Oxford: 228-year-old Hedges Law opens new office expansion

Nicola Poole, managing director and owner of the firm, said: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter in our impressive history. We came into Oxford city four years ago, but taking the ground-floor space at this busy and highly visible location will really ensure that the city knows we are here.

"We have created a first-of-its-kind legal showroom, light years away from the stuffy, old-fashioned image many people have of a solicitors' practice...and yet equally far from the rather intimidating and unwelcome corporate lawyers found out on the ring road. This is a place to explore: pick up our brochures and information packs and chat through possible legal needs with our client concierge. A gleaming coffee machine and relaxed seating area provides the perfect place to come in, browse and discover ways in which we might meet your possible legal needs. There’s no pressure to buy, ever, just a chance to find out more about who we are and what we do.

"To put Hedges’ impressive history into context, the firm was established in the same year as the French Revolution and American Independence and some 23 years before the birth of Charles Dickens! We have been in business through four different centuries and have seen out the Napoleonic wars, the industrial and IT revolutions, 14 recognised periods of recession, two world wars and countless other conflicts, 62 prime ministers, although remarkably only eight kings and queens. We’ve seen us go into Europe and will be there when we come out again."