About Us
Wolferstans is a proud pillar of the legal landscape in the South West, with roots tracing back to 1812. As a Times Top 200 Law Firm, we blend over two centuries of tradition with a forward-thinking, client-centred approach to legal services.
With a team of more than 200 legal and support professionals, we advise individuals, families, SMEs, public bodies and voluntary organisations across Devon, Cornwall and beyond. From life’s most difficult challenges to its most exciting opportunities, we are here to provide clarity, confidence and expert legal support.
Our Vision: Delivering Exceptional Legal Experiences
At Wolferstans, we believe law should serve people, not confuse them. Our strategic vision -“Delivering Exceptional Legal Experiences” – is more than a slogan. It reflects a culture rooted in empathy, excellence, and the understanding that behind every case lies a person, a family, a future.
We don’t just talk about service – we’re measured by it. That’s why we’re proud to rank in the Top Ten nationally and regionally on ReviewSolicitors.co.uk, based on the real experiences of our clients. We set our internal measures of success on client outcomes not fees billed and build that into all our processes so that it runs through everything we do.
When you work with us, you can expect:
- Prompt, proactive communication.
- Personal service, delivered with integrity and kindness.
- A team that genuinely listens before it acts.
Supporting Clients Through Life’s Most Difficult Moments
The law can be a lifeline – particularly in times of crisis. Many of our clients come to us during periods of loss, change, or personal challenge: bereavement, divorce, injury, or uncertainty about the future.
We don’t take this responsibility lightly. We recruit people who care and take pride in what they can achieve for our clients. Our teams are trained not only in legal excellence, but in empathy, emotional intelligence and the softer skills that matter just as much.
Whether you’re navigating a sensitive family issue, seeking justice after a personal injury, or planning your estate, our promise is the same: you will be treated with dignity, compassion, and absolute professionalism.
We meet people where they are – and guide them toward where they need to be.
Costs
We adhere to the Solicitors Regulation Authority Pricing Transparency rules and have published all relevant legal costs on our costs page to make it easy for you to access . If you need any further information on costs, please contact us by phone or email.
Proud to serve the South West – trusted across the UK
We are a flexible, modern firm who can meet your needs wherever you are. We have invested heavily in secure technology and our lawyers can work from wherever they need to, with everything at their fingertips.
We prefer to meet you in person – it’s friendlier that way! We can travel to you where appropriate or meet online – whatever suits your needs.
Our Client Promise
At Wolferstans, our approach to working for our clients is straightforward and down to earth. We believe in providing an exceptional legal experience by building long-term relationships with our clients based on trust and confidence.
- We focus on you, the client, and your needs; we do our best to put ourselves in your shoes and see things from your perspective.
- We guarantee a powerful combination of outstanding legal knowledge, practical experience and advice that is easily understood.
- We operate efficiently and decisively to keep our time and costs to a minimum to ensure you receive specialist advice for good value.
- We communicate with you regularly, in plain English, and keep you informed of progress.
- We are accessible to you when you need to contact us.
- We will explain the options open to you and help you decide which is the most appropriate given your circumstances.
- We provide proactive, holistic advice connecting you with our colleagues’ expertise across the firm.
- We are committed to continual improvement by independent audit and acting on your feedback.
Our Environmental Pledge: Net Zero by 2050
In 2021, we joined the Race to Zero through the Network Net Zero Community, committing to:
- 50% carbon emissions reduction by 2030
- Net zero by 2050
By 2024, we had already achieved a 47.3% reduction, with independently verified emissions down to 24,828 kg of CO₂e from 47,110 kg in 2021. We are proud to be ahead of schedule – but more importantly, we are committed to staying accountable. We have a committed group from across the firm involving all departments who are driving this forward with the support of the Board. Having made substantial progress on our scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, we are now beginning more detailed work on scope 3. Here are a few of the examples of the practical ways we have made an impact:
Actions We’ve Taken to Reduce Our Emissions
- Providing our team with cutlery, thermal mugs, and bottles to eliminate single-use plastic
- Installing freshwater filling stations to eliminate single-use plastic
- Ordering from local suppliers that use plastic-free packaging
- Using a “Zero to Landfill” waste provider to ensure waste emissions are low
- Using an eco and green cleaning company for our cleaning services
- Swapping plastic milk carton deliveries to glass milk bottle deliveries
- Placing recycling bins throughout our offices
- Our Pledge to Join the Race to Zero via the Network Net Zero Community
Our Short-term Targets Within the Next 12 Months
We have set short-term targets within the next 12 months, which include:
- Procuring 100% renewable energy across our portfolio
- Exploring the commercial availability of green gas procurement
- Designing a staff poll on commuting activity
- Continuing to install energy efficiency measures such as LED and sensor lighting
- Recording electricity meter readings monthly at each site to give a more detailed view of energy consumption at each site
- Working with SWMAS to better understand our Carbon Footprint and how to make improvements.
