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Established 1994

Straight answers when it matters most

A Stafford law firm handling property, family, probate and employment matters. We explain things plainly, quote fixed fees where we can, and tell you early if you don’t need us.

30 years in Stafford 4 partners, 11 staff Fixed fees on most work
The Hartwell & Vance offices

What we do

Four areas, properly covered

We deliberately keep to what we know well. If your matter falls outside these, we’ll point you to someone who handles it.

01

Residential property

Buying, selling and remortgaging. We keep the chain moving and tell you where things actually stand.

  • Sales and purchases
  • Transfers of equity
  • Lease extensions
  • New-build purchases
Fixed fee from £850 + VAT More on property →
02

Family

Divorce, separation and arrangements for children, handled with as little heat as possible.

  • Divorce and finances
  • Child arrangements
  • Cohabitation agreements
  • Mediation referrals
First meeting £120 + VAT More on family →
03

Wills & probate

Getting your affairs in order, and helping families through the administration afterwards.

  • Wills and codicils
  • Lasting powers of attorney
  • Estate administration
  • Inheritance tax planning
Single will from £240 + VAT More on wills & probate →
04

Employment

For employees and small employers — settlement agreements, disputes and day-to-day advice.

  • Settlement agreements
  • Unfair dismissal claims
  • Contracts and handbooks
  • Redundancy processes
Often employer-funded More on employment →

How we work

No surprises, at any stage

Most complaints about solicitors come down to cost and silence. We’ve built our process around both.

Step one

Free first call

Fifteen minutes to hear what’s happened and tell you whether you need a solicitor at all.

Step two

Written quote

A fixed fee wherever the work allows it, in writing, before anything begins.

Step three

A named contact

One person handles your matter throughout. You get their direct line and email.

Step four

Updates you didn’t chase

We update you at least fortnightly, even when there’s nothing new to report.

30years in practice
2,400+matters handled
4.8average review score
92%work from referrals

Our people

You’ll know who’s handling your matter

No call centres and no case-handler roulette. These are the people who’ll actually be working on it.

Elaine Hartwell

Elaine Hartwell

Senior Partner · Property

Founded the firm in 1994. Handles the more complex property matters and still does the Saturday morning calls.

Daniel Vance

Daniel Vance

Partner · Employment

Twenty years on both sides of employment disputes, which makes him useful at predicting how they end.

Priya Raval

Priya Raval

Associate · Family & Probate

Known for keeping difficult conversations calm. Trained mediator as well as a solicitor.

“They told me on the first call that I probably didn’t need to instruct anyone yet, and to come back in a month if things hadn’t settled. Nobody does that.”
— R. Anderton, employment matter, 2025

Common questions

Before you call

How much will this cost?+
For most property, wills and settlement work we quote a fixed fee in writing before starting, so you know the number upfront. Where a matter genuinely can’t be fixed-priced — contested family or employment cases — we work to an agreed hourly rate with a cap you approve in advance.
Do I actually need a solicitor?+
Sometimes not, and we’ll say so. The first call is free precisely so you can find that out without committing. If it’s something you can handle yourself or through ACAS, Citizens Advice or the Probate Registry, we’ll point you there.
How long do things take?+
A straightforward house purchase is typically 8–12 weeks. A simple will can be drafted within a week. Probate usually runs 6–12 months. Contested matters vary enormously, and we’ll give you a realistic range at the outset rather than an optimistic one.
Can we meet outside working hours?+
Yes. We hold evening appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7pm, and Saturday mornings by arrangement. Video calls are available for anything that doesn’t need signing in person.
What do I need to bring?+
Photo ID and proof of address for any matter, as we’re required to verify identity. Beyond that it depends — we’ll send you a short list before your appointment so nothing is wasted.

Get in touch

Book a consultation

Tell us briefly what’s happened and we’ll come back within one working day.

Visit2 Eastgate Chambers
Stafford ST16 2NQ
  • Monday9am – 5.30pm
  • Tuesday9am – 7pm
  • Wednesday9am – 5.30pm
  • Thursday9am – 7pm
  • Friday9am – 5pm
  • SaturdayBy arrangement
  • SundayClosed