Hartnell Chanot & Partners Testimonials

Well I don’t know where to start really, it feels like you have all become part of my family. It seems an eternity ago when I first sat in in your office back in July of 2009.

Today I sit here contemplating tomorrow’s hearing, with I have to say some fear and trepidation. Not through worry about the outcome, but with fear of going on without the steady stream of calls and emails (now over 700!) from your offices.

I feel I must write to you all to express my eternal thanks and gratitude, and I apologise for not writing to you individually, but there are not enough tissues in my house!

I want to try to put into words how I feel about your support, care, conviction and general brilliance throughout the entire case. Without you all and I mean you all, I would not be in the position I am today. I have at times, probably been a total pain, always ringing and emailing but never have had one cross word in return.

This case has pushed me to my lowest darkest depths, further than I ever believed possible, and without your support, both legally and pastorally, I know that Karen or myself would not be here today.

Somehow, you have shown me the light where I only saw dark, the positives when I only believed negatives, and there was a way, when I only saw brick walls. I am so sorry for shouting and getting upset when I felt the lowest I ever had. I am sorry for at times doubting everything.

Norman, my father one dark day said to me. “Norman and the team will sort it, one way or another”, and I am sorry for ever doubting his words.

Grace, I remember with vivid memory, that day just before Christmas last year, when you had the horrendous job of ringing me to tell me about the appeal. I do believe I almost saw tears when we walked out of court 68 in London after that hearing. Without you, the last few weeks would have been horrific. Living through Christmas with the thought of the upcoming appeal was truly awful, but your constant upbeatness and positivity was

I want to say thank-you for the work you put into my case over the last few weeks. It was only when I talked to you at our first meeting that I realised the direction my case was heading. Prior to that, much of the advice was mixed and ultimately fairly unhelpful as it didn't provide me with a clear picture of what people were thinking and what was likely to happen at the finding-of-fact hearing so I am very grateful for your clear advice and opinion at that meeting.

I would also like to say thank-you to Mel who was a brilliant source of support over the two days of the finding-of-fact hearing. She was empathic but also clear as to what was likely to happen and explained much of the technical stuff that was going on that I didn't understand.

Trying to source a good solicitor can be an absolute minefield. We first met Stephen at a Grandparents Association Seminar at Exeter. We were both immediately impressed by his knowledge and experience of Contact Orders for Grandparents. He also exudes an air of calm, which extends into his work. (A real bonus when dealing with explosive situations)!
At the time we were trying to sort things ourselves, but soon began to realise we needed a solicitor. Initially, we employed a solicitor local to where the case is being held, some 150 miles from our home, as we thought this would make things easier and less expensive for Court appearances, and we doubted if anyone would want to take our case on.
We soon began to realise, although this solicitor had experience of Contact Orders, she was out of her depth, dealing with our case, as we were Grandparents. Stephen kept coming to mind, but he practises about 35 miles from our home, and nearly 200 miles from where the case was being heard.
Eventually, we decided to go and have a talk with him. In seconds, our minds were made up for us. He was the man for us!
We communicate regularly by e-mail and the odd telephone call, and he sends us copies of letters he has written on our behalf.
Since instructing Stephen, our case has come on by leaps and bounds. Time was important to us, as my husband has cancer, and we are delighted to be able to say, we now see both grandchildren regularly, including a two year old who was a total stranger to us. With Stephen’s help, nothing is impossible.
He is completely devoted to the work of The Grandparents Association, and gives a lot of his time supporting the Association, and also grandparents who desperately want to see their grandchildren again.

Thank you for your assistance in relation to my divorce.
I was very happy to have you handling my case, making the whole experience less daunting and explained in simple terms.
The financial cost was also made a lot easier with manageable monthly payments.
I would certainly recommend Hartnell Chanot to anyone going through the pain and worry of a divorce.

Now that the annulment of my marriage has been completed I have had some time to collect my thoughts, I wanted to write to thank you for the excellent service you have given me. It was clear from the start that I would be in good hands. You are obviously very skilled and experienced in your work and at a time when I felt vulnerable this was important to me. I really appreciated your professionalism, efficiency and good advice. I arrived hoping for these aspects from Hartnell Chanot, but was surprised to find in addition, that you’re also incredibly compassionate, supportive and ‘real’!. Your ability to ‘come alongside’ me was amazing and your obvious concern was very touching. Thank you so much for all that you did for me, I am very grateful.

