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Law firm Paris Smith opens new office in Winchester


One of the largest regional law firms in the south of England has recently acquired the historic property at 9 Parchment Street in Winchester. The grand opening will be in late November


committed to integrating ourselves in the Winchester community.”


Paris Smith’s head of marketing Helen Freeston comments: “When we first entered 9 Parchment Street, we found a record of its rich history framed on one of the walls. It dates it back to at least 1550 when it comprised ‘shoppe, cellar, sollers*, chambers, rooms, yard, garden and appurtenances’. We have a real sense of custodianship of one of Winchester’s most important buildings.”


'We want to give our clients, contacts and neighbours the opportunity to visit and take a good look around this iconic building, before we have to close off most of it for security and confidentiality reasons'


The office will open for the convenience of its large client base in and around the city. Once it has been refurbished, it will operate as a full-service law firm from its first day.


Peter Taylor, who was appointed as managing partner in January this year, explains: “We have a long history working with private individuals and businesses in Winchester, so it is only right that we have an office to ensure that we are accessible to our clients there. We have finally found the right space – one which matches our traditional values with those of Winchester – a city that inspires confidence and has a strong sense of tradition.”


The Winchester office will be headed up by Stuart Allen, partner and expert in property finance and commercial property, and finance partner Huw Miles.


Allen comments: “We have been taking extremely good care of legal matters for the people of Winchester and the surrounding area for many generations, so it was only a matter of time before we opened a new office in the very heart of this wonderful city.


“With the acquisition of the beautiful building at 9 Parchment Street, we are


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When it opens, the office will be home to a range of business services including property, employment, corporate and commercial solicitors, dispute resolution, education, planning, charity, and specialist services, as well as family services such as conveyancing, family solicitors, tax, trusts and wills, employment and personal dispute resolutions.


Paris Smith enjoys an enviable track record of delivering value-driven, partner-led legal advice for both commercial and private clients, and is proud of its heritage.


The firm itself was established over 197 years ago and is well known within the central south. Its specialisms include construction and property litigation, inheritance litigation, asset-based lending and recruitment, regulatory and business crime, and professional services, mediation and insolvency. Paris Smith offers significant networks, training and technical expertise.


The new office will be home to more than 35 solicitors and dedicated support staff, in addition to a coordinate range of consultancy services.


Taylor continues: “We are a genuine full-service firm and I have a passion to lead us into a bright future, and look forward to developing our connections with Winchester.”


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – NOVEMBER 2015


Paris Smith will officially open the office on November 25.


As you might expect from a leading law firm, the team will be holding a number of celebratory events to mark the opening.


'Once we have opened, we plan to turn the cellars into an exciting event space, for team members, clients and contacts to enjoy'


Freeston explains: “We want to give our clients, contacts and neighbours the opportunity to visit and take a good look around this iconic building, before we have to close off most of it for security and confidentiality reasons.


“There are some interesting historic features which we’ll be showcasing before we have to lock them away.


“Among the most fascinating features is a vast underground cellar complex which is quite bare at present, and will remain so during the pre-opening tours.


“Once we have opened, we plan to turn the cellars into an exciting event space, for team members, clients and contacts to enjoy. We want clients to understand that when they engage Paris Smith to act for them, we are interested in them as people, and want to offer them the time and space for us to get to know each other. The cellar project will go a long way towards enabling us to do this in Winchester.”


Paris Smith will continue to operate and develop its Southampton office.


* Sollers are private chambers in an English medieval house.


Details: Helen Freeston 023-8048-2418 Helen.Freeston@parissmith.co.uk www.parissmith.co.uk


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