Awards & Accreditations

Yorkshire Lawyer Awards

Yorkshire Lawyer Awards were launched in 2000 to pay tribute and give recognition to outstanding legal talent in Yorkshire and the awards are hotly contested amongst legal practices in the region.

In 2007 Watson Esam's family department won the Private Client Award and was the only firm in South Yorkshire to win an award. The presenter of the award was Gaynor Barnes, and the event was held at the prestigious Ripley Castle. Michelle Cooper, partner and head of the family department said "I cannot congratulate the department enough. We have a superb team who work tirelessly to deliver first class services to our clients".

Legal 500

Published for over twenty years, the Legal 500 series provides the most comprehensive worldwide coverage currently available on legal services providers, in over 100 countries. It is regarded as the definitive, independent guide to the legal market. Watson Esam's is regognised in the pubication for its family and charity departments. "

Law Society Children Panel

The Children Panel accreditation is designed to indicate to clients that the holder is experienced in representing children and other parties under the Children Act 1989. Approved scheme members can provide advice and representation for children in all family matters, for adults when their children are at risk or taken into care, and for local authorities in care proceedings.

Kate Fitzpatrick and Paul Szabo are members of the scheme.

Law Society Personal Injury Panel

The Peronal Injury Panel consistis of a group of practitioners whose expertise in the field of persnal injury law has been tested, assessed and accredited by the Law Society or the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The scheme promotes standards of excellence in the delivery of legal services and members have to meet the Law Society's exactng requirements.

Peter Clark, Belinda Lancaster and Janet Hall are members of this scheme.

Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel

The Clinical Negligence Panel consistis of a group of practitioners who provide advice and assistance with claims arising from acts of negligence by medical or dental practitioners. Their expertise in the field of clinical negligence law has been tested, assessed and accredited by the Law Society or the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The scheme promotes standards of excellence in the delivery of legal services and members have to meet the Law Society's exactng requirements.

Peter Clark and David Kirkham are members of this scheme.

Resolution

Resolution, which was formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association (SFLA), is an organisation of lawyers who believe in a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters. Resolution also campaigns for improvements to the family justice system. Members adhere to Resolution's code of practice, the principles of which are widely recognised and have been adopted by the Law Society as recommended good practice for all family lawyers.

Kate Fitzpatrick, Neil Dring, Leanne Barton and Emma Hubbard are members of Resolution

Accredited Specialists

Accredited specialists are proven experts in different areas of family law - like divorce finances, domestic abuse or international cases.

Michelle Cooper, head of our family department is an accredited specialist in advanced financial provision and domestic abuse.

Legal Services Commission Specialist Quality Mark (SQM)

The Specialist Quality Mark is a quality assurance standard for providers of legal services that:

• Supply complex legal help in specific areas of law
• Provide full range of legal services, including representation in court (where necessary and permitted) by formally trained professionals
• Wish to offer Legal Services Commission funding (previously know as Legal Aid)
• Are well run and provide good client care

Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) is a not-for-profit organisation, which exists to fight for the rights of injured people. Its members are solicitors and barristers who are committed to helping people who have been injured through the negligence of others to gain justice

Belinda Lancaster, Carl Goodwind and Janet Hall are members of the association.

Rights of Audience in the Higher Civil Courts (Solicitor-Advocates)

In England and Wales solicitors and barristers carry out different functions. Generally, solicitors deal with members of the public and interface with clients. They carry out all legal work but only have rights of audience in the lower courts which consist of the magistrates courts (criminal), county courts (civil), tribunals and also interlocutory hearings which are heard in chambers (private hearings) in the High Court. Barristers have rights of audience in all courts, including those above, but also the higher courts which comprise the Crown Court (criminal), High Court (civil), Court of Appeal and House of Lords. They undergo different training to solicitors and typically they do not deal with the clients directly, but through solicitors (although there are exceptions to this).

Solicitor-advocates, once qualified have full rights of audience in the higher courts (although this may be limited to civil or criminal courts only), and hence can represent clients there. Qualification is complicated and only solicitors with relevant experience can go through the process. Solicitor advocates are strictly regulated by the solicitors' governing body the SRA (Solicitors' Regulation Authority).

Kate Fitzpatrick has been granted Rights of Audience in the higher courts (Civil Proceedings). This means that she has the right to present cases as an advocate in the Higher Courts in all proceedings and in all other courts in civil - including family - proceedings. Kate can exercise any of the functions of appearing before and addressing a court including calling and examining of witnesses.

STEP

STEP is the leading worldwide professional body for practitioners in the fields of trusts, estates and related issues.  Its members are subject to a rigorous code of professional conduct and are the most experienced and senior practitioners in the field of trusts and estates.

John Hatfield and Lauren Smith are members of STEP and is a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP).

Solicitors for the Elderly

Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) is an independent, national organisation of lawyers, such as solicitors, barristers, and legal executives who are committed to providing the highest quality of legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers

John Hatfield and David Coffey are members of this organisation.

Notary Public

A Notary Public is a lawyer who holds an internationally recognised public office. He/she is able to certify documents to be accepted as evidence for use anywhere in the world. Notaries are appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and are subject to regulation by the Court of Faculties.

A document attested by a Notary will be acceptable as genuine to the judicial or public authorities for use in any country, by virtue of the Notary’s signature and official seal.

David Coffey is a Notary Public