I would also like to say how professional and helpful your secretary was. I appreciated her polite and quiet manner whenever I had contact with her.
I have no hesitation in recommending you to others. You do a fantastic job and I wish you all the very best for the future.

There is nothing I could fault about my experience with Hartnell Chanot. I felt totally looked after from the minute I walked into reception until final sign off with my solicitor, Rachel. Every time I came to the office it was like meeting a load of friends.

I felt completely at ease with Rachel and confident that she knew what she was doing unlike other solicitors I had met previously. Rachel has a great positive attitude and remained confident throughout my case.

I am very relieved to have found Hartnell Chanot and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone else.

I would just like this opportunity to thank you all for your support and for believing in charlie and I and offering to help us l cannot put into words how much it has meant to me and l hope your support will help me secure an emotionally and physically safer environment for Charlie to grow up in which will also allow him the opportunity to develop into someone who he himself can feel proud of.
He has had his childhood stolen really because of what he has suffered and is something l will always feel guilty for, in so much as l wish l had suffered more in order to have saved him. But with no one on my side in a position of authority was something which was impossible to achieve alone but l did try to by leaving.

I'm just so Thankfull that by doing so have met Vicky who introduced me to yourselves and your offering us the chance to begin to be free.

I would like to thank you for guiding me through what I found to be a bewildering legal system. A system where facts are given priority over emotions. However, you always gave top priority to my emotional wellbeing. The support of yourself and your team enabled me to deal successsfully with my divorce. You were always there to reassure me throughout the process; regardless of how many other clients you had. That support not only enabled me to get through my divorce, but helped me to re-build my life. I would not be where i am today without that support. My friends said: paying a solicitor to deal with my divorce was a ridiculous waste of money. My reply to them: 'is that you cannot put a price on emotional wellbeing.' It is for that reason that i thank you, you always cared how i felt. Today i have graduated from my degree course at Exeter University. I could not have done that, without your initial care and support for my divorce, along with clear legal guidance.

I have worked with Jane for many years. Family Law Cases can often take along time to resolve. It's important that a 'family law' solicitor is understanding and you are able to build a relationship with them, if things get difficult, you can trust Jane to support and guide you in making decisions. Jane is very good at mediation and creative in her thinking. Family law often involves 'emotion' and Jane's skills are that she identifies with that in her clients and is empathetic. Jane acts on behalf of all parties for the benefit of the 'family'. She is very professional and has traditional values, which are reflected in her work and she represents her clients in this manner.
Jane has a 'team' of people she works with too, who in her absence can be trusted to take messages and calls, communication between client and Jane and other parties is very good.

I went to Hartnell Chanot on recommendation from a family friend when I was in my darkest hour. Everybody in the office made me feel welcome, and they made me think that there was possible light at then end of the tunnel. Two and a half years later, things are so much better and we achieved a result that at the outset seemed impossible. All of the team at Hartnells, from the receptionists to the managing partners have supported my family and I through something I would not wish on my worst enemy. We are not finished yet, but their unstinting hard work on our behalf is still as good as it was in the beginning. All I can say is without them we would not be where we are today. Thank you all so much.

Hartnell Chanot and Partners are without doubt the most professional, well set up and run legal firm that I have ever come across.

Led by Norman Hartnell, the award winning family lawyer, the firm’s commitment to their clients, the speed and courtesy at which they respond, and the unparalleled professionalism of the team set them clear miles apart from other firms.

Norman Hartnell’s successes in the court room reflect his unmatched non-egocentrically focused commitment to his work. A more unassuming, approachable man you couldn’t wish to meet, which makes it all the more delightfully surprising when you realise that only a fool would confuse his outwardly low key manner , with potential weakness. This coupled with his extensive knowledge of family law, intelligence and attention to detail, as well as his innate ability to connect with people at every level manifests itself into a very successful combination in the court room.

Rachel Buckley recently did a presentation at an Exeter Business Network event. Rachel expertly conveyed what Hartnell Chanot does and demonstrated some of the great work that they do in helping people (parents and children) during a time of stress and anxiety. The way in which they have specific areas of their website for children and grand parents shows the level of care and concern that Hartnell Chanot gives to clients.