Bates Wells & Braithwaite Limited, Sudbury

16/12/2025

The Directors of Bates Wells and Braithwaite are delighted to welcome Amy Hutchinson to the team. Amy joined us on 1 December 2025 as an Associate Solicitor in our Residential Property Department.

With a wealth of experience and a strong focus on exceptional client care, Amy further strengthens our residential property offering and will be working closely with our Legal Director, Hannah Lindsey Smith, to continue delivering a high-quality, personable service to our clients.

17/09/2025

Please follow the link to our Emily Griggs’s article on Blended Families & Estate Planning!

In today’s society, it's increasingly common for individuals to have multiple marriages and children from current and previous relationships. Many couples also choose to combine finances and jointly own assets, including the matrimonial home. This raises an important legal question: What happens t...

21/07/2025

We’re Hiring Residential Property Lawyer / Executive (0–3 PQE)

Our team is growing, and we’re looking for a Residential Property Lawyer or Executive with 0–3 years PQE to join our expanding practice.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a supportive and forward thinking firm with a strong pipeline of quality work. If you’re looking to take the next step in your legal career, we’d love to hear from you.

📞 Get in touch for a confidential conversation.

03/06/2025

This week’s hot topic is Lasting Powers of Attorney (‘LPA’)

Our Emily Griggs provides an overview of the fundamentals of LPAs, highlighting key considerations and potential issues to be aware of.

Please follow the link below to access the full article.

We are all struggling at the moment to adjust to the new world we currently find ourselves in...

09/05/2025

Message from our employment/company commercial solicitor Monika Sargeant.

Need Expert Employment Law Support for Your Business?

As an experienced employment law solicitor, I help UK employers navigate complex workplace issues, minimise legal risk, and build positive, compliant people practices.

My services for employers include:

• Contract Drafting & Reviews: Tailored employment contracts, handbooks, and consultancy agreements.

• Policy Development: Custom HR policies on grievance, discipline, equal opportunities, data protection, and remote/flexible working.

• Redundancy & Restructuring: Strategic planning, fair selection processes, and bespoke settlement agreements.

• Dispute Resolution: Early advice to prevent tribunal claims, mediation support, and cost-effective settlement negotiations.

• Tribunal Defence: Expert representation across the full range of claims (unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, etc.).

• Training & Audits: Practical management training, HR audits, and health-check reviews to ensure ongoing compliance.

Why work with me?

• Proactive, pragmatic advice that protects your bottom line

• Clear fixed fees and retainer options for budget certainty

• Rapid turnaround to keep your projects on track

• Supportive guidance that empowers your HR and leadership teams

Whether you’re updating your employment documentation, facing a potential claim, or simply want to stay ahead of legislative changes, I’m here to help.

Get in touch for a confidential consultation or to discuss tailored retainer arrangements. Let’s ensure your business stays compliant and your people stay supported.

Whether you are an employer or an employee, we offer in depth support and guidance throughout all of the stages of your matter, drawing on our extensive expertise and experience of work related issues; from advice, the initial drafting of contractual documentation, to the preparation of formal claim...

08/05/2025

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the situation with your spouse or partner, we’re here to help. Our experienced family law solicitor, Rebecca Smith, offers a fixed-fee appointment for £150 plus VAT. This includes a one-hour meeting and a written follow-up, providing you with a clear and accurate record of your discussion.

Rebecca is experienced in advising in all areas of Family Law. Rebecca can assist couples who are going through a separation or if assistance is required in relation to a dispute relating to children arrangements. Rebecca can also help obtain necessary Court Orders to assist victims of domestic viol...

07/05/2025

Settlement Agreements - Know Your Rights and Your Obligations.

If you are going through a redundancy, workplace disputes, or a negotiated exit, a settlement agreement might have been offered to you.

Before you accept and sign anything, it’s crucial to get expert legal advice to protect your rights and ensure you are being compensated adequately.

Our Monika Sargeant specialises in employment law and offers clear and practical advice on settlement agreements for employees across the UK.

Whether it’s reviewing the terms, negotiating better exit package, or making sure your future rights are protected, Monika will guide you every step of the way.

What Monika offers:

• Fast, confidential legal review

• Clear explanation of your options

• Negotiation support, if needed

• Legally required independent advice

• Fixed fees (often covered by your employer)

If you have been offered a settlement agreement, please get in touch for a confidential consultation.

Whether you are an employer or an employee, we offer in depth support and guidance throughout all of the stages of your matter, drawing on our extensive expertise and experience of work related issues; from advice, the initial drafting of contractual documentation, to the preparation of formal claim...

03/04/2025

The Directors of Bates Wells & Braithwaite are pleased to welcome back Monika Sargeant to the team not only as a Solicitor dealing with Employment and Company work but also as a Director of the firm.

Monika re-joined the firm on the 1st April 2025 having previously left in 2022 to gain experience at a specialist employment advisory firm.

She has acquired an enhanced knowledge of employment law, which complements her company commercial speciality.

Monika can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by calling us on 01787 880440 should you require any assistance with employment and/or company commercial matters.

The Directors of Bates Wells & Braithwaite are pleased to welcome Monika Sargeant as a Solicitor dealing with Employment Law as well as Corporate and Company Commercial matters.

04/12/2024

The office will close for the seasonal holidays at 12.00 noon on Monday 23rd December 2024 and reopen at 9.00 am on Thursday 2nd January 2025.

We take the opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

from all at Bates Wells & Braithwaite

22/12/2023

The office will close for the seasonal holidays at 12 noon on Friday 22nd December 2023 and re-open at 9am on Tuesday 2nd January 2024.

We take the opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at Bates Wells & Braithwaite

19/12/2023

URGENT NOTICE RE TUESDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2023

We are having some issues with our phone lines so your calls may not go through, or if they do, we may not be able to answer. Please bear with us while this is looked into.

If you need to contact us and cannot get through on the telephone then please email your designated fee earner or our reception desk at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can attend the office in person.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Thank you

The Directors of Bates Wells & Braithwaite

11/07/2023

The Directors are delighted to announce that Emily Griggs has qualified as a Probate Practitioner, of her journey from apprentice administration assistant to qualified lawyer Emily says:

‘It only feels like yesterday I came into the office as a 16 year old school leaver with no work experience nor any idea of what I wanted to do for a career...7 years and countless hours of study and exams later here I am!

There are not enough words to express my gratitude to the Directors for this incredible opportunity and I can only thank them and my colleagues for their wholehearted support in my journey to qualifying as a Probate Practitioner.

They have believed in me since the very first day as the office junior and have fuelled my interest and passion in the law. I look forward to this new chapter and continuing to work in the Private Client department providing legal services to the clients at Bates Wells & Braithwaite’.