Frettens expert lawyers recommended in the Legal 500

Frettens has yet again been recognised as a leading law firm on the South Coast in the latest Legal 500 rankings for 2024/25.

The Legal 500 is an independently researched guide to law firms in the UK. The guide is generally recognised as the largest and most in-depth survey of the UK legal market and is compiled based on client feedback and the complexity of cases handled.

The Headlines

We now rank for all of our eligible services, including:

The importance of independent feedback

“To have all eligible departments recommended in this years’ Legal 500 is fantastic, and we are so pleased to have improved on our results from 2023.” said Managing Partner Matthew Fretten.

“Client feedback is so important to us, as it allows us to reflect, review and improve our services. This latest recommendation from the Legal 500, based on such client feedback, is a testament to the hard work we’ve put in over this past year.

Thank you to our wonderful clients who left such glowing testimonials!”

Another strong year for the commercial team

The firm’s Commercial departments received favourable rankings in the guide yet again this year, being praised for their ‘excellent’, ‘invaluable’ advice and ‘pro-activity’ throughout the year.

Karen Edwards and Matthew Fretten were recommended in the guide once again.

“Over the past few years, we have cemented ourselves as having one of the best commercial offerings in the South and one that rivals the larger, more regional firms.” said Matthew Fretten.

“When looking at our improved ranking in this area, the growth of the commercial side of the firm is clear.

This growth stems from our hard-working and dedicated team, who we are lucky to have!”

Social Housing

Our Social Housing team, headed up by Ben Cobb and Oonagh McKinney, was recognised for the second time this year; alongside some of the largest firms in the South.

The department handles portfolio acquisitions and transactional work involving leases suitable for development and use as social housing, with the team being described as ‘friendly but professional’.

The team also assists in litigation matters to resolve any disputes that arise in connection with social housing, and landlord & tenant disputes.

“We are delighted to have been recognised by the Legal 500 for our efforts in social housing yet again this year.” said Commercial Property Partner Ben Cobb on the team’s inclusion in this year’s guide.

“The team was set up in 2020 with the aim to increase our social housing offering, which we certainly have, and we’ve now cemented ourselves as genuine competitors to the large regional firms that operate in this niche.”

‘Standout’ Commercial Litigation Team

Our Commercial Litigation team received high praise in the 2024/25 rankings, being commended for their ‘clear and accurate advice’, ‘attention to detail’ and sublime commitment to clients

‘Standout’ Head of Department Michelle Hayter was recommended once more, alongside Anna Curtis and Olivia Parkinson.

“Michelle Hayter and Anna Curtis are excellent lawyers, providing clear and accurate advice. Their attention to detail and diligence demonstrates their commitment to their clients.”

“Olivia Parkinson was brilliant in dealing with our tenant possession cases, and absolutely rapid in getting started which is hugely important in cases such as these where time is of the essence. No fuss and nothing was too much trouble.”

Insolvency Partner Malcolm Niekirk also received acclaim under this section of the guide, being a ‘leading lawyer’ in Insolvency.

Employment

Having joined Frettens in late 2023, Michelle Kemp arrived just in time to be included in this years’ Employment rankings, featuring alongside Chris Dobbs for their ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘client-focused approach’.

“Michelle Kemp brings a renewed enthusiasm and client-focused approach. Michelle and Chris Dobbs know their onions and spend significant time upskilling clients in seminars.”

Private client commendation

As for our personal services, both our Wills & Tax and Family teams were recognised.

James Hammersley was described as ‘professional’, ‘efficient’ and ‘engaging’, with Andrew Stynes’ and Simon Immins’ team labelled as ‘a busy and thriving department’ that ‘serves the local community’.

The Wills & Tax team work closely with Michelle Hayter’s Contentious Probate team when matters turn contentious.

You can view the rankings on the Legal 500 website here.