News

Gilbert Stephens Summer Social and Games

27th July 2018

Last week, on 18th July, we had our summer staff social at Exmouth beach, near the Exmouth Lifeboat Station.    It was great to see staff turn out from all 6 of our branches and make the most of the sunshine by the sea.   After some initial chat we attempted the Gilbert Stephens Summer Games which included a three-legged race, an egg and spoon race and a sack race, we were very impressed at the sporting prowess on show, the egg balancing showed some superb skills and there were some phenomenal bursts of speed in the sack and three legged races – with the odd face in the sand.

 

Some well-deserved fish and chips were enjoyed after all the efforts of the Games, big thanks to Krispies of Exmouth who provided us with a delicious meal which included their famous battered chips.

 

Here’s a selection of photos and a some videos from the event:

 

Gilbert Stephens Solicitors – Winners of the Corporate Duck Race!

26th July 2018

This year, Sidmouth Lions Clubs’ annual Great Duck Derby on the River Sid took place on Sunday 15th July. In addition to the main yellow ducks race, the event includes a Corporate Duck Race and this year, 181 local businesses in and around the Sid Valley, including Gilbert Stephens Solicitors, sponsored the little red Corporate Ducks.

Some younger Gilbert Stephens team members joined in the fun and loved the friendly competitive atmosphere from everyone watching the two duck races. Along with many other spectators, they were especially entertained by the huge flock of yellow ducks, each sponsored by a member of the public, as they entered the river from the starting point bridge.

Despite the odds, one of the 20 Ducks sponsored by Gilbert Stephens won the Corporate race and with it the honour for this Firm to choose a local, humanitarian charity to donate the winner’s £1,000 prizemoney to.

Winning the Corporate Duck Race was an added bonus for Gilbert Stephens Solicitors, since this has enabled us to donate £1,000 to the Sidmouth Admiral Nurse Fund, which helps provide support to dementia sufferers and their carers, a fantastic local charity service. Terry Bastyan, Managing Partner said prior to the event “it is a fun event for all the family but it also gives back by way of charity donation and that is exactly what it was – we can’t wait until next year!”

So, a big thank you to the Lions Club of Sidmouth for organising yet another successful Great Duck Derby event which, including the money raised by the main yellow Duck Race, raised just over £5,200 for worthy local charities!

 

Clare Veness presents the £1,000 winnings to the Sid Valley Admiral Nurse Fund

 

Clare Veness with our trophy!

 

 

Here’s some photos & videos from the event – the kids loved it!

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Pratley features in Grow Magazine

20th July 2018

Great to see Martin Pratley’s feature in Grow Magazine this month. You can pick up a copy in various establishments around Exeter or subscribe online here

 

               

YPN Gin Tasting Event

15th July 2018

The Gilbert Stephens Young Professionals Network (YPN) enjoyed a wonderful evening of gin tasting at Crocketts Gin Bar  on 5th July.  The event included a presentation from Cheryl Bolt who launched her exciting new Gilbert Stephens blog.   They were joined by the Crocketts Gin experts who talked them through a variety of Gins on offer, and of course there was plenty of time for some gin tasting!

The Exeter based YPN meet regularly and offer members a chance to network with like-minded professionals.   Different to other formal networking groups, the YPN ensures the atmosphere is relaxed and informal.  What makes the events extremely popular with younger professionals is the alternative option to building professional and personal relationships outside of the more traditional business networks.

If you are interested in learning more about the YPN, and perhaps joining, contact

An introduction to Martin Pratley

13th July 2018

Gilbert Stephens Solicitors are welcoming Martin Pratley to their Exeter Office. Martin is a solicitor specialising in property related matters. We asked Martin a few questions so we could get to know him.

What drew you to the South West?
My fiancée was raised in Bristol. Having decided that we both wanted to escape the rat race that is London and the South East we spent some time in the Avon / Somerset / Devon area and decided that this is very much where we wanted to be for many reasons. There is access to the most wonderful countryside and scenery and people are, overall, friendlier.

