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We believe that inspiration can be found in unexpected places.

As a law firm deeply committed to the growth and empowerment of aspiring solicitors, we invite you to explore how “Legally Blonde” can reshape perceptions and profoundly impact those embarking on a legal journey.

In a profession often associated with stern courtrooms and legal conduct, the movie “Legally Blonde” shines as a beacon of inspiration. While it’s vibrant pink and comedic charm may seem worlds apart from legal practice, this iconic film offers more than meets the eye.

The movie transcends it’s comedy to offer invaluable lessons in determination, empowerment, and individuality. By embracing the film’s message, aspiring solicitors can reshape their perceptions, evolve their mindset, and ultimately enhance their contribution to the legal world.

It’s a reminder that the legal journey is a path of determination, empowerment, and breaking free from conventions. Aspiring solicitors, embrace your unique strengths, challenge norms, and remember – the legal world is waiting for your bold impact!

So what are you waiting for? Legally Blonde is now available on Netflix, Amazon prime & Disney+

Misconceptions about solicitors. Many of these can arise from media portrayals, lack of understanding, or generalisations.

People may forget that solicitors are human too and we do have empathy for the situations that people may find themselves in.

In this article, we explore some common misconceptions and why they’re wrong.

“ Solicitors are grumpy and lack empathy “

Solicitors are often portrayed in movies and TV shows as serious and stern individuals, which can contribute to the misconception. However, it’s important to recognise that this stereotype is not universally true.

In fact, many solicitors build strong and positive relationships with their clients.

Effective communication and empathy are essential skills for solicitors to understand their client’s needs and provide appropriate legal advice. We understand the importance of creating a welcoming and supportive environment for our clients.

“ All solicitors do the same job “

Did you know that solicitors specialise in various areas of law? Just like doctors have different specialities, solicitors have expertise in fields like family law, property law, criminal law, corporate law, employment law and more. Each of these requires different expertise.

“ Solicitors only use complex legal jargon “

No. Good solicitors communicate clearly and avoid unnecessary legal jargon. They explain concepts in a way that clients can understand, ensuring effective communication throughout the legal process.

“ Solicitors cannot provide emotional support”

Solicitors can – and do! – lend a sympathetic ear and actively listen to their client’s concerns, fears, and emotions. This can help clients feel heard and understood, contributing to a positive relationship and helps the solicitor understand the client’s priorities.

However, while solicitors can offer emotional support, they are not a substitute for mental health professionals. If a client is experiencing significant emotional distress, solicitors may recommend seeking additional support from a qualified therapist or counsellor.

“ Solicitors are all about court “

Court appearances are only one part of their work. Many solicitors handle cases outside of court through negotiations, settlements, contracts, administration and much more.

“ Solicitors are only for big corporations “

That is not the case. In fact, solicitors work with individuals, small businesses, startups, and organisations of all sizes, tailoring their services to meet the specific needs and resources of their clients.

It’s important to note that perceptions of solicitors are diverse and can be influenced by a variety of factors.

Solicitors, like any professionals, exhibit a range of personalities, and their primary goal is to provide effective legal assistance while maintaining professionalism and respect for their clients.

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Throughout my work experience at Aston Bond, I’ve gained an incredible amount of valuable knowledge as to what it’s like working in the practice of law. When I arrived, the friendly team here were very welcoming which made me feel so excited for the week ahead.

The professional atmosphere within the office made me feel very focused at all times when completing tasks.

I was given many opportunities such as attending client meetings, writing the attendance note, and uploading all the documents afterwards. Being involved in the meeting gave me the opportunity to observe the conversation and dynamic which, as an aspiring solicitor, gave me a very valuable insight.

As there are so many different types of law offered at Aston Bond, it’s great to be able to explore all the different services from Family Law to Wills and Estate Planning to see which one interests you most, and an idea of the field of law you would be interested in studying. For example, I had the chance to attend a very interesting webinar on Employment Law, which for me opened an interest in that field.

I was also given challenges such as locating, checking and updating documents, and was also able to read through files, which really furthered my knowledge of the process involved in representing a client within a case.

The sociable feel of the office made me feel very included throughout the week, and I felt very comfortable asking any questions I had. I was greeted by smiling faces every morning which made my day begin very positively and made me very excited for the day ahead.

During my work experience, I have learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed myself. My confidence has definitely grown and I am now very keen to become a solicitor in the future.

I would recommend anyone with an interest in becoming a lawyer to complete work experience at Aston Bond.

At Aston Bond, we spoke to three employees about why they chose a career in law and the different routes they have taken to become qualified and why?

Nicola Darby who specialises in Residential Property is taking the CiLex route in order to become qualified.

So Nicola, what made you decide to pursue a career in Law?

Actually, I fell into the Industry when I applied for a Business Development Role at Aston Bond 12 years ago. I have worked in a few roles over the years and realised that I love Residential Conveyancing there are options to become qualified, other than by the traditional routes.

What does the route you have taken involve?

You complete an online Course which results in a Degree as a Certified Legal Executive, which means I would become a Lawyer upon qualifying. There are exams every 6 months and the course can be done as quickly or as slowly as you like.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the CiLex route?

GO FOR IT!

If you are considering an alternative route to becoming qualified, this is a great option. You do need to know which area of Law you want to go into, as you become a specialist in that area. It offers a lot of flexibility for working parents like myself and can be moulded around your life.

