Cunningtons LLP Solicitors Braintree
Great Square
Braintree
Essex
CM7 1UD
United Kingdom
Tel: 01376 326868
Fax: 01376 550003
Braintree’s Solicitors Since 1748 and Your Lawyers. For Life.
Cunningtons has been part of Braintree life since 1748, operating from our original Great Square offices for over 275 years – making us one of England’s oldest continually operating law firms and Braintree’s longest-established solicitors. Our Braintree head office is home to the full range of Cunningtons’ services: residential conveyancing, family law, Wills and probate, civil litigation, and employment law, all available in-house with direct access to specialist solicitors. Our team serves Braintree, Witham, Halstead, Colchester, Sudbury, Haverhill, Saffron Walden, Bishop’s Stortford, and all of North Essex and South Suffolk. Whether you are buying your first home, navigating a family matter, planning your legacy, resolving a dispute, or dealing with a workplace issue, you will work with a real person who knows the area and explains things in plain English.
Our Braintree office is led by Partner Bryony Wilmshurst, who also heads our Wills and probate department. We are regulated by the SRA and accredited with the Conveyancing Quality Scheme, and offer clients face-to-face legal advice with direct access to specialist solicitors across all our practice areas.
Braintree branch reviews
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As a first time buyer, I didn’t really know what to expect from the conveyancing process, but Gemma Hopkins and the team explained everything clearly throughout. Communication was great, and I always kept up to date without needing to chase it felt like they were always one step ahead! Thank you for making the process so smooth! I will recommend Gemma and the Cunnington’s team to everyone.
Jody E, Braintree
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We had an excellent experience with Gemma Hopkins – great communication and customer service support.
Chloe, Braintree
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Kate and Lisa gave a first class service and I must say I was really impressed with the Cunningtons Braintree branch. From the start Lisa made me feel welcome and was super friendly and helpful. Kate was absolutely fantastic! She dealt with my purchase promptly and thoroughly. I got regular updates and communication from Kate was excellent. Really pleased with the service, well done Cunningtons Braintree 👏👏
Lewis C, Braintree
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Danielle Simkins recently completed a house sale for us. It was carried out efficiently and in a way we all understood what was happening and what needed to be done to get the sale completed.
I would definitely recommend using Cunningtons Solicitors Braintree.Alison H, Braintree
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I used Sarah and fiona for my conveyancing and transfer of equity services. There was a couple of emails I sent to both of them which went unreplied but no big issue. Overall I would have no problem using these people again. I heard from other solicitors that this company was a bit slow to act but I DEFINITELY did not experience this. Many thanks to them both for their work
Peter T, Braintree
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Jane was very professional and explained the process with me. She kept me updated with information. Overall, very satisfied with her service and would definitely recommend her again.
Mrs N, Braintree
How It Works
1
Get in touch
Call us on 01376 326868, email quotes@cunningtons.co.uk, or use our online form. We offer a free initial consultation across all our services – no jargon, no pressure, just clear advice from the right specialist.
2
We handle the legal work
Your dedicated solicitor manages everything – whether it’s searches and enquiries in conveyancing, court applications in family law, drafting your Will or Lasting Power of Attorney, or pursuing a litigation claim. We keep you informed at every stage.
3
You get the outcome you need
Whether you’re moving home, resolving a dispute, planning your estate, or navigating a family matter, we work with you toward a clear, safe conclusion. And as your lawyers, for life, we’re here whenever you need us again.
Legal Advice in Braintree: Conveyancing, Family Law, Wills, Litigation and Employment
Cunningtons has called Great Square home since 1748, making our Braintree office one of the longest continually occupied legal premises in Essex. Unlike our other branches, Braintree offers the full range of Cunningtons services in-house, meaning clients never need to be referred elsewhere for specialist advice.
Our Braintree team handles matters across North Essex and Suffolk from this single, central location, combining the resources of a firm with over 275 years of history with the personal service of a local practice that genuinely knows the community it serves.
Quick Facts
Est. 1748
SRA regulated ID 619821
CQS accredited
Fixed-fee conveyancing
Free initial consultation
All our services in-house
Meet Your Braintree Legal Team
Bryony Wilmshurst: Partner in charge of the Braintree branch
Leading our Braintree office and Private Client services
Bryony embodies what ‘Your Lawyers. For Life.’ means in practice. As Partner in Charge of our Braintree office and head of our Private Client department, she has guided hundreds of Essex families through multiple life stages – from young couples making their first Wills to established families planning complex inheritance strategies.
Bryony’s experience covers Wills, probate, trusts, inheritance tax planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Court of Protection matters. Her approach combines technical excellence with a genuine understanding of what matters to Essex families at different life stages.
