Request a callback

Please be aware that by submitting this form, the details you have entered above will be sent directly to Ratcliffes. ReviewSolicitors are not responsible for the advice or contact you receive from the firm. Please see our Terms and conditions for more information.

Please complete the captcha...

Book an appointment

Please be aware that by submitting this form, the details you have entered above will be sent directly to Ratcliffes. ReviewSolicitors are not responsible for the advice or contact you receive from the firm. Please see our Terms and conditions for more information.

Ratcliffes

01795 477 505
4.4/5
78 Client Reviews Leave a review

Family, Divorce, Employment, Property, Probate, Wills, Litigation and more. We’re here for you during those big moments in life. Whether you’re buying a home, starting a business, getting divorced or preparing for the future, we’re here to help.

View map
Ratcliffes
Ratcliffes

Accreditations

accreditation
accreditation
Request a callback Send an email Book an appointment Visit website

Available lawyers at Ratcliffes

Emily King

4.9 out of 5
(24)
Legal Assistant

Luke Mays

5.0 out of 5
(12)
Solicitor

Richard Ratcliffe

5.0 out of 5
(7)
Solicitor

Mandy Stevens

5.0 out of 5
(6)
Legal Assistant

Misty Stevens

5.0 out of 5
(6)
Paralegal

Elise Bourke

0.0 out of 5
(0)
Apprentice

How Ratcliffes Compares

Value for money

This firm - 86%
National Average
Poor Competitive Excellent

Excellent does not necessarily mean ‘cheap’. It means that clients thought that the level of service received was Excellent for what they paid.

This score has been calculated using up to the last 300 reviews left by clients of Ratcliffes on ReviewSolicitors.

As part of our review questionnaire we ask reviewer questions about the value for money they felt they received by using Ratcliffes. These questions include:

  • Value for money (a rating of 1-5)
  • How much were you initially quoted or how much did you expect to pay?
  • Approximately how much did you end up spending for the legal services provided (ignoring disbursements and court fees)
  • Did you think this was underpriced, overpriced or about right?
  • Overall experience

We use data science to amalgamate the answers to these questions and create a ‘ReviewSolicitors score’ out of 100. The above chart representation score is a simple percentage representation of the averaged score across those who have reviewed this law firm.

Underpriced 0%
Overpriced 8%
About Right 91%

If you would like to read more about how we work with our review data please see our Transparency section.

Read moreless...

Would recommend to
friends and family

This firm - 86%
National Average
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

ReviewSolicitors uses our community data to show you how many clients used Ratcliffes and have had a satisfactory experience where they have indicated that they would recommend the services of the law firm to their friends and family.

You can use this data to see how Ratcliffes performs against other law firms nationally. A score close to 100% indicates that this firm is highly valued by their clients.

As part of our review questionnaire we ask the question:

"Would you recommend this firm to somebody else?"

The reviewer can select either “Yes” or “No”.

The above score is a simple percentage representation of the total amount of clients who selected the “Yes” option:

Yes 86%
No 14%

If you would like to read more about how we work with our review data please see our Transparency section.

Read moreless...

Satisfied with
outcome of matter

This firm - 87%
National Average
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

ReviewSolicitors uses our community data to show you how many clients used Ratcliffes and were satisfied with the outcome of their matter. Being satisfied with the outcome of your matter is an important consideration to have in mind.

You can use this data to see how Ratcliffes compares to the national average of clients being satisfied with the outcome of their matter after instructing a solicitor.

As part of our review questionnaire we ask the question:

"Were you satisfied with the outcome of your case?"

The reviewer can select either “Yes” or “No”.

The above score is a simple percentage representation of the total amount of clients who selected the “Yes” option:

Yes 87%
No 13%

If you would like to read more about how we work with our review data please see our Transparency section.

Read moreless...

Rankings by area of expertise

The rankings below show the areas of expertise that Ratcliffes offers to clients. You can see how good the service offered is in comparison to all other law firms nationally.

Locally

Nationally

Consumer
1st / 3
586th / 4541
Company & Commercial
2nd / 3
616th / 4325
Housing & Property
1st / 3
515th / 4225
Family Law
2nd / 3
594th / 3834
Wills, Trusts & Probate
1st / 3
258th / 3478
Commercial Property
1st / 3
633rd / 3290
Employment
2nd / 3
576th / 3077
Money & Tax
1st / 3
402nd / 1835
Welfare & Benefits
1st / 2
165th / 815
Agriculture
1st / 2
240th / 611

Data shown above is based on the reviews and client feedback collected by ReviewSolicitors over the last 12 months.

