About Ridley & Hall Solicitors

About Us

Ridley & Hall are an award-winning firm of solicitors, based in Yorkshire, but with a national profile. We are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives by being innovative and forward-thinking. We care about helping our clients to solve their legal problems. We avoid complicated legal jargon and are clear about the cost involved of any advice that we give.

In 2019, Ridley & Hall won Yorkshire Small Law Firm of the Year at the Yorkshire Legal Awards.

Ridley & Hall have an excellent Family & Matrimonial and Care Proceedings & Adoption teams which have been recommended for their expertise by the legal publication the Legal 500. We specialise in divorce, financial relief, children, grandparents’ issues and kinship care.

We have nationally-recognised expertise in Kinship Care Law. We frequently support individuals and families in their challenges to local authorities.

Our Wills, Probate & Trusts team is here to help you. Ridley & Hall have been recognised as national experts by the publication Legal 500 in probate and trusts.

Unfortunately many people fail to make a will or surviving relatives are not provided for by a will or intestacy. This can often lead to arguments. Our Contentious Probate team specialises in this often complex area of law.

At Ridley & Hall, we recognise that buying or selling a house can be a hugely stressful experience for many people. Our Residential and Commercial Property teams have a friendly and professional approach. We are one of the first firms in the country to gain accreditation in the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme, meeting the highest possible standards for the residential conveyancing process.

If any circumstances arise where you need advice about a dispute or claim, please get in touch to find out if we can advise you. If we can’t help, we can point you in the right direction.

Our Vision

Our vision is to invest in our people and build a culture that delivers excellent legal services for our clients and is a fantastic place to work.

Our Mission

Growing profitability to continue investing in our business and people.
Developing a culture of support and expertise that makes us an employer of choice
Solving your legal problems in a kind and compassionate way
Consistently exceeding expectations
Employees and clients recommend our firm

Our Core Values

Support – For our clients, each other and the community
Respect – For all
Growth – Evolving our firm and providing opportunities for our colleagues

History & Timeline

2024 – Themer Slimane promoted to partner

2023 – Thomas Grice promoted to partner and head of private client, Ashley Sowerby promoted to partner, Helen Moody, Rosie Turner, and Shelley Harper have all been promoted to associates

2022 – Adam Leece, Ashley Sowerby and Susan Sowden promoted to Partners. Themer Slimane and Adam Ali promoted to Associates.

2021 – Ridley & Hall acquired Newman & Bond Solicitors and secured its first office in Barnsley. Jill Leece and Jane Munden joined as salaried partners.

2020 – Childcare solicitor Laura Milburn promoted to salaried partner.

2020 – Launched the Ridley & Hall Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme.

2019 – Ridley & Hall acquired Bashforth Young Solicitors and secured its first office in South Elmsall, Pontefract.

2019 – Managing Director Emma Pearmaine elected president of the Leeds Law Society.

2019 – Operations Manager Tracey Armitage, Head of Commercial Property David Amies and Victoria Ridge Private Client Solicitor promoted to salaried partners; Lynsey Bashforth Joined as a salaried Partner;

2019 – Former secretary Nicki Butterworth promoted to non-legal Associate; Laura Milburn, Care Solicitor and Ashley Sowerby, Property solicitor promoted to Associates; Laura Proctor qualified as Licensed Conveyancer; Deborah Kaye joined as an Associate.

2019 – Ridley & Hall appointed the first non-lawyer Associates and salaried Partners.

2018 – Ridley & Hall opened its first office in Leeds at Park Place; Emma Pearmaine became Managing Director; Melanie Hartley, Daxa Patel, Clare Linden and Deborah Hardy joined as salaried Partners.

2017 – Ridley & Hall appoints an Operations board to oversee management and strategic growth; Ridley & Hall celebrated 90th anniversary; Ridley & Hall licensed as an ABS; Adam Fletcher, Emma Pearmaine and Anthony Elston joined as Directors, Nigel Priestley awarded Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year

2016 – Nigel Priestley awarded Lawyer of the Year at The Modern Law Awards; Michael George retired as a Director.

