AB & A Matthews LLP Solicitors profiles

A B Matthews founded his Legal Firm in 1871 based in Newton Stewart. This Firm has continued down through the years with subsequent generations of the family becoming involved in the business together with other Partners and Solicitors.

As the Firm evolved and continued to grow, our Dumfries office was opened in 1986 and we also now have an office in Stranraer which we have run since 1995. Spreading the Firm over the entire length of the area allows us to provide a personal service to clients no matter where they are based in Dumfries & Galloway.

We have a wide client base throughout south-west Scotland and beyond, who benefit from our wide ranging experience and appreciate our successful blend of friendly relationships with high professional standards.

As from 1st February 2006, the Firm reformed, and has been renamed and restructured internally as A B & A Matthews LLP. The purpose of this change is to put the Firm on a modern corporate footing while retaining our core professional values. Changing to an LLP provides increased stability in the foundations of the business and greater potential for expansion and growth. Although A B & A Matthews is a separate and distinct corporate identity, it can still trace it's roots back to 1871.

P. Joseph Baxter - Solicitor LLB NP
Joined the Firm in 1978 having graduated from Glasgow University and trained in Glasgow. A rural practice was a much more attractive proposition than living and working in the city - and he has no regrets, as the variety of work has proved to be interesting, stimulating and challenging. Joe has a wide and varied experience in most aspects of the law including house purchase and sale, agriculture, wills, court work (civil, criminal and matrimonial), industrial tribunals and arbitrations. Living in a small country town has given him the opportunity to participate in a large number of other interests, such as golf, cycling, sailing, scuba diving, tennis, badminton, swimming, running and hill walking with the rest of his time spent with his wife, Sarah, and four daughters, Katie, Laura, Karyn and Marianne. Contact: (01671) 404100 Email: joebaxter@abamatthews.com

P. Joseph Baxter - Solicitor LLB NP

Joined the Firm in 1978 having graduated from Glasgow University and trained in Glasgow. A rural practice was a much more attractive proposition than living and working in the city - and he has no regrets, as the variety of work has proved to be interesting, stimulating and challenging.

Joe has a wide and varied experience in most aspects of the law including house purchase and sale, agriculture, wills, court work (civil, criminal and matrimonial), industrial tribunals and arbitrations.

Living in a small country town has given him the opportunity to participate in a large number of other interests, such as golf, cycling, sailing, scuba diving, tennis, badminton, swimming, running and hill walking with the rest of his time spent with his wife, Sarah, and four daughters, Katie, Laura, Karyn and Marianne.

Contact: (01671) 404100
Email: joebaxter@abamatthews.com

Helena G. Fox - Solicitor LLB (Hons) DipLP NP
Graduated from Edinburgh University in 1992 and after a year spent working in Edinburgh joined A B & A Matthews in 1993 as a Trainee Solicitor. She was appointed as an Associate of the Firm in 1999 and in May 2001 was assumed as a Partner. Working in a rural practice has enabled Helena to gain experience in a wide variety of areas, particularly conveyancing and civil Court work including all aspects of Family Law. Helena enjoys an active social life. Her main hobby is golf and she is a former Captain of Newton Stewart Golf Club. She also lists badminton, travelling, skiing and her tomcat, Jasper, amongst her other interests. Contact: (01671) 404100 Email: helenafox@abamatthews.com

Helena G. Fox - Solicitor LLB (Hons) DipLP NP

Graduated from Edinburgh University in 1992 and after a year spent working in Edinburgh joined A B & A Matthews in 1993 as a Trainee Solicitor. She was appointed as an Associate of the Firm in 1999 and in May 2001 was assumed as a Partner. Working in a rural practice has enabled Helena to gain experience in a wide variety of areas, particularly conveyancing and civil Court work including all aspects of Family Law.

Helena enjoys an active social life. Her main hobby is golf and she is a former Captain of Newton Stewart Golf Club. She also lists badminton, travelling, skiing and her tomcat, Jasper, amongst her other interests.

