Watkins Solicitors

Watkins Solicitors Our team provide legal advice to individuals and families across England and Wales, with offices in Bristol, Bath, Hereford and Evesham.

Our services include: Education Law, Family Law, Conveyancing, Domestic Abuse and Intrnational Child Abduction.

📢 Is our Bristol SEN Information Day relevant to your family?The event on Monday 19 October is for parents and carers at...
31/08/2026

📢 Is our Bristol SEN Information Day relevant to your family?

The event on Monday 19 October is for parents and carers at different stages of the SEN and EHCP process, whether you are considering requesting an assessment or are already dealing with an EHCP or dispute.

It may be particularly helpful if:

• Your child is struggling in school
• You are considering requesting an EHC needs assessment
• The local authority has refused to assess or issue an EHCP
• You have received a draft EHCP and are unsure what to do next
• You are unhappy with the support, wording or school named in an EHCP
• Your child is out of school, on a reduced timetable or not receiving suitable education
• You are preparing for an annual review, phase transfer or SEND Tribunal appeal

Our specialist Education Law team will provide practical information to help parents and carers better understand the process, their child’s rights and the options available.

📍 The Foundation, Bristol
📅 Monday 19 October 2026
🕙 10.00am start
🎟️ £16, including a light lunch and tea or coffee

Book your place on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sen-information-day-for-parents-and-carers-in-bristol-tickets-1998347646605

📢 SEN Information Day for Parents and Carers in BristolDo you have questions about your child’s EHCP, SEN support or edu...
25/08/2026

📢 SEN Information Day for Parents and Carers in Bristol

Do you have questions about your child’s EHCP, SEN support or education, but are not sure where to start?

On Monday 19 October, our specialist Education Law team will be holding a practical SEN Information Day in Bristol, created specifically for parents and carers.

The session will cover:

• EHC needs assessments and EHCPs
• What should be included in an EHCP
• Annual reviews and phase transfers
• School placement disputes
• SEND Tribunal appeals
• What you can do if your child is not receiving suitable education
• Practical guidance on the questions to ask and the next steps available to you

There will also be opportunities to ask questions and hear directly from members of our Education Law team, including Beverley, Sophia, Celine and Wania.

📍 The Foundation, Bristol
📅 Monday 19 October 2026
🕙 10.00am to 2.30pm
🥪 Light lunch included
🎟️ Tickets: £16

You do not need any legal knowledge to attend. The day is designed to make SEN law and the EHCP process clearer and help parents and carers feel better informed about the options available for their child.

Book your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sen-information-day-for-parents-and-carers-in-bristol-tickets-1998347646605

View our event email here:
https://mailchi.mp/watkinssolicitors.co.uk/phase-transfer-deadline-important-information-6432294

A difficult court hearing can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions are high and the outcome matters deeply.Our Fa...
29/07/2026

A difficult court hearing can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions are high and the outcome matters deeply.

Our Family Law team understands how important it is for clients to feel supported, protected and properly represented throughout the process.

We recently received this feedback from a client following a difficult hearing:

“Having you there made a huge difference. I felt protected, supported, and able to stay present because you stepped in at the right moments and handled things calmly...Your guidance and reassurance helped me get through a day that could have easily overwhelmed me. Thank you again for your help and for being so steady throughout the process.”

This feedback reflects the calm, expert and reassuring support provided by Andy Kerese and our Family Law team during a very difficult hearing.

At Watkins Solicitors, we know that legal advice is not just about preparing documents or attending hearings. It is also about helping clients feel heard, supported and able to get through some of the most difficult moments in their lives.

If you need advice about a family law matter, our team can help.

Call Watkins Solicitors on 0117 939 0350 or email [email protected].

A recent case handled by our specialist International Family Law team has been published as a reported High Court judgme...
28/07/2026

A recent case handled by our specialist International Family Law team has been published as a reported High Court judgment.

The case involved an application under the 1980 Hague Convention, which is used in international child abduction cases where a child has been wrongfully removed to, or retained in, another country.

The application was made by the father, who sought the return of his child to Brazil.

The case was handled by our International Family Law team, led by Andy Kerese, Associate Solicitor and Head of International Family, with support from Gwen Tan, Trainee Solicitor.

The High Court ordered the child’s return to Brazil.

International child abduction cases can be extremely distressing for families. They often involve urgent decisions, different countries, different legal systems and difficult questions about what was agreed between parents.

This case is a reminder of how important it is to seek specialist legal advice as early as possible. Messages, travel documents, court orders, school arrangements and discussions between parents can all become important evidence.

Watkins Solicitors can advise parents seeking the return of a child, as well as parents responding to Hague Convention applications where there may be concerns about consent, welfare, risk of harm or a child’s objections.

If your child has been taken abroad without your consent, has not been returned after an agreed trip, or you are responding to a Hague Convention application, please contact our specialist International Family Law team.

Call 0117 939 0350 or email [email protected]

Read more: https://www.watkinssolicitors.co.uk/site/blog/international-family/childs-return-to-brazil-in-reported-high-court-case

Tony and Marnie’s Land’s End to John o’ Groats challenge is well underway!Our Partner Tony Calwell and his daughter Marn...
28/07/2026

Tony and Marnie’s Land’s End to John o’ Groats challenge is well underway!

Our Partner Tony Calwell and his daughter Marnie set off on Saturday 18 July, taking on the incredible challenge of cycling 1,624km from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in just 14 days.

Since then, they have made fantastic progress, travelling through some beautiful parts of the country including Wells, Cheddar Gorge and the Lake District, passing the 500 mile mark and now reaching Scotland.

Tony and Marnie are raising money for Friends of Perseid School, supporting Perseid School, an amazing school for children and young people with severe learning difficulties.

