About Coupe Bradbury Solicitors

The Kirkham Office Kirkham is an ancient market town set in the heart of the Fylde countryside, almost equi-distant between Blackpool and Preston. It continues to discharge its traditional role of serving the villages and farming communities. Over the last 30 years there has been significant residential infill resulting in the town having a larger residential catchment. The town has prospered as a result. It is also on the doorstep of major local employers including BAE Systems. Kirkham was the site of a Roman legionary fort. It held medieval markets and in recent centuries was a centre of linen and cotton weaving (sails were made for the Royal Navy). David Coupe first opened the doors of the practice in 1969 at 48 Poulton Street. The building was previously a private residence situate in the central part of the town's main high street. The expansion of the practice resulted in six additional rooms being added. The house once had a long garden but this was recently acquired to create improved parking for the town to satisfy the increasing profile of Kirkham as a shopping centre.

The Lytham Office Lytham was an ancient fishing village mentioned in the Doomsday Book. During the 19th century, as a result of rail travel, it developed as an up-market residential town to satisfy the needs of prosperous families wishing to move to the coast. A number of very attractive Georgian and Victorian villas were built along the seafront overlooking two or three miles of grassland known as 'The Green'. There is an early 19th century windmill on The Green, a lifeboat house and museum. The town is unspoilt. It continues to be much sought-after as a place to live and attracts large numbers of visitors each year. Lytham does not suffer much economically. This is because of its mixed economy. It has an above-average concentration of prosperous high net worth residents and, in addition to the tourist trade, the economy is helped by the nearby presence of several large employers. Guardian Royal Exchange had its main computer centre in Lytham and this still operates under new ownership. There is an important Land Registry and BAE Systems (military aircraft division) is close by. The district also provides employment to large numbers of civil servants. It is in close proximity to major towns including the cities of Preston Manchester and Liverpool. In 1987 the firm opened its first office in Lytham to enable it to efficiently service a growing number of commercial and high net worth private clients. Since then the firm has experienced expotential growth and has moved premises twice. In 1992 the firm acquired its present premises. This is a building built in 1846 as the first Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in the town. It was superseded by a larger chapel in 1868. It was then used as a Masonic Hall, a Reading Room and a Coffee Tavern. In the later part of the 19th century it became an Auction Room. During the 2nd World War it became known as a 'Donut Dugout' - a hospitality centre for American GI's - complete with paintings of Mickey Mouse! After that it became an NHS Health Clinic until 1992. It has been sensitively restored by Coupe Bradbury. It still retains the stairs to the chapel gallery. Internally it provides modern, convenient and purpose-built offices (created by partitioning).

Our Lawyers In contrast to the traditional nature of our surroundings, Coupe Bradbury's approach to the legal problems of both our personal and business clients is modern and pro-active. The firm has developed niche specialities in a number of areas

David Coupe (Private Client and Commercial) The founder of our firm, David Coupe, became a solicitor in 1968. Over the last 20 years David Coupe has specialised in commercial work (acting for small to medium sized business clients) and trust and estate planning work. He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). The growth of his estate planning practice now dictates that he concentrates primarily on this type of work. However, he continues to work alongside Colin McGlue on the more complex commercial transactions. Through careful and efficient lifetime estate planning David has guided and assisted many clients and their families in avoiding the payment of substantial amounts of Inheritance, Capital Gains and Income Tax. He acts for clients throughout the United Kingdom. He is knowledgeable and experienced in charity law. He advises a number of high-profile local charities and has assisted several high net worth clients in establishing charitable foundations. David can be contacted at our Lytham office.

Simon Coupe (Family Law) Simon is the Head of the Family Law Department and is a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel and the Solicitors Family Law Association. He has practiced family law since his admission as a solicitor in 1977. Simon has developed particular expertise in the area of financial relief and has acted for clients throughout the country, many with large asset portfolios. He has also considerable experience of equitable interest cases and one such matter, decided in the Court of Appeal, is the quoted case in this area of law. Simon is a past president of the Blackpool and Fylde Law Society and is currently the Society's treasurer. He is also a member of the Legal Service Commission Appeals Committee. Simon can be contacted at our Kirkham office.

Colin McGlue (Commercial and Employment Law) Colin McGlue has been with the firm since 1996. He was previously a partner in a successful local business. The need for the business to address legal problems attracted him to become a lawyer. Initially he worked alongside Simon Coupe in the Kirkham office, dealing with a wide range of contentious and non-contentious cases, with an emphasis on family and general litigation matters. In 1998 Colin moved to the Lytham office with a view to taking responsibility for the firm's Commercial Department. Since that time Colin has specialised in both contentious and non-contentious commercial work. He deals with the sales and purchases of businesses. He is knowledgeable about Landlord and Tenant matters. He also acts for commercial property investors. He has a growing reputation as a lawyer specialising in employment cases which is an important part of commercial transactions (sometimes for employers and other times for employees). His litigation experience stands him in good stead and he has run several complex and successful commercial litigation claims. As a person who has experienced the joys and tribulations of being in business on his own account, he brings to the tasks in hand an experience and knowledge of the business world. This enables him to readily empathise with the concerns of commercial clients. Colin became a partner in April 2002. Should you wish to discuss a particular problem, he can be contacted at our Lytham office.

