Latest News

Probate fees to rise to tackle family jurisdiction services deficit

Under proposals published this week, fees to apply for a grant of probate will increase from £155 and £215 – for probate professionals and individuals respectively – to a flat fee of £273 for all applicants, regardless of the size of the estate. Estates worth less than £5,000 will continue to not attract a fee.

The Ministry of Justice argues that current fee levels operates at a loss, quoting a deficit of £85m in family jurisdiction services. To be plain, it is costing HM Courts & Tribunals Service more to process probate applications than the fees it currently receives. The fee increase aims to raise between £23m and £25m each year from 2022.

A consultation about the fee increase will run until 23 September 2021.

For further information about our private client services covering wills, probate and Powers of Attorney, please contact Andrew Reed or Rhian Snell.

London to Paris bike ride for the Royal British Legion August 2018

BWB are making a donation to Hadleigh Team Manpower to support one of their cyclists Jerry Boyle to help raise £10,000 for the fabulous work of the Royal British Legion, who tirelessly have and will continue to support our veterans from past conflicts and those of modern day.

2018 is a special year. It represents the 100 years centenary anniversary of WW1 a significant part of our history and is a time to reflect on our heroes of the past and able to recognise the liberated society we live in today.

To keep up to date with the training process and the event visit @HadleighTeamManpower on Facebook or alternatively to make a donation visit their just giving page:

www.justgiving.com/TeamManpowerHadleigh

#LondontoParis #PedalPower #RoyalBritishLegion

Christmas 2017

Our office will be closed for Christmas from 4.00 p.m. on Friday 22nd December 2017 and will re-open on Tuesday 2nd January 2018. Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and New Year from all at Bates Wells and Braithwaite

The Centre of Networking

Bates Wells and Braithwaite are proud sponsors of a new informal monthly networking event called ‘The Centre of Networking’ being held in Kesgrave Community Centre.

The events will take place in the Conference Centre at Kesgrave Community Centre on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 9.30am -11.30am starting on the 12th September 2017.

The Centre's aim:

'To provide small businesses and business owners with a resource to come together and grow their businesses'

These events will be an opportunity for local business owners and/or their representatives to get together over a cup of tea or coffee, build friendships and develop working relationships in the local community. You may even meet the person who has the answer to your problem!

No membership fees - just turn up and pay £2 on the door. Your donation will be donated to St Elizabeth Hospice.

If you are interested in having a small display stand, giving a brief talk about your business or even running an activity at one of the monthly events, please do get in touch. To get involved please contact jo@kwmcc.co.uk at The Centre of Networking

St Elizabeth Hospice - May Wills Month

We are taking part in Wills Month in May for St Elizabeth Hospice.

So if you would like to make or amend your Will in return for a donation to the Hospice, make sure you book your appointment soon to avoid disappointment.

To make an appointment call us on: 01473 219282 or to find out more about Wills Month visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/willsmonth

Christmas 2016

This office will be closed from 4.00pm on Friday 23rd December 2016 and re-open at 9.00am on Tuesday 3rd January 2017.

Rather than sending Christmas cards this year, Bates Wells & Braithwaite will be making donations to St Elizabeth's Hospice in Ipswich and the Miscarriage Association.

Seasons Greetings from all at Bates Wells & Braithwaite.

Woolly Pully Week

On Thursday the 15th December 2016 we took part in Woolly Pully week for St Elizabeth Hospice by wearing our festive jumpers and holding a cake sale.

Funds raised will help support patients and their families over the festive period.

To find out more about St Elizabeth Hospice and the services they provide visit their website at www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk

Business of the Week - 24th September 2016

We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded business of the week by Bright Pig.

Bright Pig is an award winning marketing company, helping small businesses become visible and has even been chosen by BBC'S Dragons' Den Theo Paphitis.

#BrightPigWinner

St Elizabeth Hospice - May Wills Month

We are holding a free consultation evening for new clients who cannot attend during normal office hours on Wednesday 7th September 2016 between 5.30pm and 7.30pm for matrimonial and family issues.

