Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Bournemouth
Established in 1832, Rawlins Davy Reeves is a distinguished full-service law firm headquartered in Bournemouth with additional offices in Poole and Wimborne. Our firm combines centuries of legal expertise with modern innovation, offering tailored solutions for both corporate and private clients. We specialise in commercial law, property transactions, dispute resolution, and private client services including estate planning and family law. Following the strategic merger with Jacobs & Reeves in October 2022, we have strengthened our regional presence while maintaining our commitment to exceptional service.Our solicitor directors, supported by dedicated teams, advise businesses from start-ups to multi-million-pound enterprises, alongside providing compassionate legal support for individuals. Accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we prioritise client communication, transparency, and achieving optimal outcomes through both traditional and innovative legal approaches.
Services
Company Law
Commercial Property
Insolvency
Dispute Resolution
Wills & Probate
Family Law
Conveyancing
Mediation
Estate Planning
Highlights and features
- We offer 190 years of legal expertise since 1832 with modern innovation
- Our solicitor directors advise businesses with turnovers exceeding 100m
- We provide tailored legal solutions for both corporate and private clients
- Our firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID 486864)
- We maintain direct client communication throughout all legal processes
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Professional
Friendly
Extremely helpful
Top-class Solicitor
Highly efficient
Services
Company and Commercial Law
We provide comprehensive legal support for businesses throughout their lifecycle, from incorporation to complex transactions. Our services include merger and acquisition advice, commercial contracts, and strategic business restructuring. With expertise in handling companies with turnovers exceeding 100 million, we deliver tailored solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term objectives while maintaining strict compliance with regulatory requirements.
Commercial Property Law
Our commercial property team handles transactions ranging from portfolio acquisitions to specialised property financing. We advise on lease agreements, property development schemes, and asset management strategies. With particular strength in advising businesses expanding their property holdings, we ensure legal compliance while protecting commercial interests through meticulous due diligence and strategic contract negotiation.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
We specialise in creating bespoke lasting powers of attorney arrangements that protect clients' interests during incapacity. Our private client team guides individuals through the legal formalities while considering family dynamics and financial circumstances. We ensure documents meet legal requirements while providing practical solutions for future care and asset management through our experienced estate planning specialists.
Family Law
Our family law department handles divorce proceedings, financial settlements, and child custody arrangements with sensitivity and legal precision. We specialise in complex asset division, pension considerations, and post-nuptial agreements while prioritising clients' emotional needs. Through mediation and litigation expertise, we deliver balanced solutions that protect clients' interests in both traditional and modern family structures.
Mediation Services
As accredited mediators since 2006, we facilitate negotiated settlements for commercial, property, and family disputes. Our approach focuses on collaborative problem-solving while maintaining confidentiality. We help clients avoid costly litigation through structured negotiations that address underlying interests rather than positional arguments, achieving sustainable resolutions across diverse legal domains including probate and business conflicts.
People
Patricia Smith
Director
With extensive experience in private client law, Patricia leads our team in delivering tailored legal solutions for estate planning and family matters. She prioritises understanding individual client needs to provide compassionate yet effective legal representation, ensuring clear communication throughout complex processes while maintaining professional excellence.
Rosemary Bowman
Conveyancing Specialist
Recognised for exceptional efficiency in residential property transactions, Rosemary handles complex conveyancing cases with meticulous attention to detail. Her client-focused approach ensures smooth property transfers, particularly in sensitive circumstances involving inheritance matters, while maintaining clear communication throughout the legal process.
Sue Hickman
Private Client Lawyer
Specialising in wills and probate, Sue provides sympathetic guidance during challenging times. She focuses on creating comprehensive estate plans that reflect clients' wishes while minimising tax implications. Her approach balances legal expertise with personal care for clients' unique family circumstances.
Andrew Goss
Corporate Legal Advisor
Andrew advises businesses on commercial transactions and corporate governance, drawing on decades of experience with regional enterprises. He specialises in guiding companies through growth phases and complex legal challenges while maintaining practical, commercially-focused solutions that align with business objectives.
Jacobs & Reeves Team
Merged Practice
Following our 2022 merger, experienced legal professionals from Jacobs & Reeves have expanded our regional capabilities. This strategic combination maintains both firms' traditions of excellence while enhancing our ability to serve clients across expanded practice areas and locations.
Questions
What areas of law does Rawlins Davy Reeves Reeves specialise in?
We specialise in commercial law, property transactions, dispute resolution, family law, wills & probate, and mediation services for both businesses and private clients.
How has the merger with Jacobs & Reeves affected services?
The 2022 merger has enhanced our regional presence and expanded our expertise while maintaining our commitment to personalised legal services and professional excellence.
What makes your conveyancing service stand out?
Our conveyancing team combines efficiency with compassionate support, particularly in complex cases involving inheritance matters and first-time home purchases across Dorset.
Do you offer mediation services for business disputes?
Yes, as accredited mediators since 2006, we facilitate commercial dispute resolutions that protect business relationships while achieving legally sound outcomes.
How do you handle estate planning for high-net-worth individuals?
Our private client team creates tailored estate plans considering tax implications, family dynamics, and asset protection through wills, trusts, and lasting powers of attorney.