Everyone at Watkins Solicitors is incredibly proud of them and we will continue cheering them on for the final stretch.

If you are able to support them, donations can be made here:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/marnie-calwell-1

Good luck Tony and Marnie. You are doing brilliantly!

Tomorrow, our Partner Tony Calwell and his daughter Marnie will be setting off on an incredible challenge, cycling 1,624...
17/07/2026

Tomorrow, our Partner Tony Calwell and his daughter Marnie will be setting off on an incredible challenge, cycling 1,624km from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in just 14 days.

They will be averaging around 116km every day, taking on sunshine, rain, hills, more hills and, we imagine, a few moments of wondering whose idea this was!

Tony and Marnie are raising money for Friends of Perseid School, supporting Perseid School, an amazing school for children and young people with severe learning difficulties.

Everyone at Watkins Solicitors would like to wish Tony and Marnie the very best of luck for the challenge.

If you are able to support them, donations can be made here:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/marnie-calwell-1

Good luck Tony and Marnie. We will be cheering you on all the way!

Football fever has reached Watkins Solicitors.Everyone at Watkins Solicitors would like to wish the England football tea...
15/07/2026

Football fever has reached Watkins Solicitors.

Everyone at Watkins Solicitors would like to wish the England football team the very best of luck in the World Cup!

The excitement has definitely made its way across our Bristol, Bath and Hereford offices and, in the true spirit of teamwork, even our Welsh colleagues have agreed to put friendly rivalries aside and get behind England… for now.... ;)

Good luck to the team from all of us at Watkins Solicitors.

Please note: the image accompanying this post was generated using AI, as much as we would love to claim our Partners have been called up to the England squad.

Watkins Solicitors are delighted to share that Theo McGarrigle, who is based at our Bath office, has qualified as a soli...
15/07/2026

Watkins Solicitors are delighted to share that Theo McGarrigle, who is based at our Bath office, has qualified as a solicitor after completing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route.

Theo joined Watkins Solicitors in August 2022 and began his career with the firm as a Paralegal. After gaining experience and developing his interest in family law, he decided to begin the process of qualifying as a solicitor.

He passed both stages of the SQE and achieved results in the first quintile for both. This means Theo’s results placed him in the top 20% of candidates, an excellent achievement and a reflection of his hard work, ability and commitment to progressing his legal career.

Now qualified, Theo is looking forward to continuing to build his career in family law, including private law children matters, public law children work and injunction cases.

Yatin Amin, Partner and Head of Public Law - Children at Watkins Solicitors, said:

“We are all incredibly proud of Theo and what he has achieved. Completing the SQE while working full time takes real commitment, discipline and determination, and Theo has shown all of those qualities throughout the process.

Theo is a valued member of the team and has continued to grow in confidence and ability during his time at Watkins. He cares about the work, he is committed to clients and he has a very strong future ahead of him.

It has been a pleasure to support him on his journey so far, and I look forward to seeing him continue to develop as a solicitor.”

Everyone at Watkins Solicitors would like to congratulate Theo on qualifying as a solicitor and wish him every success as he continues his legal career with the firm.

Read more here: https://www.watkinssolicitors.co.uk/site/blog/watkins-news/theo-mcgarrigle-qualifies-at-watkins-solicitors-bath-office #

Well done to Morgan French and the Conveyancing team on receiving this fantastic client review!For first time buyers, pu...
02/07/2026

Well done to Morgan French and the Conveyancing team on receiving this fantastic client review!

For first time buyers, purchasing a property can feel unfamiliar and stressful, especially when the transaction involves a chain. Having a solicitor who explains things clearly, responds promptly and makes clients feel comfortable asking questions can make a real difference.

At Watkins Solicitors, our Conveyancing team are committed to guiding clients through the property process with clear communication, practical support and a focus on keeping matters moving.

Well done to Morgan and the wider Conveyancing team!

For more information about our Conveyancing services, please visit:https://www.watkinssolicitors.co.uk/site/services/residential-conveyancing/

Members of the Watkins Solicitors Education Law team recently attended The Autism and ADHD Show Birmingham 2026 at the N...
29/06/2026

Members of the Watkins Solicitors Education Law team recently attended The Autism and ADHD Show Birmingham 2026 at the NEC Birmingham.

The event brought together families, carers, education professionals, charities, service providers and organisations supporting autistic people, people with ADHD and those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Watkins Solicitors attended the event with a stand, giving visitors the opportunity to speak to members of our Education Law team about issues affecting children and young people with SEND, including Education, Health and Care Plans, school placements, Local Authority decision-making and SEND Tribunal appeals.

Managing Partner Beverley Watkins also delivered a presentation as part of the Autism and ADHD Talks programme. Beverley’s session, “Handy Hints for Attending Special Educational Needs Tribunal”, provided practical guidance for parents and carers preparing for a SEND Tribunal hearing.

SEND Tribunal appeals can feel daunting for families, particularly where they are already facing delays, uncertainty or disagreement about the support their child needs. Clear, practical advice can make a significant difference in helping parents understand the process and feel more prepared.

Watkins Solicitors’ Education Law team regularly advises parents, carers and young people on a wide range of SEND matters, including EHCP needs assessments, EHCP contents, school placement disputes, SEND Tribunal appeals, exclusions and disability discrimination issues.

We would like to thank The Autism and ADHD Show for hosting such an informative and valuable event, and to everyone who visited the Watkins Solicitors stand or attended Beverley’s presentation.

Read more about the event here: https://www.watkinssolicitors.co.uk/site/blog/education-blog/autism-and-adhd-show-birmingham-2026 #

For more information about our Education Law services, please contact Watkins Solicitors on 0117 939 0350 or email [email protected].

Address

192 North Street, Southville
Bristol
BS31JF

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+441179390350

Website

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