Business Details
Trusted Legal Services in Lincolnshire & Yorkshire
Wilkin Chapman is a leading law firm with a strong regional presence in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, offering comprehensive legal services to businesses and individuals. Established with a commitment to client-centred service, the firm combines deep local knowledge with national capabilities, providing tailored legal solutions across diverse sectors including agriculture, education, and commercial property. Our team of experienced solicitors and specialists prioritises approachability, delivering value for money without compromising on quality. Accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we maintain rigorous professional standards while fostering a culture of teamwork and innovation.Client testimonials consistently highlight our proactive approach, technical expertise, and ability to grasp complex issues swiftly. With sector-specific knowledge in areas like charity law, insolvency, and agricultural property, we deliver strategic legal guidance that aligns with clients' commercial objectives. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures seamless integration of legal expertise across practice areas, supported by a proven track record in handling complex matters efficiently.
Services
Charity Legal Services
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Real Estate
Employment Law
Insolvency
Highlights and features
- Decades of combined experience in regional and national legal matters
- Sector-specific expertise in agriculture, education, and commercial property
- Client-centred approach with transparent communication
- Competitive rates while maintaining high service standards
- Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for professional accountability
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Notaries Society
What people say
Professional and competent service
Proactive legal solutions
Excellent client communication
Sector-specific expertise
Timely and cost-effective
Services
Notary services
Our notary public provides document authentication services for international use, including powers of attorney, marriage documents, and business certifications. We assist businesses with overseas transactions through verified ID checks and shipping protests. Clients benefit from fixed-fee options and transparent pricing starting at 240 per hour for individual services, with business document rates beginning at 200 hourly.
Agricultural property law
Specialist legal support for farmers and landowners covers property transactions, tenancy agreements, and succession planning. We handle complex agricultural matters including AHAs, diversification projects, and rural payment schemes. Our team's sector expertise, recognised by the Legal 500, ensures clients receive commercially astute advice tailored to the unique challenges of the agricultural industry.
Commercial property
Comprehensive property legal services for developers, investors, and businesses include acquisitions, development projects, and asset management. Our Tier 1 Legal 500-ranked team handles residential and commercial developments, social housing transactions, and infrastructure projects. Clients benefit from our multidisciplinary approach integrating planning, construction, and finance expertise.
Insolvency
We provide business insolvency solutions including CVAs, liquidation, and administration. Our licensed practitioners offer free initial consultations to explore rescue options and manage creditor pressures. With expertise in statutory demands and winding-up petitions, we help businesses navigate financial difficulties while protecting stakeholder interests through cost-effective restructuring strategies.
Employment law
Our employment law team advises on tribunal claims, settlement agreements, and HR compliance. Services include drafting employment contracts, handling dismissal cases, and providing sector-specific guidance. We combine legal expertise with practical solutions to resolve workplace conflicts while minimising business disruption and ensuring adherence to current employment regulations.
People
Catherine Harris
Partner & Head of Agriculture
Agricultural law specialist with decades of experience advising farmers and landowners. Leads the firm's rural sector practice, combining legal expertise with practical understanding of agricultural challenges. Recognised in the Legal 500 for outstanding sector knowledge.
Rachael Dicken
Partner & Head of Commercial Property
Leading commercial property solicitor with expertise in real estate development and investment. Ranked as a leading individual in Legal 500, she specialises in complex property transactions and development projects across multiple sectors including renewable energy.
Matthew Dix
Partner
Insolvency specialist with extensive experience in business recovery solutions. Provides strategic advice on CVAs, liquidation, and creditor management. Recognised for delivering practical insolvency solutions that balance legal requirements with commercial realities.
Kat Ulfig
Solicitor
Notary public specialising in international document authentication. Handles commercial and personal notarial requirements with hourly rates starting at 240. Regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury for notarial work.
Andrew Holt
Partner
Senior legal professional with broad commercial expertise. Coordinates the firm's NFU Legal Assistance Scheme membership, providing cost-effective legal solutions for agricultural clients through strategic partnerships and sector-specific knowledge.
Questions
What areas do you specialise in?
We specialise in agricultural law, commercial property, insolvency, employment law, and charity legal services, with national capability and regional expertise in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
Are your legal fees transparent?