To book your free 30 minute consultation, please call us on 01473 295527 or email denise.head@bates-wells.co.uk

Big Chinwag and Bake off for Age UK Suffolk

On Thursday the 30th June 2016 we hosted a big chinwag and bake off in the office.

We even had our very own Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood in the office to judge all the amazing cakes baked by staff members.

All the proceeds will go to Age Uk Suffolk with the money being spent on vital services for older people in the Suffolk area.

To see all of our pictures check out our facebook page.

Charity Golf Day

On Friday 20th May 2016 we sponsored the Build a School in Gambia Golf Day.

The annual event was a fantastic day which raised £16,000 for the school.

To find out more about the charity and the golf day click on side logo.

Kesgrave Wedding Fayre

We are sponsoring the Kesgrave Wedding Fayre on Sunday 8th May 2016.

So if you are looking for wedding inspiration this is the place to be.

We look forward to seeing you all then and there will be lots of giveaways on the day for every bride.

#WeddingInspiration #Prenups #IpswichSolicitors

St Elizabeth Hospice - May Will Month

We are taking part in Wills Month in May for St Elizabeth Hospice.

So if you would like to make or amend your Will in return for a donation to the Hospice, make sure you book your appointment soon to avoid disappointment.

To make an appointment call us on: 01473 219282 or to find out more about Wills Month visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/willsmonth

USDAW Union's 70th Annual Delegates Meeting

We attended the USDAW Union's 70th Annual Delegates Meeting this weekend in Blackpool.

To find out more about USDAW and how they can help you visit: www.usdaw.org.uk

Town 102 FM

On Thursday 31st March we won a visit from The Town 102 Roadrunners with a free delivery of jammy sugar coated donuts.

The Town 102 Roadrunners are travelling around daily rewarding hardworking businesses in Ipswich and the surrounding areas.

Sports Relief

On Friday the 18th March 2016 we took part in Sports Relief by holding a cake sale within the office.

Our joint efforts raised £75.00 in total, all money raised from Sports Relief goes to providing help for vulnerable people in both the UK and the worlds poorest countries.

To find out more about Sport Relief click on the Sport Relief logo.

Kesgrave and District Help Centre

We are proud sponsors of the Kesgrave and District Help Centre.

The centre helps dozens of older residents across the town, which meets weekly to provide a social occasion for older residents - many of whom live alone.

We believe the support services and advice which the help centre provides for the retired and disabled is invaluable in helping them to make positive changes.

For further information regarding the Kesgrave and District Help Centre please call: 01473 624044 or 620307

Age UK Suffolk

This year we have joined forces with Age UK Suffolk and will be working with them for the next twelve months.

Age UK Suffolk provides a range of services across Suffolk to improve people's quality of life and enable them to live independently at home.

Their day services provide a variety of activities, a freshly cooked meal, and a chance to make new friends.

To find out more about the charity and how they can help click on the Age UK Suffolk logo.

Christmas Opening Times

This office will be closed from 12 noon on Wednesday 23rd December 2015 and will re-open at 9.00am on Monday 4th January 2016.

Rather than sending Christmas Cards this year, we will be making a donation to the Down's Syndrome Association.

Seasons Greetings from all at Bates Wells & Braithwaite.

Lighthouse Women's Aid - 40th Anniversary Celebration

We were proud to support Lighthouse Women’s Aid today on their 40th Anniversary.

They provide important support and advice to women and children experiencing domestic abuse in their personal or family relationships.

They have provided a safe and supportive refuge in Ipswich since 1976. They also offer a range of community services, courses and counselling to support women to rebuild their lives after domestic abuse.

If this service would be of benefit to you, contact their 24 hour helpline on: 01473 745111 for confidential advice or visit their website: www.lighthousewa.org.uk

Children in Need

On Friday 13th November we held a cake sale in support of Children in Need. The whole team contributed by either donating their homemade cakes or donating money to this great cause. The total raised was £61.85. To find out more information about Children in Need visit their website: www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

Staff News

We say goodbye to our company/commercial law practitioner, Julia Wakelam, who has recently retired from practice, and would like to take this opportunity to wish her a very happy and fulfilling retirement.