Contact: (01671) 404100
Email: helenafox@abamatthews.com

Paul W. Matthews - Solicitor LLB Dip LP NP
Graduated from Edinburgh University and is now a resident Partner in the Firm’s Dumfries office. Paul would like to include as his interests heli-skiing, power kiting, extreme surfing and frequent world travel, but alas cannot, probably due to his 3 young children, Paul, Hamish and Robbie, providing a more immediate need for his time and resources, and the moderating influence of wife and fellow Partner in the Firm, Diane. He truly believes (albeit without any form of evidence being produced to date) that he is probably one of the finest Solicitors in Scotland (a belief not shared by his fellow Partners, particularly Helena Fox). His attention to detail and analytical skills are the subject of many a discussion amongst his peers. Mr Matthews says that he often will "think in Latin" to assist him in solving complex legal problems. The exercise of this invisible talent invariably will result in an uplift in the fee plus VAT and outlays, posts, etc... Contact: (01387) 257300 Email: paulmatthews@abamatthews.com

Paul W. Matthews - Solicitor LLB Dip LP NP

Graduated from Edinburgh University and is now a resident Partner in the Firm’s Dumfries office.

Paul would like to include as his interests heli-skiing, power kiting, extreme surfing and frequent world travel, but alas cannot, probably due to his 3 young children, Paul, Hamish and Robbie, providing a more immediate need for his time and resources, and the moderating influence of wife and fellow Partner in the Firm, Diane.

He truly believes (albeit without any form of evidence being produced to date) that he is probably one of the finest Solicitors in Scotland (a belief not shared by his fellow Partners, particularly Helena Fox).

His attention to detail and analytical skills are the subject of many a discussion amongst his peers. Mr Matthews says that he often will "think in Latin" to assist him in solving complex legal problems.

The exercise of this invisible talent invariably will result in an uplift in the fee plus VAT and outlays, posts, etc...

Contact: (01387) 257300
Email: paulmatthews@abamatthews.com

Diane H. Matthews - Solicitor LLB Dip LP NP
Was brought up in the very acceptable climate of Ghana, West Africa, but returned to Scotland to be educated (paradoxically) at St Margaret’s School for Young Ladies and thereafter at Edinburgh University where she completed her Law degree. She is a founding Partner of the Firm’s Dumfries office, coming to the town in 1986. Diane’s outside interests centre around her three young children, Paul, Hamish and Robbie, who manage to ensure that she is kept fully occupied after a hard day’s work. Contact: (01387) 257300 Email: dianematthews@abamatthews.com

Diane H. Matthews - Solicitor LLB Dip LP NP

Was brought up in the very acceptable climate of Ghana, West Africa, but returned to Scotland to be educated (paradoxically) at St Margaret’s School for Young Ladies and thereafter at Edinburgh University where she completed her Law degree. She is a founding Partner of the Firm’s Dumfries office, coming to the town in 1986.

Diane’s outside interests centre around her three young children, Paul, Hamish and Robbie, who manage to ensure that she is kept fully occupied after a hard day’s work.

Contact: (01387) 257300
Email: dianematthews@abamatthews.com

Peter A. H. Matthews - Solicitor LLB WS NP
Along with his brother, Paul W. Matthews, he is the fourth generation of family members involved in the practice of law since A B Matthews commenced business in 1871. He has over twenty five years experience in the practice of Law in this area, having previously worked in two large Firms in Edinburgh before returning to Newton Stewart in 1979. In common with all the Partners in the Firm he is able to deal with a wide variety of topics and areas of Law, which best serve the current needs and interests of the Firm’s clients. He is currently a Member of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland. His extracurricular interests are extremely varied. Contact: (01671) 404100 Email: petermatthews@abamatthews.com

Peter A. H. Matthews - Solicitor LLB WS NP

Along with his brother, Paul W. Matthews, he is the fourth generation of family members involved in the practice of law since A B Matthews commenced business in 1871.

He has over twenty five years experience in the practice of Law in this area, having previously worked in two large Firms in Edinburgh before returning to Newton Stewart in 1979. In common with all the Partners in the Firm he is able to deal with a wide variety of topics and areas of Law, which best serve the current needs and interests of the Firm’s clients. He is currently a Member of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland.

His extracurricular interests are extremely varied.

Contact: (01671) 404100
Email: petermatthews@abamatthews.com

William J. McHarg - Property Manager
Joined the Firm in 1973 when it was a 2 Partner Firm with just one office, located in Newton Stewart. A qualified Law Accountant he is responsible for the running of the Practice and the Estate Agency side of the business in Newton Stewart. Billy’s interests include fishing (he is treasurer of Newton Stewart and District Angling Association), golf, walking and skiing. He often feels it would have been better to have been found guilty of murder in 1973, rather than joining A B & A Matthews, because by now he would have served his life sentence. Contact: (01671) 404100 Email: williammcharg@abamatthews.com

William J. McHarg - Property Manager

Joined the Firm in 1973 when it was a 2 Partner Firm with just one office, located in Newton Stewart. A qualified Law Accountant he is responsible for the running of the Practice and the Estate Agency side of the business in Newton Stewart.

