Louise loves learning on the job with Watsons Solicitors

No stone is being left unturned as Louise Turner continues her development with Watsons Solicitors.

Having joined the Cheshire-based law firm’s conveyancing team in summer 2024, Louise’s hard work and desire to broaden her knowledge quickly led to the offer of a training contract.

“It has been a very, very good year; one that has flown by,” declared Louise, whose caseload of around 100 now includes some of the more intricate property law files.

One such focus area has been shared ownership, which is a government-backed scheme in England which allows eligible individuals to purchase a share of a property while paying rent to a housing association on the remaining portion.

The scheme allows buyers to gradually increase their ownership or eventually purchase the property outright.

Louise, who studied an LLB honours degree at the University of Liverpool before completing a Master of Law in professional legal practice at the University of Law, said: “It feels like there have been a lot of shared ownership properties in Warrington of late.

“It is often first-time buyers who are in their mid-20s and want to move out of the family home and get on the property ladder but have found prices have remained high and ultimately out of their reach.

“It has been great to learn about shared ownership and the process to go through, as well as the finer points of leasehold, which is different again.

“It is never dull. Every case is different in some way, shape, or form, and that’s without the rarer situations occurring, such as the rerouting of a title after the deeds have been destroyed.

“I’ve got a great team around me. Chris (Illingworth, partner and member of the conveyancing department) is a great teacher as he explains everything clearly and precisely, whilst my legal secretary, Lynn (Bentley) helps me manage the workload.”

While remaining a key part of the conveyancing team is Louise’s goal, she is keen to spend time in other departments during the rest of her training contract.

“We have a lot of crossovers with wills and probate, so it would make sense to gain more knowledge there,” continued Louise. “As does learning about the transfer of equity with the family division.”

To speak to someone at Watsons Solicitors about buying, selling, or refinancing property, please contact enquiries@watsonssolicitors.com or call 01925 571 212.

Watsons Solicitors, which has been established for more than 60 years, specialises in family law, employment law, wills and probate, and conveyancing.

The team of experienced solicitors holds various accreditations and memberships of professional bodies relevant to their expertise, while the firm’s partners oversee all areas of work.