MJV & Co Solicitors Ltd - Law Firm in Thornton-Cleveleys, Blackpool:
It wasn't until we researched MJV Solicitors that we realised there was a once-hugely-popular phrase now seemingly missing from the pages of most current law firm websites. It dawned on us straight off the bat with this statement on the front page of the firm's website:
"MJV Co is a firm of Blackpool Solicitors working across the Fylde Coast, including Lytham, Cleveleys, Bispham, Poulton-le-Fylde and Fleetwood who are owned by Michael J. Vincent and his father, Alan."
There are other mentions about the 'family run business' aspect of the firm too. While seeing such a description is not rare amongst many types of business, it's something we've stopped seeing so much amongst solicitor's practices. We've been working in the legal industry for over 20 years now and can certainly remember a lot more 'XZY & Son' brands being around.
The question of course is whether this can result in a firm being better when it comes to handling clients and cases or if it has no effect at all. The site has other sales language that is definitely common across those of its peers. Such as:
"We have around 50 years combined experience of acting for people and businesses"
The length of time a firm has been running is pretty much always a prime positioned bit of marketing designed to grab the visitor's attention. But it should be noted that some firms use less than clear language for such statements. For example, there is a big difference between a firm saying it has '50 years experience' versus '50 years of combined experience' or even '50 years experience within the firm'.
The first is simple. It usually relates to the length of time the firm has been running or the highest number of years a specific lawyer at the firm has been working at the job. The last two though could mean a range of things but usually that they've added up all the years of experience of all the staff together. If that's 2x solicitors with 25 years' experience = still pretty good and making sense. But if it's 10x staff members with an average of only 5 years' experience - we think that's quite a different story to what is being implied. So how can you check this?
"In many cases we can offer fixed fees, out of hours appointments and home or business visits. Just ask and, if we can, we will."
Luckily The Law Society of England & Wales provides an excellent user side resource for people to check up on and verify certain aspects of the law firms under its care. If you check out the page for this firm you'll be able to see any alternative business names they use, their specialist areas of law, alternative contact details, and the qualification dates of each solicitor within the firm.
On this occasion it seems that MJV have not used jargon to hide anything. Alan Vincent shows a qualification date in 1978 with the son, Michael Vincent, qualifying in 2011. That's well over 50 years between just the two of them. They haven't even added on the expertise of any other staff at the firm which probably comes to another 10 years on top. Sadly, this honest description of theirs is actually much rarer than you might think!
"We pride ourselves on providing a professional, personal service in a way that suits our clients."
Has this level of expertise and close-knit staff translated into happy clients? The firm haven't posted any testimonials on their website, but that doesn't really matter much as according to our poll a few years back - only 8% of you trust company provided reviews anyway. We therefore turn to the same places most consumers do which is the public review board such as Google, Trustpilot, Yell, Yelp, etc.
"efficient, professional, helpful & informative every step of the way"
"very efficient and professional team, putting us at ease throughout this difficult process"
"MJV was head and shoulders above any other firm we've used"
"very efficient and professional team, putting us at ease throughout this difficult process"
"MJV was head and shoulders above any other firm we've used"
The comments were mainly very positive like these example snippets above. The Facebook reviews were a bit disorganised and not matching up with the star ratings. But one thing we did notice as a recurring theme across them all was 'Natalie' being named and thanked regularly. As Natalie isn't mentioned on the law practice's site or on the Law Society website at the time of writing this, we hope the firm at least noticed that fact.
A few tips on independent comment boards: Read through those comments and never rely on average star ratings. We've seen solicitor's praised for the great pizza and a criminal law firm criticised for not handling divorces. Negative ratings aren't always deserved. Plus any firm that deals with property will always, always have negative comments about delays. In 20+ years we've never seen the contrary.
"call us today for a free, no obligation chat"
A quick note on navigation as there are a few things we spotted. The branding is mostly 'MJV Solicitors' but the official site is www.mjvlaw.co.uk not www.mjvsolicitors.co.uk (which currently has no site on it). Some variants such as www.mjvlaw.com are owned by different companies. We've also seen some sites refer to the firm as MJV & Co Solicitors.
They all seem to be relating to the same firm but this is important to keep aware of because this firm deals with property matters which has been the target of huge scams for many years now. Tens of thousands of pounds have ended up in the pockets of fraudsters. Sometimes due to just one official-looking email convincing the property buyer that they need to suddenly change the bank account they pay their deposit in to. Make sure you're on the correct site and never discuss payments via email.
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Currently rated 4.5 from 18 votes*
General Notes: Legal Aid availability changes constantly, so ask up front. If you are looking for a career with MJV & Co Solicitors Ltd it's best to visit the website (www.mjvlaw.co.uk) and locate the correct phone/email contact details. Any quoted here will be for potential clients. Alternating or adding words such as MJV Law Solicitors may bring up different background/reviews on the firm. Each firm's Law Society and/or SRA number should be on their site too.