Who Is Howes Percival LLP and What Does the Firm Do?
Howes Percival LLP is a long-established UK commercial law firm providing legal advice and strategic support to businesses, public sector organisations, charities, and private individuals.
Founded in 1790, the firm has built a strong reputation for delivering practical, commercially focused legal solutions across multiple industries. It operates as a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales (OC322781).
The firm’s registered office is at Nene House, Northampton, and it serves clients across the UK through offices in Cambridge, Leicester, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Norwich, and Oxford.
Howes Percival is known for its client-first approach, offering advice that helps clients move forward with confidence.
Its client portfolio includes:
- Owner-managed businesses
- SMEs and start-ups
- Large national and international companies
- Government bodies and public sector organisations
- Charities and educational institutions
- Private individuals and families
The firm provides expertise in areas such as commercial law, corporate, employment, property, dispute resolution, family law, planning, agriculture, intellectual property, and wills and probate.
With a strong regional presence, Howes Percival is recognised as a leading independent UK law firm.
Who Are the Key Leaders and Partners at Howes Percival LLP?
Howes Percival LLP is led by a team of experienced partners, directors, and legal specialists located across its various UK offices.
The firm’s leadership team combines expertise across corporate law, employment, intellectual property, family law, private client work, and commercial property.
| Name | Position |
| Helen Jones | Director – Commercial and Transactional IP |
| Ben Hancox | Director – Corporate & Commercial |
| Will Taylor | Director – Corporate |
| Stephen Ruse | Director – Intellectual Property and IT |
| Lucy Elianu | Director – Wills and Probate |
| Robert Starr | Director – Regulatory |
| Guy Houldsworth | Director – Commercial Property |
| Sally Harris | Director – Family Law |
| Simon Roger Warburton | Member / Partner |
| Matthew Robert Thompson | Member / Partner |
In addition, the firm announced several senior appointments and partner promotions during 2025 and 2026, including Stephen Patch, Hannah Pryce, Simon Warburton, and Timothy Bacon.
These appointments highlight Howes Percival’s continued growth and commitment to strengthening its legal expertise across all departments.
What Are the Main Business Details of Howes Percival LLP?
Howes Percival LLP operates as an active Limited Liability Partnership and maintains a strong regulatory and financial standing.
| Detail | Information |
| Company Name | Howes Percival LLP |
| Company Number | OC322781 |
| Company Type | Limited Liability Partnership |
| Company Status | Active |
| Date Incorporated | 28 September 2006 |
| Registered Office | Nene House, 4 Rushmills, Northampton, England, NN4 7YB |
| Last Accounts Made Up To | 31 March 2025 |
| Next Accounts Due | 31 December 2026 |
| Last Confirmation Statement | 28 September 2025 |
| Next Confirmation Statement Due | 12 October 2026 |
Although the current LLP structure was incorporated in 2006, the firm’s legal heritage dates back to 1790. This gives Howes Percival more than 230 years of experience advising businesses and individuals throughout the UK.
The firm has continued to grow steadily over recent years, expanding both its service offering and geographical reach.
It is also recognised for maintaining a stable and successful business model, supported by a diverse client base and a wide range of legal specialisms.
What Are the Capital and Turnover Details of Howes Percival LLP?
Specific capital and annual turnover figures for Howes Percival LLP are not publicly disclosed in summary form. However, the firm is widely regarded as a financially strong and well-established regional law practice with consistent growth.
Howes Percival’s continued expansion into new sectors and office locations, together with regular partner promotions and recruitment, reflects the firm’s strong commercial position.
The business continues to invest in:
- Expanding specialist legal teams
- Developing new service areas such as AI, cyber security, and digital commerce
- Recruiting and promoting senior lawyers and partners
- Supporting sustainable business growth across the UK
Recent promotions announced in 2026 included six new partners among a wider group of 25 promotions, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to long-term development and investment in its people.
The firm is also recognised as one of the fastest-growing and most respected legal practices outside London.
What Services Does Howes Percival LLP Offer?
Howes Percival LLP offers a broad range of legal services for both businesses and individuals.
