Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner Since 1764
Established in 1764, we are one of the UK's oldest and most respected law firms, operating as an independent, partner-led practice across Essex, Suffolk, and London. With 300 colleagues and a heritage spanning over 250 years, our multidisciplinary team delivers tailored legal solutions to individuals, families, and businesses. Our commitment to proactive service, community engagement, and client-centric values underpins The Ellisons Solicitors Way, ensuring lasting partnerships and trusted advisory relationships.As members of the Alliott Global Alliance, we provide international expertise while maintaining local accessibility. Our sector-specific knowledge spans automotive, construction, rural affairs, technology, and more, supported by recognition in the Legal 500 directory. We prioritise risk analysis, asset protection, and dispute resolution, achieving high client retention through consistent service excellence.
Services
Commercial Property
Corporate and Commercial
Dispute Resolution
Employment Law
Family and Divorce
Immigration
Medical Negligence
Personal Injury
Residential Conveyancing
Wills and Probate
Highlights and features
- We offer over 250 years of legal expertise and heritage.
- Our partner-led structure ensures direct access to senior lawyers.
- Membership of the Alliott Global Alliance provides international reach.
- Sector-specialist teams deliver tailored commercial insights.
- Recognised in the Legal 500 directory for service excellence.
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
Services
Commercial Property
Our Commercial Property team provides expert legal advice on property transactions, leasing, development, and investment. We assist businesses with acquisitions, disposals, and portfolio management, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. With deep local knowledge in Essex and Suffolk, we offer strategic guidance to maximise property value and mitigate risks for clients across various sectors.
Corporate and Commercial
We advise businesses on corporate structuring, mergers, acquisitions, and commercial contracts. Our team supports clients from SMEs to large corporates with governance, compliance, and transactional matters. With sector-specific expertise in technology, retail, and manufacturing, we deliver practical solutions aligned with commercial objectives while maintaining regulatory adherence.
Dispute Resolution
Our Dispute Resolution specialists handle complex commercial disputes, debt recovery, and mediation. We prioritise early resolution through negotiation or alternative dispute methods but litigate aggressively when necessary. Clients benefit from strategic advice focused on minimising disruption and achieving cost-effective outcomes across Essex, Suffolk, and nationally.
Employment Law
We provide comprehensive employment law support for employers and employees, covering contracts, disciplinary procedures, redundancies, and tribunal representation. Our proactive approach includes training and policy development to prevent disputes. Businesses gain practical guidance on compliance with evolving employment legislation and best practices.
Family and Divorce
Our Family Law team handles divorce, child arrangements, financial settlements, and pre-nuptial agreements. We adopt a sensitive, client-focused approach to minimise emotional stress while protecting interests. With Resolution accreditation, we promote amicable solutions through mediation or collaborative law where appropriate.
People
Guy Longhurst
Managing Partner & Head of Real Estate
Leading the real estate team with extensive legal expertise, Guy provides strategic guidance on commercial property transactions and client service excellence.
Paul Forsyth
Head of Corporate and Commercial
Paul specialises in corporate transactions and commercial law, delivering tailored advice to businesses across technology, retail, and manufacturing sectors.
Lisa Dawson
Head of Family
Lisa offers compassionate family law counsel, focusing on divorce, child custody, and mediation to achieve amicable resolutions for clients.
Sohan Sidhu
Head of Immigration
Sohan provides expert immigration advice for individuals and businesses, navigating complex visa applications and compliance requirements.
Jonathan Insley
Commercial Litigation Partner
Jonathan resolves high-value commercial disputes with a focus on minimising client disruption through strategic litigation and negotiation.
Questions
What areas of law does Ellisons specialise in?
We specialise in commercial property, corporate law, dispute resolution, employment law, family law, immigration, and sector-specific services for agriculture, technology, and social housing.
How long has Ellisons been in operation?
Ellisons has provided legal services since 1764, making us one of the UK's oldest continuously operating law firms.
Do you offer international legal support?
Yes, as members of the Alliott Global Alliance, we connect clients with vetted legal professionals in 97 countries.
What locations do you serve?
We operate from offices in Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, and London, serving clients nationwide and internationally.
Can I access legal advice for personal matters?
Yes, we offer wills, probate, residential conveyancing, and family law services tailored to individual needs.
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Reviews (6)
Jerusha David Jd
Jan 20, 2022
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I am grateful to have crossed paths with Ms Meenal. Both Ms Meenal and Mr Graeme were honest and direct with me right from the start. Honestly, if it wasnt for their advice and guidance, I wouldnt have sorted my EUSS so swiftly. They literally made the impossible, possible! Sacrifices were made but it was definitely worth it. They were reasonably priced and never left me hanging at any time. Thank you for everything! Your little gesture of dropping your business card, Ms Meenal made a huge difference in my life
Ringo Staffordshire
Nov 11, 2021
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Very poor service from Ellisons who made some fundamental errors in our probate case. In the end we had to get someone outside to look at their figures and after that the lawyer dealing with our case admitted there had been a mistake on Ellisons part. Even after this the discount they offered was pitiful. Now I'm dealing with their clientcare team who just don't respond to 50% of my mails. It's just a very poor service for 275 per hour. i think they assume they won't ever deal with me again so it doesn't matter if I'm completely dissatisfied. The replies on Google make it look like they are concerned
Debbie Furmage
Nov 08, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Ive used Ellisons solisiter for the last year and half absolutely brilliant service great help very caring and took time to explain things to me very prompt and thorough i had Samantha chance and Lauren Dunn I cannot thank these two enough definitely well recommended .
Ive used Ellisons solisiter for the last year and half absolutely brilliant service great help very caring and took time to explain things to me very prompt and thorough i had Samantha chance and Lauren Dunn I cannot thank these two enough definitely well recommended .
Elaine Anderson
Jul 22, 2020
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We sold and bought a house at the same time and Rebecca Hempstead was brilliant. She was professional and calm and kept us up to date through what was a very stressful time. I can highly recommend Rebecca and her secretary Amanda if you need to buy or sell a house.
Amy Tovell
Dec 02, 2019
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I couldnt recommend Ellisons enough, Matthew has been a brilliant throughout our auction purchase. He kept to our tight schedule and was very responsive via email and calls with any queries we had. We did changed solicitors due to previous poor service but we will only be using Ellisons in the future. Thanks again Matthew.
Martyn Beckwith
Sep 02, 2019
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We have recently used Matthew Preston-Bloom at Ellisons for the purchase of our new property. We have had terrible experiences in the past with previous solicitors we have used for property transactions, however this went without a hitch. Matthew was efficient, approachable and got the job done without any problems. All questions were answered quickly and in terms we could understand. Would happily use them again.
