Business Details
Trusted Legal Services in South Shields
Established in the 1890s, Hannays Solicitors & Advocates has built a reputation for delivering high-quality legal services across South Shields and beyond. Our team of experienced solicitors specialises in conveyancing, family law, and private client work, combining expert legal knowledge with a client-focused approach. Accredited by the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme, we ensure all property transactions meet rigorous standards. We prioritise transparency, offering clear pricing and tailored advice for residential conveyancing, family law matters, and later-life planning.Our commitment extends to home visits for elderly or vulnerable clients within South Tyneside, Sunderland, and Washington, with no additional charges for this service. Trusted by local communities and recommended by estate agents, we blend traditional values with modern legal expertise to achieve optimal outcomes for our clients.
Services
Conveyancing
Family Law
Children Law
Wills & Probate
Elderly Client Services
Court of Protection
Notary Public
Highlights and features
- We are accredited by the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme for residential property transactions
- We offer free home, hospital, and care home visits for elderly or disabled clients in local areas
- Our conveyancing quotations include transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Our solicitors have decades of combined experience in family law and private client matters
- We are recommended by estate agents and clients for our professional, approachable service
Associations and certifications
- Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS)
What people say
Polite friendliness
Professional approach
Easy initial contact
Straightforward procedure
Useful advice
Services
Conveyancing
Our Law Society-accredited conveyancing team handles residential property transactions including purchases, sales, remortgaging, and equity release. We ensure legal compliance, conduct property searches, and manage fund transfers while maintaining transparent pricing. Clients receive dedicated support throughout the process, with home visits available for vulnerable individuals in specified areas.
Family Law
Experienced solicitors provide guidance on family law matters including divorce proceedings, financial settlements, and child custody arrangements. We offer specialist support for local authority interventions and private child arrangement applications, prioritising clients' needs while navigating complex legal frameworks.
Wills & Probate
We assist clients with creating legally sound wills and administering estates through probate processes. Our services include applying for probate, managing estate distribution, and providing advice on inheritance tax planning to ensure clients' wishes are fulfilled after death.
Elderly Client Services
Specialist legal support for older clients covers power of attorney arrangements, care home contract reviews, and financial affairs management. We help establish Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputy Orders through the Court of Protection, ensuring vulnerable clients maintain control over their affairs.
Notary Public
Our notary public services include document certification, affidavit preparation, and international legalisation for clients requiring official verification of signatures or documents for overseas use, ensuring compliance with foreign jurisdiction requirements.
People
Kim Rainford
Managing Director
BA (Hons) Law graduate with extensive conveyancing experience, overseeing the firm's strategic direction and property law services while maintaining hands-on client involvement.
Craig Thompson
Solicitor/Notary Public
Qualified solicitor and notary public handling complex legal transactions, including international document certification and property law matters with specialist expertise.
Jordan Garvin
Solicitor
Family law specialist managing child arrangement cases and domestic legal disputes, providing compassionate yet pragmatic legal solutions for clients in challenging situations.
Gavin Coates
Trainee Solicitor
Developing expertise across multiple practice areas under senior supervision, focusing on conveyancing and private client work while completing professional legal qualifications.
Neil Priestley
Registered Conveyancing Technician
Specialist conveyancing technician managing property transactions with SRA-regulated expertise, ensuring efficient completion of residential sales and purchase processes.
Questions
What areas do you cover for conveyancing services?
We provide conveyancing services across South Shields, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Washington (Tyne & Wear), Gateshead, and Newcastle upon Tyne, with nationwide capability.
Are your conveyancing fees transparent?
Yes, we provide full cost transparency with detailed quotations before work commences, including all legal fees, disbursements, and stamp duty where applicable.
Do you offer home visits for legal services?
We offer free home, hospital, or care home visits for elderly, ill, or disabled clients within South Tyneside, Sunderland, and Washington (Tyne & Wear).
What is the Law Society CQS accreditation?
CQS is a quality mark for residential conveyancing, demonstrating our commitment to high standards through annual assessments, training, and compliance with strict legal procedures.
Can you handle urgent property transactions?
We prioritise timely service with experienced staff managing urgent cases, though completion times depend on transaction complexity and third-party processes.
How do you verify client identities?
We use secure online verification through Thirdfort for remote identity checks, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering regulations while maintaining data security.
Reviews (6)
Lisa Cameron
Oct 18, 2021
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Great service from Craig ,Jordan and the whole team at Hannays .They answered all my questions and the support was great being a first time seller .will definitely use Hannays should i ever decide to sell again
Owen Sanderson
Jun 22, 2020
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Genuine incompetence beyond belief. Do not use this firm if you actually want to complete a property transaction. Poor understanding of law and highly bureaucratic.
EDIT to reflect response: I was not the client however incompetence displayed by Hannay's prevented their client from purchasing the property they wished to purchase. No constructive suggestions were made, no attempts were made to put anything right, and thousands of pounds on both sides were wasted due to their obstructionism, hence the one star review. I imagine as a client they are awful but certainly as a counterparty, if you
EDIT to reflect response: I was not the client however incompetence displayed by Hannay's prevented their client from purchasing the property they wished to purchase. No constructive suggestions were made, no attempts were made to put anything right, and thousands of pounds on both sides were wasted due to their obstructionism, hence the one star review. I imagine as a client they are awful but certainly as a counterparty, if you
Stephen Phillips
Jun 06, 2020
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In the course of my work I had the misfortune to contact Kim Rainford from this practice as I required some information from him. Not a helpful man. Admittedly, I wasnt a client of his, but my goodness what a rude and unpleasant character.
K. Flo
May 28, 2020
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They might offer you a cheaper rate than others but don't be fooled. They don't walk you through the whole process. They will dump you the papers after papers and it will be your job to figure out everything. We got so fed up with the person who dealt with selling process, we hired another firm ( very professional from start to end) to complete the buying process.
Sarah Knox
Nov 27, 2019
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Recently used Hanneys Solicitors to help with the process of buying a house. Excellent service from Craig Thompson - answered all questions quickly and ensured the sale went through efficiently. Would highly recommend
Andy Worrall
Nov 05, 2018
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During a recent business lease conveyancing, Kim Rainford offered great advice and kept me informed at all times. Would certainly recommend this firm.