Expert Solicitors throughout Northern Ireland

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Our Mission Statement

To provide the highest standard of legal advice and service to our clients, which is cost effective, pragmatic and delivered in a friendly and professional manner.

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Our Experts

We have experts across a variety of sectors and we believe we are the best.

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Latest News

We have experts across a variety of sectors and we believe we are the best.

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Our Services

We have experts across a variety of sectors and we believe we are the best.

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Our wide office base connected by state-of-the-art IT services enables us to provide the benefits associated with a large firm through our network of offices staffed by local experts with local knowledge.

Whether you require legal services for you and your family or your business we will focus on tailoring our services to meet your needs.

We believe the following set us apart from other firms of solicitors :

Latest News

Acquisition of Former Ulster Bank Premises in Comber

We are delighted to announce the acquisition of the former Ulster Bank premises, The Square, Comber.

Charlie Stewart, Managing Director, Stewarts Solicitors

Commenting on the announcement, Managing Director, Charlie Stewart said:

"Contrary to the approach taken by many banks we believe it important to have a local presence and to employ local people. We have had a presence in Comber for many years and will be relocating from adjacent premises to the bank building early in 2024 following a sympathetic refurbishment. This larger space will allow our growing team in Comber and our Newtownards head office to serve the needs of the wider Comber area.”

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Patterson Donnelly Solicitors/PDS LAW

In March 2017 following the closure of Patterson Donnelly Solicitors also known as PDS Law, Stewarts Solicitors took a transfer of the majority of active files together with the Wills & Deeds held by Patterson Donnelly on behalf of their clients. Stewarts Solicitors was also appointed by the Law Society to assist with the closure of the client account of the former firm of PDS Law.

Claire Donnelly who had formerly been in Partnership with Colin S Patterson in the Firm of PDS Law, joined Stewarts as an Assistant Solicitor as part of a two-year transition period.

Should any clients of the former practice of PDS Law/Patterson Donnelly have any queries or wish to check the updated storage records please do not hesitate to contact the Newtownards Branch of Stewarts Solicitors and ask for Charlie Stewart, Director. We will be able to confirm what records were transferred to this Firm.

Charlie Stewart is the great grandson of Alexander Stewart who began practice as a solicitor in the town of Newtownards in 1897. He was succeeded by his son William C Stewart who in turn was succeeded by his son, the current Chairman, Charles E Stewart, who has practised as a Solicitor for over 50 years.

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Stamp Duty Holiday

In July 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak introduced a “Stamp Duty Holiday” by announcing that Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), also commonly known as stamp duty, is to be axed for six months on homes worth up to £500,000. The decision is effective immediately and forms part of the government’s emergency mini-budget, aimed to combat the potential financial crisis caused as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.


Historically, stamp duty was charged at 2% on properties sold for a price above £125,000, increasing to 5% for properties over £250,000. The removal of this willsee the average stamp duty bill fall by £4,500 and almost 9 out of 10 people buying a home before 31 March 2021 will pay no stamp duty at all.


If you are looking to purchase or sell a property, given the introduction of the “stamp duty holiday” it is advisable to obtain independent legal advice from an appropriately experienced solicitor before taking any action. If you would like legal advice or assistance with buying or selling a property or have any questionsregarding your position in relation to stamp duty please call us, email enquiry@stewartsolicitors.com or complete our Online Enquiry Form.


If you are considering buying or selling a property, contacting a solicitor at an early juncture is advisable so that you are appropriately advised at the outset of any key considerations in relation to stamp duty.


Frequently Asked Questions


What is stamp duty?

Stamp duty is a government tax applied to both freehold and leasehold residential property or piece of land costing more than £125,000, or £300,000 forfirst time buyers. Different rates apply for non-residential property. The tax applies whether you are buying outright or with a mortgage.Before the stamp duty holiday, 2% was payable on homes sold for £125,001 – £250,000, 5% on homes sold for £250,001 – £925,000, 10% on homes sold for £925,001 – £1.5m and 12% on homes above £1.5m

Am I eligible for a stamp duty tax break?

