Slee Blackwell merge with Crosse Wyatt Solicitors

Slee Blackwell Solicitors LLP are delighted to announce our merger with Crosse Wyatt Solicitors.

The merger between Slee Blackwell Solicitors and Crosse Wyatt Solicitors took effect on 1 September 2025. It brings together two long-standing practices with a shared commitment to providing trusted and professional legal services in North Devon, Exmoor, and beyond.

Nigel Ayre and John White will continue to serve their established client-base in South Molton from Slee Blackwell’s offices in Pathfields Business Park.

Nigel and John bring their team of support staff, as well as their wealth of expertise in property, private client, and rural and countryside law.

Both firms have served their communities for many decades, building reputations founded on integrity, expertise, and dedication to client care. By uniting their teams and resources, we will be well positioned to continue offering a high standard of service while broadening the range of expertise available to clients.

Slee Blackwell partner, Brett Lawrence, welcomes Nigel Ayre, John White and their team at Crosse Wyatt Solicitors

‘We are proud of the heritage and reputation of Slee Blackwell Solicitors,’ said Brett Lawrence, partner in charge of the our South Molton office. ‘This merger allows us to strengthen our practice and ensure we continue to serve our clients with the same personal service they have always valued.

Having Nigel and John on board gives Slee Blackwell the ability to offer the broadest possible range of legal services to farmers, landowners and all those involved in rural businesses. John is hugely experienced in inheritance tax planning and trusts law. If you tie this in with Nigel’s vast knowledge of  private client and land law, we can be confident of offering the broadest range of such services in the South West.’

Nigel Ayre and John White, will continue to operate from offices in South Molton, offering a full range of legal services, including

• Wills
• Powers of Attorney
• Trusts
• Inheritance Tax planning
• Property purchase sales and transfers
• Farm sales and purchases
• Farming family partnership advice
• Rural and agricultural property matters, including refinancing
• Intergenerational asset transfers

Existing clients of Crosse Wyatt Solicitors can be assured of continuity, with their usual solicitors remaining available, supported by a larger and stronger team.