8 minute read
Happenings in Hampshire
Community law clinic launches at Solent
In a new-for-2025 partnership, Southampton Solent University is delighted to announce the launch of Solent Law Clinic; a free legal service created to serve city residents.
Working in collaboration with award-winning solicitors, Dutton Gregory, Solent Law Clinic is launching on Tuesday 11 February at the University’s city-centre campus on East Park Terrace.
This new initiative will not only meet community needs and boost student skills but reduce pressure on existing services. By utilising the resources and expertise of both Solent University and Dutton Gregory, the Law Clinic has been designed as a front-line service, directly addressing the challenges communities are facing.
Focusing on family and housing law, the Clinic will run every week, on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, for appointments booked in advance via Solent’s website. Course Leader Law, Brad Kershaw, says:
“As a civic university, it is in Solent’s DNA to work collaboratively to make a meaningful contribution in Southampton’s communities. We want to ensure our city prospers, and the Law Clinic aims to break down barriers to legal advice and deliver an accessible service which benefits everyone involved.
“Not only will this clinic benefit our local communities, but it will also give students experience that they can take forward into their future careers in law. Our student volunteers have shown a huge commitment to this initiative already, and it is heartening to see a strong sense of social responsibility on display at Solent.”
The service will be supported by four LLB (Hons) Law students, who are volunteering their time to enhance their studies and experience, overseen by Solent alumni, Partner and Head of Family Law at Dutton Gregory, Jonathan Whettingsteel.
An advocate of Solent, Dutton Gregory is set to offer eight hours a week of in-kind support to the Clinic, ensuring city residents receive an informed and high-quality service. Jonathan says:
“Following changes to legislation, access to publicly funded legal advice has dramatically reduced since 2012, and this clinic is going to provide much-needed support to those in need, who might not be able to afford the cost of solicitors.”
As a Solent law alumni, Jonathan is a natural champion of the University’s students, recognising how valuable opportunities like these are. He says:
“Students are not just the future of Dutton Gregory, but of the legal profession as a whole. As well as being able to help give students an insight into life as a lawyer, I personally feel I can learn a lot from them about how they want the legal industry to look.
“The Law Clinic is going to provide students with a chance to undertake interviews with real clients, giving students experience that they wouldn’t usually be able to obtain. For me, this shows how progressive Solent University is; producing graduates with practical experience, making them even more employable.”
Four law students will be supported by two business undergraduates, tasked with overseeing the administrative aspects of the Clinic. Third year LLB (Hons) Law student, Paris Montrose, says:
“Working in a law clinic that provides pro bono services is something I have always desired to do since knowing I wanted to work within the law. I was brought up by a single mother from a working-class family, and having the opportunity to aid individuals who require help is an invaluable experience, especially as an aspiring lawyer.
“The clinic will give me skills that will be incredibly valuable when moving further into my career, from empathy to legal analysis, and problem-solving in real-life cases.”
To find out more about Solent Law Clinic, and book an appointment, visit www.solent.ac.uk/engage-with-us/community/law-clinic or fill in this form.
Steele Raymond expands team with trio of new hires
Steele Raymond, a leading regional law firm, is pleased to announce the addition of three new professionals - Emma Feltham, Carrie Butterworth, and Nicki Beswarick - to its Residential Development, Family, and Marketing teams.
Emma Feltham joins as a Senior Associate within the Residential Development Team. She brings a wealth of experience from a large regional firm, where she honed her skills representing a diverse range of clients, including developers, landowners, and investors. A graduate of the University of Southampton and The University of Law, Emma specialises in navigating the complexities of development projects, working closely with clients to deliver tailored, commercial solutions. As part of the Residential Development Team, she will provide expert advice on acquisitions, overage, option agreements, disposals and development finance.
Carrie Butterworth joins the Family Team as a Chartered Legal Executive and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. With over 10 years of experience, she specialises in advising and assisting on a wide range of family law matters, such as divorce and separation, financial settlements, cohabitation issues for unmarried couples, injunction proceedings, and child arrangement matters. Carrie’s professional and practical approach ensures clients feel supported and receive clear, constructive advice.
Nicki Beswarick assumes the role of Marketing Manager, leading strategic marketing initiatives. She will collaborate closely with Managing Partner, Jennifer Rogerson, team leaders, and the Board. With over 14 years of expertise in brand management and team leadership, Nicki combines data-driven insights with empathetic storytelling to create impactful campaigns that resonate with target audiences and drives measurable business growth. She has a Diploma in Professional Marketing and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Jennifer Rogerson, Managing Partner, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Emma, Carrie, and Nicki to Steele Raymond, who will provide valuable expertise and support to our Residential Development, Family, and Marketing teams.
“As a firm, we are committed to delivering the highest quality advice and experience to our clients, with our exceptional team of solicitors and support staff consistently providing quality service.
“Emma, Carrie, and Nicki’s expertise in their respective fields will further strengthen the legal services we provide to our clients regionally, nationally, and internationally.”
These new hires are the latest additions to Steele Raymond’s fastgrowing team. The firm recently announced plans to open a new office in Southampton in March 2025 to support its ambitious growth strategy. Over the past five years, Steele Raymond has nearly doubled in size and is ranked a ‘top tier’ law firm by the Legal 500, an independent guide to the legal profession.
Thrings continues growth of agriculture team with new arrival in Hampshire
Thrings has continued to boost the strength of its industry-leading agriculture team with the appointment of a talented new Senior Associate in its Romsey office.
A specialist in agricultural property with a background in private wealth matters, Claire Davies joins the firm from Godwins, bringing almost two decades of legal experience to the team, acting for Thrings’ many landowner, farmer, equestrian and commercial clients in the Hampshire region and beyond.
As the newest member of the firm’s nationally recognised agricultural team, ranked in the top tier by both Legal 500 and Chambers, Claire will be utilising her expertise on agricultural and rural land matters – this includes the sale and purchase of rural property, high value secured lending on farms and estates, commercial tenancies, farming partnerships and unregistered land.
Claire’s knowledge on private wealth matters and estate, succession and tax planning will also see her advising on a lot of farm and estate reviews, an area of work in increasing demand following the government’s announced changes to Agricultural Property Relief for inheritance tax.
Claire Davies said: “Thrings’ Agricultural team have a fantastic reputation, both within the farming and the legal worlds, and being able work within such a highly regarded team is a very exciting prospect.
“Coming from a rural background, I have been brought up to love the countryside and there was no other sector I was ever going to practice law in. I thoroughly enjoy working with farmers, agricultural businesses and landowners and am really looking forward to supporting the firm’s clients on realising their vision for their estates.”
Mark Charter, Partner in the Thrings Agriculture team, said: “We are excited to have Claire join the team. With the drastic impact that the government’s changes to inheritance tax is set to have on rural businesses, having Claire’s excellent skillset will be a major asset for our farming and rural landowner clients in ensuring the future of their businesses.”
Thrings’ Agriculture team is one of the largest of its kind in the UK with decades of experience in successfully supporting its farming and landowner clients to achieve their aims and the potential for their business. Its lawyers are ranked in the highest tier by both the prestigious Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners directories and have been chosen by the NFU to act for its members in more counties than any other firm.
Find out more about how we can support farmers, food producers and rural communities on our Information for Farmers page.