Yes, we provide clear pricing structures including fixed fees where possible, with notary services starting at £240 hourly and commercial property transactions quoted transparently based on complexity.
How do you handle agricultural disputes?
Our dedicated agricultural team resolves tenancy disputes, contractual issues, and land registration problems using sector-specific knowledge and practical legal solutions tailored to farming businesses.
Can you assist with international legal documents?
Yes, our notary public services handle document authentication for overseas use, including powers of attorney, marriage documents, and business certifications with global legal recognition.
What insolvency options exist for businesses?
We offer CVAs, liquidation, administration, and debt negotiation solutions, with free initial consultations to explore rescue options and manage creditor pressures effectively.
How do you support agricultural clients?
We provide comprehensive support including property transactions, tenancy agreements, succession planning, and NFU scheme benefits, combining legal expertise with deep understanding of rural business challenges.
Reviews (6)
Tyler Guy
May 25, 2022
Report
We had a fantastic experience with Alan Duckworth and Yvonne Burford at Wilkin Chapman, who acted for us for our new house and mortgage. Alan as our solicitor was quick, clearly very experienced and knowledgable and we never once felt worried or even had to chase him. Yvonne also kept us up to speed throughout and was amazingly helpful if we ever needed to call. I would recommend these guys in a heartbeat! Thanks so much for all your help!
Andrew Staines
May 16, 2022
Report
Excellent service with regards to the purchase of a new home. Ed and Steph were brilliant, kept us informed, and kept chasing the sellers solicitor.
Stephen Taylor
Feb 14, 2022
Report
Excellent service received throughout the purchase of my new home. Having dealt with several solicitors I found Wilkin Chapman to be professional, competent and most importantly, proactive which certainly helped the process along. Big thumbs up from me.
Keith Dickson
Dec 23, 2021
Report
Do Not Use for Conveyancing! Difficult to fully express my disappointment with the complete lack of organisation, co-ordination and communication from these guys when it comes to conveyancing. I would like to say they were just new and incompetent but apparently they are experienced so it must be negligence. Since starting a simple conveyance In JULY which had no chain at either end, they managed to exchange contracts at the start of DECEMBER then failed to complete on the arranged date leaving their customer subject to excess charges in interest for non-completion on time.
There are no words to express the determined lack of interest shown by either the conveyance team or any other managers who had been alerted to the lack of attention or action shown in this case. Don't risk it - find a conveyancer that is not self-satisfied and ALWAYS check their reviews to see if they care.
There are no words to express the determined lack of interest shown by either the conveyance team or any other managers who had been alerted to the lack of attention or action shown in this case. Don't risk it - find a conveyancer that is not self-satisfied and ALWAYS check their reviews to see if they care.
Anthony Davies
Jun 10, 2021
Report
Excellent service provided during my claim. Lauren kept me up to date with all the latest updates. Easy to speak to and to contact.very pleased with my settlement in what would have been a nightmare if I had tried to pursue a claim on my own. I would highly recommend to anyone
Drew Weymont
Mar 10, 2021
Report
This outfit continually delayed proceedings building up ridiculous fees in the process! Wilkin Chapman Grimsby charged me 860 for writing 59 letters which generally duplicated adjournment dates that the court had already sent to me. Each time the case came to court it would be adjourned for dubious reasons such as they did not have the required info from the claimant & then charged me 125 for the pleasure.
The case was delayed also due to covid & they again have billed me for these adjournments. I attempted to settle the matter several times to avoid these unnecessary costs & court time but they did not want to know. The case was dismissed eventually & Wilkins Chapman then had the nerve to bill me 5.5k! I now understand why they had no interest in settling the case 12 months earlier! The pandemic must be hurting them in the pocket! Avoid like the proverbial
The case was delayed also due to covid & they again have billed me for these adjournments. I attempted to settle the matter several times to avoid these unnecessary costs & court time but they did not want to know. The case was dismissed eventually & Wilkins Chapman then had the nerve to bill me 5.5k! I now understand why they had no interest in settling the case 12 months earlier! The pandemic must be hurting them in the pocket! Avoid like the proverbial
