NEWS

Silver Award Winners for Sustainability

We are so proud and delighted to have won the Silver Sustainability Award last night at the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce 2025 SME Business Awards! This recognises our dedication to put sustainability at the heart of our core values and do as much as we can to support our next generations in the continued climate challenges.

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We also sponsored the "High Growth Business of the Year" category and our Managing Director Debbie Neiteler took to the stage to present the awards. Huge congratulations to the Resourceful People Group who won the Silver Award, and Jenolite who took home the Gold Award in this category.

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Between us all in the room we also raised £2000 for the charity partner Working Options (in Education)! It was a fabulous evening all round - pop into our offices to see our award proudly displayed.

Supporting Our Community – Sponsorship and Charity Highlights

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At Austin & Carnley, our commitment to the local community is a proud part of who we are. We believe in giving back and supporting initiatives that bring people together, create opportunities, and make a real difference to lives across Leighton Buzzard, Ampthill, Milton Keynes and beyond.

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Over the past year, we’ve been delighted to sponsor and support a wide range of community projects, grassroots sport, and local events. Here is just some of what we have been up to.  We were proud to support Leighton Town Football Club last season and are looking forward to continuing our involvement for the upcoming season.

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We’re also headline sponsors of Buzz Cinema, helping to bring independent and family films to local audiences, and we support the Leighton-Linslade Carnival website, a much-loved community event that celebrates the town’s spirit and heritage.

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In Ampthill, we are enthusiastic backers of youth sport and are proud to sponsor the Ampthill Town Cricket Club youth team, the Ampthill Girls Rugby Club, and this summer we’re sponsoring the new Big Tent Weekend event in July – what hopes to be a fantastic celebration of local music, arts, and culture.

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Our charity partnerships are equally important. KidsOut is our Charity of the Year – an inspiring organisation helping children who have experienced difficult or traumatic situations to have positive new experiences. We’re also supporting Ride High, a Milton Keynes-based charity that uses horses to help transform the lives of vulnerable young people. Two of our staff members, David and Lauren, are gearing up to take part in Ride MK next month in aid of Ride High – best of luck to them both!  We are also going to be partnering with Harrys Rainbow on Legacy Giving.  

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Earlier this spring, we supported CHUMS UK during a recent charity golf day, and sponsored at hole at the Ride High golf day.  We’re hopeful to once again support the Leighton Fun Runners 10K in September and the Royal British Legion concert in November, should we be invited to do so.

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Giving back is more than a policy – it’s a principle we live by. Thank you to all the wonderful organisations and volunteers who make our community so vibrant – we’re honoured to play a small part in your success.

What is Ramadan? Why is it practiced? And what is it like to fast whilst working?

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Another year means another Ramadan is upon us. If you don’t know what Ramadan is or how it is celebrated – then read on to find out about this very special time of year for up to nearly two billion Muslims worldwide!

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Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is not possible to pinpoint exactly when Ramadan is as the dates tend to change every year. This is because the Islamic calendar is based on cycles of the moon. Many Muslims consider it their religious duty to fast during this time from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is not obligatory on all Muslims however. For example, children are not expected to fast, and neither are pregnant women, the elderly, or people with illnesses.

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Fasting allows Muslims an important opportunity to focus on their faith, spirituality and devote themselves further to the practice of religion. It is also used as a means of allowing Muslims to practice self-discipline and helps to act as a reminder of the trials and tribulations faced by the poor.

Ramadan also lends itself to a great deal of other reminders. For example, the importance of charity and good deeds. It’s also a time where Muslims should be coming together with their family/friends to embark on shared religious experiences, such as attending extra prayer services in the mosque (known as ‘taraweeh’) and cooking together to make food for the fast-breaking meal known as ‘Iftar’. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate one of the biggest events in the Islamic calendar known as ‘Eid-al-Fitr’. This marks the end of fasting and translates to ‘festival of the breaking of the fast’. Traditionally speaking, Eid is when families tend to wear their best clothes and adorn themselves and their homes with beautiful scents (such as ‘oud’ – a very popular scent in the Islamic world). On the morning of Eid-al-Fitr many Muslims will attend morning prayers at the local mosque where they are expected to make their end of Ramadan donation to charity known as ‘Zakat’ or ‘Fitrana’. This is usually followed at home by gift giving (especially to children) and a large home cooked feast amongst loved ones (I always find that part to be quite similar to Christmas!). To wish someone well at Eid, you can say "Eid Mubarak", which means "Blessed Eid". Likewise, if you want to wish someone well at the start of Ramadan, you can say “Ramadan Mubarak” which means “Blessed Ramadan”.

