Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Belfast
Established in 1904, Mackenzie & Dorman has provided dedicated legal services to Belfast and surrounding areas for over a century. Our firm combines traditional values with modern legal expertise, offering a personalised approach to both private and business clients. With a team of qualified solicitors specialising in multiple practice areas, we prioritise client care and maintain a reputation for delivering pragmatic solutions.Our services span domestic conveyancing, family law, wills and probate, commercial law, and litigation, supported by a commitment to accessibility and transparency. We actively participate in community initiatives like Will Aid, demonstrating our ongoing dedication to local needs. Through generations of service, we have built trust by consistently placing client interests at the forefront of our practice.
Services
Domestic Conveyancing
Commercial Law
Family Law
Wills and Probate
Elderly Client Care
Litigation Services
Details
- Year established: 1904
Highlights and features
- We have over 100 years of legal experience serving Belfast clients
- Our team includes STEP-qualified specialists in wills and probate
- We provide jargon-free legal advice tailored to individual needs
- We maintain a 98% client satisfaction rate based on feedback
- We offer dedicated support for elderly client care matters
What people say
Extremely efficient
Friendly and helpful
Executed will swiftly
Kept informed throughout
No hesitation recommending
Services
Domestic Conveyancing
We specialise in residential property transfers, including purchases, sales, remortgages, and shared ownership arrangements. Our conveyancing team handles all legal aspects from contract exchange to completion, ensuring compliance with current regulations. With over a century of experience, we provide clear guidance through complex processes while maintaining competitive turnaround times for first-time buyers and experienced homeowners alike.
Family Law
Our family law practice addresses divorce, separation, child custody, and financial settlements. We approach sensitive matters with empathy while maintaining legal precision. Services include mediation support, pre-nuptial agreements, and domestic abuse protection orders. Our practitioners focus on achieving amicable resolutions while safeguarding client interests through court representation when necessary.
Wills and Probate
We provide comprehensive will drafting, trust creation, and probate administration services. Our specialists advise on inheritance tax mitigation, lasting powers of attorney, and care fee planning. The team handles complex estate settlements while offering compassionate support during difficult times, ensuring client wishes are fulfilled through legally sound documentation.
Commercial Law
Our commercial law services support businesses with property transactions, employment law, and corporate restructuring. We assist with lease agreements, business sales, and HR documentation compliance. The team provides strategic legal counsel for SMEs and property investors, combining commercial awareness with technical legal expertise to protect business interests.
Litigation Services
We represent clients in civil litigation matters including personal injury claims, contract disputes, and property conflicts. Our litigators handle cases from initial assessment through court proceedings, focusing on achieving practical outcomes. Specialisms include road accident claims, medical negligence, and workplace injury compensation across multiple court jurisdictions.
People
Judith Hutchinson
Director
Qualified in 1992, Judith specialises in conveyancing and probate. She teaches estate administration at Queen's University Belfast and is a STEP member. With three decades of local legal experience, she focuses on wills, trusts, and elderly client care.
Jill McDowell
Director
Qualified in 2009, Jill handles domestic conveyancing and elderly client matters. A Queen's University graduate, she balances legal practice with family life while maintaining expertise in property transactions and succession planning.
Robyn Butler
Solicitor
Qualified in 2017, Robyn specialises in conveyancing and commercial property. With postgraduate legal science qualifications, she supports clients in property transactions while maintaining interests in heritage conservation through National Trust visits.
Colin Bates
Consultant
A 1984 qualified solicitor, Colin leads litigation and commercial conveyancing. With expertise in personal injury and family law, he combines legal practice with supporting Northern Ireland football. His career spans four decades of Belfast commercial legal matters.
Questions
What areas of law does Mackenzie & Dorman specialise in?
We specialise in domestic conveyancing, family law, wills and probate, commercial law, litigation, and elderly client care. Our Belfast-based team provides comprehensive legal support across these core practice areas.
What makes Mackenzie & Dorman different from other law firms?
With over 100 years serving Belfast, we combine generational expertise with modern legal practices. Our STEP-qualified specialists provide jargon-free advice, maintaining a 98% client retention rate through personalised service and transparent communication.
Do you offer services for first-time property buyers?
Yes, we provide dedicated support for first-time buyers including mortgage guidance, shared ownership schemes, and government scheme assistance. Our conveyancing team explains each process step clearly while maintaining efficient transaction timelines.
Can you assist with commercial property transactions?
Our commercial property team handles business premises purchases, lease agreements, and property portfolios. We support SMEs with all aspects of commercial conveyancing, including title investigations and transactional compliance matters across Northern Ireland.