Contact Bryony on 01376 326868
Read more about Bryony on her Partner profile page here >>
Kate Horsted: Conveyancing Partner and Head of the Conveyancing Department
Kate has spent her career specialising in residential property, joining Cunningtons in 2014 and becoming a Partner in 2017. As Head of the Conveyancing Department and the partner leading conveyancing across our Braintree and Chelmsford offices, she brings real depth of expertise to every property transaction.
Kate works on the full range of residential conveyancing matters – from freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, to remortgages, transfers of equity, and lease extensions. She is known for the care she brings to client relationships, ensuring that every step of what can be a complex process is clear and well-executed.
Contact Kate direct on 01376 567 271 or kate.horsted@cunningtons.co.uk
Read more about Kate on her Partner profile page >>
Jill Wiggins
Family Law Partner and Head of the Family Law Department
Jill Wiggins is a Partner in our Family Law department, working across our Braintree and Chelmsford offices. A member of Resolution and a qualified solicitor since 2012, she joined Cunningtons in 2014 and became a Partner in 2017.
Jill specialises in divorce and civil partnership dissolution, financial matters following separation, injunctions, and Children Act proceedings in both private and public law. She has a particular interest in children matters and is known for giving practical, clear advice while remaining genuinely empathetic in what can be an emotionally difficult time. Jill also plays an active role in developing Cunningtons’ trainee solicitors within the family department.
Contact Jill direct on 01376 567276 or jill.wiggins@cunningtons.co.uk
Read more about Jill on her Partner profile page >>
Legal Guidance Throughout Life’s Journey …
Cunningtons LLP Braintree
From buying your first home to planning your legacy – discover how we support you through every legal milestone.
- Fixed Legal Fees
- Easy Conveyancing Quotes Braintree
- Personal Contact
- Local Branch, No Call Centre
- National Coverage
- Specialist Property Solicitors Since 1748
- Contact by Phone or Email
- Great Reviews
- Expert legal advice
- Award-winning Solicitors
- Conveyancing since 1748
GET IN TOUCH
To contact us about any of our legal services or to get a quotation for our legal fees, just complete this form so we can get back to you.
LEGAL SERVICES AT CUNNINGTONS IN BRAINTREE
Cunningtons LLP solicitors in Braintree offer you a range of legal services, focusing on Property, Wills, Family Law and Civil Litigation.
Residential Conveyancing
At Braintree, we have solicitors who are experts in all aspects of residential property transactions from sale or purchase of both freehold and leasehold properties, re-mortgages, transfers of equity and agreed lease extensions.
Civil Litigation
Cunningtons Civil Litigation service is run by Braintree-based solicitor Mark Taylor. We can guide you through all aspects of litigation including debt, landlord & tenant, Will disputes and professional negligence.
Family Law and Matrimonial
Cunningtons in Braintree also offer a Family & Matrimonial service. We can guide you through all aspects of matrimonial law, including pre-nuptial agreements, divorce, civil partnerships, cohabitation agreements, and childcare arrangements.
Family Law in Braintree >>
Wills and Probate
Cunningtons Will drafting service will help you to understand the forms to be completed and make sure final documents are correctly executed, giving you peace of mind that your affairs will be left in order and avoiding complex intestacy problems.
Braintree Wills and Probate >>
How We Help At Every Stage Of Life
🏠 When You’re Moving House
Your home is more than property – it’s where life happens.
Our conveyancing specialists understand that buying or selling isn’t just a transaction, it’s a major life moment. From first-time buyers taking their initial steps to growing families needing more space, we’ve guided thousands of Essex families through smooth, stress-free property moves.
Expert conveyancing services →
👨👩👧👦 When Family Life Changes
Relationships evolve, families grow, and sometimes circumstances change unexpectedly.
Our Braintree-based family law team provides compassionate, practical guidance through marriage planning, divorce proceedings, child arrangements, and financial settlements. We understand that behind every case is a real family navigating important changes.
Family law support →
📜 When You’re Planning Ahead
Protecting your – and your family’s – future is one of life’s most important responsibilities. Our Wills and probate specialists help you plan with confidence – from writing your first Will to complex inheritance tax planning. We make estate planning straightforward, ensuring your wishes are properly documented and your loved ones protected, storing your Wills securely on site.
Wills and estate planning →
⚖️ When Disputes Need Resolution
Life doesn’t always go smoothly, and sometimes disputes arise that need expert legal resolution.
Our civil litigation department, led by Partner Mark Taylor, provides robust representation for individuals and businesses across England and Wales when matters can’t be resolved through negotiation alone.
