Lester Aldridge is a respected firm with a strong presence in the social care sector. The firm advises public, private and third sector clients on a range of contentious issues, including tribunals, inquests, NMC proceedings and police investigations. The team is noted for expertise in the regulatory environment governing health-related charities, as well as its record in defending clients from Care Quality Commission actions.

Strengths
"They understand our sector and they are commercially aware. Their advice is always balanced, and they provide clarity as to the benefits of progressing a case or indeed not doing so if it is not commercially viable."

"Lester Aldridge's healthcare team is outstanding for complex inquest work."

"The team has always been very responsive."

"They're very experienced in the specialist field of litigation involving care homes."

Lester Aldridge LLP‘s healthcare group is known for its strong regulatory practice, often acting for independent health care providers, and is praised for being ‘approachable, efficient and knowledgeable’. ‘Standout professional legal advisor’ Laura Guntrip leads the practice from Bournemouth with a particular focus on safeguarding issues, coroner’s inquests, criminal matters affecting care providers and due diligence. Also in Bournemouth, head of medical practices and professionals team Susan Cowan is regularly sought out for her expertise in GP partnership agreements and corporate structures. Bethan Dodd, based in Southampton, joined the firm in August 2021 from DR Solicitors and specialises in healthcare property matters.

Engaging Lester Aldridge and working with Laura Guntrip and her team has been a pleasure and a blessing.

One of our Homes was experiencing extreme difficulty with our regulators and with Laura’s expertise, counsel and representation we were able to overcome a task that at times seemed to be a losing battle.

The service we have received from Laura and her team has always been first class. We have been able to depend on them like an extension of our own team. Their approach, knowledge and expertise have ensured all our matters have been handled efficiently. We are now a stronger organisation and if the need ever was to arise again, we would no doubt be contacting Lester Aldridge.

Thank you once again, Laura. We know we can’t thank you enough.

The team are very approachable, efficient and knowledgeable. They are very up-to-date in respect of sector knowledge, and apart from acting upon our instructions they take time to keep us updated on wider issues impacting upon our sector which is much appreciated and is an example of their collaborative approach.

Lester Aldridge LLP is an amazing professional team, who always makes time providing a personalised service to their customers.

A quality, specialist team.

Laura and I have worked together on a number of client cases over the past 4 years. Laura is extremely knowledgeable and professional but also very approachable, she is committed to her clients, and goes the extra mile when they need advice or a push in the right direction. I am always impressed with Laura’s determination, responsive involvement and ability to achieve a quality result for her clients, often in very difficult circumstances.
I believe that Laura’s Clients get high quality advice and support, professional case management, determined and effective legal challenges and ultimately beneficial outcomes. I recommend Lester Aldridge LLP and specifically Laura and her team to my Clients on a regular basis.

Laura is professional and courteous, honest and forthright, diligent and tenacious. We would not hesitate to approach her for guidance and would highly recommend her and her team.

The colleagues worked with were supportive, offered great advice and professional throughout. Their knowledge was vast and the concluding result was agreeable.

To Alice and Laura,
We are hugely appreciative for all the help, guidance and support you have given us during a very stressful time in our nursing home. Thank you for fighting our fight with us in getting what we rightfully deserve from our ratings review with the CQC. We hope that your company will continue to support and serve care homes in ensuring that they are rated and treated accordingly by the regulators. We wish you more wins in your fights. Anything we can do for you just let us know. We are always happy to share our experiences and good practices.

The professionalism, knowledge and care taken by the team is outstanding. Alice's ability to empathise and her perceptiveness beyond what is said or written is amazing.