Over the last 35 years, more than 12,000 local people have benefitted from the free legal surgery held by solicitors Thatcher + Hallam, in what is believed to be one of the oldest continuous legal clinics in the whole of the country.

The great news for the public is that the onset of the coronavirus has not meant the end of the surgery, just that the service has had to be tweaked.

The firm's senior partner William Weller explains.

'We are intensely proud of our legal surgery and our commitment to helping the community over so many years, in Midsomer Norton, Radstock and beyond,' says Will. 'COVID-19 has been extremely challenging for every business and like everyone else we have had to adapt. This means that we are no longer able to see clients face to face at our offices and our usual Thursday evening legal surgery slot has been temporarily suspended. However, as with the rest of our business, we are determined to remain open for our clients and our community.'

The Thatcher + Hallam Legal Surgery is therefore now 'virtual' with clients being invited to contact the firm by email or telephone during normal office hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Details of the enquiry will be taken and then passed on to the lawyer most suited to answer the query.

'There is no way that we were going to let our community down,' adds Will. 'The legal surgery has always been popular and at this difficult time it is important that we are here to offer legal advice at a time when people need it most. Now more than ever it is important that as a community we are here to help and support each other.'

Clients wanting to use the Legal Surgery should either email the firm at [email protected] or call 01761 414646 during normal office hours.

You can also contact them via their web site here:

the Thatcher + Hallam web site

This week Thatcher + Hallam has also announced their sponsorship of Radstock Nub News.

'We are delighted to now be sponsoring both the Midsomer Norton and the Radstock Nub News, towns that we have now been serving for 250 years,' says Will Weller. 'More than ever it is important that the local community is reassured that legal help and assistance is at hand. Nub News will help spread that message.'