About Longmores

Tried and trusted since 1819

Much has changed since Longmores was founded in 1819.  Our values and our approach to our work with clients have not.

Of course, as you would expect, we continue to pride ourselves on our legal expertise.  Clients tell us that they value our common sense, commercial, no-nonsense approach; they also value our clear, concise advice and the fact that we make practical recommendations rather than simply reiterate the law.

They also like the robust manner in which we negotiate on their behalf and how we present their case when it comes to litigation.  They know that we seek to avoid the cost, distraction and risks of litigation where we can, through the use of alternative approaches such as mediation, so long as that will likely secure the best outcome possible for our clients.

When it comes to non-contentious work our clients say they like the fact that we focus on the outcomes that matter to them and that we communicate proactively and effectively.  That means that they understand how things are progressing at every stage of our work with them and can make informed decisions on their options if choices need to be made.  These characteristics are simply part of the way we do things across the firm.

Although the geographic reach of our work is greater than it was some two centuries ago, we remain involved in the community of the Hertfordshire area.  Our leading lawyers have always made time to give back, through public service and in other ways.  Charles Elton Longmore, a descendant of our original founder, served as Chairman of the County Council for over 35 years.  In 1914 he was also made President of the Law Society, representing the legal profession across England and Wales. Other partners have served the community as county coroners, judges and elected officials.

Our hardworking spirit has been passed on from generation to generation.  It is perhaps best typified by Bertie Cull, who joined the firm aged 14 in 1905. During World War II, he kept Longmores afloat almost single-handedly with clients always forefront of his mind.  An article in the Hertfordshire Mercury praised his extraordinary efforts, saying that “Bertie would work daily from 8am until after midnight. He did this seven days a week, and every week for six years“.

Today, whilst we aspire to continue in the tradition of solicitors like Charles Longmore and Bertie Cull, our Joint Senior Partners, Chris Pease and Richard Gvero, lead a modern and progressive firm of experienced solicitors.  Many join us because they feel that they can make a real difference for our clients and because they value our culture of client service and practical, intelligent delivery of real professional expertise.

Legal Directories

Accreditations

Lexcel

Lexcel is a legal practice quality mark for client care, compliance and practice management that is awarded by The Law Society.  It sets the standard for client care, risk management, people management, structure and strategy, financial management, information management, and file and case management.  The application process includes thorough assessment by an independent body.  Longmores has held the Lexcel accreditation for a number of years.

Lexcel
Customer Service Excellence

Customer Service Excellence is a trade mark of the Cabinet Office developed to offer companies and organisations a practical tool for driving customer-focused change.  Since 2020, Longmores has been a certified holder of the Customer Service Excellence standard.  The standard tests the areas that research has indicated are a priority for customers, with a focus on delivery, timeliness, information, professionalism and staff attitude. Emphasis is also placed on developing customer insight, understanding the user’s experience and robust measurement of service satisfaction.  Longmores is one of less than 20 law firms to hold the award.

Customer Service Excellence
Cyber Essentials+

Cyber Essentials aims to help organisations implement basic levels of protection against cyber attack, demonstrating to their customers that they take cyber security seriously.  Longmores holds the Cyber Essentials PLUS certification which is the higher of their two levels of assurance.

Cyber Essentials+

Memberships

LawNet

As a member of LawNet, Longmores are part of a nationwide network committed to rigorous quality standards and best practice.  Mutual and member-owned, LawNet has been supporting independent law firms for over 25 years.  It is innovative and passionate about seeing its firms succeed.  It does not seek to profit from its members, only see them retain their independence, grow and be successful in their individual markets.

LawNet
Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Longmores is proud to be a patron of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and sponsor of the Inspiring Hertfordshire Award for Business of the Year in East Hertfordshire. Hertfordshire Chamber provides first-class business support to companies of all shapes and sizes, through a range of membership benefits and networking opportunities. Since 1924 they have been supporting businesses, influencing key decision-makers in local and central government and are regularly consulted for feedback from the business community when policy is being developed.

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is a global professional body comprising lawyers, accountants, financial advisors and other practitioners that help families plan for their futures. As specialists in inheritance and succession planning, STEP members can draft wills and trusts, administer estates, act as trustees and advise families on how best to structure their finances to ensure compliance and preserve their assets for future generations. Richard Horwood, Charles Fraser, Alastair Liddiard, Victoria Wood and Bernard Flanagan in our Private Client team are all members of STEP.

Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
St Albans District Chamber of Commerce

Longmores are a member the St Albans District Chamber of Commerce and is regularly involved with the various business networking events they hold. St Albans and District Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1907 to ‘further the interest of businesses in the area ensuring positive growth and development’. Over one hundred and twenty years later they are still committed to these objectives, providing a forum for business networking in St Albans and aiming to be a voice for our members.

St Albans District Chamber of Commerce
Solicitors for the Elderly

Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) is a national organisation with a select membership of specialist advisers all of whom are fully qualified, regulated and insured lawyers who spend at least 50% of their time working with older and vulnerable clients. SFE members are set apart from other lawyers as specialists in client care skills that enable them to advise and support clients who may have physical or mental difficulties, respecting their dignity and understanding their need for a holistic approach to problem solving. Charles Fraser in our Private Client team holds both the SFE Older Client Law in Practice and SFE Older Client Care in Practice Awards.

Solicitors for the Elderly
Bishop’s Stortford Chamber of Commerce

Longmores is a member of the Bishop’s Stortford Chamber of Commerce and a regular participant at meetings and networking events. The Bishop’s Stortford Chamber of Commerce was established in 1919, currently the Chamber has a membership of more than 80 businesses and organisations. Both the private and public sectors are represented, from retailers to manufacturers and from service industries to institutional bodies.

Bishop’s Stortford Chamber of Commerce
Resolution

Resolution is a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way. Resolution was founded in 1982 by a group of family lawyers who believed that a non-confrontational approach to family law issues would produce better outcomes for separating families and their children. Over the decades, Resolution has maintained a commitment to a constructive way of working, enshrined in their Code of Practice, while growing to become a membership organisation for professionals that work with separating families. Tracey Dargan and Kerrie Hall in our Divorce and Family law team are both members.

Resolution