This firm ‘has the patience required to explain even the most complex matters in a language that is easy to understand’.
Ward Hadaway - working together to provide the best possible client and working experience.
We are a successful independent law firm offering quality legal advisory services – and the services that support them – to businesses, the public sector and individuals.
We are a firm in which each person can thrive and succeed as an individual and in business. That encourages and supports entrepreneurialism. That is known for its friendly, no-nonsense approach. That behaves responsibly, and is actively engaged in its communities and with their wellbeing. That marries the best use of technology with a people-first service.
34
Years
95
Partners
300
Lawyers
3
Cities
Our approach
We get you results. How we do this is important to us.
We are effective. We are single-minded when representing your interests. We will do everything we can to reach a successful outcome for you.
We are pragmatic. We take a commercial, matter-of-fact approach to deliver your goals. And we won’t over-engineer our work.
We are clear. We will ensure you understand what we are proposing and what we are doing. We will communicate in a way that suits you.
We are friendly. Approachable and collaborative, we become part of your team. We will listen carefully and create a strong partnership. We will always strive to make you feel at ease.
We are committed to providing an exceptional client service. It is a service that’s delivered with the kind of cost-effectiveness you would expect from a prudent law firm with a competitive cost base.
We derive great pleasure from working with our clients. Many of them have been kind enough to tell us how much they enjoy their relationship with us. Together we achieve exceptional results.
Our Responsible Business Manifesto
Our Responsible Business Manifesto and annual report for 2022 - 2023 details what we as a firm are committed to, and the importance which we place on being a responsible business. This approach has been in our DNA throughout the firm's existence and although over time priorities change, the essence of being a good citizen has been constant.
Our values and beliefs
We believe in acting fairly, openly, responsibly and honestly at all times. This doesn’t just apply to our dealings with our clients and our people. It also applies to everyone that we come across.
As a firm, we take our social responsibilities very seriously.
We invest significant time and resources in delivering social value for the communities in which we live and work. We support our people to do likewise. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all forms. We are active in our focus on the health and wellbeing of our people. We drive initiatives to minimise the firm's impact on the environment. And we provide support and encouragement for future generations through our training and development programmes. We are committed to Social Mobility.
Our standards
High standards underpin everything we do. This applies to everything, from the quality of our legal advice and operational systems to our ethics and values.
Over 50 of our partners are recommended in Chambers or Legal 500 for their expertise. As a firm we are ranked in over 50 service areas of law, many in the top tier.
Testament to the quality of our approach are the many recognised accreditations we have achieved. These cover areas as diverse as data security, respect for the environment and the way we care for our people.
National and international
While our offices are located in three major northern cities - Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle - our client base spans the country and the world.
Through our network of overseas partners we are able to support our clients by providing access to advisers in over 125 countries. This is achieved via our membership of GGI, an international network of over 620 professional firms.
Governance
As a modern law firm Ward Hadaway has retained the advantages of being a partnership. This we have done while also developing the practice’s governance in a way that supports our business, beliefs and values.
We operate with a full-time Managing Partner (CEO) as well as a Management Board. Together they oversee the business and ensure we continue to deliver in line with our mission.
The maintaining of our professional standards and the development of our Responsible Business Strategy are overseen by a dedicated Senior Partner.
We also employ a dedicated Client Services Partner. Their outward-facing focus is on ensuring we sustain strong and positive relationships with our clients.
Finally
We love doing what we do. So if you are in search of legal advice, or you are looking to develop your career, then please contact us.
Carbon reduction plan
Our commitment to the environment forms one of the core pillars in our Responsible Business Strategy and we have committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030. This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed following guidance outlined in the Technical standard for Completion of Carbon Reduction Plan and will be reviewed and updated annually.