Making sense of the law
Founded in 2004 in the heart of Brighton, martin searle solicitors is a new kind of community law firm providing niche legal services in employment, housing and community care law for individuals and business. Read on to find out how we are different.
why a different approach?
Law firms have traditionally divided their work into three categories:
commercial law for businesses where substantial fees are charged
to companies; private client work where the client funds their own
claim at private client rates; and publicly funded work financed
through the Legal Aid scheme at much lower, fixed rates of pay.
We believe such divisions result in a hierarchy of priorities based on each department’s ability to generate income and as result there is now a significant shortage of firms in the legal profession willing to undertake publicly funded work. For example, martin searle solicitors is the only provider of publicly funded legal help in employment law in Brighton and Hove.
community law in action
To reflect our different approach, the founding partners of martin
searle solicitors have set up a practice that embraces community law.
As well as offering commercial employment law work for companies large and
small, we also offer housing and community care law. All of these areas of
law affect and involve the whole community and deserve a cohesive approach.
Whilst we aim to improve employment relations by working with organisations to become best practice employers, we also would not accept instructions from an employee whose claim against an employer, in our opinion, did not have merit. Similarly, we are proud of the fact that we work with the most vulnerable and deprived members of our community, while also helping landlords to ensure they are aware of their legal responsibilities towards tenants.
our charges
As community lawyers we make no distinction between our clients
on the basis of how much we receive in fees. Community law recognises
there is a common interest in selecting and dealing with cases on an
ethical basis, rather than on grounds of profit. And in some cases
we will carry out pro bono work where the individual has a case of
great merit, but no resources to pay.
Of course, this ethical position also relates to the funding options that we offer. We always check whether a client qualifies for public finding or has the benefit of legal expenses insurance. In addition, we provide the services of our human resources consultants at a competitive hourly rate and where possible we will offer a fixed fee. This enables the local and business community to access affordable solicitors.
commitment to our clients
We are committed to working with businesses that wish to build and grow as
best practice employers, as well as individuals who experience disability,
vulnerability and social exclusion.
By positioning ourselves as community solicitors, we have developed
a practice shaped by our values. Our aim is to work with you and to
build a relationship based on mutual trust and respect.
We undertake to always act with integrity and honesty to provide an
efficient service which delivers results.