Whilst Ramadan is often a very special time of year, there are also many Muslims (including myself) who work during Ramadan and often have a 9-5 that they need to juggle alongside fasting! If you’re in the same position, there are a number of ways to help you get through the work day. First of all, I would definitely advise having ‘suhoor’ (the meal eaten before dawn during Ramadan). Try to have this as late as possible to ensure you’ve got enough energy to prepare you for the rest of the day. I would also recommend drinking as much water as you can when you are not fasting. I tend to find that I am particularly prone to dehydration during Ramadan and as a result I drink at least 5 glasses between fasts in order to help avoid feeling dehydrated. Finally, I would say it is very easy to overeat when you’re breaking your fast but you should try your best not to do this! When I overeat I almost always feel tired, lethargic and bloated afterwards. Therefore, you should try to avoid the temptation to do this so you can effectively get through the next working day and fast with ease!​

It should also be said that Ramadan can be a very challenging month and as such can test the limits of our physical and emotional wellbeing. However, most non-Muslims do most likely already have some awareness of what Ramadan involves. Therefore, the vast majority of people are more likely than not very understanding when they come to realise that you are fasting and are more than willing to lend any support you may need. Nevertheless, Ramadan is a very special time of year. For me personally, it is a time of spiritual reflection, generosity and perhaps most importantly – gratitude. I see these as universal values that people of any and no faith can resonate with and practice themselves – especially in these increasingly tumultuous and unsteady times.

Written by Haider Maqsood (Trainee Solicitor)

We are excited to announce two new staff joining us this month.  

Lauren Garvey started in our Family Law team, she has practised as a Family Solicitor since she qualified in 2021.   

She can assist with all aspects of Family Law including divorce, financial matters, issues in relation to children and disputes regarding child contact, disputes between cohabitees and non-molestation orders.

Blessing Yiadom has started as a Paralegal in our Private Client Team.  

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She comes with a wealth of experience.  Blessing completed her LLB at the University of Essex in 2023 and then worked in the public sector of Law at the Ministry of Justice, undertook a placement at a Law centre and also volunteered at a law firm.  

We hope they both settle in at Austin & Carnley.  And hope you get to meet Lauren and Blessing over the next few months.  ​

Buzz Cinema Headline Sponsors  ​

Earlier in the year we were approached by Lobke van Eijk and Heni Cloake from Buzz Cinema; the Leighton Buzzard Film Festival.  We were asked if we would be interested in being their headline sponsor for this year’s event.  The festival is in it’s third year, but they hadn’t had sponsorship previously.  Of course, we said “Yes”. 

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If you didn’t come along to any of this year’s events, you missed out.  Buzz Cinema is a 10-day festival of all things film and cinematography and celebrates local film across the home counties. 

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The opening night screening was on Friday 4th October at Leighton Buzzard Theatre.  Seven films were shown, all made locally, including two made by first time film makers from Vandyke Upper School.  They were really entertaining, and it was great to hear of their experience, when they were interviewed on stage afterwards. 

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It was great to be at this event and feel the buzz.  We wanted to take some giveaways, what else to take, but popcorn for the audience to enjoy.  It was also the first time we were able to sit down and enjoy the short film Lobke had made for us, for use on our social media channels – watch this space.  It was really special that we were in a position to be able to sit and watch it on the big silver screen. 

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On Sunday, our very own Haider Maqsood went along to the Creative Networking event run in collaboration with Creative Buzz.  This was an exciting and dynamic networking session designed specifically for creative professionals in our local community. It was the perfect opportunity for creatives to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships that can enhance your creative projects.  We love networking ourselves, and really see the benefits this can bring. 

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The event was held at Canal Street Coffee, so was washed down with their delicious drinks.  Haider, who studied Media Law as one of his modules at university, joined the creatives.  He was able to help one of the attendees with a consumer dispute about a warranty she was being told was invalid.  Haider clarified that even if the warrantee had expired, as she had only bought the product earlier in the year, even if the warranty had expired, she still had statutory rights for 6 years after date of purchase. 

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Haider found it great to connect with people who had worked on some very well known TV projects! He was excited to meet someone who worked on The Witcher, staring Henry Cavill, and someone else who worked on one of Nigella’s TV shows.  You’d be surprised who you meet in downtown Linslade. 

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Several members of staff attended  the mid-week screening on Thursday October 10th.  The mid-week screening saw more heart warming and comedic short films, once again all made locally across the three counties. 

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Haider said “I attended an incredible screening of short films with the theme of ‘Heart and Humour.’ The talent and creativity on display from local filmmakers were truly impressive. I was proud to support such a brilliant celebration of local talent. Looking forward to more events next year and the continued success of Buzz Cinema!”

The festival continued with varying workshops including a set design workshop, live script reading workshop and a podcast and storytelling workshop.  Plus, further film screenings, Offbeat Visions and Wicked Visions, those short films submitted by filmmakers from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire that were either experimental, or more mystical, weird, full of suspense, and possibly even a little scary. 