Jaspreet Kaur specialises in Commercial Property and is taking the SQE route in order to become qualified.

So Jaspreet, what made you decide to pursue a career in Law?

Law is a complex and dynamic field that requires critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and constant learning, which I find enjoyable as I’m always up for a challenge.

What does the route you have taken involve?

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a new route to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales.  

This route consists of completing two multiple choice exams covering numerous areas of law and legal practice, ensuring I have Qualifying Work Experience in the legal practice areas, as well as covering many skills and legal practice examinations to ensure I’m able to perform daily solicitor practice.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the SQE route?

Research the SQE.

Take the time to thoroughly understand the structure, content, and requirements of the SQE. Familiarise yourself with the two stages of the examination, the assessment formats, and the qualifying work experience needed.

Kanchana Kumari specialises in Wills and Probate and is taking the LPC route in order to become qualified

So Kanchana, what made you decide to pursue a career in Law?

Law is a versatile field that heavily influences the way society operates and has the power to implement change which I am passionate about. 

What does the route you have taken involve?

The LPC (Legal Practice Course) was one of the traditional routes to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. It was a postgraduate course that law graduates needed to complete to gain the practical skills and knowledge necessary to enter legal practice.

The LPC consists of various core modules, including, Business Law, Property Law, Dispute Resolution as well as Professional Conduct and Regulation.

You are assessed through a combination of written exams, and you must incorporate a 2-year period of work experience, known as a Training Contract. During your Training period, you must also complete a “Professional Skills Course” (PSC) before your qualification date.

What advice would you offer to someone considering a career in Law?

Stay organised. Create a study schedule, keep track of assignments/deadlines, and manage your time efficiently.

Buying a leasehold property means at some stage you may be faced with needing to extend your lease.

The longer you own a leasehold property, the shorter the lease becomes and this can affect your property’s value as well as your ability to sell it in the future.

What is a lease extension?

A lease extension is a process of adding years back onto a lease and extending the time you have before the property reverts back into the ownership of the freeholder.

Owning a leasehold property means you own the right to live in a property for a set period rather than own the land it stands on. The land is owned by a freeholder or landlord who will charge a ground rent.

In most cases, leasehold properties are flats, where the overall building and land is owned by a freeholder.

Can I extend my lease?

Under statutory law, you can extend the lease on a flat by 90 years if you’ve owned it for more than two years and there were at least 21 years remaining on the lease when you bought it.

When should I extend my lease?

Generally, people extend their lease between 80 and 90 years. Usually, because they may be looking to sell in the future and want to make sure the property is mortgageable. 

What are the consequences of failing to extend your lease?

If any lease on a long leasehold residential property is not extended, it simply expires and runs out.

That could mean you have to leave your home and will certainly mean that you will no longer have any legal rights to any financial investment you have made.

If you want to discuss a lease extension on your property, our specialist team of solicitors are happy to help. Please contact us on 01753 486777

At Aston Bond it’s important for our clients to know us better so that they can trust and feel comfortable working with us.

So we set up a little quiz to help you get to know our team better. 

Here are the results…

“Notice to complete” is a legal document that is typically issued by the seller’s solicitor or conveyancer to the buyer’s solicitor.

It is used in property transactions in the United Kingdom to set a deadline for the buyer to complete the purchase of the property.

When parties enter into a contract for the sale and purchase of a property, there is usually a completion date agreed upon. The completion date is the day when the ownership of the property transfers from the seller to the buyer, and the balance of the purchase price is paid.

If the buyer fails to complete the purchase on or before the agreed completion date, the seller can issue a notice to complete.

This notice typically provides the buyer with a specific period of time, often between 10 to 14 days, to complete the purchase.

The notice will also usually state that if the buyer fails to complete within the specified time, the seller may take certain actions, such as rescinding the contract, retaining the buyer’s deposit, and potentially seeking additional damages.

The notice to complete serves as a formal reminder and puts the buyer on notice that failure to complete within the specified time frame may have legal consequences. It is designed to encourage the buyer to fulfill their contractual obligations promptly and proceed with the purchase.

It is always advisable to consult with a qualified solicitor or conveyancer who can provide accurate and up-to-date advice tailored to your situation.

For all your property needs, contact our friendly team of solicitors at Aston Bond on 01753 486 777 or email kconner@astonbond.co.uk

At Aston Bond, we firmly believe in the power of work events. From team-building activities or networking events, these gatherings provide a great opportunity to enhance collaboration and foster professional relationships.

This week, our team had the chance to attend the Royal Windsor racecourse.

From the moment we stepped foot into the racetrack, we felt the electricity in the air. There was a vibrant atmosphere with the crowd buzzing with excitement and anticipation.  

The racecourse environment was a unique blend of excitement, elegance, and positivity.

The interactive nature of the venue encouraged all our team members to come together, collaborate, and bond.

Placing bets on races created a sense of shared excitement among us all with the seasoned pros of our group teaching those who had never been before.  We felt a stronger sense of unity and cooperation as we cheered each other’s horses on and shared in the experience.

For those fortunate enough to witness the sport of horse racing first hand, it is a lifelong experience to remember. As indeed is any event, big or small, which helps a team bond look out for each other, both in and out of the workplace.