Category: Latest News

At our firm, precision matters – not just in the courtroom, but behind the scenes too. That’s where Joe comes in. As our trusted accountant, he’s the one who ensures everything adds up.

With a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy, Joe makes sure that every cent in accounted for and every process is handled with care. His work may not always take centre stage, but it’s essential to the smooth running of our practice and the support we provide to our clients.

Beyond the spreadsheets and financial statements, he plays a key role in helping us make informed decisions and plan for the future. His steady guidance allows our lawyers to focus fully on advocating for our clients, knowing the firm’s financial health is in safe hands.

We’re grateful for his dedication, professionalism, and the calm expertise he brings to our team each day.

Thanks to Joe, we know the numbers – and the cases – will always add up.

When you meet Duncan, one of the co-founders of Aston Bond, you quickly realise two things:

1. He’s been in the legal game long enough to know just about everything there is to know about corporate law.
2. He’s the kind of lawyer you actually want to chat with over a coffee (yes, he’s that approachable).

Duncan helped launch Aston Bond back in 2004, and nearly 30 years of legal experience has given him the kind of expertise that makes clients feel instantly reassured. From the boardroom to the negotiation table, Duncan has done it all. Whether it’s business acquisitions, share sales, management buy-ins, or even the tricky world of distressed businesses and pre-pack sales, Duncan is the guy you want on your side.

And if you think that’s impressive, wait until you hear this: Duncan is also the go-to expert for the buying and selling of care homes—something that requires not just legal sharpness but also a strong sense of responsibility and empathy.

Over the years, Duncan has worked with everyone from small local businesses to large companies with national and international reach. He has this rare ability to cut through the noise, simplify the complex, and guide clients toward the right solution. (Basically, he’s like the GPS of corporate law.)

When he’s not busy shaping deals and advising companies, Duncan is also known for his straight-talking, friendly manner. He’s approachable, practical, and committed—no intimidating jargon, no unnecessary fuss, just solid advice from someone who’s been there, done that, and negotiated the shareholder agreement.

At Aston Bond, Duncan isn’t just a lawyer; he’s a cornerstone of the firm’s ethos: approachable, effective, and genuinely invested in the success of clients. After all, co-founding a law firm isn’t just about legal know-how—it’s about vision, and Duncan has that in spades.

So, if you ever find yourself needing expert advice in the corporate world—or just want to swap stories with someone who’s seen it all—Duncan is your guy.

If you don’t have a will, now is the time to write one. It’s not just for the elderly or the wealthy – it’s for anyone who wants a say in what happens to their assets, their family, and their future.

At Aston Bond, we believe will writing should be straightforward, affordable, and personal. That’s why we’ve designed a service that’s as clear and stress-free as possible.

Why you need a will

Whether you’re single, married, have children, own property, or simply want peace of mind, a will ensures:

• Your wishes are followed
• Your loved ones are protected
• Disputes are avoided
• The law doesn’t decide on your behalf

Dying without a valid will (known as dying intestate) can cause confusion, delay, and financial stress for your family – and often leads to outcomes you wouldn’t have wanted.

What we offer

• Tailored legal advice
• Fixed pricing (no hidden fees)
• Flexible appointments (in person, by phone, or online video calls)
• Will storage options for long-term peace of mind

Our prices

Type of Will	Cost (Without VAT)	Cost (With VAT)
Simple Individual Will	£250.00	£300.00
Simple Mirror Wills	£400.00	£480.00
Individual Complex Trust Will	£400.00	£480.00
Complex Mirror Trust Will	£550.00	£660.00

An administrative fee of £45 plus VAT per file will be applied.

If you and your partner have similar wishes, you may benefit from our discounted mirror will packages.

To book a free consultation, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced Private Client team today on 0153 486 777, or click the link to fill out an inquiry form – https://www.astonbond.co.uk/aston-bond-bespoke-will-writing-service/

Private Client paralegal Stacey Clark explains why creating a will is one of the most important steps you can take for your family’s future.

Make your wishes clear before it’s too late.

Click the link to book your FREE consultation today: https://www.astonbond.co.uk/aston-bond-bespoke-will-writing-service/

Thinking about signing a settlement agreement?

Before you do, watch this!

Our employment solicitor breaks down what you need to know.

Don’t know what to do if you’re ever involved in a legal dispute?

Our very own Litigation Solicitor gives you her top three tips.

Today, we were truly touched by a small but incredibly meaningful gesture.

As our brilliant work experience student wrapped up his time with us, he surprised the team with a thoughtful gift – a kind and generous act that left smiles all around the office. It’s moments like these that remind us how impactful genuine connections can be, even in a short space of time.

Over the past week, we’ve had the pleasure of watching a bright, inquisitive, and driven young mind get stuck into the world of law with curiosity and commitment. From shadowing client meetings to engaging in legal research, he approached every task with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. He asked smart questions, showed real initiative, and quickly became part of the team.

It’s always inspiring to see the next generation of legal professionals begin their journey. If this experience was any indication, we have no doubt he’ll go far.

To our student – thank you not only for the gift, but for your time, effort, and the energy you brought to the firm. We wish you all the very best as you continue your studies and take your next steps toward a successful legal career. Keep that drive, that kindness, and that professionalism – you’re already on the right path.