From a work perspective, there is an abundance of varied, quality, matters. It is unsurprising that there is a general trend for both people and businesses to relocate away from the capital to areas such as the South West which offer far more opportunities to develop a healthy work/life balance which are becoming recognised as important factors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Having experience in a range of areas of law what made you finally focus on property law?
I am a “people person” and residential conveyancing allows me to meet and act for a cross section of people in transactions which are wide and varied. I try to ensure that my involvement is always a positive experience for all parties in a transaction. Land Law also has a serious academic side to it which can be both interesting and challenging. In addition, I have experience in dealing with commercial property matters which has its own challenges but, again, allows me to help the parties achieve something that is important to them whether it be the acquisition of a small shop or restaurant, offices or other commercial premises.

What do you like to do to unwind?
I have been involved in Rugby Union in many capacities over the years. I have coached, played, refereed and administered the game and still thoroughly enjoy watching it! (The fact that there is a premiership club in Exeter had no bearing on my decision to move here. Really). Other forms of relaxation usually involve a motorcycle and a guitar although not both at the same time.

We note you are a motorcycle enthusiast, are there any routes you enjoy in the South West?
I haven’t had much of a chance to get out and about yet but I do enjoy a ride up onto the Blagdon Hills from my present home in Taunton. The view from there across North Somerset is amazing. Having been raised on the Isle of Man, home of the annual TT races, I would really like to return to the Island and ride the TT course (slowly!)

Is there anything in your career you are particularly proud of?
I was once involved in a scheme which provided pro bono work for community groups and organisations. The work included acquiring a community centre on behalf of a residents group as well as premises for a charity dealing with homeless persons. The groups were run by individuals who gave up a lot of their time for their community and for disadvantaged persons. These projects were among those which resulted in my firm at the time being “Highly Commended” at the Law Society Excellence Awards. The real reward, however, was seeing how grateful the groups were for the help that had been provided.

Is there a case/client that stands out in your memory, can you share?
Totally non-property related. During my formative years I did undertake criminal advocacy. I only ever conducted one trial in the Magistrates Court. This involved defending an individual charged with being “drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.” Basically, the lad had been drinking and fell asleep in his car which was parked in a car park. There was a defence available which I used and which was successful. My client was naturally, quite pleased and I saw myself as future “Rumpole of the Bailey”. Unfortunately, a cut in the Criminal Legal Aid rates meant that such work was no longer viable so I ended my criminal advocacy career with a 100% trial record. (Played 1: Won 1)

Can you explain a bit more about your expertise and the areas of property law you specialise in.
My expertise is based upon my experiences over 30+ years of practice, not only property related matters but in other areas of the law too. Property law is quite dynamic at present both in terms of the law and procedure which govern it and in the way that individual practices run their property teams. Property practitioners must have a sound working knowledge of the relevant law as well as being excellent communicators. It is important to be able to help clients understand all aspects of a transaction and to explain some quite complicated matters in comprehensible terms. I have been fortunate enough to work with practices which have allowed me to both “hone” my client-facing skills and to develop my knowledge and working practice.

Good communication within the property team here is also a factor in the development of the team. Across the firm there is a combination of extremely experienced lawyers as well as some more recently qualified team members and assistants. It is important that knowledge and experience is shared between the team members in order that all may benefit.

Floral Crediton 2018

10th July 2018

Gilbert Stephens Solicitors are happy to support this year’s floral Crediton by sponsoring a Flower Tower which is displayed in the town.

Each year Crediton Town Council sponsor and organise the Floral Crediton competition encouraging people to show off their horticultural skills.  There are a number of categories available to enter including small formal garden (with or without veg), large formal garden (with or without veg), small managed natural garden (with emphasis on wildlife), large managed natural garden (with emphasis on wildlife), Family garden (to include play/recreation area), patio or hanging baskets and other outdoor planted containers,

The Mayor will be judging all entries on 12th July.