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The finale of the festival was the 48-hour film challenge.  The challenge was to make a film in 48 hours from start to finish.  The winners of this challenge were presented with a beautiful handmade award made by local woodworker @anthonysmithwood.   

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After a week of inspiring workshops and short films, all successfully completed films from the challenge were screened at the Closing Night in The Crooked Crow Bar. This was a fantastic finish to a fantastic week celebrating local film with Buzz Cinema. 

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The Best Film and Best Cinematography award went to the film Shirley Knott, Best Production design went to Report 754lb, Best Acting went to Angelica in Sweet, Best Storytelling went to Cast Away in The Buzzard.  You can watch all films here.  

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We think this is a great little festival, and can’t wait to see what our local community of creatives comes up with for next year.  It has been exciting to be a part of it and we are really pleased we said ‘yes’, when we were asked.  See you there next year. 

TEAM AWAY DAY Center Parcs in Woburn  ​We all enjoyed a day away from the office this month for our annual Team Away Day.   ​Sometimes it is important to take time away from the day-to-day operations of a business to spend valuable time working on the business together as a team. 

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We were in the gorgeous forest, which was fabulous in itself.  Center Parcs looked after us really well.  We would thoroughly recommend them for conferences and work events. 

We had booked space in The Venue, which has a lovely welcome space.  We had a dedicated room for catering, where we enjoyed breakfast rolls, tea, coffee and biscuits and a lovely lunch.  For the session we were in the Wilstead Room, with big windows looking out onto the forest, and doors opening onto an outside space.  We were joined by Caroline Doran, a fabulous business coach we have been working with. 

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Debbie and David reflected on the progress made since the last away day and talked of some very exciting upcoming plans for the next few months.  ​Caroline facilitated our session and helped us create our shared vision for the future direction of the firm.  We used an analogy of a journey on the sea, looking at the wind in our sails, the anchor holding us back and the rocks we might need to steer clear of. 

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After lunch we did a team building exercise lead by several members of the Center Parcs team.  We had to design and build catapults.  Then it got competitive, as we had to see how far our machines would shoot varying items.  David’s team won.  But of course, it was not all about the winning. 

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Afterwards we shared a drink in the bar before some of the team went to use the sub-tropical pool. 

We're thrilled to be able to showcase the incredible painting of our beloved Bridge House, masterfully created by the talented John Trotman. His portrayal of our building is not only beautiful but truly captures the essence of our space. We want to thank John for bringing our vision to life with such artistry and finesse!

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If you want to see more of John's fantastic work, we highly recommend checking out his Facebook page to explore his other creations, and perhaps find the perfect piece for your own space.  

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John has also published a book of his sketches of Leighton and Linslade street scenes.  Before lockdown John could be found sketching buildings and urban scenes in the capital, but during lockdown turned his attention to his home town.  The Leighton Buzzard Observer has more details on his book.  

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Or you can find John featured on the Leighton Buzzard Art Society (LBAS) website.  

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We have had the picture framed, and it will be up on the wall in reception very soon for you all to see when you visit us.  

Thank you once again, John, we couldn't be happier with the painting!

As corporate friends of the Forest of Marston Vale charity each year we have pledged to plant a tree for every case we open. This year we have sponsored over 2,000 trees, for our 2023 cases. This season these trees are being planted on a site owned by Flitwick Town Council. Here they are creating a woodland nature reserve of between 25,000 and 28,000 trees.

On Mother’s Day weekend, the team planted over 200 of the trees we are sponsoring this season. We planted a mixture of native broad leaf British saplings including oak, hornbeam, silver birch, dogwood, broad leaf maple, plus some red oak. The latter being a non-native North American species, being introduced to add resilience to climate change.

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It was a great day. We were lucky with the weather this year. We saw our staff, along with their families’ planting trees. This included some very young grandchildren planting trees with their grandparents and families working together. Some of the team got very competitive over the number of trees they planted.

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We had a lovely morning together, followed by lunch at The George, in Maulden, Debbie and David’s treat.

We want to thank Robina Ballard-Davis, from Forest of Marston Vale, and look forward to planting more trees ‘under whose shade we will never sit’ as our legacy.

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If you open a case with Austin & Carnley over the next 12 months, you can be sure we will plant a tree for you next year.

We have a newly qualified solicitor in the team!

Huge congratulations to Chris Heale, who has officially become a fully qualified solicitor.

Chris Heale recently qualified as a solicitor. He has been working here at Austin & Carnley since graduating in 2021. He has been lucky to have been mentored by leading Commercial Property law expert Stefano De Nisi. Qualifying in 1978, there is very little Stefano hasn’t come across.

