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Ward Hadaway - working together to provide the best possible client and working experience.

We are a successful independent law firm offering quality legal advisory services – and the services that support them – to businesses, the public sector and individuals.

We are a firm in which each person can thrive and succeed as an individual and in business. That encourages and supports entrepreneurialism. That is known for its friendly, no-nonsense approach. That behaves responsibly, and is actively engaged in its communities and with their wellbeing. That marries the best use of technology with a people-first service.

34

Years

96

Partners

300

Lawyers

3

Cities

Our approach

We get you results. How we do this is important to us.

We are effective. We are single-minded when representing your interests. We will do everything we can to reach a successful outcome for you.

We are pragmatic. We take a commercial, matter-of-fact approach to deliver your goals. And we won’t over-engineer our work.

We are clear. We will ensure you understand what we are proposing and what we are doing. We will communicate in a way that suits you.

We are friendly. Approachable and collaborative, we become part of your team. We will listen carefully and create a strong partnership. We will always strive to make you feel at ease.

We are committed to providing an exceptional client service. It is a service that’s delivered with the kind of cost-effectiveness you would expect from a prudent law firm with a competitive cost base.

We derive great pleasure from working with our clients. Many of them have been kind enough to tell us how much they enjoy their relationship with us. Together we achieve exceptional results.

Our Responsible Business Manifesto

Our Responsible Business Manifesto and annual report for 2022 - 2023 details what we as a firm are committed to, and the importance which we place on being a responsible business. This approach has been in our DNA throughout the firm's existence and although over time priorities change, the essence of being a good citizen has been constant.

View our manifesto here

Our values and beliefs

We believe in acting fairly, openly, responsibly and honestly at all times. This doesn’t just apply to our dealings with our clients and our people. It also applies to everyone that we come across.

As a firm, we take our social responsibilities very seriously.

We invest significant time and resources in delivering social value for the communities in which we live and work. We support our people to do likewise. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all forms. We are active in our focus on the health and wellbeing of our people. We drive initiatives to minimise the firm's impact on the environment. And we provide support and encouragement for future generations through our training and development programmes. We are committed to Social Mobility.

Find out more

Our standards

High standards underpin everything we do. This applies to everything, from the quality of our legal advice and operational systems to our ethics and values.

Over 50 of our partners are recommended in Chambers or Legal 500 for their expertise. As a firm we are ranked in over 50 service areas of law, many in the top tier.

Testament to the quality of our approach are the many recognised accreditations we have achieved. These cover areas as diverse as data security, respect for the environment and the way we care for our people.

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National and international

While our offices are located in three major northern cities - Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle - our client base spans the country and the world.

Through our network of overseas partners we are able to support our clients by providing access to advisers in over 125 countries. This is achieved via our membership of GGI, an international network of over 620 professional firms.

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Governance

As a modern law firm Ward Hadaway has retained the advantages of being a partnership. This we have done while also developing the practice’s governance in a way that supports our business, beliefs and values.

We operate with a full-time Managing Partner (CEO) as well as a Management Board. Together they oversee the business and ensure we continue to deliver in line with our mission.

The maintaining of our professional standards and the development of our Responsible Business Strategy are overseen by a dedicated Senior Partner.

We also employ a dedicated Client Services Partner. Their outward-facing focus is on ensuring we sustain strong and positive relationships with our clients.

Finally

We love doing what we do. So if you are in search of legal advice, or you are looking to develop your career, then please contact us.

Carbon reduction plan

Our commitment to the environment forms one of the core pillars in our Responsible Business Strategy and we have committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030. This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed following guidance outlined in the Technical standard for Completion of Carbon Reduction Plan and will be reviewed and updated annually.

Find out more

What people say

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

    Chambers & Partners
  • Responsive, proactive and able to identify, highlight and mitigate risks.

    Chambers & Partners
  • The ‘strong and proactive’ team stands out for its ‘excellent response times’ and ‘tenacious approach to solving challenging issues’, while ‘maintaining high standards at all times.'

    Legal 500
  • 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
  • Ward Hadaway ‘provides timely and appropriate legal advice, delivered in a professional yet warm and approachable manner, irrespective of the value of work involved’.

    Legal 500
  • Ward Hadaway’s ‘large and highly motivated team provides comfort and value for money.'

    Legal 500
  • Instead of constantly hearing 'you', we are always hearing 'we' from Ward Hadaway.

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

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • We get a great service from them and we feel like valued clients. If we have an urgent request they will endeavour to process it quickly. We are very pleased with the service we receive.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners

Supporting the communities in which we live and work

  • 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 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
  • 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