Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Law Firm in the South West & Beyond
Stephens Scown is a leading South West law firm with a reputation for delivering impactful legal solutions. Established over 80 years ago, we combine deep regional knowledge with national expertise, serving clients across diverse sectors including corporate, real estate, healthcare, and technology. Our employee-owned structure ensures a client-centric approach, with over 90% of clients reporting satisfaction with our services. Recognised by Legal 500, our multidisciplinary teams provide tailored advice on matters ranging from mergers and acquisitions to dispute resolution and regulatory compliance.We prioritise innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, supporting clients through complex legal challenges while maintaining a commitment to ethical practice. With offices in Exeter, Truro, Taunton, Bournemouth, and London, we offer accessible expertise to businesses and individuals nationwide.
Services
Corporate & Commercial Law
Dispute Resolution
Real Estate Services
Employment Law
Specialist Sector Legal Advice
Data Protection
Intellectual Property
Estate Planning
Details
- Year established: 1945
Highlights and features
- Over 90% client satisfaction rate with transparent fee structures
- Employee-owned firm ensuring accountability and client focus
- Recognised by Legal 500 for excellence in multiple practice areas
- Multi-disciplinary teams with sector-specific expertise
- Proven track record in complex cases across corporate, real estate, and healthcare
What people say
Exceptional professionalism
Speed of response
Proactive and knowledgeable
Sector-specific expertise
Transparent communication
Services
Corporate & Commercial Law
We advise businesses on mergers, acquisitions, contracts, and governance. Our team ensures compliance with regulatory frameworks while supporting growth through strategic legal solutions. Clients benefit from sector-specific expertise in industries like healthcare, technology, and renewable energy.
Dispute Resolution
Our specialists handle commercial litigation, debt recovery, and employment disputes. With a focus on practical outcomes, we represent clients in negotiations, tribunals, and court proceedings, minimising disruption to their operations.
Real Estate Services
We support property transactions, planning, and development projects. Services include commercial leases, land acquisitions, and advising on renewable energy projects, ensuring clients navigate complex property regulations effectively.
Employment Law
Our employment team provides guidance on contracts, redundancies, and workplace disputes. We help businesses maintain compliance with evolving employment legislation while fostering positive workplace cultures.
Specialist Sector Legal Advice
We offer tailored legal support for niche industries including marine, mining, and social housing. Our deep understanding of sector challenges enables us to deliver solutions that align with regulatory and operational demands.
People
Laurie Trounce
Head of Charity
Laurie leads our charity sector team, advising on governance, mergers, and regulatory compliance. With extensive experience in agricultural and estate law, she provides strategic legal support to charities and social enterprises.
Thomas Chartres-Moore
Head of Technology
Thomas specialises in technology law, data protection, and intellectual property. He advises clients on AI, software licensing, and cybersecurity, combining technical understanding with commercial legal expertise to drive innovation.
Questions
What areas of law does Stephens Scown specialise in?
We specialise in corporate & commercial law, real estate, employment law, dispute resolution, and sector-specific services for healthcare, technology, and renewable energy clients.
Do you offer legal support outside the South West?
Yes, while rooted in the South West, we provide legal services nationwide with offices in Exeter, Truro, Taunton, Bournemouth, and London.
How experienced is your legal team?
Our teams include Legal 500-ranked specialists with decades of experience in their fields, including corporate, real estate, and regulatory law.
What is your approach to client service?
We prioritise a client-first ethos through our employee-owned structure, ensuring tailored advice, transparent communication, and long-term partnerships.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Mark Horswill
Jun 13, 2022
Report
Mark Chanter was recommended to me as the best divorce lawyer in the county and he certainly didn't fail to pass muster when dealing with my case. Mark is extremely succinct and did not waste his or my time beating around the bush (which I liked and worked well). His clever wording when corresponding with the other side's solicitor and the court was, I feel, paramount in getting the result that we wanted. Highly recommended.
Antony Smith
May 18, 2022
Report
They do there work as requested, I guess that you could describe it as being professional. I call it cold and expensive
Jackie Bond
May 17, 2022
Report
The most useless Solicitors I have ever had the misfortune to have to deal with. Mistake after mistake. They can't get the basics of names right, they answer emails when they feel like it and they have to be told how to do their job. Their associates are incompetent and are unsupervised by their so called partners, so they basically do nothing but make and hide errors. They are rude from the top down. Absolutely appalling service. When I tried to complain, they blocked my email. No care, no service. Avoid at all costs.
Sara Hill
Mar 14, 2022
Report
I have been working with Luke from Stephens Scowns, he has been extremely helpful in explaining the processes involved and achieving the results we aim for.
Paul Farbrace
Feb 04, 2022
Report
I was ushered towards Stephens & Scown by a friend & I'm so glad they recommended them. Very professional & courteous, Verity & the team helped me through a difficult dispute resolution case with my employers. I will never be able to thank her and the team enough for the help, advise & support they gave me. Thanks.
Tom Buckler
Dec 24, 2021
Report
We recently worked with Luke on a Debt Recovery matter. Communication was clear, professional and prompt; allowing for action to be taken the same day as we spoke. The debt was recovered, I would highly recommend such services from Stephen Scown.
