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A firm you want to work with. A team you want to join.

One of the UK's Top 100 law firms, serving local, national and international clients from Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, we are here for you.

What we’re thinking

Ward Hadaway Fastest 50

Yorkshire Fastest 50 2024

The Yorkshire Fastest 50 was announced on 1st March 2024. Click the link below to view the full list.

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Specialists for you

Businesses

From start-ups to PLCs, long-established manufacturers to emerging tech companies, from regional enterprises to international operators, our vast depth of expertise and experience is capable of meeting the diverse needs of varied businesses. We gain an understanding of the drivers behind your organisation and are able to assemble the best team of people from our deep pool of talent. We take a firm commercial and pragmatic approach, with a clear focus on delivering the outcomes you require in the most appropriate and cost-effective way.

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Laura Potts

Built Environment

Meeting the needs of those operating in the built environment sector requires a vast array of specialist and complementary skills. Over many years we have invested in building one of the largest and most experienced teams in the North, which works with a diverse range of major clients across the country. So whatever your needs - as a national house builder, commercial or industrial developer, social housing provider, local authority, rural landowner, investor, leisure operator, tenant, land-and-property-owning charity, or supermarket - we've got you covered.

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James Donnelly

Healthcare

Providing advice to those operating across healthcare requires a very high level of specialism and expertise. For example, our clinical negligence specialists are one of a handful of teams on the national NHS Resolution panel. Our commercial experts are leaders in the fields of PFI management and procurement. Our healthcare employment lawyers are well-versed in the people management challenges of one of the world's largest employers. Our property professionals can assist with the opportunities and challenges which the healthcare estate presents. These specialist skills, and more, are applied across a wide spectrum of the healthcare sector, including working with Trusts and CCGs, doctors and dentists, charitable organisations and private providers.

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Tim Care

Public and third Sector

Those working in the public and third sectors operate in an often sensitive environment. They can be under significant scrutiny, as they use limited resources to try to achieve maximum impact and benefit. So whether working with educational establishments, local authorities or blue light services, with charities or social enterprises, our teams are highly experienced in providing a robust, efficient and effective service.

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Private individuals

Private client lawyers are involved when we are planning for the future – succession planning and wills, pre-nups, partnership agreements – or when dealing with the worst – divorce, disputes, losing a loved one. Our specialist teams are as sensitive as they are skilled, and help guide you through these complex and emotional times. They combine this with a steely determination and depth of experience which gives you the confidence you are in the best possible hands.

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More resources for you

Fixed price employment retainer

HR Protect clients receive all the employment law advice they need across the year, delivered by experienced specialist solicitors, at a single fixed price. To complement this, we have developed a hub that gives you access to up-to-date, legally-compliant policies, procedures, contracts, letters and company handbooks, as well as topical insights for your team’s learning & development.

Visit HR Protect hub

Inspiring growth

Celebrating entrepreneurialism. Highlighting business success. Using those who have been there and done that to act as a guiding light. We continue to publish a series of articles under the banner of Inspiring Growth, hearing from a range of businesses leaders sharing their experiences to inspire others.

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Flora Mewies

Visa guidelines hub

Applying for a visa is a complex process. On this dedicated hub, our immigration experts have cut through the mountains of regulation. We present clear answers to the frequently asked questions of those who want to move to the UK to work or study, and of businesses wishing to recruit individuals from overseas.

Visit visa guidelines hub

What people say

  • Ward Hadaway is ‘well ahead of its North-Eastern competition’ … a ‘dynamic firm always looking to the future and for ways to improve its service’.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • It's a partner-led, pragmatic team that provides commercial advice. If you need something quickly they will do their best to do that - you feel like you have a 24/7 service. They will go the extra mile to get the deal over the line.

    Chambers & Partners
  • The 'extremely knowledgeable, helpful and personable' group at Ward Hadaway is 'fantastic to work with' and 'really takes the time to get to know its clients.'

    Legal 500
  • This firm ‘has the patience required to explain even the most complex matters in a language that is easy to understand’.

