ABOUT WATSON MARSHAL

Watson Marshal is a small, professional firm of solicitors practising in Chiswick, west London. Founded in 1809, we have a long-standing, well-established reputation as a friendly, open, efficient and thorough legal team, working for individuals in a modern world.

Our offices are small so expansion is limited. Our size ensures we deliver a personal service, working directly for clients rather than in large teams where the client is often just a voice down the phone.

More information about the team and our history follows:

Who we are

• Susan Davies: Partner

The practice is led by Susan Davies, a solicitor who joined Watson Marshal in 1987 when it was based in Hammersmith. In 1999 she bought the non-litigation half of the practice, and moved the office to Chiswick, deliberately choosing ground floor premises which are easy to access. She specialises in wills, trusts, inheritance tax, powers of attorney, executors and probate. She is also a notary public, witnessing and authenticating official documents.

• Jane Stenning, Solicitor:

Jane specialises in wills, trusts, inheritance tax, powers of attorney, executors and probate. She joined Watson Marshal in 1997 and qualified as a solicitor in 1998; she had previously worked in management and personnel.

• Kirsty Wilkins, Solicitor:

Kirsty, our conveyancing solicitor, advises home-buyers and property investors on all legal aspects of buying, selling or remortgaging property. Since qualifying in 2002 she has dealt with simple and complex property transactions including registered and unregistered properties, leasehold enfranchisement, leasehold extensions, drafting new leases, adverse possession applications, declarations of trust, service charge queries and landlord’s consent enquiries. After training in Northampton, Sheffield and Carlisle she worked in Newcastle upon Tyne and Bradford before settling in London. She joined Watson Marshal in 2010.

• Irene Whyte, Legal Secretary and Receptionist:

Irene supports our work, doing essential admin and ensures the smooth-running of the office. When you ring, the chances are Irene will answer the phone, booking appointments and ensuring you speak to the solicitor working on your matter.

• June Dawood, Legal Cashier:

June is our part-time cashier and deals with all aspects of our book-keeping. She joined Watson Marshal in 1985 having previously worked in banking and on project accounts in the engineering industry.

Our history[ TOP ]

Watson Marshal celebrated its 200th anniversary, and 10 years in business in Chiswick, in December 2009.

In 1809 Samuel Watson inherited the practice of Saunders & Judkin when Mr Judkin retired; Mr Judkin is described in guide books as the "honest solicitor" and a plaque in his memory is in the church of St Dunstan-in-the-West, Fleet Street, London. Samuel Watson changed the firm's name to Watson & Sons. From about 1860 until 1966 the firm was based in Bouverie Street, also in the City of London. Around 1973 it merged with Marshal & Co, becoming Watson Marshal. Both Watson Sons & Room and Marshal & Co had a Mr Watson before the merger took place, but not at the time of the merger; many clients said they could "remember Mr Watson" but were never asked which. One of the Watson families had an unbroken succession in the firm until 1999, covering six generations. In 1999 Susan Davies took over the practice from Michael Sharman and Vanessa Watson and moved the firm from Hammersmith to Chiswick.

A historical snapshot:

Since 1809 there have been:

• nine monarchs, including two of the longest serving;
• thirty-eight prime ministers;
• fifty-one general elections;
• eleven hung parliaments.

Significant events