Hook & Partners

Hook & Partners, a solicitors' practice serving Essex and Kent

Hook & Partners presents itself as a legal team based in Essex whose work spans private client, property, employment and business law. The firm frames its approach around finding the solution that delivers the right outcome for each client, and states that it assists throughout the process whatever the legal advice required or the situation faced. Its main office is at 92-98 High Street, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 7SU, and it also operates a consultation room in Chatham, Kent.

The practice is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 60199 and gives a VAT registration number of 251 5323 88. It notes that all telephone calls are recorded for monitoring quality standards and training purposes.

Property work: conveyancing and mobile home solicitors

Conveyancing is one of the firm's core areas, covering the purchase and sale of residential property. Hook & Partners states that it has been taking the stress out of conveyancing for nearly 50 years. A separate line of work is dedicated to mobile home solicitors, addressing the particular conveyancing needs of that type of property.

Wills, probate and estate administration

The firm groups a broad private client offering under wills and probate:

• Estate administration, described as a sensitive yet effective approach to the legal matters surrounding the handling of a deceased person's assets.
• Will drafting, including wills, assent and intestacy.
• Contentious probate for disputes over a will.
• Lasting powers of attorney and deputyship, aimed at protecting those affected by mental incapacity now or in the future.

Hook & Partners states that its expertise in wills and probate matters makes it a partner of choice for Finders, one of the firms that act for the BBC TV programme Heir Hunters, and that its Essex-based probate solicitors sit on a select panel dealing with challenging intestacy problem cases.

Employment law and settlement agreements

In-house employment specialists advise businesses and individuals on employee issues. The service covers settlement agreements and a broader employment support and advice offering.

Business solutions and landlord and tenant work

For commercial clients the firm lists buying and selling a business, buying and selling business premises, business premises leases and mergers. A landlord and tenant practice covers tenancy agreements and dispute resolution, alongside eviction solicitors. The firm describes years of experience looking after landlords, from setting up tenancy agreements through to resolving disputes.

Disputes

A disputes service addresses neighbour issues, financial conflicts and property disputes, with the stated aim of resolving matters often without the need to go to court.

How advice is delivered

Hook & Partners offers a fixed fee service for initial, one-off advice, after which it can take on the case if further support is needed. Consultations are available by phone, by Zoom, MS Teams or Skype, or in person. The firm also publishes news and guidance on topics such as how long probate takes in the UK and the difference between a settlement agreement and redundancy.

The team

The site names David J Hook as Senior Partner, Russell Hook as Managing Partner, Stephen Cottrell as Consultant and Debbi Wallings as Conveyancing Manager. Client comments published on the site refer to work with Rita and David, with Debbi Wallings and her team on a house sale, and with Mr. Hook on an employment matter.