Austin & Carnley

Austin & Carnley Austin and Carnley Solicitors Ltd trading as Austin and Carnley We pride ourselves in our personal service and that you will always receive our best attention.

Austin & Carnley is one of the oldest established firms in Bedfordshire and was founded in Luton in approximately 1884. During the 1950s the firm expanded, incorporating a number of offices, and we have been in Leighton Buzzard ever since. The firm has evolved over the years and we now have a number of thriving practice areas, including Conveyancing, Employment, Family, Wills & Trusts, Probate and

Dispute Resolution. If you are facing employment or matrimonial problems, are moving house, leasing a shop, buying a business, wish to make a will or need help with a loved one’s estate, you need help as quickly but with as little fuss as possible. We aim for proactivity on all our matters, pushing them forward to a speedy conclusion whist maintaining a high quality of service. We also have a large and expanding criminal practice which encompasses both private and legally aided clients. Our criminal lawyers are on both Police Station and Court Duty Solicitor Schemes at Milton Keynes, Luton and Dunstable, and Bedford and are available on rota all day every day throughout the year. We are all qualified lawyers and believe that the best lawyers are those who listen to their clients. You can contact us by telephone, email or in person and we will tell you what we can do to help, and will always let you have an idea of the time scale of the particular matter you are enquiring about with an estimate of the likely costs involved. We serve many clients, including those working in the city and residents of Toddington, Ampthill, Woburn, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes and the surrounding villages.

☀️ Temporary Office Hours This WeekDue to the forecast heatwave, we’ve made the decision to close our offices a little e...
23/06/2026

☀️ Temporary Office Hours This Week

Due to the forecast heatwave, we’ve made the decision to close our offices a little earlier than usual for the remainder of this week to help keep our team comfortable and safe.

Our temporary opening hours are:

📅 Tuesday 23rd June: 9:00am – 2:00pm
📅 Wednesday 24th June: 9:00am – 2:00pm
📅 Thursday 25th June: 9:00am – 2:00pm
📅 Friday 26th June: 9:00am – 3:00pm

We’ll continue to respond to enquiries as quickly as possible during these hours and appreciate your understanding while the warmer weather continues.

Thank you for your patience, and we hope everyone stays safe, keeps cool and enjoys the sunshine where they can! ☀️

🚴 100km completed – what an achievement! 👏🏻Congratulations to Lauren and David, who recently took on the Ride High 100km...
22/06/2026

🚴 100km completed – what an achievement! 👏🏻

Congratulations to Lauren and David, who recently took on the Ride High 100km Challenge, raising money for the incredible work Ride High MK does to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

Like any challenge, there were a few obstacles along the way…

🚲 David’s day got off to an unexpected start with a puncture.

⛰️ For Lauren, the toughest part was tackling The Twist in Tring – a climb with an average gradient of 7.5% and sections exceeding 15%!

Despite the challenges, they both crossed the finish line after 100km – an achievement they should be incredibly proud of 👏🏻

Well done, Lauren and David!

📸 Martin Robinson

📖 Legal Clarity Series | This week: ProbateIt's one of those words that appears at the worst possible time, when a famil...
19/06/2026

📖 Legal Clarity Series | This week: Probate

It's one of those words that appears at the worst possible time, when a family is grieving, trying to figure out what happens next, and usually learning about it for the very first time.

Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone's estate after they die. That means collecting their assets, settling any debts, and distributing what's left to the people named in their Will, or, if there's no Will, according to the rules of intestacy.

Not every estate needs to go through formal probate. But many do, and it can take months, sometimes considerably longer, depending on the size and complexity of the estate, whether there's a valid Will, and whether any disputes arise between beneficiaries.

Having a clear, well-drafted Will makes this process significantly more straightforward for the people you leave behind. Without one, it becomes much harder.

Any questions about Probate, Wills, or Lasting Powers of Attorney? We're here.

📞 01525 372140
https://www.austinandcarnley.co.uk/

Here's something that surprises a lot of people.49% of cohabiting couples in the UK believe that living together long en...
18/06/2026

Here's something that surprises a lot of people.

49% of cohabiting couples in the UK believe that living together long enough gives them the same legal rights as being married. It doesn't. There is no such thing as common law marriage in England and Wales, and there never has been.

If you and your partner own a home together, share finances, or have children, and you're not married, the law currently offers very little automatic protection if things go wrong. No automatic right to a share of the property. No claim on assets. Nothing.