The firm’s legal expertise covers virtually every stage of a client’s personal or commercial journey, from business formation and expansion through to dispute resolution, succession planning, and private legal matters.
Its principal legal services include:
- Commercial law and commercial contracts
- Corporate and company law
- Banking and finance
- Employment law and HR support
- Commercial property and real estate
- Residential conveyancing
- Dispute resolution and litigation
- Insolvency and corporate recovery
- Family law services
- Immigration law
- Planning and environmental law
- Intellectual property and IT law
- Data protection and privacy
- Wills, probate, tax and trusts
- Construction law
- Fraud recovery and regulatory compliance
- Charity and church law
- In-house legal support services
The firm has also developed specialist expertise in newer and rapidly evolving areas of law, including:
- Artificial Intelligence and cyber security
- Digital and e-commerce law
- Technology and innovation
- Reputation management
- International business and overseas trading
| Service Area | Description |
| Corporate & Commercial | Business sales, acquisitions, contracts, restructuring, and governance |
| Employment & HR | Advice on employment law, tribunals, TUPE, and workplace disputes |
| Property Law | Commercial property, planning, construction, and residential conveyancing |
| Private Client | Wills, trusts, probate, family law, and tax planning |
| Dispute Resolution | Litigation, mediation, fraud recovery, and business disputes |
| Technology & Data | IT law, cyber security, intellectual property, and data protection |
Howes Percival combines technical legal expertise with a practical understanding of commercial realities. This allows the firm to provide advice that is both legally sound and commercially useful.
Which Industry Sectors Does Howes Percival LLP Specialise In?
Unlike many traditional law firms, Howes Percival LLP has built a strong sector-focused approach.
The firm understands that different industries face unique commercial, legal, and regulatory challenges. As a result, it has specialist teams dedicated to a number of key sectors.
Howes Percival advises clients in the following industries:
- Agriculture and estates
- Automotive
- Development and construction
- Food and beverage
- Government and public sector
- Health and social care
- Leisure and tourism
- Technology and innovation
This sector-specific knowledge allows the firm to provide tailored advice that takes into account the commercial environment in which its clients operate.
For example, the firm is particularly well regarded for its work in:
- Agricultural and rural business law
- Development and construction projects
- Healthcare and social care regulation
- Technology and innovation businesses
- Commercial property and planning matters
Its commercial property and planning teams are often described as regional heavyweights, while its employment and corporate teams are frequently praised for their pragmatic, business-focused advice.
How Can You Contact Howes Percival LLP?
Howes Percival LLP provides a range of contact options through its head office and regional locations.
| Contact Type | Details |
| Head Office | Nene House, 4 Rushmills, Northampton, England, NN4 7YB |
| Telephone | 01604 230400 |
| General Email | information@howespercival.com |
| Website | https://www.howespercival.com/ |
| Company Number | OC322781 |
Regional office locations include:
- Cambridge
- Leicester
- Manchester
- Milton Keynes
- Northampton
- Norwich
- Oxford
| Office | Telephone |
| Cambridge | 01223 791000 |
| Leicester | 01162 473500 |
| Manchester | 0161 259 0400 |
| Milton Keynes | 01908 672682 |
| Norwich | 01603 762103 |
| Oxford | 01865 536800 |
Visitors to the firm’s website can also explore individual service areas, legal insights, career opportunities, and office-specific contact details.
Why Should Businesses and Individuals Choose Howes Percival LLP?
Howes Percival LLP continues to be a trusted legal partner for businesses and individuals across the UK because of its combination of experience, expertise, and personal service.
Key reasons to choose the firm include:
- More than 230 years of legal heritage
- A broad range of specialist legal services
- Strong regional offices with national coverage
- Experienced partners and industry specialists
- Excellent reputation for client care and practical advice
- Recognition as one of the UK’s leading employers and law firms
Whether a client requires support with a corporate transaction, employment issue, property matter, family concern, or strategic business decision, Howes Percival offers practical and reliable legal guidance.
With its growing reputation, modern approach, and commitment to helping clients face the future with confidence, Howes Percival LLP remains one of the UK’s most respected and forward-thinking law firms.
