About Us

About Us

Actons has served businesses and individuals across Nottinghamshire for close to 200 years, evolving, adapting and growing in response to the needs of its clients. Trawling through the archives of Nottingham, you can find records of the "original" Frederick Acton dating back to the early 1800s, when he practiced from offices on Low Pavement.

Today, the Firm employs over 70 staff at its Regent Street Offices and is consistently recognised in professional publications including the Legal500 and Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession. The firm has also been successful in obtaining the following accreditations:

LawNet:

Actons is a member of LawNet, the UK's leading group of Law Firms consisting of over 65 members in the UK & Ireland. Membership provides a comprehensive, personal and cost-effective service normally only available in the largest law firms. This ensures that the quality of service clients receive is second to none.

Actons is delighted to announce that the Firm has been crowned LawNet "Law Firm of the Year" winner at the 2009 Annual Conference.  For further information please click here

Independent Rankings:

Legal500

The Legal500 - The Clients Guide to the Legal Profession has been launched and once again, Actons' expertise has been recognised. This independent guide researches firms on their ability and reputation as well as speaking to peers and clients for an unbiased view of the marketplace. Highlighted comments include:

"Actons' Insolvency team continues to punch above its weight in both bankruptcy and insolvency and is a favourite of national and regional IPs. Two licensed Insolvency Practitioners - Nicola Calthrop-Owen - 'for nutty, awkward issues' and Richard Leman- are complemented by litigator Chris Murratt".

The Corporate & Commercial team: "With longstanding credentials as adviser to growing enterprises, Actons is more than capable of handling the higher-end transactions such as the £1m-plus business and asset purchase which Adrian Forster conducted in 2007. New partner Simon Dakin is increasing instructions on corporate financings from institutional lenders and national accountancy practices"

Dispute Resolution: - Head of commercial litigation at Actons, Chris Murratt, and fellow partner Richard Leman apply mediation and litigation skills honed in their extensive insolvency activities to an equally complex and multifaceted range of commercial issues for business and private clients.

Debt Recovery: - Actons' experienced team provides a personal service to clients in the media, entertainment, manufacturing, IT, finance and insolvency fields, where Nicky Calthrop-Owen's credentials are valuable.

Employment Law: - Claire Bell at Actons has a reputation for data protection-related matters. Her team provides employment services, including training, to commercial clients and senior employees, and in 2007 brought a multiple claimant TUPE case against large national employers.

Personal Injury: - Actons launched an online PI advice forum in 2007 to broaden the road traffic, employers and public liability service provided by Peter Seymour and Gary Chadwick.

Family Law: - Actons' family dispute resolution partner Mike Spencer advises on a wide spectrum of family financial disputes with a focus on those arising from divorce, trusts and estates, and incapacity.

Wills Trusts & Probate: - Mandy Kelly heads Actons' private client department, providing the full range of advice to the firm's business clients.

Commercial Property: - Susan Lawson heads Actons' commercial property team, which conducts insolvency realisations, bank security documentation and provides advice to landlords and tenants and agricultural clients.

Chambers & Partners

Insolvency & Corporate Restructure:- This firm's reputation for being "cost-effective without compromising on levels of service" enables it to punch well above its weight. Clients are impressed by its "dedicated, flexible, proactive and partner-led approach," and this major regional player has cemented relationships with many mid-tier insolvency practitioners. The lawyers can be relied upon to "come up with solutions which avoid wasting time and money," and support each other admirably. The team and its clients benefit enormously from the experience of Richard Leman, who is "a legend - arguably the best insolvency specialist I have dealt with," according to one interviewee. This leading senior statesman remains highly active, particularly in more difficult and complex insolvency matters. Dedicated insolvency practitioner Nicola Calthrop-Owen is extremely "commercial and very well connected," particularly among the region's accountants. According to sources, "not only does she have great technical ability but she's also very affable and great to work with." Chris Murratt is a specialist insolvency litigator with experience in directors' disqualification cases.

Leading Individuals:
Richard Leman - Senior Statesman
Nicky Calthrop-Owen
Chris Murratt

Employment Law:- This "solid, well-run team" based in Nottingham is praised for the calibre of its clients and the range of its expertise. Employer work makes up the bulk of the workload, but Claire Bell recently acted for claimants against a large national employer in a matter involving TUPE case law. Bell "can quickly grasp complex issues, analyse large volumes of material and reach great conclusions."

Leading Individuals:
Claire Bell

For further information, please contact Actons on 0115 9 100 200 or email enquiries@actons.co.uk