    Chambers & Partners
  • Their client care, approachability, prestigious legal knowledge and common sense marks them out in the commercial litigation arena.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • A service that is hugely proactive, responsive, commercial and professional.

    Chambers & Partners
  • They are very good - very personable, easy to work with and very straightforward from a client's point of view.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • We have a real sense of a fresh approach from Ward Hadaway in terms of client engagement which is providing the Trust with added value benefits in terms of both cost and quality of service.

    Paul Dowell MCIPS, Deputy Head of Procurement & Supplies, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
  • They're knowledgeable, confident and confidence-building. They are able to maintain a friendly, tailored, customer-focused service.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • Ward Hadaway place great importance on maintaining a strong working relationship with their clients. They have a great understanding of our business and this allows them to continually deliver a highly bespoke service.

    Chambers & Partners
  • As a firm, it really looks after its clients - it really is exceptional. The lawyers go out of their way.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • The ‘brilliant’ team at Ward Hadaway features ‘incredibly competent individuals, who are geared towards going above and beyond clients’ expectations’.

    Legal 500
  • A 'solid, reliable and personable’ practice that ‘sits at the top of the tree’ and ‘provides an exceptional service’.

    Legal 500
  • Quality advice regionally that is unlikely to be bettered even in London.

    Legal 500
  • They are experienced individuals with good local knowledge; they work as a team and are commercial and realistic in outlook. I have always found them to have the highest level of integrity.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • Clear and consistent advice from a dedicated team.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners

The communities in which we live and work

  • It has been a joy to work with Ward Hadaway and we hope our relationship will continue for many years to come. Most importantly, on behalf of the many children who have benefited from Ward Hadaway’s Christmas generosity, thank you!

    Gillian Firth, Northern Stage
  • I really enjoy working with the firm’s CSR team to talk about how the fund’s revenue can be put to good use. It’s clear that there is a real commitment at Ward Hadaway to supporting their local communities and thinking strategically about how to do so. The input from staff across the firm is invaluable.

    Jon Goodwin, Senior Philanthropy Advisor, Community Foundation For Tyne and Wear and Northumberland
  • It was fantastic to see the team so eager to get stuck in and help improve the green space for the local community. On behalf of everyone at The Land Trust, thank you to the team at Ward Hadaway, we hope to see you back on our sites soon!

    Alan Carter, The Land Trust
  • We were delighted to welcome Ward Hadaway on board as a sponsor of Elmer, and it’s great they came up with an exciting way of getting involved in this magical event for the city. We hugely appreciate the support.

    Jane Hagan, St Oswald's Hospice
  • The fantastic efforts of our supporters at Ward Hadaway have provided a vital lifeline to the many pupils at Mshangano Secondary School and their families, helping them find their way on a path towards a brighter future.

    Lucy Kendall, COCO
  • The support provided by Ward Hadaway is invaluable. Their contributions have helped us to deliver vital grassroots charity projects, creating better, brighter futures.

    Kate Hainsworth, CEO, Leeds Community Foundation and Give Bradford
  • We have had such a positive experience with the Ward Hadaway team. We are so grateful to the support they’ve shown us and their commitment to Access to Justice Foundation.

    Laura Cassidy, Development and Fundraising Manager, Access for Justice Foundation
  • We are delighted to work with such a wonderful company who have worked in partnership with us at the Greggs Foundation, supporting local Breakfast Clubs.

    Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the team, the money raised helps ensure more breakfasts can be given free to support more children in need, some of whom may otherwise go without. Thank you so much – you are all superstars!

    Lynne Hindmarch, Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club Manager
  • The Ward Hadaway team have shown a great level of support as well as being enthusiastic to get involved in an assortment of events to help make a difference to the lives of people in need on the streets of Leeds city centre.

    Karen Butler, from LeedsBID, one of the organisations behind Big Change Leeds
  • We are thrilled that the fit out is now complete thanks to Ward Hadaway's generous grant. Everyone who has used Forest Lodge has been delighted by the experience. It was such a lovely surprise to be considered and we are very grateful for the contribution.

    Diane Hawkins, Chair, Bibby’s Farm Scout Camp Site and Activity Centre