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Trusted Solicitors in Burnley, Blackburn & Preston
Waddington & Son Solicitors have been a trusted presence in the legal landscape of Burnley and Blackburn for over a century. Established with a commitment to integrity and professionalism, we provide comprehensive legal services tailored to both individual and business clients. Our expertise spans family law, criminal defense, Court of Protection matters, and private client services, supported by a team of experienced solicitors and legal professionals. We pride ourselves on delivering clear, accessible advice in plain English, ensuring clients feel informed and confident in their decisions. With a strong focus on personalized solutions, we combine deep local knowledge with a progressive approach to legal practice.Our recent collaboration with JWR Solicitors in Preston has further expanded our capacity to serve clients across Lancashire. Recognized for our work in Legal Aid cases, we maintain memberships with Resolution and the Law Societys Childrens Panel. From urgent advocacy in complex family cases to managing high-net-worth Court of Protection matters, our team consistently demonstrates technical excellence and compassionate client care. We remain committed to fostering staff development and maintaining transparency in all our operations.
Services
Family Law
Criminal Defense
Court of Protection
Wills & Probate
Legal Aid Services
Adoption Cases
Domestic Abuse
Care Proceedings
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Bereavement Services
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years' experience in family law and Court of Protection matters
- Our team includes nine Court of Protection Professional Panel Deputies in the North West
- We offer Legal Aid services accredited by the Law Society and Resolution
- Our solicitors have appeared in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and House of Lords
- We provide 24-hour police station representation across Lancashire
Services
Family Law
Our family law specialists handle divorce, child custody, and domestic abuse cases with sensitivity and expertise. We represent parents, children, and grandparents in Local Authority care proceedings, offering strategic legal guidance. With Law Society Childrens Panel accreditation and Resolution membership, our team manages complex cases including high court appearances and international child abduction matters.
Criminal Defense
We provide robust criminal defense representation from police station through to Crown Court trials. Our solicitors handle serious offenses, youth crime, and vulnerable client cases. With 24-hour police station availability and established relationships with counsel, we secure favorable outcomes in magistrates' and higher courts across Lancashire and beyond.
Court of Protection
Our specialist team manages deputyship appointments for individuals lacking mental capacity. We handle financial affairs, property decisions, and complex high-net-worth cases. As one of only nine Professional Panel Deputies in the North West, we ensure compliance with annual reporting requirements while protecting clients' best interests through tailored legal strategies.
Wills & Probate
We offer comprehensive will drafting, probate administration, and lasting power of attorney services. Our solicitors assist with estate planning, inheritance tax considerations, and contentious probate matters. We guide families through the process of administering estates, including grant applications and international documentation notarization for property transactions.
Legal Aid Services
We provide legally aided representation in family and criminal law matters. Our accredited specialists handle high-cost cases, police station attendances, and magistrates' court proceedings. We work with the Legal Aid Agency to ensure eligible clients receive quality representation while managing complex billing requirements and cost negotiations with opposing parties.
People
Colin Warner
Director, Family Solicitor and Court of Protection Deputy
Qualified in 1989, Colin leads our family department and Court of Protection team. He has represented children in complex care cases and acts as a Professional Panel Deputy. With experience in reported cases and Lancashire Family Justice Council involvement, he provides expert advocacy and strategic legal solutions.
Trish Hassell
Director and Family Solicitor
As our first female director, Trish specializes in complex care proceedings. Qualified in 2003, she manages the Blackburn office and represents parents and children in high court cases. She chairs domestic violence forums and brings extensive experience from Lancaster legal practice to our team.
Charlotte Fitzpatrick
Director and Head of Family Department
Qualified in 2011, Charlotte heads our family law team. She represents parties in Local Authority care cases and acts as a Law Society Childrens Panel member. With Resolution accreditation, she manages complex family disputes and provides strategic legal guidance to clients across Lancashire.
Nicola Mawson
Director, Head of Private Client and Court of Protection Solicitor
Qualified in 2009, Nicola specializes in Court of Protection matters. She manages deputyship appointments for high-net-worth clients and acts as a Dementia Friend. With extensive experience in mental capacity cases, she provides expert legal solutions while maintaining professional deputies forum membership.
Andrew Clegg
Head of Crime, Senior Associate
With 25+ years experience, Andrew leads our criminal defense team. An accredited police station representative, he handles serious criminal cases and maintains strong counsel relationships. He specializes in representing vulnerable clients and youth offenders across Lancashires magistrates and Crown Courts.
Questions
What areas do Waddington & Son Solicitors cover?
We operate from three offices in Burnley, Blackburn, and Preston, serving clients across Lancashire and surrounding areas. Our legal services extend to regional, national, and international matters requiring specialist legal representation.
Do you offer Legal Aid services?
Yes, we provide legally aided representation in family law and criminal defense cases. Our accredited specialists handle high-cost cases, police station attendances, and magistrates’ court proceedings for eligible clients across Lancashire.
What Court of Protection services do you provide?
We handle deputyship appointments, financial affairs management, and complex mental capacity cases. As one of only nine Professional Panel Deputies in the North West, we ensure compliance with annual reporting while protecting clients' interests.
Can you assist with urgent family law matters?
Yes, our family law team handles urgent cases including emergency child protection proceedings. We have experience in time-sensitive matters and can often provide same-day consultations for critical legal situations.
Do you offer Wills and Probate services?
Yes, we provide comprehensive will drafting, probate administration, and lasting power of attorney services. Our specialists assist with estate planning, inheritance tax considerations, and contentious probate matters across our Lancashire offices.
