Cartmell Shepherd

Our employment law team advises employees on workplace disputes, contracts, unfair dismissal, and discrimination claims. With expertise in plain-English guidance, we help clients understand their rights and achieve fair outcomes through negotiation or tribunal representation. Clients benefit from our deep regional experience and commitment to resolving issues like bullying, wage disputes, and maternity rights concerns.

Specialising in sensitive family matters, we handle divorce, financial settlements, child custody, and pre-nuptial agreements. Our approach balances legal expertise with empathy, ensuring clients understand options while minimising emotional stress. Services include cohabitation agreements and domestic violence protection, supported by dedicated solicitors with decades of regional experience.

As Conveyancing Quality Scheme-accredited specialists, we manage residential property transactions with efficiency and clarity. Services include buying/selling homes, remortgaging, and leasehold enfranchisement. Our Cumbria-based teams provide tailored support for first-time buyers and investors, ensuring smooth transactions through digital tools and face-to-face consultations across seven offices.

We resolve business conflicts through litigation and alternative dispute methods like mediation. Expertise covers contract disputes, debt recovery, and partnership disagreements, with a focus on protecting commercial interests while maintaining relationships. Clients benefit from strategic advice and representation in complex cases involving regional and national stakeholders.

Our private client team offers will drafting, probate administration, and inheritance tax planning. Services address complex estates, trust management, and contested probate matters. We combine technical expertise with compassionate guidance to ensure clients' wishes are fulfilled while minimising family disputes and legal challenges.

Specialises in employee rights, with expertise in unfair dismissal and discrimination cases. Provides clear, jargon-free advice to help clients navigate workplace disputes effectively.

Experienced family law practitioner focusing on divorce settlements and child custody arrangements. Known for empathetic representation during emotionally challenging cases.

Specialises in commercial litigation and mediation. CMC Associate Mediator with a track record of resolving complex business disputes efficiently.

Residential property expert handling sales, purchases, and remortgaging. Recognised for efficient transactions and client-focused communication.

Family law specialist with focus on child custody and domestic violence cases. Advocates for client welfare while ensuring legal compliance.

We specialise in personal law (family, employment, conveyancing), business law (dispute resolution, commercial property), and niche areas like GDPR and agricultural law.

Yes, we offer agile, tailored pricing with full transparency through our Clear Pricing page.

While based in Cumbria and Northumberland, we provide legal services nationally using modern technology.

We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and hold the Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation.

I went to Cartmells originally because of the good things I'd heard about the property team and assumed that quality permeated throughout the firm. Sadly not... I was originally told to budget up to 4,800, Cartmells have since requested/ been paid over 32,000. I was specifically told I would not be charged for the solicitor attending court with the Barrister, the solicitor has since confirmed there was a charge for her time on my invoice.

It was a needs based case and my ex had not declared an asset (technicality - this would reduce the amount she needed, leaving more for me), the solicitor excused not including this by saying it would not have made a difference to the outcome... These are simply illustrations, my complaint will extend to many items over many pages. The Managing Director claims I had received excellent service and was not overcharged.

It feels like being on "Candid Camera" but isn't the slightest bit funny. I have had to pay the balance of the bill to obtain my files from the divorce, so that I can make a full complaint. I have been told they weren't ignoring my emails from 3 weeks ago asking for the files, the emails were apparently in the solicitors junk mail and the she hadn't realised, strange that a legal firms systems are such that you can send them emails which they don't realise they have received until you chase them 3 weeks later.

No doubt this will go to the Legal Ombudsman in order to hold them to account. As if the divorce wasn't stressful enough... Unable to recommend Cartmells for the handling of the divorce or the MDs subsequent response to questions on the quality of service and the charges. If you could select zero stars I would.