Billy’s interests include fishing (he is treasurer of Newton Stewart and District Angling Association), golf, walking and skiing.

He often feels it would have been better to have been found guilty of murder in 1973, rather than joining A B & A Matthews, because by now he would have served his life sentence.

Contact: (01671) 404100
Email: williammcharg@abamatthews.com

Peter M. Murray - Solicitor LLB NP
Graduated from Edinburgh University in 1970. After training in Edinburgh he qualified in 1972 following which he gained experience working in Glasgow and Dumfries before joining the Firm in 1977, and becoming a Partner in 1978. Enjoying the wide variety of work in the South West of Scotland, Peter has a special interest in Agricultural, Residential and Commercial Conveyancing along with Trust and Tax Planning. He currently holds the position of Clerk to the Commissioners of Income Tax. Born and brought up in Dumfries & Galloway, Peter has a keen interest in country matters and presently acts as Clerk to both the Rivers Bladnoch and Cree District Salmon Fishery Boards as well as legal advisor to the West Galloway Fisheries Trust. Contact: (01671) 404100 Email: petermurray@abamatthews.com

Peter M. Murray - Solicitor LLB NP

Graduated from Edinburgh University in 1970. After training in Edinburgh he qualified in 1972 following which he gained experience working in Glasgow and Dumfries before joining the Firm in 1977, and becoming a Partner in 1978.

Enjoying the wide variety of work in the South West of Scotland, Peter has a special interest in Agricultural, Residential and Commercial Conveyancing along with Trust and Tax Planning. He currently holds the position of Clerk to the Commissioners of Income Tax.

Born and brought up in Dumfries & Galloway, Peter has a keen interest in country matters and presently acts as Clerk to both the Rivers Bladnoch and Cree District Salmon Fishery Boards as well as legal advisor to the West Galloway Fisheries Trust.

Contact: (01671) 404100
Email: petermurray@abamatthews.com

Andrew Murray - Solicitor
Is a native of Stranraer and needs no further introduction. Contact: (01776) 702581 Email: andrewmurray@abamatthews.com

Andrew Murray - Solicitor

Is a native of Stranraer and needs no further introduction.

Contact: (01776) 702581
Email: andrewmurray@abamatthews.com

Steven Whitelaw - Solicitor LLB (Hons) Dip LP NP
Finished Glasgow University in 1998 with a burning ambition not to be a lawyer. Instead he joined The Scottish Office, but after 8 months as a civil servant decided that being a lawyer wouldn’t be too bad after all. He joined the Firm in 1999 as a Trainee Solicitor and qualified in May 2001 Steven gained a Financial Planning Certificate in 2002 for a reason he can't recall. He also completed Grade I on the piano in 2004 which is not too bad considering he started the lessons when he was 9... Married to Laura in 2000, his other interests show a rapid and worrying decline to middle-age although fortunately he has not yet gone grey like his boss, Paul - though he is getting larger. Steven has written no legal textbooks and is not retained by any institutional clients. He has however been voted the most handsome lawyer in the Firm, but only by his mum. Contact: (01387) 257300 Email: stevenwhitelaw@abamatthews.com

Steven Whitelaw - Solicitor LLB (Hons) Dip LP NP

Finished Glasgow University in 1998 with a burning ambition not to be a lawyer. Instead he joined The Scottish Office, but after 8 months as a civil servant decided that being a lawyer wouldn’t be too bad after all. He joined the Firm in 1999 as a Trainee Solicitor and qualified in May 2001

Steven gained a Financial Planning Certificate in 2002 for a reason he can't recall. He also completed Grade I on the piano in 2004 which is not too bad considering he started the lessons when he was 9...

Married to Laura in 2000, his other interests show a rapid and worrying decline to middle-age although fortunately he has not yet gone grey like his boss, Paul - though he is getting larger.

Steven has written no legal textbooks and is not retained by any institutional clients. He has however been voted the most handsome lawyer in the Firm, but only by his mum.

Contact: (01387) 257300
Email: stevenwhitelaw@abamatthews.com

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