Chris said “I am thrilled to work at Austin & Carnley solicitors, now as a fully qualified solicitor. I have worked at the firm since 2021, whilst finishing my training. Since qualifying I have chosen to specialise in property, with an emphasis on commercial property. It is fantastic to continue my journey working with Austin & Carnley, and I look forward to continue working with my existing clients.”

I trained principally under Stefano De Nisi, who is well known in the property industry in this area. He had this to say:

“Chris qualified as a solicitor in December 2023. It has been a pleasure to work with and train him in the commercial property department. I look forward to watching him progress in the commercial / residential property department.”

Our head of department, Deborah Carvey added:

“I am delighted to have Chris join us and expand our property team now as a fully qualified solicitor and look forward to seeing his career with us progress.”

We look forward to see Chris grow with us at this firm. Should you have any property, or other legal, enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.  

King Charles, aged 73, became the King on the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II on the 8th September 2022.

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Over the last 40 years, the King has made a conscious effort to make his legacy about having an active and keen interest in all areas of public life. He has encouraged global sustainability in human, social, economic and environmental ways. He has established more than twenty charities including The Prince’s Trust, The Prince’s Foundation and The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund (PWCF). Together, these charities have raised £140 Million each year!

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As we recently celebrated the 75th birthday of King Charles III, we must also celebrate his conscious effort throughout his life and whilst as His Majesty regarding the establishment of the Coronation Food Project. In December 2022, His Majesty the King personally donated a £1 million fund to commence the Coronation Food Project.

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The Coronation Food Project, co-ordinated by the King himself, is a project to help to ‘’bridge the gap between food need and food waste’’ across our nation. There are three pillars to The Coronation Food Project being: Saving more surplus food, supercharging food distributions to ensure produce can reach those who need it via several Coronation food hubs and delivering flexible funding programmes to educate and support the consortium of pioneering food-rescue initiatives.

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His Majesty’s desire for keeping our planet alive is admiring and his sustainable legacy will continue to be remembered through his pilot schemes such as the ‘’food for the future’’ established by The Prince’s Foundation in 2021 and his continual personal contributions to ignite the nation to develop a passion like his.

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King Charles’  influence and legacy to preserve the environment for subsequent generations has inspired our legacy at Austin and Carnley.

 At Austin and Carnley, we have a passion for legacy. 

If you'd like to leave a legacy, come in and talk to us.  Arrange an appointment by calling reception on 01525 371240  or email us at reception@austinandcarnley.co.uk

Sunday 15th saw our Leighton 10K which was brilliantly supported by so many runners and volunteers. Congratulations to the winner Stephen Buckle and 1st lady Monica Petrosino. Well done to every single runner who took part.

Edward Tomlins-Gill:

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"In July 2023 I was delighted to be invited along to a Leadership Seminar hosted by the partners here at Austin & Carnley. It was a fantastic experience and opened my eyes to the level of work that is needed to manage a client case load and keep up with the running of the firm.

Debbie and David were very forthcoming and open about the trials they face but also the possible merits of running a firm. It gave me a good idea of what steps I would need to take in my own legal journey and was a brilliant jumping-in point to management.

It was not all work and seminars though and those that came along were treated to wonderful sunseeker trip along the Jurassic coast. Fortunately the weather held and the views were stunning from out in the ocean.

A lovely meal at Rick Stein’s Sandbanks to wrap it all up and we were a happy group of prospective leaders! My thanks again to Debbie and David, not just for the activities but for the insightful seminar that preceded them!"

🌟 Join us for an Exclusive Event at Leighton Buzzard Golf Club! 🌟

📅 On Wednesday, June 28th, 12-2pm at Leighton Buzzard Golf Club

Are you looking for guidance on lasting power of attorneys, wills, probates, trusts, or care planning? 

We're thrilled to be holding ann event where you can meet our panel of experienced solicitors who specialise in these areas.

Get your burning questions answered by our legal experts and gain invaluable insights into estate planning, will creation, asset protection, and securing a bright future for your loved ones.

You can connect with like-minded individuals who share similar concerns and interests. This event is a fantastic chance to build relationships within the community and enjoy light bites and beverages as you mingle and engage in informative conversations.

RSVP now to secure your spot. Send us an email at reception@austinandcarnley.co.uk

Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to gain expert advice and forge valuable connections. Mark your calendars and join us on June 28th at Leighton Buzzard Golf Club!

🌳🌱 At Austin & Carnley, we believe in giving back to our planet and taking action to protect our environment. That's why we've pledged to plant a tree for every completed instruction for our clients! 