Administration of the firm's business Our practice manager is Irene Hallas. She has 20 years experience in the management and administration of professional practices. She is a member of the Institute of Directors. She joined the firm as practice manager in 1995. Irene has many responsibilities including financial management, credit control, budgeting, purchasing of equipment and stock, employment and general personnel matters. She is also the firm's Legal Services Commission Franchise representative. Irene is a very approachable person. She has responsibility for discussing with clients any special needs or requirements. She helps them to work out how best to fund the cost of the firm's services. She will discuss with clients different funding solutions suitable to their financial circumstances. This is a service which is much-appreciated by clients. They have already received clear advance information from our lawyers as to the prospective costs of the work thus avoiding any hidden surprises! Irene is able to put their minds at rest as to their ability to fund the costs which they will be incurring before any work is undertaken.

Paul Lever (Personal Injury Litigation) Paul is an experienced specialist personal injury solicitor and is also a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and the College of Personal Injury Law (CPIL). Paul handles large numbers of personal injury claims for clients based both locally and throughout the country. Work is regularly referred to him by insurance brokers. They do so in the confident knowledge that their clients will be well looked after and will receive an exceptional service. Paul has also recently successfully undertaken and completed the CACDP British Sign Language [BSL] Level 1 qualification and is now able to interpret to Level 1 Standard. Paul has enrolled to complete the Level 2 qualification throughout the 2006/2007 academic year. Paul will see clients at either of our two offices, at hospital or at home. The firm receives many letters from satisfied clients praising the supportive, open and professional way that he has dealt with their cases. If you would like to discuss a potential accident claim with Paul and without obligation, he can be contacted at our Lytham office.

Emma Williamson (Private Client) Emma joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2003. She was admitted as a Solicitor in July 2005. Emma's training was focused with a view to her specialising, upon qualification, in the work of the firm's private client department. Emma undertakes all aspects of private client work, including estate and trust administration and the preparation of Wills. However, Emma is now primarily involved in personal estate planning and works closely alongside David Coupe in this regard. In addition to her formal training Emma has also been completing a course of further study with a view to becoming a fully admitted member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Emma is due to complete her studies in November 2006. Emma can be contacted at our Lytham office but will be happy to see clients at our Kirkham office, in hospital or at home.

Julie Bullough (Probate) Julie joined the practice in July 2004 to manage the firm's Probate Department. She has been a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives since 1984. She is an experienced lawyer and, whilst specialising in Probate, has worked in and has knowledge of many areas of law including conveyancing, housing law, welfare benefits and affairs of the elderly, Julie is currently studying for a diploma in Trusts and Estates Management in order to advance her area of specialisation further. Her interest in people and concerns for the local community have found her raising funds to improve local playground facilities, as a director of a local homelessness project and governor of a local primary school and a lay member of the Information Governance Committee for the Fylde Primary Care Trust. Julie can be contacted at the Lytham office. She is available to see clients at the Kirkham office, by prior appointment.

Margaret Greenall (Residential Conveyancing) Margaret is a Conveyancing Executive who takes day by day responsibility for the majority of the firm's domestic (or residential) conveyancing work. She has over 35 years experience in the law. Margaret joined the firm in 1987 and satisfied clients return to her time and time again. They are impressed by Margaret's caring attitude and the efficiency with which she deals with the requirements of buying, selling and re-mortgaging their homes. Margaret can be contacted at our Kirkham Office.

Lyndsey Kiley Lyndsey is a Family Law Executive who has worked in all areas of family law since joining the firm in 2000. Lyndsey now has day to day responsibility for all aspects of the firms work involving children in family issues although she has wide experience in all aspects of family work. A mother herself, Lyndsey has a caring regard for all her clients, which is especially welcome at the time of the breakdown of the marriage. Lyndsey also has a professional approach to cases which has brought her a loyal and growing client base. Lyndsey can be contacted at our Lytham Office.

Rachel Hall Rachel graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2003 and completed her Legal Practice Course between 2003 and 2005. During this time she was a member of a legal practice in Nelson specialising in Personal Injury work. Rachel joined Coupe Bradbury in May 2005 and is undergoing training not only in the Family Law deparment but also in aspects of the Private Law Department. In the time that she has been with us she has developed a growing reputation in children's work and alcohol Licensing and her advice is much sought after. Rachel's pastimes include Guides and she holds the position of Guider in Charge of St.John's Guides in Great Harwood.

Helen Kernot Helen graduated from the University of Lancaster with an upper second class honours degree in Law. Whilst attending University, Helen played an active role in student societies and as a result of this she was elected President of the Law Society during her final year. Helen continued her education at the University of Central Lancashire where she completed the Legal Practice Course and graduated with a Commendation. Helen joined the practice in July 2005 and is undergoing training in all aspects of legal practice with a view to specialising in private client work on qualification. In anticipation of this she is currently studying towards becoming an associate member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners. Helen can be contacted at our Lytham office.

Liz Byrne Liz read law at the University of Central Lancashire. She graduated in 2005 with an upper second class honours degree. Following this she commenced the legal Practice Course (LPC) at the same University, graduating with a Commendation in summer 2003 Having joined the practice in September 2005, Liz is currently undergoing training in a number of different areas of law with a view to specialising mainly in property work on qualification. In addition to undertaking property work, Liz is also dealing with private client work and civil litigation matters. Liz has the benefit of having been a Company Director, and a Production Planner working for a major supermarket supplier. This background has enabled Liz to bring a broad range of skill sets to the role and will be a benefit to all clients for whom she acts She works alongside Colin McGlue and Margaret Greenall and can be contacted at our Kirkham office.