Charity and ESG
We are proud of our role as legal experts but also recognise the importance of our relationships as neighbours, employers, advocates and community stakeholders.
That’s why we’ve embedded Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responsibilities into the fabric of our firm. Whether it’s supporting our Armed Forces Community, mentoring future legal professionals, or making greener choices in our day-to-day operations, our approach is to act locally, with a global conscience.
We are committed to being a positive contributor to our community and giving our colleagues opportunities to support causes close to their hearts. Every year staff put forward suggestions for the charities we will support and events are organised to raise funds and to give practical support to those selected. We choose charities connected to our clients needs where we can make an impact.
Our values and culture
Empathy and expertise run through everything we do. We recruit people who care about their clients and each other. We are supportive and take responsibility for the impact of our actions upon others. Our culture is remarked upon by new colleagues who find it really is how we told them it would be! We have meaningful conversations about reaching our full potential, as a firm and as individuals. We know that we can only do that if we remain focussed on delivering exceptional legal experiences to our clients. There are always ways to improve so we are committed to listening to feedback and delivering more.
Careers
If you are motivated by doing the best for your clients, treating them as individuals and being a supportive member of an expert team, we would like to hear from you. Come and be part of our success.
Why choose us
Support through growth and change
Experienced in complex transactions
Reliable advice on commercial issues
Our history
Wolferstans has been established since 1812 when Samuel Kelly, an Attorney at Law, commenced practice at The Barbican, Plymouth. By 1836 his sons, J & W Kelly, were partners. John Kelly became Justice of the Peace, Mayor and Alderman, in addition being a Master Extra in Chancery, Secretary of Sutton Harbour Improvement Company and the local Marine Board.
In 1873 Thomas Wolferstan joined the firm which became Kelly & Wolferstan. Following the death of Kelly, Harold Wolferstan joined his brother to practise under the style of T & H Wolferstan, having also acquired the practice of Mr C L Radcliffe. A nephew, Henry Elliot Turner M.C., became a partner in 1919. There was an amalgamation in 1923 with Lt Col P Skinner Snell of Snell & Holman, when the practice was styled Wolferstan, Snell & Turner. The Blitz saw the end of the premises in Princess Square and, following various moves, the offices at Deptford Chambers were built in 1970. In 1965 David Gabbitass became a partner and soon afterwards the Devonport practice Broad & Spencer was acquired. Continued expansion over the years has necessitated the acquisition of several adjacent premises and in 1998 an additional floor with mansard roof was built on the top of Deptford Chambers.
In May 1992 Wolferstans merged with the Plymouth firm of Rundle McDonald & Rendle which traced its origins to the Devonport firm of Beer & Rundle founded in 1840.
In November 1997 spacious offices were opened in Taunton to deal with personal injury and medical negligence work and in 1998 the Exeter law firm of McKenzies merged with Wolferstans and a specialist unit dealing with motorcyclists’ accident injury claims was incorporated into the Firm’s personal injury department.
In February 2001 the Addison Road offices were closed and the Family office relocated to refurbished premises at 66 North Hill. In April 2001 Paul Woods succeeded David Gabbitass as Senior Partner.
In 1994 Wolferstans was one of the first firms to be granted a Legal Aid Franchise and was awarded franchises in Crime, Personal Injuries, Clinical Negligence, Matrimonial and Family Law, and Mental Health.
Between 2002 and 2005 the Firm followed through a programme to introduce a variety of efficiency and client service improvements and consolidated business in its North Hill and Plymstock offices.
During 2012, Wolferstans celebrated its 200 year history by pledging to raise at least £2012 each month for six local charities. Project 2012 was a huge success; the fundraising events included all manner of sports (running half marathons, rowing, walking, horse riding and cycling), baking and even ironing. The Project exceeded all expectations resulting in the firm having the pleasure of distributing over £34,600 to Children’s Happy Hospital Fund, Headway Plymouth, Jeremiah’s Journey, St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, Age UK Plymouth and Shekinah Mission.
On 1 April 2021 Wolferstans converted to a Limited Liability Partnership, transferring all staff, partners and relationships to Wolferstans LLP. You can view more details regarding our conversion here.
Today, Wolferstans is one of the best known and largest legal firms in Plymouth, offering a wide range of legal services for private individuals and for businesses.
Our accreditations and awards