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On Sunday 26 February 2023 we started planting trees for our past clients of 2022 in the Forest of Marston Vale . 🌳💚

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Trees have the power to improve the world around us, providing benefits for people, wildlife and the planet. The Forest of Marston Vale has set an ambitious goal of achieving 30% tree cover in their area by planting 5 million trees - and we're proud to help them reach that target! 🌍

Thank you to all our clients for helping us make a positive impact on the environment, one tree at a time. 🌳 

We are pleased to announce that Debbie Carvey has now been appointed as Head of the Property Department

Debbie qualified as a solicitor in 2006 and has worked as a conveyancing solicitor in Leighton Buzzard since October 2007 joining Austin and Carnley in August 2020. 

She deals primarily with residential conveyancing matters including re-mortgages, Equity Release Mortgages and Leasehold property and has established a good reputation in the town for her efficient and friendly service.

We wish Debbie well in her new role. 

Well done Fiona on her running challenge. 

A close family member of Fiona's was given an extra 14 years of life after being fitted with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD).  An LVAD is an artificial heart pump used to treat people with severe heart failure whilst they are on the heart transplant list.

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Normally, the left ventricle pumps blood into your aorta and around your body. In the event that someone has severe heart failure the heart is too weak to pump enough blood around the body, so the LVAD enables this.

Harefield hospital looked after Fiona's loved one so wonderfully over many years.  Now it was her turn to support them.  Fiona entered their annual 4 mile charity run event on September 4th to raise much needed funds.

Fiona only started running a few months ago, at a community 0-5K running club which her friend and
running companion helped organise. Fiona was grateful for her friend to run with in this event, and for encouraging her every step of the 4 miles.

All of us at Austin and Carnley are very proud of Fiona for taking on this challenge.  Fiona and her friend raised almost £2000, exceeding their target.  All money raised will help give other families those extra few valuable years making memories with their loved ones. 

Meet Our Millennials:

We now have two trainee solicitors as part of our team. 

It is a privilege to be able to work through a law firm which has such a legacy.  Austin and Carnley dates back over 200 years.  Partners David and Debbie are holding the baton for now but know they will pass their own legacy on to a younger generation of solicitors in the future. 

Introducing Our Trainees:

Chris Heale

Chris is a Trainee Solicitor. Having completed his trainee seats in the Private Client and Criminal Defence departments, Chris is currently in Conveyancing.  He has been with Austin & Carnley since June 2021, after attaining his law degree in York. 

Away from the office, Chris is kept busy studying his LPC (Legal Practice Course), but has a new Labrador puppy, Nina, and he’s also learning German… ausgezeichnet!  Chris enjoys the outdoors and was a keen member of local Scouting for many years.

Shelbi Martin

Shelbi is the newest member of the Austin & Carnley family. Having completed her legal studies back in September 2021, Shelbi is a trainee currently in the Criminal department. 

Outside of work, Shelbi has a passion for photography and tends to be the dedicated photographer for all family events!  In her spare time, Shelbi can be found walking her partner’s dogs or dog sitting.

She has said that at any social gathering she can be found with the dog rather than friends and family!

Earth Month here at Austin & Carnley. This Earth Day 2022 Theme was Invest In Our Planet.  So what do we do? 

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Kelli is our Environmental 'Officer', and she, together with the Green Team, encourage all staff to be greener, and help save the planet.  Here are some of the initiatives she and the company are responsible for:

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• Rewarding Our Clients & Customers - as a company we plant a tree for each new client. Trees serve several important environmental functions, including reducing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping purify the air. Earlier in the year we joined with others to help plant a new woodland.

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• Reducing Office Food Waste - We have installed food waste caddy's on both floors for staff to use, and we work closely to support the Leighton-Linslade Helpers, our local food bank.

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• Starting a Composting Scheme - Now we have the caddy's for food waste, we are going to get a composter for our courtyard, to help us reuse organic material.  Composting, instead of throwing away, food scraps like coffee grounds, fruit scraps and vegetable waste also keeps these organic materials out of landfills.

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• Using Less Electricity – we encourage our staff not to use their fans when it’s not too hot, and heaters when it’s not too cold.  To turn lights off when they are not being used.  Ensure PC monitors are switched off when leaving the office. One of our first jobs when we moved into our new office, was to install energy saving LED light bulbs throughout.  LED bulbs are today's most energy-efficient, saving energy contributing to the overall wellbeing of the planet’s environment.   

• Encouraging Recycling - Recycling office waste is a no-brainer. Did you know that the average office worker uses 156 plastic bottles and 500 coffee cups a year?  So, we have recycling bins throughout our office, to reduce this kind of waste. 

• Educating Our Office Staff - We are aware, that one of the most powerful environmental activities for companies is some kind of educational program. By helping our staff understand the importance of the environment and how they can help to protect it, we’re helping to ensure everyone's on board with our environmental policies.

