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.

Conveyancing is the legal term for transferring ownership of property if you’re buying or selling.

A solicitor or conveyancer will handle all the legal aspects of buying and selling a property.

They will;

1. Handle contract & transfers
2. Give legal advice & guidance
3. Carry out standard local council searches
4. Deal with Land Registry
5. Transfer the money to pay for your property

A good conveyancer and their team will keep you updated regularly and can support you by answering questions about the process of buying a property.

At Aston Bond, we act for a variety of developers on residential sales ranging from single residential sites to larger developments.

Our residential property service is tailored to meet your individual needs and to pre-empt problems where possible through clear communication.

We understand the complex or tricky issues that are sometimes involved in residential property transactions, and we use a practical approach.

Buying a house can be stressful. But having a solicitor or conveyancer who can answer any queries can make it a lot easier.

For more information, please contact Chris Tierney (Head of Conveyancing) on ctierney@astonbond.co.uk.

This July marks Good Care Month, a nationwide campaign that shines a light on the compassion, resilience, and skill of everyone working in the social care sector. From frontline carers to admin staff and drivers, it’s a time to celebrate the dedicated individuals who help improve lives every day.

At Aston Bond, we want to join in recognising the vital work of care professionals — but also take this moment to reflect on the deeper message at the heart of Good Care Month: the value of planning for the future.

Just as carers provide security and peace of mind to those they look after, making a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and give them clarity and support in the future.

How making a will shows care for those you leave behind

Many of us put off making a will, thinking it’s something for much later in life. But Good Care Month reminds us how important it is to plan ahead — not just for ourselves, but for the people who matter to us most.

Having a will ensures that:

Your wishes are clear and legally binding.

Your family and friends are spared unnecessary stress or disputes at an already difficult time.

You can provide for vulnerable loved ones, including those who might need additional care.

You choose how your estate is distributed, rather than leaving it to be decided by law.

At Aston Bond, we’re here to help

Our experienced team at Aston Bond understands that making a will can feel daunting. That’s why we work with you to make the process as straightforward and reassuring as possible. Just as those in the care sector offer their support with kindness and professionalism, we are committed to doing the same when it comes to securing your legacy.

So, as we celebrate Good Care Month, why not take the opportunity to show your own care and consideration — by ensuring your affairs are in order and your loved ones are protected?

If you’d like to talk to us about making or updating your will, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Let’s honour the spirit of Good Care Month by planning ahead — because true care is about looking after one another, today and tomorrow.

There are many myths surrounding solicitors, whether shaped by TV dramas, a lack of legal knowledge, or stereotypes. Too often, people forget that solicitors are compassionate professionals who truly appreciate the challenges their clients encounter.

Here, we’ll debunk some of the most widespread misconceptions.

“ 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.