Company Profile

2006 saw the end of an era for two old, established Bromsgrove firms of Solicitors; namely Scotts and also Holt and Sellars.

Until then Scotts' offices had for the previous seventy years been at Coronation House in Church Street, Bromsgrove which building was erected in 1937 and derived its name from the Coronation of King George VI in that year.

The Scott family who ran the Firm for many years was an old Bromsgrove family. Thomas Scott founded the Firm in about 1850 and was subsequently joined by his son Walter who became Clerk to the Magistrates in Redditch and Alcester where the Firm also had an office. He also played cricket and rugby for Bromsgrove.

At various times the Scott family were in partnership with two other old Bromsgrove family firms, initially the Holyoakes and subsequently the Hortons. Eventually however, Walter Scott reverted to being a sole practitioner and continued in practice on his own account until 1937 when he was joined by his son Astley who also became Clerk to the Magistrates in Redditch and Alcester.

Walter Scott died in 1940 and Astley continued as a sole practitioner until 1962 when he was also appointed Clerk to the Magistrates in Bromsgrove. In that year he sold the practice to his then assistant, Ronald Whatley who subsequently took into partnership John Shenton and Martin Gorman.

Following the departure of Mr Shenton and the death of Mr Whatley, Mr Gorman became the senior partner in 1989 and was joined by Alan Morris, Nicholas Ackrill and subsequently Peter Samuels.

Mr Gorman retired as a partner in 2005 and is now a Consultant with Scotts, Holt & Sellars.

Holt and Sellars were established by Mr James Yates Holt in 1886.

Mr James Yates Holt lived the whole of his ninety plus years at Alloa House, Bromsgrove which is on the Birmingham Road. The property was built by his father, Mr James Holt, a Bolton man, who was a supervisor for the Inland Revenue in Bromsgrove. The house was named after the town which was the birth place of Mrs Holt.

Mr James Yates Holt was admitted as a Solicitor in 1886 and used a room at Alloa House as his professional office.

He was educated at Bromsgrove School and was a contemporary of A E Houseman.

In 1946 Mr Jack Sellars joined the practice and the firm became Holt and Sellars and moved to the High Street. Then in 1956 Mr George Lees joined, and subsequently the firm expanded and opened offices in Droitwich and in Worcester in 1966 and 1986 respectively.

In 1996 the firm concentrated its resources at its new home at Steps House, 10 St John Street, Bromsgrove relinquishing its offices in Droitwich and Worcester while retaining its presence in Bromsgrove. In the following year Andrew Borley became a partner with Ian Edginton and Nicholas Priddey. Ian Edginton left in 1999.

On 1st May 2006 Holt & Sellars merged with Scotts. Nicholas Priddey became a consultant to the new firm until his retirement in 2008. Andrew Borley joined Alan Morris, Nicholas Ackrill and Peter Samuels as a partner of the new firm. Tragically Nicholas Ackrill died in August 2008 whilst on holiday in the West Indies. Nesheela Nazir joined the law practice at the start of 2009 as the firm’s matrimonial and family solicitor.

Tracey Side joined the firm in February 2011. Tracey is an experienced Solicitor specialising in Wills and Probate work. In October 2011 Scotts Holt & Sellars incorporated Pattmans, another Bromsgrove firm of Solicitors. As a consequence Jane Morley, Solicitor, and Lindsay Scragg, Licensed Conveyancer, joined our Conveyancing department.

Scotts Holt & Sellars continue to provide a professional, friendly service for the community in Bromsgrove and Worcestershire, and would be pleased to assist you whether it be moving house, recovering a debt, advising during the break up of a relationship, helping in relation to your job or providing advice and assistance in relation to a Will, a Power of Attorney or obtaining a Grant of Probate.