Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Southport
Brighouses Solicitors, established in the 1870s by Sir Samuel Brighouse, is a trusted legal practice based in Southport. With a rich history of growth through strategic mergers, the firm combines tradition with modern legal expertise. Our team of experienced practitioners delivers tailored legal solutions across family law, property transactions, probate, commercial law, and more. We prioritise a client-centric approach, balancing high-quality service with affordability.Located on Lord Street, we maintain strong ties to the local community and hold accreditations such as the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme. Our commitment to accessibility, including Dementia Friends training and wheelchair-friendly premises, underscores our dedication to inclusive service. Recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we serve individuals and businesses across Merseyside, Lancashire, and beyond.
Services
Family Law
Property Transactions
Wills & Trusts
Probate Administration
Commercial Law
Criminal Defence
Landlord & Tenant
Later Life Planning
Highlights and features
- We have over 150 years of combined legal expertise since 1870.
- Our team includes former Southport Pier Trustees and Deputy Lieutenants.
- We offer Dementia Friends training and accessible premises.
- We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 44182).
- We maintain 4.9/5 client satisfaction ratings for conveyancing services.
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme
What people say
Brilliant from start to finish
Exemplary communication during lockdown
Calm professionalism in difficult situations
Very friendly and helpful staff
Over 50 years of trusted service
Services
Family Law
Our specialist family law team provides compassionate guidance through relationship breakdowns, offering mediation and collaborative law alternatives to court proceedings. We handle divorce, financial settlements, child custody arrangements, and domestic violence cases with sensitivity. Clients benefit from our expertise in both UK and international adoption processes, ensuring legally robust solutions during emotionally challenging times.
Property Transactions
We manage all aspects of residential and commercial property transactions, including sales, purchases, and equity release mortgages. Our Law Society-accredited conveyancing team ensures smooth processes with dedicated solicitors handling cases from start to finish. Clients receive competitive quotes and access to local surveyors and mortgage brokers, with expedited services available for urgent transactions across the UK.
Wills & Trusts
Our wills and trusts service creates legally sound documents to protect assets and beneficiaries. We offer tailored inheritance tax planning, foreign property considerations, and lasting powers of attorney. Clients receive free will storage and home visits for those unable to travel, with expertise in creating robust documents that prevent legal challenges and ensure estates are distributed according to wishes.
Probate Administration
We provide comprehensive probate services for executors, handling tax returns, asset distribution, and court applications. Our team manages both contentious and non-contentious estates, including foreign assets and complex tax planning. Clients benefit from our regulated status and experience in navigating court processes, ensuring estates are administered correctly while supporting beneficiaries during difficult times.
Commercial Law
Our commercial law team handles property transactions, business sales, and landlord-tenant disputes with competitive fees. We specialise in commercial conveyancing, lease agreements, and development projects, offering tailored solutions for sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants. Clients receive expert guidance through property development and portfolio refinancing, with a focus on meeting tight deadlines and minimising legal risks.
People
Gill Cheetham
Partner
Gill Cheetham, a solicitor partner, specialises in property transactions with extensive experience in residential and commercial conveyancing. Clients praise her efficiency and calm professionalism during complex property deals, particularly during pandemic-related challenges.
Mike Braham
Partner
Mike Braham, a solicitor partner, oversees commercial law services with expertise in business transactions and property development. He provides strategic legal guidance for commercial clients, focusing on practical solutions for property sales and lease agreements.
Alison Owen
Legal Executive
Alison Owen, a legal executive, specialises in family law with a focus on mediation and collaborative law approaches. She helps clients navigate relationship breakdowns through negotiated settlements rather than court proceedings.
Wendy Eckhardt
Senior Associate
Wendy Eckhardt, a senior associate, manages probate and estate administration cases with attention to tax planning and asset distribution. Her expertise ensures smooth estate transitions during challenging times for bereaved families.
Justine Marshall
Senior Associate
Justine Marshall, a senior associate, specialises in later life planning and lasting powers of attorney. She provides compassionate legal advice for vulnerable clients, ensuring their wishes are documented and protected for future care decisions.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We specialise in family law, property transactions, wills/trusts, probate, commercial law, criminal defence, and later life planning, serving both individuals and businesses across Merseyside and Lancashire.
Do you offer home visits for legal services?
Yes, we provide home visits for clients unable to travel to our wheelchair-accessible Southport office, particularly for wills, lasting powers of attorney, and later life planning matters.
Are your conveyancing services available during lockdown?
Yes, we maintained streamlined conveyancing services throughout the pandemic with exemplary communication, adapting to remote working while ensuring transaction progress.
What accreditations do you hold?
We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 44182) and accredited members of the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme and Safe Move Scheme.
Reviews (6)
Steve Yates
May 28, 2022
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I didn't even get any advice, and they told me they wanted 2000 for a letter, even though I'm on benefits. They didn't even point me to anyone who might be able to help me.
Rachel Ostick
Dec 22, 2021
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An excellent professional service provided by both Gill and Kirsty. A difficult sale of a property but they kept going an kept me updated throughout the process. Highly recommended to anyone looking at using their services. Thank you so much for your help and support.
Catherine Middleton
Oct 25, 2021
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I have just completed a sale of a property with Brighouses, the solicitor who managed this for me was Miss Justine Marshall and her secretary Miss Louise Moorcroft. Both Justine assisted by Louise have been nothing but professional and responsive to all my questions and enquiries. If your unsure who to use when either buying or selling a house I can highly recommend these ladies at Brighouses, you won't be sorry. Thankyou Justine and Louise.
Carl B.
Oct 11, 2021
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I have used Brighouses Solicitors for legal matters and I am always pleased with their friendly and professional service. Very satisfied.
Trevor Smith
May 18, 2021
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We had a great experience selling our house using Brighouses. Every issue was dealt with efficiently with good communication so we also knew where we were in the process. Definitely recommend them.
Yvonne Cross
May 17, 2021
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I have dealt with Brighouses in the past and was very impressed by their professionalism. On this occasion I was put in touch with Ms Justine Marshall, who was very hard working on my behalf and kept in communication with me at all times. I would not hesitate to use this firm of Solicitors again and would recommend them.