Reflecting on what Floral Crediton means for the community, Clare Trevelyan Thomas, a partner at Gilbert Stephens Solicitors confirms that “we are delighted at the opportunity to support this event and love seeing the Gilbert Stephens Solicitors Flower Tower in all its glory”.

Tour of Britain back in Ottery St Mary

7th July 2018

The Tour of Britain is back in the South West and will see Stage 2 race 174kms around the Devon countryside from Cranbrook to Barnstaple.

On 3rd September we will see the cyclists start at Cranborok and head towards Ottery St Mary where Chineway Hill  is the setting of Stage 2’s first King of the Mountain climb, from there they will head to Honiton where they will have the first sprint.  From Honiton they travel through Mid Devon, when they reach Tiverton there will be the second sprint along Blundell’s Road followed by the second King of the Mountain climb up Longdrag Hill.   The next place of note is South Molton where they will ride through the Pannier Market before heading into North Devon for the final sprint at Landkey, it’s not over then though, they still have the final King of the Mountain climb at Challacombe Hill before finally passing the finish line in Barnstaple.

We are very much looking forward to cheering them on for the first King of the Mountain climb at Chineway Hill.  The Tour of Britain has always been an exciting event when it has visited Devon in the past and we are sure this time will be no different.  From past experience, when the race featured Ottery St Mary in 2016, it was a case of blink and you miss them, though perhaps the hill climb will slow them up a bit….

You can download the full Stage 2 route map here  or watch the You Tube video here:

 

Nello Bike Ride – Update

5th July 2018

They did it – the Gilbert Stephens Nello Bike Ride team completed their challenge on 24th June. Some cycled 55 miles and some 100 – whatever the distance we are very proud of them. A lot of time was put into training for this event and in doing so they have raised over £2000 for Force Cancer Charity!

Don Middlemost was head trainer and motivator, he did an excellent job in helping prepare the team and encouraging them with their training. Don said “We all took time off on Sunday mornings to tackle the roads and hills of the Devon countryside, sometimes in trying conditions, for what turned out to be a rewarding experience for a great cause.”

Dana Mulligan was ecstatic to have completed in one piece, having fallen off her bike when she first picked it up! “Thanks for all the donations and support. Since volunteering to take part in the Nello charity bike ride I have spoken to so many people whose lives have been touched by cancer and it has been overwhelming to hear the outstanding service Force provide. You can still donate here

I am sure you will join us in congratulating all those who took part – a fantastic effort by every one of them.

Twilight Walk and Race for Life Fundraising

4th July 2018

July is a very pink month for many of the staff at Gilbert Stephens Solicitors as they dress up for the Twilight Walk in Exmouth on 7th July, get muddy in the Race for Life Pretty Muddy obstacle course on 21st July and take part in the Race for Life on 22nd July.

 

Twilight Walk

The Twilight Walk theme this year is ‘PINK FIZZ’ and is a sponsored walk along Exmouth Seafront with entertainment around the route, starting from The Maer, Exmouth.  The event raises money for Hospiscare, if you live in Exeter, Mid or East Devon, Hospiscare is your local adult hospice charity. Should you or a loved one need care for any type of terminal illness, their professional team of doctors and nurses are there to help.   Twilight Walk sponsorship will make a huge difference to families when they need it most.

 

Exeter Pretty Muddy 5k

Race for Life Pretty Muddy is a 5k muddy obstacle course, those taking part get to scramble over the A-frame and crawl through a mud pit whilst raising money for Cancer Research UK, it takes place the day before the Race for Life at Westpoint, Exeter.

 

Race for Life

It’s that time again to dress in pink and go for a run!  On 22nd July staff from Gilbert Stephens Solicitors will be taking part in the   Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of women-only events raising money for research into all 200 types of cancer. It is a fun event with a serious undertone where many remember loved ones who have battled with cancer and run in their honour, some who won the battle, and some who did not.

The Race for life is thousands of women uniting with one purpose.  To come together. To raise money. To BEAT CANCER.