuses on creating tailored solutions for estate planning and lasting powers of attorney, combining legal precision with compassionate client care.
Sue Barnes
Legal Executive
Sue Barnes heads the family law department, providing comprehensive support on separation, divorce, and child custody issues. Her practical approach to resolving family disputes ensures clients receive clear guidance on their legal rights and responsibilities during challenging transitions.
Victoria King
Legal Executive
Victoria King specialises in lasting powers of attorney and will preparation. She advises clients on safeguarding their future decision-making capacity and ensuring their wishes are legally documented, combining technical expertise with empathetic client interactions.
Debbie Ware
Solicitor
Debbie Ware contributes to the conveyancing team, assisting clients with property transactions. Her focus on clear communication and attention to legal detail helps streamline the buying and selling process for residential clients across Dorset.
Questions
What areas of law does Dibbens Solicitors specialise in?
We specialise in residential and commercial conveyancing, family law, probate, wills and trusts, business documentation, and employment law matters across Dorset and nationally.
How experienced is your conveyancing team?
Our conveyancing team has decades of combined experience, supported by SRA-regulated solicitors and a Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation for residential transactions.
Can you assist with commercial property leases?
Yes, we handle commercial lease negotiations, grant of leases, and premises management, advising landlords and tenants on their legal obligations and dispute resolution.
Do you offer estate planning services?
We provide comprehensive will drafting, trust creation, and lasting power of attorney services to ensure your wishes are legally protected and executed.
How does Dibbens approach client communication?
We prioritise clear, timely communication through preferred channels, offering face-to-face meetings, phone consultations, and email updates tailored to client needs.
What makes Dibbens different from other firms?
Our 145-year heritage combines with modern practices to deliver accessible, community-focused legal services while maintaining rigorous professional standards.
Reviews (5)
Allie Kay
Dec 04, 2021
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AVOID AT ALL COSTS. One of the female partners was executor to my father's will. She deceitful managed to get my sister to sign the Deed if Variation " while of no fit state of mind" then cut all of my father's benefactors out of his will. For her own personal gain. Beware she is very dishonest.
Elena Paparozzi
Nov 07, 2021
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We instructed Dibbens for a recent home purchase and have been extremely impressed with the service levels, professionalism and speed at which the transaction was executed. Highly recommend
E. M.
Nov 03, 2021
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Dibbens helped us to navigate a protracted house sale and purchase. The team went above and beyond in order to keep the chain moving and they kept us informed throughout, which helped to put us at ease that they had everything in hand. Excellent.
Michelle Cutler
Jun 17, 2020
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Our seller used this solicitor. Check your replies from them very carefully, in our experience they are not always what they seem and you cannot complain to the legal ombudsman about it because they weren't acting for you.
Natasha Fairclough
May 03, 2020
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Dibbens have acted swiftly and professionally for me and my family on a number of occasions from Wills and Probate to the purchase of a home and a business. Would highly recommend their service and would happily use them for any future legal requirements.