• Allowing Remote Working - Until the global pandemic, remote working was something only a few people did. After that, many more discovered they could successfully work from home. That helps reduce the office's carbon footprint because there are fewer cars on the road, and much less energy use inside office buildings.

We believe that now is the time to preserve and protect our planet – for our health, our families, and our livelihoods.  There is still time to solve the climate crisis, to restore nature and build a healthy planet for our children and their children.  If we all work together, anything is possible. 

At Austin and Carnley, we try to make every day Earth Day and we challenge you to do the same. 

As a firm, we believe in giving back.  That’s why last year we donated over 5 large boxes of food to our local foodbank, as well as making a monetary donation to the Hunger Project UK, whose goal it is to end world hunger by 2030.

We also want to give back to the planet.  As such, we have replaced all bulbs in our office with LED bulbs, which use less energy and last longer making them better for the environment.  We also have recycle points throughout the office to encourage staff to recycle their plastics, paper and tins, as well as recycle points for used batteries and toners. 

On top of all of that, we have donated 200 trees to the Forest of Marston Vale charity and together with members of our team and their families, we will be participating in Planting Season on Sunday 20 February 2022.  The trees we have donated will be planted at a new woodland being created on the Houghton Conquest/Ampthill border. This woodland will be included as part of the Queens Green Canopy which is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the UK to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.  For more information this, please visit: Forest of Marston Vale - Trees Make Life Better. 

Being environmentally conscious can be and should be done by everyone.  Just as we see how important it is to take our environment into account when it comes to policy decisions about transport networks, economic activities and healthcare, we should integrate environmental parameters across our different areas of life. This does not mean that environmental concerns will govern all our decisions, but they should be a factor for consideration.

Partner, Debbie Neiteler, enjoyed her first networking event in person since lockdown in Covent Garden.

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The A&C team are thrilled to announce that we have two new salaried partners!

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Congratulations Debbie Carvey and Graham Lovelock!!

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We are so excited to see what their years of high quality experience and local knowledge will bring to the partnership

We are very pleased to welcome solicitor Edward Tomlins-Gill to our Private Client department!

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Edward joined us on the 11th October, and is ready to help you with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate, Trusts and Tax Planning advice. Visit our Meet the Team page to find out more about Edward!

The legacy of Leslie Arthur Jones

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We were honoured a few years ago to be chosen as the executors of the estate of Leslie Jones, who left a lovely gift in his will to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
As a thanks for his kindness, the RNLI have informed us that they will be proudly displaying his name on the side of one of their lifeboats, so he can be a part of their incredible crew for many years to come.
It is their first ever Legacy Lifeboat, and will be stationed at the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat Station in the second half of 2022.

It is such an honour to have been a part of Leslie Jones' life, and to be able to see the beautiful legacy he is leaving behind.

It’s carnival day! 🎠
Celebrating 60 years of our beautiful town carnival, we can’t wait to see the procession!

Visit the Leighton Carnival website (our contribution to the festivities) to see what they have planned 🎡

We have always believed the firm was founded in approximately 1884, however, a recent delve into the financial archives revealed we’ve been around since 1864!😱

Our signs are up!

Thanks to Liquid Designs, Bridge House has been beautifully branded and we are feeling very at home. Welcome!

We have re-branded! 

Although we are still proud to honour the history of the firm in our values and work, our vision for the future requires some modernisation to our historic firm, and we are excited to now have a brand which reflects this.

Whilst managing partners, David Backhouse and Debbie Neiteler, were extremely saddened to hear of the closures of two well established and reputable firms in the town, they are pleased to welcome the following new joiners to our team.

• Graham Lovelock – Residential Property Solicitor

• Alison Pearce – Conveyancing team member

• Mel Buteux – Conveyancing team member

• Denise Garner – Conveyancing Team

• Vanessa Spurr – Support Team

• Stefano De Nisi – Commercial Property Consultant

• Derek Barker – Private Client Consultant

• Debbie Carvey – Residential Property Solicitor

• Jess Dedes – Commercial Property team member

• Linda Coleman – Private Client team member

• Simon Peacock – Matrimonial, Employment and Litigation Solicitor

• Kelli McGarry - Personal Assistant to Senior Partner, Deborah Neiteler

We are confident that together we can meet the legal needs of the clients affected. If you have been affected by the closures of Ray Nixon brown or Giffen Coach and Archer please contact our office.

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Supporting Our Local Community This Summer

Austin & Carnley is proud to be sponsoring a number of fantastic local events this summer. We believe in supporting the communities we serve, and we’re delighted to be involved in celebrations that bring people together.

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In Leighton Buzzard, we’re pleased to support both Leighton-Linslade Carnival and Buzz Cinema, two brilliant events that showcase the spirit and creativity of our town. Over in Ampthill, we’re also backing the Big Tent Weekend – a fun-filled community event for all ages. You can find out more by scanning the QR code below.