From our Braintree base, Mark and his team handle the full range of disputes, including contractual disagreements, property disputes, professional negligence claims, probate and inheritance disputes, and employment issues for both employers and employees.
Why Cunningtons Has Been Essex Families’ Choice Since 1748
🏛️ Over 275 Years of Continuity
Established in 1748 and still operating from our original Great Square premises, we’re one of England’s oldest law firms. This isn’t just heritage – it’s proof of our enduring commitment to being there when local Essex families need us most.
🤝 Personal Relationships, Not Transactions
We believe legal advice should come from people who know you and understand your circumstances. Our clients often work with the same solicitors across multiple life events – buying their first home, making their Will, navigating family changes. That’s what ‘Your Lawyers. For Life.’ really means.
🚶♀️ Accessible When You Need Us
Our walk-in legal advice centre provides immediate guidance for urgent queries, whilst our established appointment system ensures you receive dedicated time when planning important matters.
💷 Transparent, Fixed-Fee Approach
Life’s complicated enough without worrying about legal costs. We provide clear, upfront pricing across all our services – no hidden charges, no nasty surprises, just honest fees you can budget for.
Braintree Branch Opening Hours
| Monday: | 9 am to 5:30 pm |
| Tuesday: | 9 am to 5:30 pm |
| Wednesday: | 9 am to 5:30 pm |
| Thursday: | 9 am to 5:30 pm |
| Friday: | 9 am to 5:30 pm |
| Saturday: | Closed |
| Sunday: | Closed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that our Braintree branch gets asked: if you need an answer to a question that is not on this list, please contact us for an answer.
When should I make my Will?
You should make your Will as soon as you have anything worth leaving – which is earlier than most people think!
Key life moments like buying your first property, getting married, having children, starting a business, or receiving an inheritance should probably be followed by a revisit of your Will to make sure it still reflects your intentions.
If you die without a valid Will, or ‘intestate’, the law decides who inherits your estate, and this may not reflect your wishes.
As a rule of thumb, if you’d worry about what happens to your possessions, your property, or your dependents if something happened to you tomorrow, it’s time to make your Will.
Do I need a solicitor for my divorce?
While it’s possible to handle straightforward divorces yourself, most people benefit from professional legal advice – especially when there are children, property, or pensions involved.
Talking to a family law solicitor will ensure that your financial settlement is fair, protects your parental rights, and handles any complex legal procedures correctly. We often see people who started DIY divorce proceedings but need legal help when complications arise.
Our Braintree family law team offers initial consultations to help you understand your options and decide the best approach to fit your circumstances.
What’s the difference between local and online legal services?
The biggest difference you’ll find is the relationship. With a local solicitor firm like Cunningtons, you’ll work with the same solicitor who knows your circumstances and can provide proper legal advice tailored to your specific situation.
We’re here when you need us – whether that’s for a quick phone call, or a face-to-face meeting at our Braintree offices. Online services are more impersonal, and often mean speaking to someone different every time you call, and they’ll have limited local knowledge and no ongoing relationship with you.
When you’re dealing with important legal matters like buying a home or looking after your family, personal service and continuity matter.
Do I need to use a solicitor when I’m buying a house?
Legally, no – but practically, yes. Property transactions involve complex legal documents, searches, and regulations that can cost you thousands if handled incorrectly.
A good conveyancing solicitor protects you from legal problems, ensures that all the property is properly yours, handles all the paperwork, makes sure that all fees and taxes are paid correctly, and liaises with mortgage lenders, estate agents, and the other side’s solicitors.
The cost of professional conveyancing is small compared to the value of your property and the potential risks of getting it wrong. We provide fixed-fee conveyancing with no hidden costs – call us for a fast quote.
What legal documents should we all keep available and current?
Everyone should have an up-to-date Will, but there are other important documents to consider depending on where you are in life’s journey.
Essential documents include: a current Will, Lasting Powers of Attorney (for property/finance and health/welfare decisions if you are ever incapacitated), marriage certificates, property deeds, and insurance policies. Parents may need guardianship arrangements for children, whilst business owners should have partnership agreements and business insurance.
Keep the originals of your key documents in a safe place and ensure that trusted family members know where to find them. We recommend reviewing these documents every few years or after major life changes.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Conveyancing Done Right
What is conveyancing, how long does it take, and what can go wrong? We guide you through your choices
Braintree: Our Solicitors’ Home
Braintree has been home to Cunningtons solicitors since 1748. Discover why we love this Essex town …
Braintree Partner Profile
Bryony is the Partner in Charge of the Braintree branch. Find out more about her here.