Review Sources

Client Reviews

4.4/5

Reviews summary

  • Excellent

    63

  • Very Good

    4

  • Average

    1

  • Poor

    0

  • Awful

    10

Overall experience

  • Value For Money
  • Communication
  • Initial Impressions
  • Approachability
  • Documentation Accuracy
  • Legal knowledge
Lynne

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Lynne

May 10, 2025

Report to admin

Collected on:

Well worth a trip down the A11!

I cannot recommend Emily King highly enough. Emily prepared my late husband's and my Wills and our Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare when we lived in Rochester. I now live in Cambridge and recently travelled down to sign my updated Will and Letter of Wishes. I received a friendly and professional welcome when I arrived and on seeing Emily she was as gracious and knowledgeable as always. I was asked by the team looking after my late husband if I would like to be recommended to a local solicitor in Cambridge, my response was 'No, thank you I'm fine where I am'. The Lasting Power of Attorney Emily prepared for my husband meant that I could keep my husband at home under the 'Hospice at Home' team so he was able to die peacefully surrounded by his family. The Hospice Manager on finding out that I had his Lasting Power of Attorney said she would not fight me on the issue. I cannot speak highly enough of this firm and my grateful thanks to Emily King.

Was this review helpful?

Roger

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Roger

April 24, 2025

Report to admin

Collected on:

Will writing

Friendly and helpful. Clear about our wishes. Explaining how it works. Quick and efficient.

Was this review helpful?

Anonymous,
Family Law

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Matter Type:

Lasting power of attorney

Anonymous,

March 27, 2025

Report to admin

Collected on:

Very Professional

Ratcliffes made things very effortless for my mum while we patiently worked through Power Of Attorneys. We were constantly kept up to date and everything was very easy to follow. I would easily recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliability, professionalism and a caring attitude. Thanks

Was this review helpful?

Robert,
Wills, Trusts & Probate

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Matter Type:

Probate

Robert,

March 05, 2025

Report to admin

Collected on:

Wills

The whole team are all very polite
and professional.

Was this review helpful?

Peter,

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Peter,

February 20, 2025

Report to admin

Collected on:

Deputy ship

Very helpful in making applications
Made journey for accessing deputy ship very easy and stress free

Was this review helpful?

Keith,
Wills, Trusts & Probate

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Matter Type:

Wills

Keith,

January 09, 2025

Report to admin

Collected on:

Good efficient service

Very helpful and helped us to make our will

Was this review helpful?

Andrew,
Housing & Property

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Matter Type:

Residential Conveyancing

Andrew,

December 17, 2024

Report to admin

Collected on:

Super service

Excellent professional service, guidance ( and patience) from Mandy, very much appreciated in the lengthy process of the sale of our late uncle’s house.

Was this review helpful?

Robin,
Wills, Trusts & Probate

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Matter Type:

Wills

Robin,

November 13, 2024

Report to admin

Collected on:

Happy client

Emily was very efficient, polite and friendly.

Was this review helpful?

Anonymous,
Wills, Trusts & Probate

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Matter Type:

Wills

Anonymous,

November 08, 2024

Report to admin

Collected on:

Updating will's

Appointment was arranged within days.
Relaxed atmosphere at the appointment.
Options were explained clearly, avoiding jargon.

Was this review helpful?

D Bradley ,
Wills, Trusts & Probate

Verified review

This review has been left by a verified client who used Ratcliffes.

Matter Type:

Disputed Trusts

D Bradley ,

November 07, 2024

Report to admin

Collected on:

Probate

I found everyone so helpful and professional, I would recommend them, they all were very kind and made the process easier

Was this review helpful?

Reviews collected from

Anita
Housing & Property

Matter Type:

Purchase and Sale

Anita

October 30, 2023

Report to admin

Collected on:

Anita

I would highly recommend Ratcliffe solicitor's this year I moved to a new property, and it was a smooth and no worry's transaction.

Was this review helpful?

The
Housing & Property

Matter Type:

Purchase and Sale

The

October 25, 2023

Report to admin

Collected on:

The

Very helpful, very knowledgeable, great service

Was this review helpful?

Dawn
Wills, Trusts & Probate

Matter Type:

Probate

Dawn

September 12, 2023

Report to admin

Collected on:

Dawn

We employed Ratcliffes to help us with probate and conveyancing services and all staff proved to be professional, efficient, knowledgeable, friendly and caring for which we were truly grateful; definitely recommend.

Was this review helpful?

Don

Don

August 19, 2023

Report to admin

Collected on:

Don

Had a fixed fee appointment with Richard. His knowledge and experience were clearly evident and his forthright yet warm personality left me in no doubt I'd made an excellent choice. Would gladly return if I need help again.

Was this review helpful?