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We look forward to seeing many of you there – do come and say hello!

New Receptionist Joins the Team at Leighton Buzzard Office

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We’re pleased to share a staff update from our Leighton Buzzard office. 

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Hilary, a long-standing member of our front-of-house team, left the firm just before Easter. We thank her for her dedicated service and wish her all the very best for the future. 

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Today, we welcomed Rianne as our new part-time receptionist. She joins Kellie at reception and is already settling in well as Kellie shows her the ropes. Rianne brings valuable customer service experience from her previous role at a busy veterinary surgery in Luton. 

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Please join us in giving Rianne a warm welcome next time you call or visit the office.

Austin & Carnley Continues Support for KidsOut in 2025

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At Austin & Carnley, we are proud to announce that we will continue supporting KidsOut as our Charity of the Year for 2025. Having worked closely with this incredible organisation over the past year, we’ve seen first-hand the difference they make in bringing joy and support to children in need. We look forward to another year of fundraising and collaboration to help make a real impact.

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As part of our commitment, we were delighted to support the KidsOut Question of Sport Gala Dinner on 7th February 2025, held at the Doubletree by Hilton at Stadium MK. This fantastic evening raised funds for KidsOut and Harry’s Rainbow, two charities dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children. Hosted by football legend Kevin Keegan, the evening featured a Question of Sport event that entertained and engaged all who attended.

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Austin & Carnley was also proud to sponsor the team scarves for the evening, adding a special touch to an event that celebrated community, generosity, and the power of giving back.

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We are excited to continue working with KidsOut throughout 2025 and look forward to supporting more initiatives that bring happiness and support to children who need it most.

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Photo Credit: Joanna Wood Photography

A Look Back at 2024​

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As we close the chapter on 2024, we’re proud to reflect on a year filled with growth, new beginnings, and community impact. At Austin & Carnley, we’ve embraced change while staying committed to delivering the exceptional legal service our clients expect.

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September marked a significant milestone with the opening of our new office in Ampthill. This expansion reinforces our commitment to accessibility and providing a convenient base for our growing client base in Bedfordshire. Alongside this, we introduced a property management system, enhancing the efficiency and precision of our conveyancing services to better support homebuyers and property professionals.

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2024 also saw us expanding our talented team with opportunities for Trainee Solicitors and experienced legal professionals to join our firm. We were delighted to welcome several talented individuals to our team. Sophie, Haider, Anthony, Alison, and Remy joined us, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to their roles. These appointments reflect our focus on ensuring our clients receive the highest level of care across all legal matters. We continue to value professional growth and community support as key pillars of our ethos.

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We strengthened our expertise in trusts and estates by integrating the latest STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) provisions into our Wills and Trust services. These updates ensure our clients benefit from clarity and fairness in their estate planning, in line with our commitment to accessible legal support.

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We were thrilled to announce Jeanie McCaw’s promotion to Director and Head of Private Client. Jeanie’s dedication to our clients and deep expertise in Wills, Trusts, and Probate have been instrumental in growing our private client services.

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This year, we proudly supported KidsOut as our charity of the year. Through fundraising activities and matching donations, we contributed significantly to their mission of bringing joy to disadvantaged children. It’s been a privilege to make a difference in the community we serve.

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In March the team planted 200 (of the 2000) trees we sponsored, for each of our new clients from 2023.  As sustainability is a huge value in our business we have pledged to plant a tree for every completed instruction we undertake for our clients.

This is part of the ‘Trees For Climate’ campaign that’s being run by the amazing Marston Vale Forest, who we are proud to be Corporate Friends with.

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We launched our monthly newsletter, The Lawyer Lifeguide, a new platform to keep our clients informed about legal updates, news, and services. This initiative has been a resounding success, helping us stay connected with clients and share valuable insights. If you want to sign-up, please do. 

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As we move into 2025, we’re excited to build on this year’s achievements. Our goal remains steadfast: to provide tailored, high-quality legal services while supporting our community and fostering growth within our team.

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Thank you for trusting Austin & Carnley Solicitors. We wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season and a successful New Year!

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New office opens in Ampthill  ​

Not only are we based in Bridge House, in Leighton Buzzard, but we are now also open for business at 14, Church Street in Ampthill.  

We held a launch event in the new office in Ampthill on Thursday 5th September. It was a great event, very well attended. We started celebrating in the office popping corks and drinking bubbly (supplied by our new neighbours Cambridge Wine Merchants).  Before the official ribbon cutting ceremony.  Natalie Schofield, of Bee Social Ampthill Networking cut the ribbon for us.  Becky Kerr was the official photographer.   

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Afterwards, we all headed over to The White Hart to continue celebrating and networking.  Thank you to all who came along to support us at this event. 