From all of us at Aston Bond, we’re cheering you on.

Aston Bond marked our summer celebrations with a fantastic evening at Royal Windsor Racecourse, just days after celebrating our company’s 21^st birthday.

The team enjoyed a relaxed and entertaining night, starting with an exciting round of horse racing where many of us tested our luck placing a few bets. With delicious food and drinks flowing throughout the evening, it was the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy time together outside of the office.

Once the races were finished, the vibe shifted into full summer mode and the Rum & Reggae night kicked off. With lively tunes and great energy all around, it was the perfect way to wrap up the event.

It was a wonderful reminder of the strong culture we’ve built over the past 21 years—one that’s all about more than just hard work, but connection, fun, and genuine team bonding. We’re proud to continue creating a workplace where shared experiences like this are celebrated and encouraged.

Here’s a few words from Tom, who has just completed work experience with us this week:

” Completing my work experience week at Aston Bond has been hugely beneficial for my future career prospects and has positively influenced my desire to become a solicitor. As a first-year undergraduate I was keen to learn more about the working world of law and Aston Bond gave me the perfect platform to do so.

On my first day I was introduced to the team who were all super friendly and welcoming which put me at ease straight away. Throughout the week I was exposed to a range of tasks from different areas of law including: Employment law, Residential Conveyancing, and Commercial property.

I was given the responsibility of drafting contracts, leases, letters, and filling out applications for active clients, as well as preparing witness reports and exhibits for a court hearing! I also completed Land Registry applications as well as requisitions and became familiarised with the online filing system. I was never afraid to ask questions if I wasn’t completely sure on what to do and all of the staff were more than happy to offer a helping hand or some top tips.

The relaxed yet focused environment of the office made me feel at home right away and the fact that all of the staff are located on the same floor made it that much easier to talk to people specialising in different areas and build rapport.

I would massively recommend Aston Bond for work experience for anyone interested in a career in law, and I cannot thank all of the staff enough for how much they have helped me this week, it is greatly appreciated! “

Tom Coomber

Negative online reviews are an unavoidable aspect of practicing law.

Even the most diligent solicitors can face unjustified client criticism due to frustration, disappointment, or misunderstanding.

While unfair, your response to negative comments can shape your reputation more than the review itself. Managing these situations professionally can showcase your firm’s commitment to client care and turn a potential risk into an opportunity to build trust.

Who are you replying to?

When responding to reviews, remember your primary audience is everyone reading the review, including potential clients evaluating your firm – often thousands of people. The reviewer is secondary.

Adopting this perspective ensures your reply remains professional, measured, and focused on protecting your firm’s reputation.  

Should solicitors respond to negative reviews?

Yes. Responding shows accountability and client care. Ignoring reviews suggests indifference.

Before replying:

• Protect client confidentiality
• Keep responses brief; take detailed discussions offline
• Stay calm and professional, avoiding defensiveness
• View the review as an opportunity to demonstrate constructive concern management

Should solicitors respond to positive reviews?

Yes – acknowledging them shows appreciations, encourages others to share, and fosters client loyalty.

What if the review is false or misleading?

Remain calm, if it’s clearly false or defamatory, request its removal via the platform’s reporting process with evidence if needed.

Often, the review stays online, so your response influences others. State if you don’t recognise the events, avoid sharing client details, and invite the reviewer to contact the firm directly. Maintain a professional tone to show your commitment to resolving issues fairly.

What if the review is fair but makes your firm look bad?

If a fair review harms your firm’s image, acknowledge the concerns and, if appropriate, outline the steps taken. This demonstrates seriousness about feedback. When responding, consider whether an apology is warranted, and consider inviting offline discussion or noting resolution. Your reply may be reviewed by regulators if a complaint is filed. Handing fair criticism professionally reassures clients of your commitment to improvement.

Learn from the feedback

Both positive and negative reviews reveal how your firm is perceived, highlighting strengths to build on and patterns indicating areas for improvement. Acting on this feedback is a smart move to boos client service and reputation.

Can you ask a client to remove or amend a review?

Whenever possible, contact the client directly by phone or in person to discuss the review, especially if it was due to frustration or misunderstanding.

Maintain calm, professional tone – acknowledge their concerns and explain how you’ve addressed them.

Avoid pressuring; instead, politely ask if they might consider changing or removing the review if the feel the issue is resolved.

Remember, clients are often less confrontational verbally than online. A respectful conversation can demonstrate that their feedback impacts a real person and may encourage them to revise their review.

Using legal threats to remove a review

Using legal threats to remove a review can be effective against clear defamation, but it’s risky. It may escalate the situation and lead to increased attention if the client resists.

Is never asking for a review a safer approach?

Unhappy clients often leave negative feedback, while satisfied ones rarely do unless prompted. By requesting reviews, you increase the likelihood of positive feedback and mitigate the impact of negative comments.

Don’t let negative reviews deter you from social proof

Modern consumers expect some negatives and judge you by how you address them – fairly and promptly. A few negatives won’t outweigh your positive track record. If patterns of dissatisfaction emerge, they offer an opportunity to act quickly and prevent reputation damage.