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When it comes to anniversary celebrations, it’s fair to say Blandy & Blandy takes the icing on the cake. Its 280-year history makes The Business Magazine sound like a new kid on the block but, as joint managing partners Philip D’Arcy and Jonathan Gater reflect on the last two decades, they are determined to also show there’s plenty to look forward to in years to come


20-year insights


Specialist expertise sets the standard for Blandy & Blandy


“Twenty years ago, people had to come to solicitors for information as well as advice; we were the source of anything legal. Today, that has changed, they Google it first and come to us second. We’ve had to learn to adapt – no longer do we provide information, we provide the interpretation and advice that’s needed to go with it.” Reflective words from Gater who, together with D’Arcy, leads the 85-strong legal practice in the heart of Reading.


D’Arcy agrees: “The world has been empowered by having access to what was once fairly arcane knowledge. The issue today is in interpreting that information, being able to apply it in particular circumstances and understanding the consequences.


“A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing and in many respects, it has been good because we are no longer educating and explaining, instead we are giving strategic and tactical advice – it has put a premium on our experience that perhaps wasn’t there before.”


Founded in 1733, Blandy & Blandy is undoubtedly the longest established firm of solicitors in the Thames Valley, but despite


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its longevity, there is no sense of sitting on its laurels. Both Gater and D’Arcy recognise the need for constant innovation and believe it has been the ability to evolve which has enabled the practice to go from strength to strength.


“One of the big changes over the past 20 years has been the increase in specialisation,” said D’Arcy. “When I qualified you did a wide range of legal work, now a newly-qualified lawyer has to choose which area of the law he or she wants to specialise in straight away.


“That’s partly a reflection of the increased complexity of the law and also the way our firm has developed, it’s where we add real value to clients. Of course, the law doesn’t always fit neatly into compartments, there will always be some crossover between different areas and you have to get the balance right. That’s where experience is invaluable.”


The practice’s specialist groups include a highly-rated planning team, recently ranked 19th nationwide in The Guide to Planning Lawyers 2013-14, an achievement that puts it alongside many City of London and international law firms.


Another is a dedicated team looking after Court of Protection THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – SEPTEMBER 2013


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