Souness Stone Law Partnership - Family, Property & Estate Lawyers

Souness Stone Law Partnership is a boutique law firm based in central Hastings, founded in 1994. The firm prides itself on working closely with clients to provide practical solutions with a high level of personal service. Partners Alison Souness and Richard Stone each bring over 30 years of experience in litigation, family relationships and property law, delivering comprehensive legal services to clients throughout Hawke's Bay and beyond.

The firm specialises in family law matters including relationship property agreements, settlements and disputes, spousal maintenance, guardianship and care of children, adoption and PPPR Act matters. They have extensive experience in all Family Court work and regularly act as Lawyer for Children and Counsel to Assist the Court. The partners also handle criminal court matters including limited licences, appeals and jury trials, as well as Coroner's Court appearances.

In property law, Souness Stone provides services for buying, selling and refinancing residential property, with particular expertise in the interface between property and family relationships. Their estate practice encompasses wills and estates including probate and letters of administration, family protection and testamentary promises claims, and powers of attorney. While the firm has extensive litigation experience across multiple jurisdictions including the Court of Appeal, High Court and District Court, they have a particular interest in mediating disputes to achieve win-win outcomes for clients where possible.