At Susan Howarth & Company Solicitors we pride ourselves on always delivering a high level of professionalism and legal expertise for all of our clients. Excellent client service underpins all that we do and we focus on this as our priority at all times. To reflect our commitment to always provide a top quality service, we have been awarded a significant number of accreditations and specialist memberships by a variety of independent, professional bodies.
Our Accreditations
CQS
The Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the Law Society’s own quality standard for residential conveyancing practices. Membership reflects adherence to good practice management standards and efficient conveyancing procedures.
Family Law Panel
The Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation Scheme covers all types of family work. Members will have shown, to the satisfaction of the Law Society, that they have and will maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in all areas of family law.
Family Law Advanced
The Law Society’s Family Law Advanced Accreditation Scheme covers all types of family work. Members will have shown, to the satisfaction of the Law Society, that they have and will maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in all areas of family law.
Children Law
The Law Society’s Childlren Law Accreditation Scheme covers all types of children law work and is recognised by the Legal Aid Agency. It’s a way for clients and professionals (such as guardians) to choose a qualified practitioner when a child needs representation.
Lexcel
Accredited for the last 11 consecutive years, Lexcel is the Law Society’s own practice management standard and is only awarded to solicitors who meet the highest management and customer care standards. Lexcel accredited practices undergo rigorous independent assessment every year to ensure they meet required standards of excellence in areas such as client care, case management and risk management.
Resolution
Resolution’s 6,500 members are family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Members follow a Code of Practise that promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems encouraging solutions that consider the needs of the whole family - and in particular the best interests of children. Victoria Poole was also accredited by Resolution as a specialist in Domestic Abuse and in Children, gaining specialist status under the Resolution scheme.
STEP
STEP is a global professional body, comprising lawyers, accountants, trustees and other practitioners that help families plan for their futures.Our mission is to inspire confidence in families planning their assets across generations by setting and upholding high professional standards, informing public policy, promoting education, and connecting practitioners globally to share knowledge and best practice.Full STEP members, known as TEPs, are internationally recognised as experts in their field, with proven qualifications and experience and we are very proud that our Wills, Trust and Probate Department is headed up by Emma Stride, TEP.
The Legal 500 - Leading Firm
The Legal 500 is widely acknowledged as one of the definitive guides to the top 500 law firms in the UK, aimed at buyers of legal services. Published annually, ranked firms are recommended purely on merit and reflect a detailed process of research, analysis and assessment conducted in accordance with strict guidelines.
We have been recognised in the Legal 500 for the last 10 years, ranking as a Band 3 Leading Firm for the last 4 consecutive years - here is what The Legal 500 says about us:
The ‘amazing‘ Susan Howarth & Company Solicitors provides a full-service offering, and owing to its considerably deep and experienced bench, is particularly geared to act on children, family and injunction cases. Consistent with previous years, the firm has noted a continued uptick in domestic abuse cases including coercive control and controlling behaviour, routinely with drug and alcohol misuse also apparent. Wielding over twenty years of social care experience before founding the practice in 1997, managing director Susan Howarth is a true specialist in dealing with these cases, as well as possessing a portfolio of high-value financial remedy mandates. Accredited family mediator Victoria Poole has particular expertise in agricultural and pension-related disputes and regularly leads child welfare court matters. Nicola Deakin‘s recent work highlights include representing grandparents in Parental Responsibility applications, child relocation proceedings, and complicated Child Arrangement Orders, while David Bannister and Sonia Rickard are also highly active on a variety of matters.
The Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer
The Legal 500 is widely acknowledged as one of the definitive guides to the top 500 law firms in the UK, aimed at buyers of legal services. Published annually, ranked firms are recommended purely on merit and reflect a detailed process of research, analysis and assessment conducted in accordance with strict guidelines.
The whole of the Family Law team have been ranked as Recommended Lawyers for the last 2 consecutive years.
The Legal 500 - Hall of Fame
The Legal 500 is widely acknowledged as one of the definitive guides to the top 500 law firms in the UK, aimed at buyers of legal services. Published annually, ranked firms are recommended purely on merit and reflect a detailed process of research, analysis and assessment conducted in accordance with strict guidelines.
After 4 consecutive years of being ranked as a Leading Individual, in 2023 Susan Howarth was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Family Law expertise, one of only seven individuals across the North West.
Chambers and Partners
Chambers and Partners is an independent research company operating across 200 jurisdictions delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world's leading lawyers. Chambers empowers organisations to make informed decisions when selecting legal services, saving time and resources and reducing risk. Chambers 200 researchers provide unique insight into complex areas of law in different jurisdictions. Chambers conducts tens of thousands of interviews a year with in-house counsel and third-party experts, such as barristers and accountants, delivering detailed insight into providers of legal services.
We have been recognised in Chambers and Partner for the last 5 years, ranking as a Band 2 Leading Firm for the last 5 consecutive years. Susan Howarth and Victoria Poole have both been ranked as Band 2 and Band 1 lawyers respectively for the last 2 consecutive years.
AI Legal Awards - Winners 2023 & 2022 - Best Family and Childcare Firm
Acquisition International has designed the Legal Awards programme to recognise and award those firms and professionals who have offered best in class legal services, as well as those who have strived to adapt and innovate in what has, by all regards, been a challenging couple of years.
Approaching its tenth year, the Acquisition International Legal Awards programme seeks to reward the hard work and dedication of those firms and professionals who have strived for a new level of perfection and professionalism. Acquisition International prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.
The Lexis Nexis Family Law Awards - Finalist 2020 & 2021 - Law Firm of the Year (North)
The Lexis Nexis Family Law Awards were launched in 2011 to recognise the important work of family lawyers, and celebrate their many successes and outstanding achievements. The shortlist and winners are chosen by a judging panel made up of the heads of the Family Law Bar Association, Resolution, the Association of Lawyers for Children and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, along with Family Law editors and publishing professionals. Over the past decade, the Family Law Awards have firmly established themselves as a highly prestigious event, celebrating the success and achievements of family lawyers and the vital contribution that they make to society.
The Parliamentary Review - 2019
In 2019, SH&Co. featured in the Parliamentary Review. Chaired by Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett, the Review features a range of thriving British businesses and educators and aims to share best practice and raise industry standards by working with a number of successful organisations up and down the country, across the private and public sectors.
Founder and Director Susan Howarth said of participating in the Review, “Despite the considerable challenges faced by independent practices like ours throughout the UK, the belief that everyone has the right to access justice has always remained at the heart of our firm. Through good times and bad, we’re immensely proud to be a part this community and to continue supporting our local people. This is our story and we hope it is read widely”.
For more information or to speak to one of our experts, please call us on 01606 48777
"Excellent and prompt service. Professional and clear advice provided. Would certainly recommend."
Mr G"Very professional at all stages and I would highly recommend to anyone."
Brian Beswick"I was very impressed and reassured by the knowledge and experience in the conveyancing team. The service I received was very efficient and made the process easy for me."
Rita Huyton"SH&Co. handled my settlement agreement really smoothly and hassle-free. Very friendly and professional service and I'd definitely recommend to anyone in a similar situation."
Phillip Bailey