Debenhams Ottaway

Debenhams Ottaway is a law firm based in the heart of St Albans in Hertfordshire, helping clients navigate legal challenges and make the most of new opportunities at home and in business. Our vision is to change the way people think about lawyers.

Our lawyers are seen as trusted advisers to our clients in Hertfordshire, London and across the UK. We have combined our experience with creativity to grow a strong and loyal client base who rely on Debenhams Ottaway to look after them, their family and their business. Clients include wealthy individuals and families, professionals, celebrities, medium-sized businesses, owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs in a range of sectors including healthcare, real estate and charities.

Clients are regularly asked for feedback on their experience of working with the team at Debenhams Ottaway. We use the Net Promoter Score as a benchmark and we consistently have one of the highest scores in the legal sector.

Key clients include Brook Street (UK) Limited, McNicholas Construction Services Limited, Dermal Laboratories Limited, St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance, Stratton Land, The Church Lands Trust, Veruth Holdings, Seva Care Home Group and Luxottica North Europe Limited.

Managing Partner: Susan Glenholme
Number of partners: 18
Fee earners: 52
Offices: St Albans and Radlett, Hertfordshire

Main areas of work:

Corporate and commercial: Acquisitions and disposals, banking, finance and loan agreements, business structuring, commercial contracts.

Main contact: Andrew Yates | [email protected] | 01727 735617

Dispute resolution: Boardroom disputes, company dissolutions, contractual disputes, banking litigation, professional negligence, alternative dispute resolution, real estate disputes, commercial creditor services.

Main contact: Juliet Schalker | [email protected] | 01727 735618

Employment law: Contract preparation and policy guidance, disciplinaries and grievances, workplace discrimination, unfair and wrongful dismissal, employment tribunal and court representation, redundancy and restructuring programmes, restrictive covenants and data thefts, board level advice, settlement agreements.

Main contact: Louise Attrup | [email protected] | 01727 735663

Family law and divorce: Divorce and separation, civil partnership dissolution, financial disputes, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, living together and cohabitation agreements, child arrangements including international relocation, collaborative law, surrogacy.

Main contact: Helen Young | [email protected] | 01727 738212

Insolvency and restructuring: Office holder claims, defending director actions, distressed creditor actions, formal insolvency procedures, debt advisory and restructuring.

Main contact: Alexander Neale | [email protected] | 01727 735650

Wills, trusts and probate: Protecting and managing wealth through inheritance tax, estate planning and estate administration., setting up and administering trusts, lasting powers of attorney, Court of Protection and professional deputyship services, Wills, trusts and inheritance disputes.

Main contacts:
Susan Glenholme | [email protected] | 01727 735636
Claire Sharp | [email protected] | 01727 738241

Real estate: Landlord and tenant work, property development, sales and purchases of owner occupied and investment property, secured lending, residential conveyancing.

Main contacts - commercial property:
Ruth Boulton | [email protected] | 01923 289917
Jonathan Foy | [email protected] | 01727 735630

Main contact - residential property:
Nigel Drake | [email protected] | 01727 735602

Client testimonials:
“The entire service from start to finish was excellent, from the initial phone enquiry to the provision of notes from the lawyer and the whole process was faultless, professional, courteous, high standard from the beginning to the end. I can’t recommend this firm enough, truly supportive, helpful and understanding.” Lord Brett McLean

“Polite, clear and understandable descriptions of work involved. Very approachable and professional in all dealings. I felt a valued client and my needs understood and always dealt with professionally.” Merrin Harger

“From day one Debenhams Ottaway have been professional, extremely knowledgeable, patient and understanding, compassionate and caring but still straight to the point as required, efficient and always on the ball. Originally Debenhams Ottaway were recommended to me and in turn I now highly recommend this firm.” Saket Shrivastava

“Exceptional, knowledgeable people who are genuinely great to work with. Our needs were totally understood and we got clear, concise advice which allowed us to get to the right outcomes.” Nick Mason, Turtl

“Entrepreneurs want lawyers who understand business and who aren't afraid to innovate. Andrew Yates' grasp of corporate law is such that he can square pretty much any circle while lesser lawyers navigate the reeds. Even when your bandwidth is limited, Andrew is always fully across the task at hand with laser-like precision, superb organisational skills and a reassuringly dry sense of humour.” Luke Sanders, The Solar Centre