The Government is consulting on changing this. But that legislation is likely years away. A cohabitation agreement drawn up now can provide exactly the kind of clarity and protection the proposed reforms are trying to create by law.

It's not about planning for things to go wrong. It's about being sensible about something that affects your home, your finances, and your future.

https://www.austinandcarnley.co.uk/
📞 01525 372140

Something worth knowing if you're involved in a dispute, whether that's a neighbour, a business, a landlord, or a former...
17/06/2026

Something worth knowing if you're involved in a dispute, whether that's a neighbour, a business, a landlord, or a former partner.

The civil courts are under enormous pressure right now. Waiting times for civil litigation are stretching into years in some cases. Financial remedy hearings in family proceedings are averaging over a year from application to resolution. Employment tribunals are backed up significantly.

Going to court is sometimes necessary. But it's rarely the fastest, cheapest, or least stressful route, and for many disputes, it doesn't need to be.

Mediation, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution can resolve matters in weeks rather than years, at a fraction of the cost, and without the uncertainty of leaving the outcome in a judge's hands.

If you're in a dispute and you're not sure what your options are, that's exactly where we start.

📞 01525 372140 | austinandcarnley.co.uk

Derek BarkerIt is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our colleague and friend , Derek Barker.De...
16/06/2026

Derek Barker

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our colleague and friend , Derek Barker.

Derek was a highly respected colleague, friend and professional, whose kindness, wisdom, and dedication touched the lives of many people both within our firm and throughout the wider community. He brought warmth, integrity, and professionalism to everything he did and will be remembered not only for his work but for the genuine care and support he showed to those around him.

Derek’s loss will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him. His contribution to the firm and the lasting impact he made on clients, colleagues, and friends will not be forgotten.

At this difficult time, our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Derek’s wife Jeanie McCaw , family, and loved ones as they navigate this profound loss.

We know that many within our firm and community are grieving, and we hold them in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult period.

Derek will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

From all of us at Austin & Carnley Solicitors

(Derek's cases are now under the conduct of Debbie Neiteler- Head of Private Client and Managing Director)

Something a bit different from us today. 🐝We sponsor a beehive with the brilliant Ampthill Bee Co.Looking after the loca...
16/06/2026

Something a bit different from us today. 🐝

We sponsor a beehive with the brilliant Ampthill Bee Co.

Looking after the local community means more than just legal matters to us. It means caring about what makes Ampthill, Ampthill. The independent shops, the people who've lived here for decades, the green spaces, the community events, and yes, apparently the bees.

We're really proud to support Ampthill Bee Co and what they do for local wildlife. Go and give them a follow, they're doing genuinely lovely work.

🍯

Yesterday, two of our team did something we are very proud of.David and Lauren completed the Ride High 100k Cycling Fest...
15/06/2026

Yesterday, two of our team did something we are very proud of.

David and Lauren completed the Ride High 100k Cycling Festival — 100 kilometres, on two wheels, in a day. No small feat.

But what makes this even more special is the cause behind it. Ride High is a Milton Keynes charity that supports vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, children facing poverty, neglect, poor mental health, and isolation. Through a remarkable combination of equine-assisted therapy, outdoor activity and youth work, they help young people build confidence, resilience and the skills to thrive. Last year's festival alone raised enough to support 14 local children through the programme. That is the kind of impact that actually changes lives.

David and Lauren, you took on 100 kilometres so that children in our community can have a better shot. We could not be prouder of you both. 🚴

If you would like to find out more about Ride High and the incredible work they do, visit https://ridehigh.org

There's still time to donate if you haven't already:
https://ridehigh.enthuse.com/pf/austinandcarnley

Well done, David. Well done, Lauren. Now please rest your legs. 🚴

📖 Legal Clarity Series | This week: Constructive DismissalConstructive dismissal is when an employer's behaviour becomes...
12/06/2026

📖 Legal Clarity Series | This week: Constructive Dismissal

Constructive dismissal is when an employer's behaviour becomes so bad that you feel you have no choice but to resign - and the law treats it as if you were dismissed unfairly.

Common examples: being demoted without cause, duties stripped without reason, bullying or harassment that isn't addressed.

You usually need two years' service to bring a claim - though protections are strengthening.

If this sounds familiar, please get in touch.

📞 01525 372140
https://www.austinandcarnley.co.uk/

Address

Bridge House, Bridge Street
Leighton Buzzard
LU71AH

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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