Bale Legal Consultancy

30/03/2026

Truly grateful for such wonderful clients 💕

(Although… note to self: invest in more vases 🥹)

16/03/2026

11/03/2026

Feeling very grateful today.

A lovely surprise from clients following the successful completion of their sale and purchase 🌸

Thank you for such a thoughtful gesture — it was an absolute pleasure helping you through the process and I wish you every happiness in your new home.

Moments like this are a wonderful reminder of why I enjoy working in property law.

03/03/2026

Tonight, many people will be watching Martin Lewis talk about Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

These documents are often seen as something to “get round to later” and it always surprises me how many people think these documents are only for “later in life”.

I must emphasise that they’re not.

In reality, they are about control, protection and peace of mind.

A Will ensures:
- The people you choose inherit
- The right executors are appointed
- Children are protected
- Unmarried partners are provided for
- Disputes are reduced at an already difficult time

An LPA ensures:
- Someone you trust can manage your finances if you cannot
- Decisions about medical treatment can be made by the right person and someone you trust
- Your business and property affairs can continue
- Your family is not left powerless in a crisis

What is rarely discussed is the risk of getting it wrong.

Thousands of Wills are challenged every year because they were not properly drafted or executed. Homemade Wills and online templates often fail to deal with tax, blended families, business interests, or future contingencies. Small technical errors can render a Will invalid.

Similarly, thousands of LPAs are rejected each year due to mistakes in completion or witnessing. A missing signature, incorrect order of signing, or minor drafting errors can mean the application is rejected and returned months later.

If capacity is lost before a valid LPA is registered, the only option is an application to the Court of Protection.

That process is significantly more expensive, more time-consuming, and removes your ability to choose who manages your affairs. It can also place ongoing supervision and reporting obligations on your loved ones.

In practice, we want to avoid Court of Protection applications wherever possible.

Proper legal advice ensures your documents are:
- Legally valid
- Carefully structured
- Tailored to your family and financial circumstances
- Future-proofed as far as possible

As a solicitor practising in Private Client law, my role is not simply to prepare documents — it is to advise, anticipate risk, and ensure your arrangements genuinely protect you and your family.

Putting a Will and LPA in place is one of the kindest and most responsible decisions you can make.

If tonight’s programme prompts you to think “I should sort that”, trust that instinct.

Future you — and your family — will thank you.

📩 [email protected]
💬 message me directly
📞 07486 611857

— Laura Bale
Solicitor | Bale Legal Consultancy

06/02/2026

Today was a reminder that conveyancers sometimes become the punching bag in a property transaction — and I think it’s worth talking about 💬

If your solicitor keeps asking for source of funds / ID / documents, it isn’t because they don’t trust you, and it certainly isn’t to make your life difficult.

We are legally required to carry out strict anti-money laundering checks on every transaction. That means we must fully understand:
• where your money comes from
• how it has built up
• and that it is legitimate

We cannot skip this. We cannot “use common sense”. We cannot make exceptions. If we don’t do these checks properly, we can lose our licence to practise and even face criminal sanctions.

I know it can feel repetitive or intrusive, especially when you’re already stressed about moving home. But please remember:

Your conveyancer is on your side. We want your move to complete smoothly just as much as you do.

Behind the scenes we are:
• protecting you from fraud
• protecting the transaction
• protecting the integrity of the property market
• and complying with strict legal obligations

A little kindness and patience goes a very long way 🤍

If you’re ever unsure why we’re asking for something, just ask — we’re always happy to explain.

- Laura
Bale Legal Consultancy

19/01/2026

⚠️ A quick word of warning for buyers & sellers about “conditional selling” ⚠️

Something I’m hearing more and more of lately is conditional selling, and it’s important that people understand what this means and why it matters.

What is conditional selling?
This is where a buyer or seller is told (explicitly or implicitly) that their offer will only be accepted if they use a particular solicitor, mortgage broker, or other recommended professional.

Is this allowed?
In short — no. Conditional selling is not permitted. You are free to choose your own solicitor and cannot lawfully be forced or pressured into using one as a condition of a sale proceeding.

Recommendations are absolutely fine, but you should never feel pressured or obliged to use a specific solicitor as a condition of a sale.

Referral arrangements & disclosure
It is perfectly legitimate for estate agents or brokers to recommend solicitors. However:
• Any referral fee or financial arrangement must be disclosed to you, and
• This disclosure is often buried in the small print of terms and conditions — so it’s something clients don’t always realise exists.

Some practical advice if you’re buying or selling:
✔️ Recommendations can be helpful — but always do your own research
✔️ Check reviews: are they recent and consistent?
✔️ Does the quote clearly break down all fees and disbursements, or are there vague headings and potential add-ons?
✔️ Who will actually handle your file day-to-day?
✔️ Will you have direct contact details for your solicitor, or will you be passed between a team?
✔️ Ask whether the firm works on high-volume caseloads — this can impact speed and communication

Why this matters
In some cases, referral-driven instructions are not always in the client’s best interests and can contribute to delays, poor communication, and unnecessary frustration — particularly where there are long chains involved.

