What Pepperells Solicitors does

Pepperells Solicitors is a privately-held, full-service UK law firm operating under Pepperells Limited (Company No. 10244781), regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and headquartered at 100 Alfred Gelder Street, Hull, with 18–19 physical offices concentrated across the North of England (Hull, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Lincoln, Beverley, Newcastle, Willerby, York, Barton, Doncaster, Peterborough, Barnsley, Selby, Royston, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Manchester, Seaham) and a London office. Founded in 1985 by Stewart Pepperell and operating for 35+ years across two generations, the firm serves both individual consumers and business clients through two horizontal service lines: Personal Legal Services (family law, conveyancing, wills and probate, criminal defence, domestic abuse, personal injury, landlord and tenant, dispute resolution) and Business Legal Services (corporate, commercial property, employment, debt recovery, agricultural law, charity law, insolvency). The firm holds Legal Aid Agency contracts, Lexcel and ISO 9001 accreditations, and the Armed Forces Covenant, and employs between 101 and 250 staff.

The firm's revenue model is traditional professional services billing: hourly rates of £336–£420 inc VAT depending on seniority and matter complexity, supplemented by fixed fees for defined matters (e.g., £480 for a motoring guilty plea, £300 for a personal licence, £900–£1,200 for grant of probate) plus pass-through disbursements. Distribution is primarily through high-street physical offices with phone lines operating 07:00–17:30 weekdays, Saturday openings at five locations, walk-in consultations, and a website with live chat and online payment. Marketing combines sports sponsorships (Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers, Scunthorpe United), charity partnerships (Alzheimer's Society, National Free Wills Network, domestic abuse support organisations), and a content blog (PeppTalk). No proprietary technology platform, AI capability, or software product is disclosed; service delivery relies on qualified solicitors, legal executives, paralegals and CILEX-route professionals across offices.

Operationally, Pepperells has expanded through acquisition and organic office openings, most notably the 2014 merger with Myer Wolff Solicitors (public law family work) and incorporation of Millican Law in Newcastle to support commercial clients. The firm is governed by an executive team of David Kemshall (Family Divorce & Finance), Simon Davies (Dispute Resolution), and Stephen Orridge (Compliance), with Director Rosemary Houghton anchoring the public law care practice. The April 2025 death of founder Stewart Pepperell marks a generational transition in ownership, though the firm continues to invest in talent infrastructure, including a new Graduate Apprenticeship scheme and a dedicated Head of People and Culture role.

Name

Pepperells Solicitors

Legal name

Pepperells Limited

Website

https://pepperells.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Pepperells Solicitors is a privately-held UK law firm operating 18–19 offices across the North of England and London, providing full-service personal and business legal services including family law, conveyancing, criminal defence, commercial property, employment, and debt recovery, with Legal Aid contracts and hourly fees of £336–£420.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Legal Services (5411), Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate & Commercial Law (BPAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Litigation & Dispute Resolution (BPAHAAAB), Family & Private Client (Trusts & Estates) Law (BPAHAAAK)

Keywords

• Legal services
• Conveyancing services
• Family law
• Commercial law
• Criminal defence

Headquarters

HQ city

Full Sutton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Legal Services Fees: Pepperells generates revenue through billable legal services rendered to both personal and business clients. Fees are charged on an hourly rate basis (ranging from £336 to £420 including VAT depending on staff seniority and matter complexity), fixed fees for specific matters (e.g., motoring offences at £480 fixed fee), and fixed fees for certain conveyancing and licensing applications. The firm also handles disbursements on behalf of clients (third-party costs such as court fees, search fees, and application fees). Revenue is derived from a wide range of legal practice areas including family law, conveyancing, criminal law, employment law, dispute resolution, corporate/commercial law, private client (wills, probate, trusts), and property litigation. The firm holds Legal Aid Agency contracts enabling it to provide publicly funded legal services to qualifying clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pepperells Solicitors is a UK high-street law firm delivering a full range of legal services to both individuals and businesses, covering personal matters such as family law, conveyancing, wills and probate, criminal defence, domestic abuse, and personal injury, as well as business matters including corporate law, commercial property, employment law, debt recovery, agricultural law, and dispute resolution. Services are delivered through 18 physical office locations across England and via phone, online contact, and live chat channels, with revenue primarily from hourly fees (GBP 336–GBP 420 inc VAT) and fixed fees.

Product overview

Pepperells Solicitors is a UK-based law firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of legal services through 19 office locations across England. Their service offering consists of two main categories: Business Legal Services (Agricultural Law, Bankruptcy and Insolvency, Contract & Lease Disputes, Corporate Law, Commercial Property, Charity Law, Compulsory Purchase, Employment Law, Debt Recovery) and Personal Legal Services (Wills & Trusts, Conveyancing, Divorce, Children's Law, Family Law, Property Disputes/TOLATA, Criminal Law, Dispute Resolution, Landlord & Tenant, Inheritance Disputes, Personal Injury, Criminal Injury, Road Traffic Law, Adoption, Consumer Rights, Injunctions, Defamation, Care Proceedings, Domestic Abuse, Financial Remedy). Additional specialist services include Licensing, Probate, and Motoring Offences. The firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and holds Lexcel and ISO 9001 accreditations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agricultural Law Legal advice and representation for farmers and agricultural businesses on matters including farm transactions, tenancies, and disputes.
• Bankruptcy and Insolvency