The changes to stamp duty are applicable to buyers in England and Northern Ireland.In order to qualify, the purchase has to be completed from 8 July 2020 and before 31 March 2021.

When will the stamp duty holiday start?

The break is effective immediately, starting 8 July 2020. This means that any property sale which has not completed before 8 July will be eligible.

How will the stamp duty holiday work?

The tax will not be payable on any residential property or land sold for less than £500,000. Any property sold for over £500,000 will be subject stamp duty on the amount of the price over £500,000.

I am a first time buyer – what does this mean for me?

Before the stamp duty holiday, first time buyers benefited from a higher threshold of 0% stamp duty on the first £300,000. With a raised lower limit of £500,000, first time buyers are now granted a further £200,000 in tax relief.

I am buying an additional property – what does this mean for me?

Buyers purchasing second homes or buy-to-let properties will also benefit from the exemption, but will continue to pay the additional 3% levied on the entire purchase price.


The content of this article is for general information only. The information in this article is not legal or professional advice. If you require legal or professional advice you should obtain independent expert advice from qualified property solicitors such as those within our firm.
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Testimonials

"Many thanks to John Beattie who undoubtedly was a huge credit to me for fighting on my behalf for a RTA. John was very pleasant, professional and client centred which gave me a lot of hope and trust within the process of my case. I would highly recommend and I will undoubtedly keep John in my contacts in case of any needed further assistance."

"I have had the opportunity to use the expertise of the team at Stewarts several times over the past 2 years. I have always found them helpful, prompt and willing to explain things without the jargon. They will definitely be my first call in future. Thanks to Victoria for the most recent assistance. Professional, friendly and kind in helping me navigate my way through another process. First class service."

"I have nothing but praise for John Beatty who took excellent care of my case for compensation after a serious road traffic accident. Even through the covid lockdowns he always kept in touch personally with me with updates. He worked tirelessly and ensured an excellent settlement which I was pleasantly surprised with. I thoroughly recommend John and Stewart Solicitors and cannot thank him enough."

"Received a fantastic service courtesy of John Beatty at Stewarts Solicitors. Made the entire process a breeze with excellent communication throughout. Will be using John as my solicitor in the future, cannot recommend highly enough."

“My Solicitor was very informative and always kept me up to date on the progress of the case.”

“I was very impressed with the professionalism of the firm. All staff I spoke to were courteous and very pleasant to deal with at all times. All correspondence was handled and processed very quickly.”

“My Solicitor was very good explaining my case and was friendly to speak with when dealing with my claim.”

“Excellent service, my family are no strangers to this firm.”

“My Solicitor was extremely polite and friendly. Great communication and very helpful.”

“Very Polite and dealt with the utmost of efficiency.”

"John Beatty at Stewarts Solicitors took on an employment case on my behalf. The case lasted 2 years, and during that time I found John very professional and client centred. He listened, and advocated for me in a manor that exceeded my expectations. I was kept informed at every stage of every development in a timely manor. I am nothing but grateful that John took on my case and acted on my behalf. In my opinion, John is asset to Stewart's solicitors, and I would have no hesitation in using there services in the future. Stewart's solicitors also dealt with the sale and the purchase of my house, and again the whole experience was stress free from beginning to end. Five stars...."

"Excellent. The staff here are so helpful. Would recommend"

"Stewart’s have just settled a personal injury claim for me during which the insurer was being pragmatic and refusing to make an offer, John sorted this out and resulted in me being offered a fair amount for the injury caused."

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Stewarts Solicitors has offices in Belfast, Newtownards, Ballymena, Comber and Kircubbin and offers services to individuals and businesses across the whole of Northern Ireland.

If you’re not sure who to contact, you can call our switchboard who will put you in touch with the best person to advise you. Alternatively you can view ‘Our People‘ page to search for an individual.

You can also contact any of our office receptions using the details below, or you can use our online contact form to get in touch.

Selling or Buying Property?

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