This isn’t about criticising others — many act entirely properly and in good faith. It’s simply about awareness, transparency, and informed choice.

If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions. You are entitled to clear answers — and to choose the professionals who work for you — not the other way around.

If you’re unsure about a recommendation, or just want a clearer understanding of your options, it’s always worth having a conversation before committing.

If you think this might be helpful to someone who’s buying or selling, please feel free to share or contact me on;

📩 [email protected]
💬 message me directly
📞 07486 611857

— Laura Bale
Solicitor | Bale Legal Consultancy

08/01/2026

At Bale Legal Consultancy, I work closely with trusted professionals to ensure clients receive a smooth, efficient and well-managed legal service from start to finish.

I regularly assist clients with residential and commercial property matters, alongside family and private client work, and I value strong working relationships with estate agents, mortgage brokers, financial advisers and accountants who share a client-focused approach.

If you’re a professional adviser and would like to connect or discuss working together where appropriate, I’d be very happy to hear from you.

— Laura Bale
Solicitor | Bale Legal Consultancy

31/12/2025

✨ Happy New Year ✨

As we step into 2026, I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Bale Legal Consultancy in the first few weeks since its launch.

I’m incredibly excited for the year ahead and look forward to continuing to support both new and returning clients with clear, practical and approachable legal advice, delivered with care and professionalism.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and successful year ahead 🥂

📧 [email protected]
📞 - 07486 611 857

— Laura
Bale Legal Consultancy

17/12/2025

🎄 Christmas Office Hours 🎄

As we head into the festive season, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported Bale Legal Consultancy over the past few weeks. Our last day for completions is tomorrow and I’ve been especially pleased to help so many clients complete their moves before Christmas — there’s no better feeling than knowing families can enjoy the festive period settled into their new homes 🏡✨

The office will be closed from 1.00 pm on Friday 19 December 2025 and will reopen at 9.00 am on Monday 5 January 2026.

I’m really excited for the year ahead and for the opportunity to continue helping clients, growing my business, and building on the great start Bale Legal Consultancy has had.

⭐ May I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing and assisting you in 2026! ⭐🎄💛

—
Laura

28/11/2025

🌟 Small Win of the Week 🌟

This week’s highlight has definitely been completing a purchase for a lovely couple and their little boy who I’ve been helping since the end of October. With their rental property being sold next week, they were under a huge amount of pressure to secure their new home in time.🏡💛

We managed today to get everything completed within 4 weeks of receiving the draft contracts, and I’m so relieved for them. Knowing they can now move forward without the stress and uncertainty, just in time for Christmas genuinely means the world to me. ✨

If you’re thinking about moving home or need advice on a property matter, feel free to get in touch:

📩 [email protected]
📞 07486 611857

18/11/2025

✨ A Huge Thank You ✨

It’s been just over three weeks since I announced the launch of Bale Legal Consultancy, and I’m truly grateful for all of the support, messages, shares, and well-wishes. Your encouragement has meant the world.

I’m delighted to have already assisted several families with their home moves, and it’s been wonderful to see so many people booking appointments to put their Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney in place. Supporting clients with these important life steps is exactly why I pursued this, and I’m excited to keep growing and helping even more people.

If you’d like to discuss a property matter, Will, LPA, or any aspect of family or private client work, please feel free to get in touch:

📧 [email protected]
📞 - 07486 611 857

Thank you again for being part of this journey.
— Laura 🕊️

25/10/2025

🌿 Welcome to Bale Legal Consultancy 🌿

I’m Laura Bale, and I’m really excited to finally introduce my new venture — Bale Legal Consultancy, working as a Consultant Solicitor with KA Legal.

I’m a qualified Solicitor with over 10 years of experience in the legal field and 5 years as a practising Solicitor.

Over that time, I’ve seen how personal and emotional legal matters can be, and how important it is to have a space where clients feel heard, supported, and guided through their legal matters with care and understanding. After many years working within traditional law firms, I decided to create Bale Legal Consultancy because I wanted to offer clients a more personal service — one where every matter is treated with the time, care, and attention it deserves.

As a Consultant Solicitor, I have the freedom to manage my own caseload and choose the matters I take on. Without the constraints of traditional law firm targets or heavy workloads, I can dedicate the time and attention your case deserves — treating your matter as individual as you are, and providing clear, thoughtful, and responsive advice tailored to you.

Whilst some solicitors focus on just one area of law, I am trained in and have chosen to develop my expertise across a range of services. This allows clients the opportunity to continue working with someone they know and trust as their circumstances evolve — making it easier to see their legal matters through from start to finish.

I offer friendly, professional advice and representation in:
🏡 Property – including residential and commercial sales, purchases, remortgages, and transfers
💛 Family Law – including divorce, separation, financial matters, and child arrangements
🕊️ Private Client Work – including Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Probate

If you’d like to discuss how I can help, please get in touch:
📧 [email protected]
📞 - 07486 611 857

Thank you for visiting my page and supporting Bale Legal as it begins this exciting new chapter. I look forward to helping clients navigate their legal matters with professionalism, care, and confidence.