Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Southampton
Paris Smith has been providing legal excellence for over 205 years, dedicated to helping clients navigate complex legal landscapes. Our firm offers a comprehensive range of legal services tailored to businesses, organisations, and individuals, with a focus on fostering long-term client partnerships. Our three core pillarsclient-centric service, professional integrity, and regional commitmentguide our approach to delivering proactive legal solutions. With offices in Southampton, Winchester, and Bournemouth, we combine deep local knowledge with national expertise to support clients across the UK. Our team of experienced legal professionals is renowned for responsiveness, reliability, and a commitment to understanding clients' unique needs.We pride ourselves on seamless collaboration between our departments to address both business and personal legal matters effectively. From corporate transactions to family law, our expertise spans multiple practice areas, ensuring comprehensive support for every client. Recognised for our community engagement, we actively contribute to regional development through partnerships with local stakeholders. Our clients benefit from clear-sighted advice grounded in decades of experience, helping them overcome challenges and capitalise on opportunities. As a firm with deep historical roots in the region, we remain committed to evolving with our clients' needs while maintaining the highest standards of legal practice.
Services
Banking and Finance
Commercial Mediation
Corporate Restructuring
Family Law
Commercial Property
Debt Recovery
Employment Law
Immigration
Wills and Estates
Dispute Resolution
Highlights and features
- We offer over 205 years of legal expertise in diverse practice areas.
- Our client-centric approach prioritises tailored advice and long-term partnerships.
- Multi-office presence ensures accessibility across southern England.
- Specialised teams deliver comprehensive solutions for complex legal matters.
- Deep regional commitment through active community and business engagement.
What people say
Accessible and informative
Excellent service
Proactive partner
Clear pricing
Efficient on all levels
Services
Corporate Restructuring
Our Corporate Restructuring team specialises in guiding businesses through complex financial challenges, offering strategic solutions for debt management and organisational efficiency. We assist companies in distressed situations with tailored insolvency strategies while helping solvent businesses optimise their structures. With expertise in both formal and informal reorganisation, our practitioners deliver practical, cost-effective resolutions that align with long-term business goals.
Family Mediation
Family Mediation services help clients resolve relationship breakdowns amicably, focusing on child arrangements, financial settlements, and co-parenting agreements. Using collaborative methods, we facilitate constructive dialogue to reach mutually beneficial solutions while minimising emotional stress. Our mediators, qualified in family law, ensure fair outcomes that prioritise children's welfare and maintain respectful communication for future interactions.
Commercial Property
Commercial Property services cover all aspects of property transactions for businesses, including acquisitions, leasing, development, and dispute resolution. Our solicitors provide clear legal guidance on property finance arrangements, planning permissions, and landlord-tenant obligations. With deep sector knowledge, we handle complex property portfolios and ensure clients meet regulatory requirements while protecting their commercial interests.
Employment Law
Employment Law advisory covers contractual matters, HR policy development, disciplinary processes, and tribunal representation. We help businesses maintain compliance with evolving employment legislation while managing workforce challenges effectively. Our services include strategic workforce restructurings and handling discrimination claims, supporting clients to foster productive workplace environments and mitigate legal risks.
Wills and Estates
Wills and Estates services provide expert guidance on succession planning, probate administration, and trust management. Our specialists help clients create customised estate plans that ensure asset distribution aligns with their wishes while minimising inheritance tax liabilities. We offer comprehensive support through the probate process and advise on powers of attorney, ensuring clients' affairs are protected for future generations.
People
Paula Al-Yousif
HR Director
Managing all aspects of human resources at Paris Smith, Paula brings extensive experience in organisational development and employee relations. Committed to fostering a supportive workplace culture, she oversees recruitment, training, and HR strategy implementation.
Stuart Allen
Partner - Joint Head of Property
Stuart leads commercial property transactions with over 20 years' experience in property law. His expertise spans development projects, acquisitions, and landlord-tenant disputes, providing strategic legal advice to clients across multiple industry sectors.
Jade Anderson
Senior Paralegal - Wills & Estates
Jade specialises in estate administration and succession planning matters, supporting clients with probate applications and trust management. Her practical approach ensures smooth resolution of complex estate issues while maintaining client confidentiality.
Lucy Andrews
Associate - Corporate Restructuring
Lucy advises businesses on insolvency procedures and debt restructuring strategies. With a focus on commercial solutions, she helps companies navigate financial difficulties while protecting stakeholders' interests through formal restructuring processes.
Richard Atcherley
Partner - Corporate
Richard provides expert corporate law advice, specialising in mergers and acquisitions. His practice covers business transactions, shareholder agreements, and corporate governance, with particular experience in supporting family-owned enterprises through succession planning and growth phases.
Questions
What legal services do you offer for businesses?
We provide corporate law, commercial property, employment law, debt recovery, and dispute resolution services, supporting businesses through all stages of growth and challenges.
Do you offer personal legal services?
Yes, we specialise in family law, Wills and estates, personal disputes, and safeguarding vulnerable individuals, delivering tailored solutions for personal legal needs.
Which areas do you serve?
Based in Southampton, Winchester, and Bournemouth, we serve clients across the UK through our regional offices and virtual consultation services.
How do you approach client relationships?
We prioritise understanding individual client needs through active listening, then develop customised legal strategies while maintaining transparent, ongoing communication.
How long has your firm been operating?
Paris Smith LLP has delivered legal excellence since 1818, building lasting client relationships through 205 years of dedicated legal service.
Reviews (4)
Matt Brown
Dec 20, 2021
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Be warned if this firm is acting for your lender on a property transaction. They are happy to milk the fees for all they are worth. Under the terms of the mortgage I was liable to pay for the fees of the lender's solicitors (so my mistake, you may say). Despite my objections, I had to pay twice as much for Paris Smith's fees for the lender as I did for my own solicitors' conveyancing fees for the entire transaction (which was hardly complex). There was nothing I could do about this, as this firm seemed to be all too aware.
Robin Pope
Aug 01, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism
This short note is to acknowledge the high degree of expertise and professionalism from both Peter Ralls QC and Oliver Brady solicitor in resolving a dispute which had previously rolled on for a long period. It is a great feeling to know that these two are on your side and my sincere thanks to them both.
This short note is to acknowledge the high degree of expertise and professionalism from both Peter Ralls QC and Oliver Brady solicitor in resolving a dispute which had previously rolled on for a long period. It is a great feeling to know that these two are on your side and my sincere thanks to them both.
Michael Pomeroy-Robertson
Jun 25, 2021
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I was introduced to Jade Watkinson by Chris Parsons who assisted with conveyancing for our property purchase. The level of service we received from Paris Smith was nothing short of exceptional. We were first time buyers experiencing a challenging purchase, Jade was always on hand to answer our questions and went above and beyond to ensure I understood the process. She spent a lot of time on our case and I always felt our interests were at the heart of everything she did. A huge thanks to Amanda, Naomi and Emma for their assistance too! I can't recommend Paris Smith enough, great staff, fairly
Carolyn Paulls
May 26, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Sarah has been amazing, listening and advising me accordingly. I have received excellent legal advice from her. Highly recommended
Sarah has been amazing, listening and advising me accordingly. I have received excellent legal advice from her. Highly recommended
