Coodes Solicitors

Coodes Solicitors, a Cornwall and Devon law firm dating back to 1747

Coodes LLP presents itself as one of the leading law firms in Cornwall and Devon and as the longest established firm in the region. Its own account places the firm's origins in 1747, which it describes as more than 275 years advising businesses, families and individuals in the South West on matters affecting their lives and futures. The practice states that its team and way of working are rooted in the communities and economy of Cornwall and Devon.

The firm organises its work around two broad client groups, business and personal, and frames its approach as practical legal solutions rather than legal technicalities, with an emphasis on breaking down legal language and on time- and cost-efficiency.

Commercial work for businesses

For business clients, Coodes describes commercially focused legal solutions intended to drive growth and protect assets and reputations. The areas listed under this heading are:

• Commercial Disputes
• Commercial Property
• Corporate and Commercial
• Employment
• Rural

The firm also promotes Employment Retainer packages designed to manage day-to-day employment issues, with the stated aim of keeping employment practices compliant and legal costs fixed and predictable. A separate service addresses late or unpaid invoices through a commercial debt recovery team.

Personal and family matters

On the personal side, the firm presents legal support for major life challenges and for protecting family and finances. The practice areas listed are:

• Clinical Negligence
• Court of Protection
• Criminal Defence
• Disputes
• Divorce and Relationship Breakdown
• Employees
• Family
• Mental Health and Mental Capacity
• Personal Injury
• Residential Property
• Wills and Probate

The firm's own overview of its range extends to employment contracts, commercial tenancies, mergers and acquisitions, investment funding, property conveyancing and personal injury claims.

Eight offices across the peninsula

Coodes reports a network of eight offices around Cornwall and Devon, from Penzance in the south to Holsworthy in the north. The locations named are Falmouth, Holsworthy, Launceston, Liskeard, Newquay, Penzance, St Austell and Truro. The firm has also announced a new office in Liskeard.

Team structure and external experts

The firm's people are presented by seniority, with categories for Chair, Partners, Senior Associates, Associates, Lawyers and Consultants. Coodes states that many team members are recognised in leading legal directories, and that the firm can draw on relationships with barristers, medical professionals, surveyors and land agents when required.

Recognition cited by the firm

Coodes refers to rankings in eight practice areas in the Legal 500 and quotes Legal 500 commentary on its clinical negligence work, its client focus and its agricultural and estate expertise. It also reports that its Legal 500 rankings have extended into commercial work. These assessments are reproduced as the firm presents them.

Regulatory and company details

Coodes LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under SRA number 611627. The firm gives its company number as OC383089 and its VAT number as 196607764. Its registered office is Elizabeth House, Castle Street, Truro, Cornwall, England, TR1 3AP.