Clifford Smith & Buchanan was founded in 1928. At that time Clifford Smith opened his doors on Hargreaves Street Burnley as a typical high street Solicitors Practice. The Practice expanded in Burnley over a period of time, moving to two separate locations in Manchester Road Burnley before expanding into its present premises at 36 Manchester Road.

The Practice has been offering quality and professional legal advice throughout the many years since it was first established. The Partners are members of the Law Society and all aspects of the management of the Practice fall under Law Society Rules as regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. As required by the Rules the Practice carries authorised Professional Indemnity Insurance thereby providing a further absolute guarantee of security to its clients.

The Practice has operated under the guidance of the present Partners Ian A Buchanan Solicitor and Alan Riley BA(Hons) LAW Solicitor for many years. Mr Buchanan is Managing Partner of the Pendle offices in Nelson and Colne whereas Mr Riley manages the Burnley office.

Ian A Buchanan, Solicitor

Alan Riley BA (Hons) LAW Solicitor

Towards the end of the 1980’s the Law Society encouraged solicitors to diversify and more recently there has been an increase in trend to specialisation. The Practice now mainly concentrates on non-contentious matters, in particular property transactions. As the Practice does not undertake criminal matters or personal injury claims it feels that it is able to offer a better and more readily available service in its specialised areas.

The idea of “Solicitors Property Centres” attracted much publicity in the 1980’s with references to the Scottish system and encouraging comments from Government and other sources seeking to promote quicker, more efficient and cost saving property transactions. Against this background the Practice opened its first Estate Agency office in 1988, supplementing its legal staff by recruiting quality Estate Agency personnel. As the benefits came to the attention of the public and the profile of the Practice increased the firm opened further Solicitors Estate Agency offices in Nelson and Colne in 1990 and 1992 respectively.

In or about 1997 the Government declared its commitment to the concept of the Home Information Pack (HIP). Although the idea has undergone many changes over the years, the HIP is now definitely with us and seems likely to remain so. As both Solicitors and Estate Agents, the Practice is ideally placed to provide a speedy HIP service dealing with all HIP’s “in house” having appointed its own qualified Domestic Energy Assessors to deal with the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements in the Regulations. Because the packs are produced in house this ensures the minimum delay between instructing the firm and the commencement of marketing and ensures that costs are maintained at a minimal level.

Whilst a combination of some or all of our services may well be advantageous, it should be stressed that each element may be instructed separately. So, for example, the Estate Agency service need not involve use of the Solicitors; instructing the Solicitors department need not be related in any way to the Estate Agency. However, when selling a property the all inclusive package is extremely difficult to beat, in terms of service, convenience and cost.

One aspect frequently overlooked is that the firm’s Legal section are always on hand to deal with queries which may arise in a property transaction at an early stage.

Expert advice is also available in relation to the drafting of Wills and Powers of Attorney. The importance of Estate Planning is never overlooked.

Dealing with the affairs of a Deceased person can be stressful and time consuming. Obtaining Probate and dealing with the Administration of an Estate, be it large or small, can be professionally discharged by the firm’s Wills and Probate department.

Equally stressful can be family problems and Divorce. Once more specialist advice is available to assist in these areas.