The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 30: April/May 2017 | Page 9

LEGAL BEING COMMUNITY-CENTRIC IS AT THE HEART OF BOWER & BAILEY Swindon-based law firm Bower & Bailey says being engaged in the Wiltshire community has been key to their growth. Throughout the company’s 30-year history, their charity and campaign work has been vital to building their network and reputation. Bower & Bailey is involved in many local charities and initiatives, including Swindon Women’s Aid, International Women’s Day and sponsorship of the Swindon Recital Series, staged at the town’s Wyvern Theatre. Solicitor, Stephanie Nunley recently spoke at the International Women’s Day event at Swindon Library. Stephanie was an invited panellist for the ‘Amplify your Voice’ event alongside keynote speaker Marina Strinkovsky and Fiona Scott, features editor for The Business Exchange. During her speech Stephanie spoke about her experiences of being a women in business and maintaining the valuable talent of women in the workplace. Stephanie is a co-founder of the Women Lawyers Division, Bristol, a member of Council for Bristol Law Society and a committee member for UKABIF Oxford. As well as community involvement, Bower & Bailey has also been at the forefront of two key business networking groups. For three years they have partnered with HSBC to host their Business Breakfast and partner Mary Cutts co-founded the Swindon Women in Property Group. Mary Cutts said: “It’s been a pleasure to setup and be part of such a vibrant group.” The first three months of 2017 have been particularly buoyant for the firm, driven by the commercial property market in Swindon being so strong. Simon Smith, managing partner said: “We have been very fortunate, that despite Brexit taking place, there have been a large number of commercial transactions.” To aid Bower & Bailey’s growth, they have just appointed Carolina Lopes in the property department. Portugal-born Carolina developed a love for law in her younger years and decided it was a career she wanted to pursue. Following her GCSEs and A Levels the firm is supporting Carolina towards her dream of becoming a lawyer. Probate partner Alison Hill is currently being kept busy with the new decision from the Supreme Court on Illot v Mitson, with regard to the right of an adult child to appeal a will. Another salient issue at the moment in the Wills and Estates department is that the probate fees increase is imminent. Currently the fees are £215 for individual applications and £155 if you apply for probate through a solicitor. The rise in fees in May could leave beneficiaries of the most valuable estates valued at £2m paying £20,000. Alison said: “The point of the probate fees has been a long- standing issue and a difficult one. The Ministry of Justice does a sterling job. It has been a balancing act of ensuring that there is a balance met between the cost of providing the service and the burden on the individual. These rises will certainly come as a shock to some people and underline the importance of taking appropriate professional advice where necessary. Local expert legal advice for you, your business and your family • Accident and Injury Compensation • Commercial Property • Divorce and Children Matters • Employment issues • Company and Commercial • House Sales, Purchases, Mortgages • Consumer and Civil Disputes • Wills and Estates Cambridge House, 4 College Court, Regent Circus, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 1PJ T: 01793 610466 F: 01793 511505 www.bowerandbailey.co.uk Bower&Bailey_TBE_Swindon_59x210mm_Ad_v3.indd 1 LEARN TO SKYDIVE 06/11/2015 08:23 TANDEM, ACCELERATED FREE FALL & FIRST JUMP COURSES SKYDIVE NETHERAVON is the home of the Army Parachute Association and the Red Devils with some of the best Military Instructors in the country. Forces Discount on Tandem; First Jump and Accelerated Free Fall Courses on request ONE DAY, ONE JUMP, ONE AMAZING ADVENTURE T: 01980 670734 W: www.netheravon.com E: [email protected] Airfield Camp, Netheravon, Wiltshire, SP4 9SF THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017 9