Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand

Business Details

Expert Legal Services in Lancaster & Kirkby Lonsdale

Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand has built a distinguished reputation over two centuries as a trusted legal partner for individuals, businesses, and rural communities across the North West and beyond. Established in 1810, our firm combines a proud heritage with a forward-thinking approach, delivering specialist legal expertise in personal, commercial, and agricultural law. With offices in Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale, our team of over 30 solicitors brings deep local knowledge and industry-specific insights to every case. We prioritise client relationships, offering tailored advice that addresses complex legal challenges while maintaining accessibility and clarity.

Recognised in the Legal 500 and accredited with the Conveyancing Quality Scheme, our commitment to excellence is evidenced by our long-standing client relationships and peer recognition. We invest in continuous professional development, ensuring our lawyers remain at the forefront of their fields, including STEP-qualified specialists in trusts and estates. Our client-centric ethos ensures transparent communication, ethical practice, and solutions that align with individual needs, whether in high-value commercial transactions or personal legal matters. This dedication to quality and trust has made us a cornerstone of legal services in our region.

Services

Commercial Property Residential Conveyancing Family Law Agricultural Estates Probate Services Dispute Resolution Trusts & Estates Employment Law Wills & Planning Court of Protection

Highlights and features

We offer 200 years of legal expertise with a client-focused approach.
Our team includes STEP-qualified specialists in trusts and estates.
Recognised in the Legal 500 for commercial and agricultural law excellence.
We provide tailored advice combining local knowledge with national standards.
Accredited by the Conveyancing Quality Scheme for residential expertise.

Associations and certifications

Conveyancing Quality Scheme

What people say

Exceptional service Clear communication Professional and patient Completed quickly Highly recommend

Website

Update Listing

Services

Commercial Property

Our commercial property team handles transactions from small-scale deals to large developments. We specialise in land acquisition, planning agreements, and portfolio management, with strong local connections in Cumbria and Lancashire. Clients benefit from our expertise in negotiating complex contracts and development projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while maximising value. Our solicitors work closely with property professionals to deliver practical solutions tailored to business needs.

Residential Conveyancing

We provide expert residential conveyancing services for property purchases, sales, and remortgages. Our team handles high-value rural properties, new builds, and leasehold transactions with transparency and regular client updates. Specialisms include Help to Buy schemes, equity release, and complex rural property transfers. Clients receive dedicated support through every stage of the process, ensuring smooth completions even in challenging cases.

Family Law

Our family law department advises on divorce, financial settlements, and child arrangements. We handle high-net-worth divorces, cohabitation disputes, and pre-nuptial agreements with sensitivity and legal precision. Fixed-fee initial consultations provide accessible entry points for clients seeking clarity on complex family matters. Our approach balances proactive legal strategy with compassionate support during emotionally challenging times.

Agricultural Estates

Specialising in agricultural law for generations, we advise on land sales, tenancies, and environmental agreements. Our team works with farming families and estate owners on contracts involving Single Farm Payments, environmental schemes, and manorial rights. We maintain strong relationships with rural organisations like the Moorland Association, ensuring our advice aligns with industry-specific regulations and practical farming needs across northern England.

Probate Services

Our STEP-qualified specialists manage probate and estate administration, including complex international assets and trust structures. We assist executors with grant applications, inheritance tax planning, and dispute resolution. The team provides clear guidance on will validity, asset protection, and specialist grants for urgent matters, combining technical expertise with empathetic support during bereavement periods.

People

David Park

Senior Partner

With decades of experience in commercial property law, David leads our Lancaster office. His expertise in development projects and portfolio management has made him a trusted advisor to regional businesses. He maintains strong connections within the local business community.

Jennifer Grabowski

Partner

Head of our Corporate & Commercial team, Jennifer specialises in business transactions and commercial contracts. Her practical approach to corporate law has earned recognition in the Legal 500, particularly for advising SMEs in the North West region.

Charlotte Russell

Partner

Chartered Legal Executive in residential conveyancing, Charlotte is renowned for her accessible service and efficiency. She has particular expertise in rural property transactions and has received multiple client commendations for her clear communication and problem-solving approach.

Clare Love

Partner

STEP-qualified specialist in wills and probate, Clare advises on complex estate planning and trust administration. Her technical knowledge combined with compassionate client handling makes her a key figure in our private client team.

Emma Greenwood

Associate

Residential conveyancing specialist known for exceptional client service. Emma's ability to manage high-pressure transactions smoothly has resulted in numerous client testimonials praising her responsiveness and attention to detail during property purchases.

Questions

What areas do Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand cover?

We primarily serve Lancaster, Kirkby Lonsdale, and the wider North West region including Cumbria, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, with clients across the UK and internationally.

Are your conveyancing fees fixed?

We offer indicative pricing with transparent costs for standard transactions. Complex cases receive tailored quotes to ensure value for money.

Do you offer STEP-qualified trust specialists?

Yes, our private client team includes multiple STEP-qualified lawyers specialising in trusts, estates, and tax planning.

How quickly can you complete a property sale?

Average completions take 8-12 weeks, though we've achieved nine-week completions for urgent cases as demonstrated in recent client testimonials.

Are you regulated by the SRA?

Yes, we're authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with office numbers 510556 and 512792 for our Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale offices.

Do you handle agricultural tenancies?

Our agricultural department specialises in farming partnerships, grazing licences, and complex rural property agreements with generations of sector experience.

Reviews (6)

Write a Review

Monty

Aug 25, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness,Value
Best Solicitors I have used for a long time. Special thanks to Charlotte Russell who acted on our behalf while purchasing our property. Very professional and always just a phone call away ( which was always answered )Would definitely use again . 10/10. Mr Ron Price

Danielle Harrison

Mar 25, 2021 Report

Extremely disappointed with the service I received when buying my first house. Lack of knowledge and professionalism. Firstly a data breach of my personal information at their end, then the solicitor gave me incorrect advice regarding my lifetime ISA (to which I did my own research and had to email the solicitor correcting her advice), and then on collection of the forms for signing, the address of the purchase property was incorrect. After all this, even more appalled for the price to have increased from the initial quote. Would not recommend.

Oliver Gallagher

Mar 22, 2021 Report

I recently bought and sold Two rental properties through OSG the Solicitor I used was Patricia as I had instructed her previously at another firm. The whole process was smooth with excellent communication both written and verbal at every stage of the sales process
Thank you very much 5/5

The Sales Saint

Mar 15, 2021 Report

I recently relocated my company and Home from Burton In Kendal to Lancaster and had been recommended OSG by a business associate. The whole dealings were done remotely due to the ongoing pandemic which i found to be very efficient from sending items to be scanned to having the Solicitor call me to verify some points
Thank you Ms Boyd and your team i will recommend OSG to friends and associates

Sim Carter

Nov 08, 2020 Report

Hayley Housey represented me. My birth certificate was lost on their end. My emails were ignored. I urgently required it back as I have a visa application to me it's a valuable certificate that was needed for use. After months passed and ignored emails and no urgency or CARE for my loss which again was on their end. I was told the price for a new one and where to get it. Whilst I appreciate it's not much money it's the slap in the face that it's basically my problem and here is how you get a new one. Having worked as a Sales Executive and then a Sales Manager for Audi I would never EVER of footed

A. Musa

Jul 22, 2020 Report

I was recommend these solicitors as efficient and responsive. So I called them for a Convayencing quote. I called twice, each time I was told someone from the Convayencing team would call me back. It's been over a week and no one has bothered to call me back. Disappointed with lack of response.