Julie
Housing & Property

Matter Type:

Residential Conveyancing

Julie

August 08, 2023

Report to admin

Collected on:

Julie

I used Ratcliffes for my house sale in August 2022 despite not being local to them but based on a longstanding family recommendation. I was very happy with the service which they provided from start to finish and so I was more than happy to instruct them for the purchase of my new home in February of this year. Mandy was as friendly, approachable and helpful as she was the first time. Luke carried out my instructions in a professional and courteous manner and I felt confident that the purchase was being expedited appropriately which minimised the stress that naturally comes with the whole process. I would recommend this firm to others as my family did to me.

Was this review helpful?

Request a callback Send an email Book an appointment Visit website

Ratcliffes are accredited by

accreditation
accreditation

About this branch

Description

Relaxed, Professional, Approachable Ratcliffes Solicitors was set up in 1999 by Richard Ratcliffe. The idea was to give local people and local businesses in Sittingbourne, Kent, a high-quality legal service at competitive rates. Establishing the firm wasn’t a completely selfless act: Richard had been working in a large London legal practice and decided that the four-hour daily commute wasn’t the best use of his time. Richard’s career in London did demonstrate a couple of things however: the ease with which clients facing enormous uncertainty can get lost in faceless law firms, and how the same clients are reduced quickly to no more than a number on a file — while being charged a hefty fee for the privilege. Local Lawyers In Sittingbourne Richard and his team have developed a law firm that treats clients differently. Ratcliffes Solicitors is small, yes — but we are independent and friendly. We get to know our clients and many of them recommend us to their friends and colleagues.

Regulated by

Solicitors Regulation Authority

Legal services

Personal areas of law

  • Consumer
    • Litigation - Breach of contract
    • Litigation - Property litigation claims
    • Litigation Law
  • Employment
    • Constructive/Unfair Dismissal
    • Disciplinary Hearings
    • Discrimination at Work
    • Employee Team Moves
    • Employment Contracts
    • Employment Law
    • Redundancy
    • Restrictive Covenants
    • Settlement Agreements
    • Tribunal Claims
    • UK Employment Laws
    • Unfair Dismissal Claims
  • Family Law
    • Asset protection and tax mitigation
    • Change of name
    • Child Access
    • Child Arrangements Following Divorce
    • Child Custody
    • Child Law
    • Child contact
    • Children
    • Children Act proceedings
    • Civil Partnership Dissolution
    • Civil partnerships
    • Cohabitation agreements and disputes
    • Cohabitation and Unmarried Relationships
    • Divorce
    • Divorce Mediation
    • Family law
    • Financial Matters
    • Grandparents' Rights
    • High Net Worth Divorce
    • Inheritance Act claims
    • Lasting power of attorney
    • Marriage and civil partnerships
    • Matrimonial finance
    • Pension and property advice
    • Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
    • Separation
    • Separation Agreement
  • Housing & Property
    • Boundary Disputes
    • Buying at auction
    • Declarations of trusts
    • Deeds of Gifts
    • Deeds of easements, variation, deeds of rectifications
    • Evicting Squatters and Trespassers
    • Extending your Lease
    • Freehold Enfranchisement
    • Landlord and Tenant
    • Lease Extensions
    • Leasehold properties
    • Matrimonial transfers
    • New home purchases and sales
    • Option agreements and conditional contracts
    • Planning
    • Possession and repossession proceedings
    • Property Disputes
    • Purchase and Sale
    • Remortgaging
    • Renting and Tenancy Agreements
    • Repossessions
    • Residential Conveyancing
    • Restrictive Covenants, Easements and Wayleaves
    • Right of Way and Rights to Light
    • Right to Manage
    • Second charges
    • Tenancy Breaches, Injunctions and Forfeiture Claims
    • Tenant Eviction
    • Transfer of title
    • Transfers of equity
    • Transfers of parts of land
    • Unpaid Rent, Service or Ground Charges
  • Money & Tax
    • Debt and Bankruptcy
    • Inheritance Tax
    • Trusts
  • Welfare & Benefits
    • Mental Health - Court of protection
  • Wills, Trusts & Probate
    • Disputed Probate
    • Disputed Trusts
    • Disputed Wills
    • Probate
    • Trusts
    • Wills

Business areas of law

  • Commercial Property
    • Commercial Leases
    • Commercial mortgages
    • Investment purchases and Buy to Let
    • Landlord and tenant
    • Purchase and Sale Of Commercial Property
    • Purchase of development land
    • Rights of way issues
    • Sales or purchases of shops, factories, warehouses, offices and licensed premises
  • Company & Commercial
    • Commercial Contracts and Agreements
    • Commercial Law
    • Commercial Litigation Matters
    • Contract law
    • Contractual Disputes
    • Corporate Law
    • Debt Recovery
    • Employment - business
    • Franchising
    • Insolvency and Bankruptcy
    • Intellectual Property
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales and Purchases
Book an appointment