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of employees are proud to work for Pepperells; 94% are happy at work; 93% are excited about where the company is heading; 94% would recommend Pepperells as a place to work
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LIVES (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepperells partnered with LIVES to create a project encouraging people in Lincolnshire to consider leaving a gift in their will to support the ongoing work of LIVES. A Trainee Solicitor from Pepperells sat down with LIVES to discuss the importance of leaving a legacy. The partnership involves raising awareness about legacy giving and will writing services.
• National Free Wills NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepperells participates in the National Free Wills Network, a charity initiative that offers members of the public the opportunity to have a simple will written for free. Pepperells has raised over £896,000 of future income for National Free Wills Network charity members through this programme.
• Alzheimer's SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepperells was certified as an official Alzheimer's Society Partner during Dementia Action Week, demonstrating the firm's commitment to supporting those affected by dementia in the community.
• Alzheimer's Research UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepperells partnered with Alzheimer's Research UK to host a very special Ladies Day on 30th September during World Alzheimer's Month. The event was organised to raise awareness and funds for dementia research.
• Lincs KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepperells launched a legal partnership with Lincs Kids, providing fast-paced legal expertise to families in Lincolnshire. The partnership aims to support families through legal services.
• St Barnabas HospiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLincolnshire businesses raised over £1,700 in support of St Barnabas Hospice at a golf day organised by Pepperells at Blankney Golf Club.
• Women's AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepperells works closely with Women's Aid, an organisation supporting survivors of domestic abuse. The firm collaborates with Women's Aid to assist victims of domestic abuse in obtaining protective injunctions and legal support.
• Purple HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPurple House is a domestic abuse support organisation that Pepperells works closely with to assist clients who are survivors of domestic abuse.
• Blue DoorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Door is a domestic abuse support organisation collaborating with Pepperells to support survivors in obtaining legal protection.
• LDASS (Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLDASS is a specialist domestic abuse service in Lincolnshire that Pepperells works with to support clients who are survivors of domestic abuse.
• OasisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOasis is a domestic abuse support organisation that Pepperells collaborates with to assist victims of domestic abuse in obtaining legal support.
• Fawcett & CominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepperells joined forces with Fawcett & Co to support St Giles Academy through the 'Keep Children Fueled and Ready for School' initiative, helping to ensure children have access to food and essentials.
• Hull FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPepperells is a partner/sponsor of Hull FC rugby league club. Hull FC logo appears on Pepperells' website as a partner.
• Hull Kingston Rovers (Hull KR)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPepperells is a partner/sponsor of Hull Kingston Rovers rugby league club. Hull KR logo appears on Pepperells' website as a partner.
• Scunthorpe UnitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPepperells has renewed sponsorship of Scunthorpe United football club (the Iron), serving as the club's shirt sponsor and demonstrating commitment to the local community in North Lincolnshire.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Irwin Mitchell LLP: Large national UK law firm with strong regional offices including Yorkshire and the North East. Offers overlapping practice areas (personal injury, family, conveyancing, commercial) but operates at substantially greater scale across more practice areas than Pepperells.
• Weightmans LLP: National UK law firm with offices across England including the North. Overlaps with Pepperells in insurance, commercial property, employment and dispute resolution but operates as a much larger player.
• Knights plc: Listed UK regional law firm consolidator built through aggressive M&A. Directly comparable to Pepperells' roll-up strategy (Knights has executed dozens of acquisitions) and represents the institutional capital-backed version of Pepperells' acquisitive model.

Direct peers

• Atherton Godfrey LLP: Doncaster-based full-service firm serving South Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Similar mid-market positioning, comparable size and practice mix to Pepperells with overlapping office geography.
• Mincoffs Solicitors: Newcastle-based full-service regional firm with similar size, practice area breadth and North East geographic focus. Comparable full-service model to Pepperells with overlapping corporate and personal client segments.
• Stephensons Solicitors: Wigan-based full-service North West firm with national consumer-facing practice. Comparable in size and practice breadth to Pepperells with similar expansion trajectory from regional roots.
• Harrowells Solicitors: York-based full-service law firm with offices across Yorkshire. Directly comparable in geography, practice breadth and regional positioning to Pepperells with overlapping conveyancing and family law work.
• Wilkin Chapman Solicitors: Full-service regional law firm headquartered in Grimsby with offices across Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. Closest direct competitor to Pepperells with overlapping geographies, similar practice area mix, and comparable size.
• Bridge McFarland Solicitors: Grimsby-anchored full-service firm with offices across Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. Directly comparable in geography, service mix (conveyancing, family, criminal, commercial) and firm size to Pepperells.

Emerging players

• Simpson Millar LLP: National consumer-facing law firm with strong presence in personal injury, family law and conveyancing. Comparable to Pepperells in consumer-facing practice mix but with a more centralized, brand-led national positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pepperells
• Facebookfacebook.com/PepperellsSolicitors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pepperells-solicitors

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pepperells Solicitors