2015 – Alison Mason, Jill Waddington & Vicky Medd became salaried Partners

2014 – Ridley & Hall became a Limited Company; James Cook became an Equity Partner; Ridley & Hall joined Yorkshire & Humber Dementia Action Alliance.

2012 – Adam Fletcher became Managing Partner.

2011 – Merger with Ludgate Solicitors; Adam Fletcher became a Partner; Launched Elderflower & Grandparents Legal Centre;

2010 – Merger with Michael George & Co; Michael George became a Partner

2009 – Ridley & Hall became an LLP; Sue Cash became a Partner.

2006 – David Rhodes Retired; Ridley & Hall moved offices to Queens House.

2003 – David Brumfitt retired.

1996 – Drabble & Co. merged with Ridley & Hall.

1991 – Liz Ryan became a Partner.

1988 – Ridley & Hall moved to Dundas Street Buildings.

1986 – Liz Ryan joined Ridley & Hall.

1980 – Clifford Rhodes retired; Nigel Priestley became a Partner.

1978 – Nigel Priestley Joined Ridley & Hall.

1976 – David Rhodes & David Brumfitt became Partners.

1974 – Clifford Rhodes takes over from Frank Hall; Frank Hall died.

1973 – David Rhodes joined the firm articled to Frank Hall.

1968 – Ridley & Hall moved to Natwest Buildings.

1950 – Clifford Rhodes joined Ridley & Hall.

1947 – Ridley & Hall moved to 19A Britannia Buildings

1943 – Ridley & Hall moved to 7 Britannia Buildings, St Peters Street

1937 – Thomas Matthew Ridley retires

1927 – Thomas Matthew Ridley and Frank Hall formed Ridley & Hall; Thomas Matthew Ridley, qualified in April 1900; Frank Hall qualified in May 1931

Awards & Accreditations

2024 – South Elmsall office wins the Collaboration of the Year award at the We Are Wakefield Business Awards for organising the Friday Revival Social.

2024 – Re-accredited Legal 500 Leading Firm

2024 – Re-accredited Lexcel

2024 – Wills & Probate solicitor, Hannah Pedley, won the Rising Star of the Year Award at the Sheffield Law Society Awards

2024 – Residential Property Partner, Adam Leece, shortlisted for Partner of the Year and Residential Property Individual of the Year Awards at the Sheffield Law Society Awards

2023 – Re-accredited Legal 500 Leading Firm

2022 – Re-accredited Legal 500 Leading Firm

2022 – Re-accredited Lexcel

2022 – Ridley & Hall shortlisted for Diversity & Inclusion Award, Vicky Medd Shortlisted for Partner of the Year, Victoria Jones & Yasmin Walker shortlisted for Trainee Solicitor of the Year, at the Yorkshire Legal Awards

2021 – Anthony Elston won Finance Director of the Year at the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards.

2020 – Emma Pearmaine won Managing Partner of the Year Award and the Family Team won Family Law Award at the Yorkshire Legal Awards

2020 – Ridley & Hall shortlisted for Medium Law Firm of the Year, Family Law and Managing Partner of the Year Awards at the Yorkshire Legal Awards

2020 – Re-accredited Legal 500 Leading Firm

2020 – Re-accredited Lexcel

2019 – Ridley & Hall won Yorkshire Small Law of the Year Award

2019 – Re-accredited Legal 500 Leading Firm

2019 – Re-accredited Lexcel

2018 – Ridley & Hall accredited as a Living Wage Employer

2018 – Shortlisted for Modern Law Awards: Client Care, Marketing & Communication Strategy of the Year and Innovation of the Year Awards.

2018 – STEP Private Client Awards shortlisted: Private Client Team of the Year

2018 – Yorkshire Legal Awards shortlisted: Residential Property, Private Client, Family Law

2018 – Emma Pearmaine, Managing Director, shortlisted for Forward Ladies National Awards, Female Entrepreneur of the Year

2017 – Legal 500 Awards 2018 Private Client Category Shortlisted

2017 – Nigel Priestley won Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year 2017