Williams Thompson is a well respected and long established law firm based in Christchurch and can trace its history back to the 1830s.

Some time ago the firm took the decision to specialise in just three areas of law:

Our Family and Divorce department is recognised as one of the leading family law practices in the South and provides specialist services for anyone involved in the breakdown of a relationship. We are often recommended by other firms of Solicitors from across the region.

Our Wills and Probate department offers a range of services appropriate to the needs of people in later life and their relatives and also deals with the administration of estates following death.

Our Property department deals with all aspects of commercial and residential property as well as property arrangements within the family.

As well as acting for families we have served for generations we are happy to welcome new clients including those who are new to the area.

We pride ourselves in combining traditional values with a friendly, modern approach and high standards of professional practice.

Our Solicitors

Peter Watson-Lee

Peter is a specialist family law practitioner dealing both with divorce work and with the running of the Wills and Probate department of the firm.

With over 25 years of experience in family law, he has a detailed knowledge of most aspects of family work and understands the problems faced by clients going through relationship breakdown. In divorce work his specialist emphasis is on resolving the financial disputes arising out of marriage breakdown, including dealing with some of the more high valued financial disputes. He has long experience of advocacy before the Courts.

Peter is a former member of the Law Society Council in London and for a number of years was the Chairman of the Family Law Committee in London. This role involved him in monitoring and influencing national developments in family law. As a result he is often asked to comment on changes in family law and his comments and views have appeared on radio and in the national press.

He is a member of the Family Justice Council Money and Property Committee in London which is influential in the developments that are taking place in family law. This role helps keep Williams Thompson fully abreast of current issues.

He is also one of the authors of the Law Society's Family Law Protocol which sets a national standard of the practise of family law.

In running and supervising the wills and probate department in the practice, the services he provides are available to a full cross section of the local community and are particularly aimed to assist those in later life in dealing with Wills, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection Applications as well as the Administration of Estates following death. This work combines with his family law work and includes dealing with disputes arising out of the administration of estates and in particular Inheritance Act Claims.

Peter is Chairman of Williams Thompson and has responsibility within the firm for the financial management.

Peter is also a member of Resolution (previously the Solicitors Family Law Association) and is a former President of the Bournemouth and District Law Society. He lives locally in Highcliffe and is married with two sons.

Alastair Hoare

Alastair is a Senior Partner with the firm and the Head of the Property Department.

Qualified in 1977, Alastair has many years of experience in dealing with property matters. He has particular experience in residential and commercial property development as well as residential and commercial conveyancing, in particular commercial leasing in the retail sector.

A significant aspect of his work comprises the implementation of court orders and agreements arising from the specialist family law work of the practice. Often settlements arising out of relationship breakdown will involve property transfers, sales or re-mortgage work which requires specific expertise.

Advice on arrangements within the family or between friends, other than in the context of marriage, now forms a significant part of Alastair’s work. For example cohabitees, single sex partners or relatives or friends acquiring property together, parents assisting children in property purchase, equity release schemes, parents living with children and so on. All these arrangements require careful thought and particular documentation if the interests of the various people are to be protected in the event of separation, dispute or even death.

Outside Williams Thompson Alastair maintains an interest in social housing as Group Vice Chairman of the Spectrum Housing Group. This is one of the country’s leading housing associations, which manages some 17,000 properties throughout the south and west and within the student and NHS sectors.

Alastair is well known locally having practised in the area for many years. He is President of the Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce and a former Chairman of the Christchurch Citizens Advice Bureau and Christchurch Round Table.

David Richardson

David joined Williams Thompson as a full time consultant in February 2008. Christchurch born he has been in the legal profession for 39 years and before joining Williams Thompson he practised in Christchurch as a Partner with John W Richardson & Co and latterly with Richardson Spurling. His father established John W Richardson & Co in 1946 and many of David’s clients include families where he and his late father have provided a continuous service for over 60 years.

At Williams Thompson David specialises in the Administration of Estates, Trusts and Wills and Court of Protection matters including Deputyships and Lasting Powers of Attorney. He deals with the financial management of clients affairs including tax returns.

David is well known in Christchurch through his work as a Solicitor and with the charitable organisations with which he is associated. He prides himself on providing a personal and friendly service to his clients many of whom are elderly.

Stephen Bowden

Stephen joined Williams Thompson in 2006 and became a partner in 2010. He heads up the firms residential conveyancing department.

Before joining Williams Thompson, Stephen enjoyed a twelve year career in a large multinational retailer working in a number of commercial management roles and later as an IT project manager. Having obtained a broad commercial experience he decided to take on a new challenge and completed his Legal Practice Course at Bournemouth University obtaining a distinction as well as winning a Law Society Prize for the highest aggregate marks achieved on that course. Stephen therefore brings a wealth of personal experience and knowledge to Williams Thompson and to his client matters.

He deals with a mixture of residential and commercial conveyancing and specialises in short term commercial leasing in the retail sector.

Outside Williams Thompson Stephen is an active member of Christchurch Round Table and helps to organise a number of high profile charity events throughout the year in the Christchurch area.

Carole Chedgy

Carole has specialised in family law for over 25 years. She is a highly experienced and pro-active family law practitioner and well respected as one of the leading family law practitioners in the area.

Carole deals with a wide range of matters. She has particular experience and capabilities dealing with the resolution of financial matters following relationship breakdown, as well as resolving the position on businesses and pensions.

Her caseload includes matters involving some of the most complex financial arrangements and she regularly acts in family matters involving senior managers, the self employed and company owners. Her recent cases include a high value matter that was reported as a leading case and is still regularly referred to at court.

Her services are well sought after as her strong approach is often appreciated by clients. Whilst often negotiating settlements, she is extremely experienced at taking matters through the court either with the assistance of Counsel or undertaking her own advocacy when appropriate.

Carole is a member of the Law Society's Family Law Panel and also a member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association).

Clare Cherry

Clare attended York College of Law and thereafter joined Tayntons Solicitors in September 1990 to complete Articles. She qualified in September 1992 and was retained by Tayntons as an Assistant Solicitor in their family department. She was made an Associate Solicitor in 1997 and joined the Partnership in January 2000.

Clare was instrumental in obtaining and retaining the Legal Aid Franchise in 1998 and from September 1998 was head of the family department. Clare undertook all areas of family work, including ancillary relief and child care. Clare was a member of the upper tier of the Law Society Family Law Panel from 1998 onwards and a member of the Children’s Panel.

From 2001 Clare undertook a substantial amount of care work, acting for both parents and children. Clare did most of her own advocacy in the Magistrates Court and a substantial amount in the County Court for instance, in Children Act matters, interim hearings, care cases and lower level Ancillary Relief.

In March 2006 Clare took a career break and then joined Williams Thompson in January 2010 where she is now a Solicitor in the Family Department.