Vincents commercial team hits 40 per cent hike

An increase in new business has seen Lancashire law firm Vincents Solictors appoint a new solicitor to its commercial legal team.

Commercial litigator Stephen Topping will be based at the firm’s head office in Winckley Square in Preston.

Stephen is joining a team which took on 80 new clients in the last 12 months, representing a 40 per cent increase in business within the department. His arrival will expand the team’s commercial litigation expertise.

Stephen, previously of Dickson Haslam, will be based at the firm’s head office in Winckley Square and will be in regular attendance at the firm’s other regional offices in Lytham, Garstang, Colne, Longridge, Knott End and Penwortham.

Stephen specialises in land, property, intellectual property and contract disputes, including debt recovery, disagreements between landlords and tenants, and conflict regarding trespass and eviction.

He said: “The improving economy is leading to an increasing appetite among firms to recover unpaid debts and seek resolution to long running disputes, and we’re certainly seeing an increase in this type of instruction. While it is better for all parties for disputes to be resolved early, a lack of cooperation and open communication can often result in court proceedings, where help from an experienced litigator is vital.

“I will be supporting Vincents’ existing customers in this field and seeking to grow commercial litigation business. I have a strong network in south Preston and central Lancashire with whom I already work, and will be looking to meet with more companies based in the north of the county.

"Rural businesses can have the same commercial pressures and unresolved issues as their urban counterparts and there is a broad range of smaller businesses outside central Lancs economic area that may have been reluctant to seek recourse out of fear of the costs. We look to provide a tailored service for all types of business, commensurate with their size and budget, from a legal letter through to support during court proceedings.”

Phillip Gilmore, managing partner at Vincents, said: “Stephen is a welcome addition to the Vincents commercial department and will significantly extend the services we provide to clients within this sector.

“His experience in commercial litigation is in particular demand from some of our newer clients brought in by Mark Alexander and Malcolm Glynn who have grown this side of the business by 40 per cent in just one year. This is a phenomenal track record for a growing department and is testament to the quality of the solicitors we have brought into the firm over the last two years.” Headquartered at Winckley Square in Preston, Vincents Solicitors has six regional offices in Garstang, Longridge, Knott End, Penwortham, Colne and Lytham. Vincents has ambitious expansion plans which saw a 20 per cent growth in turnover in 2013 to over £4m, and an increase in fee-earning staff across the business by 25 per cent in the last six months.