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Expert Legal Services in Burnley, Blackburn & Preston
Waddington & Son is a trusted and well-established law firm serving clients in Burnley, Blackburn, and Preston. With a heritage spanning over 125 years, we provide a comprehensive range of legal services for individuals and businesses, prioritising integrity, professionalism, and clear communication. Our team of experienced solicitors specialises in family law, criminal defence, legal aid, and Court of Protection matters, offering tailored solutions to meet clients' unique needs.We pride ourselves on delivering expert legal advice in a friendly, approachable manner, ensuring clients feel supported and informed throughout their legal journey. Our collaboration with JWR Solicitors in 2023 further strengthens our expertise, combining decades of experience to serve communities across Lancashire. We are committed to excellence, with team members holding specialist accreditations and actively contributing to industry forums and local justice initiatives.
Services
Family Law
Criminal Defence
Wills & Probate
Court of Protection
Legal Aid Services
Highlights and features
- We offer over 125 years of combined legal expertise in family and criminal law
- Our team includes Law Society Children's Panel members and Court of Protection specialists
- We provide Legal Aid services for eligible clients
- Our solicitors have Higher Rights of Audience in all courts
- We operate from three accessible offices in Burnley, Blackburn, and Preston
Services
Family Law
Our family law specialists handle divorce, child custody, domestic abuse cases, and Local Authority care proceedings. We provide compassionate representation for parents, children, and guardians, with team members on the Law Society's Children's Panel. Our solicitors have extensive court experience, including High Court and Court of Appeal cases, ensuring robust advocacy for complex family matters.
Criminal Defence
We offer expert criminal defence representation in magistrates' and crown courts, including police station advice and duty solicitor services. Our team includes Higher Court advocates and experienced Crown Court representatives. We defend clients facing serious charges, with specialists in youth justice and vulnerable client cases, ensuring thorough preparation and strategic defence approaches.
Court of Protection
Our Court of Protection team manages deputyship appointments for individuals lacking mental capacity. We handle financial affairs and welfare decisions, with solicitors on the Professional Deputies' Forum. We assist families during crises, preparing applications, annual reports, and insurance bonds, while providing ongoing management of complex estates and vulnerable clients' needs.
Wills & Probate
We provide comprehensive will drafting, probate administration, and lasting powers of attorney services. Our solicitors assist with estate planning, inheritance tax considerations, and complex probate matters. We offer compassionate support during bereavement, guiding families through grant of probate applications and estate administration processes.
Legal Aid Services
We offer Legal Aid for eligible clients in family and criminal cases, ensuring access to justice regardless of financial circumstances. Our accredited specialists manage high-cost cases and liaise with the Legal Aid Agency. We provide transparent advice on eligibility and funding options, maintaining quality representation while managing public funding requirements.
People
Colin Warner
Director, Family Solicitor and Court of Protection Deputy
Qualified in 1989, Colin heads our Family Department and Court of Protection team. He has represented children in complex cases since 2008 and is one of nine Professional Panel Deputies in the North West. He contributes to annual Lancashire Family Justice Conferences and has appeared in reported cases at the High Court.
Trish Hassell
Director and Family Solicitor
Trish joined in 2018 and became our first female Director. She specialises in Local Authority care proceedings and manages the Blackburn office. With over 20 years' experience, she is a Law Society Children's Panel member and Resolution-accredited specialist, focusing on complex family law cases.
Charlotte Fitzpatrick
Director and Head of Family Department
Qualified in 2011, Charlotte joined in 2012 and became a Director in 2024. She specialises in Local Authority care proceedings, representing parents, grandparents, and children. She is a Law Society Children's Panel member and Resolution-accredited solicitor with extensive court experience.
Nicola Mawson
Director, Head of Private Client and Court of Protection Solicitor
Qualified in 2009, Nicola leads our Private Client team. She specialises in Court of Protection deputyship matters for high-net-worth clients and acts as a Dementia Friend. She joined in 2021 and is a member of the Professional Deputies Forum.
Philip J Turner
Consultant Criminal Defence Solicitor
With 40 years' experience, Philip established our Criminal Law Department. He provides consultancy support, representing clients at police stations and magistrates' courts. He was a partner for 24 years and continues to contribute his extensive criminal law expertise.
Questions
What areas of law does Waddington & Son specialise in?
We specialise in family law, criminal defence, Court of Protection matters, wills & probate, and Legal Aid services across Burnley, Blackburn, and Preston.
Can I get Legal Aid for my case?
We offer Legal Aid for eligible clients in family and criminal cases. Our specialists will assess your eligibility and guide you through the funding process.
What is the Court of Protection service?
Our Court of Protection team helps appoint deputies for individuals lacking mental capacity, managing financial affairs and welfare decisions with professional expertise.
Do you offer will and probate services?
Yes, we provide comprehensive will drafting, lasting powers of attorney, and probate administration services to manage estate planning and inheritance matters.
Are your solicitors accredited specialists?
Our team includes Law Society Children's Panel members, Resolution-accredited specialists, and Higher Court advocates with extensive experience in their fields.