We have recently welcomed Robert Everrett into our Commercial Law team where he will be undertaking all aspects of company law matters from commercial property transactions to company acquisitions to restructuring and bespoke tailored solutions.

We also welcome Lisa Dixon as our new employment practitioner, who will advise on a range of employee related issues from unfair dismissal to negotiation of settlement agreements. Lisa will also be assisting Christopher Mason on various contract disputes and general litigation matters.

Up Market Shopping Experience

We are delighted to be one of the sponsors of, “UpMarket” this year, at Kesgrave Community & Conference Centre, just outside Ipswich. This great event takes place on Friday 30th October, from 7pm – 9.30pm, and is the perfect opportunity to browse and buy from over 30 local exhibitors offering the very best in fashion, accessories, jewellery, photography, food & drink, beauty, gifts, homeware and more!

The event is supporting Age UK Suffolk and tickets for the Friday evening are £7 – this includes a welcome drink, canapes, goody bag, lifestyle magazine, and taster beauty treatment. It would be great if you can join us – and tell your friends, work colleagues and anyone else you think, may be interested in making a start on their Christmas shopping, without the stress of the shops, carrying loads of bags, car parking and all those other elements that can make the festive period just that little bit more stressful!

We will be entertained on the evening by the fabulous Pip Duffy who will be serenading us while we shop!

Tickets can be ordered by calling 01473 612648 ext 21 or 01473 353071 or you can email jo@kwmcc.co.uk or jo.reeder@ageuksuffolk.org.

If you’re not able to join us on the Friday evening – we are also open on Saturday 31st October from 10.30am – 4.30pm – entry is just £2 on the door!

Pigs Gone Wild Launch Night - October 2015

Bates Wells & Braithwaite were invited to the official launch of Pigs Gone Wild at Trinity Park on Thursday 8th October.

The interactive sculpture trail will feature more than 40 pigs across Ipswich and beyond. During summer 2016 you will be able to follow the trail, collect points with the Pigs Gone Wild app and to try to see as many of the sculptures as possible.

The pigs, beautifully decorated by artists and generously sponsored by local businesses, will be on show for 10 weeks during the summer in 2016. They will be joined by a sounder of ‘piglet’ sculptures designed by local school children and teachers, which will appear in litters across the town.

After you have enjoyed Pigs Gone Wild during its 10-week extravaganza, the large pig sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice.

Take a snout around www.pigsgonewild.co.uk to find out more

Macmillan Coffee Morning - September 2015

Last Friday we were proud to be involved in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in support of Macmillan. It was an excellent excuse to feast shamelessly on cake all morning whilst raising money for a good cause at the same time.

The whole team contributed and each of us donated money to Macmillan in return for joining in the sugary morning feast. We had an impressive spread of cakes and savoury snacks.

Our joint efforts raised £159.40 in total for Macmillan; all money raised from the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning goes to providing much-needed support for those diagnosed with cancer and their families.

For more information on Macmillan Cancer Support visit:

http://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/

Football Sponsorship - Ausgust 2015

Bates Wells & Braithwaite has sponsored a youth team’s new football kit.

We have kitted out Martlesham Youth Football Club (MYFC) The Martlesham Mustangs under 11s team.

MYFC has at least one team in every age group from U6s to U16s and they are traditionally named after planes which the RAF used to fly from Martlesham.

For all the team's fixtures and to find out more about MYFC visit www.myfc.org.uk

Comic Relief 2015

The firm raised £170.80 for the Comic Relief Red Nose Day, through donations from a dress down for work day and a Bake Off.

Christmas 2014

As an alternative to sending out Christmas cards this year, we have made a donation to Lighthouse Women’s Aid Ipswich.

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