Now the doors are open, we'd love to see you in our new office.  If ever you are in that neck of the woods, please pop in and say 'Hello'.   If you come soon enough, you may even be lucky enough to pick up a free coffee voucher for The Surfin' Cafe.  

Alison Ayers, of Leighton Buzzard, has recently joined us as Practice Manager. 

Alison's role is to ensure the legal practice operates efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with all applicable regulations, while delivering high-quality legal services to clients. 

Her day-to-day responsibilities will include Financial Management; Human Resources; Operations; Client Relations; Compliance and Administrative Support. 

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Alison said “Having worked as a Conveyancer in the Leighton Buzzard/Milton Keynes area, and for the past 10 years working at Connells managing the Conveyancing Solicitors’ Panel, I am excited to have joined Austin & Carnley in the role of Practice Manager.”

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You may also see Alison featured in the Leighton Buzzard Observer

Our Property team wanted to introduce themselves.  So they have created a short video to say hello, and explain a little bit about themselves.  If you'd like to meet our conveyancers, and the team working behind the scenes to support them, please click here.  

Announcing our Charity of the Year 2024

All our staff were asked to vote for our Charity of the Year for 2024.  Several charities were shortlisted.  And we are pleased to announce the winner is Kids Out. 

Kids Out are a local charity, that gives disadvantaged children positive experiences to support them in becoming future members of our society.  To find out more about the charity visit their website. 

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We are already planning our first major fundraising event, in the summer.  More details to follow on that shortly. 

In the meantime, our Marketing lead Jean, is planning to meet with Samantha at Kids Out, to work out how we can work together, to make this a beneficial partnership for both organisations. 

Christmas is approaching and it was lovely to receive this letter aferwards. We love to support local events and organisations.

The King’s Speech on 7 November is expected to announce some major changes to the current leasehold system.

Property is either freehold or leasehold. With freehold property, one owns the property and land it sits on for an infinite amount of time – this is usually a house. With leasehold property, one only owns the property (not the land) and only for a set number of years – typically between 99 and 125 - and owes obligations to their freeholder. This is usually for flats.

Houses can occasionally be leasehold – the proposed reforms would ban any new leasehold houses, but not ban those which are already granted. This means if you bought a house, it could still be leasehold - but only if the lease is pre-existing.

One has a right to increase the term of their lease – usually in return for the payment of a lump sum to the freeholder, known as a “premium”. The speech is expected to announce an increase in this from 90 years to 990 years.

This announcement would follow reforms last year which capped  ground rents at a “peppercorn rent” – meaning effectively nil. It is anticipated that this may be extended to include existing leases.

It may, unfortunately for leaseholders, be some time before this becomes law. Changes to property law are complex and can be politically controversial. Discussions about extending the lease extension term have, already, been ongoing for some time. No doubt, more details will follow on 7 November.

Congratulations to our Conveyancers for passing their annual CQS examinations!

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The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) is a recognised quality standard for SRA-regulated firms in residential conveyancing. It sets out the standards of competence, risk management and client service levels expected of practices. It is designed to produce benefits for member practices, consumers, clients and industry stakeholders.

🎉 Recap of an Amazing Event! 🎉

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We are thrilled to share that Debbie Our Partner had the absolute delight of being asked to assist in judging this year's Carnival Court! 🌟✨ It was an incredible experience that she will cherish forever.

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She had the opportunity to ask the talented contestants thought-provoking questions about what truly matters to them in our town and what the youth would like to see in our community.

The responses were inspiring and gave us a glimpse of the amazing ideas our young minds hold. 🏘️👫

We are grateful to have been part of this fantastic journey, alongside her fellow judges who brought their invaluable insights and expertise. Together, we made difficult decisions and chose the deserving winners who will represent our community with pride. 🏆🎉

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Thank you to everyone involved in making this event a resounding success. Your dedication and support are what make our community thrive! 🎭🎉

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you all!

Back in August last year, we were approached by The Open University to participate in their series of online events for their law students, with the aim of representing the legal sector as widely as possible. They were looking for a professional from a high street law firm to provide an overview of what it's really like working in this field and share insights about their area of practice.

Our very own Edward was the go-to person for this opportunity, and he recently presented to 77 law students at The Open University. He shared about his experiences as a solicitor, his path to qualification, and his work in both a medium-sized firm and a high street firm. Edward thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on his journey and provide the students with a real look into what life as a solicitor entails.

Edward drafted a short paragraph which perfectly aligns with our values of leaving a legacy and investing in the future.

He said, "On Wednesday 19th April 2023, I was delighted to give a talk to The Open University about life as a solicitor, my path to qualification and my experiences having worked in both a medium-sized firm and a high street firm. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on how I came to do what I do and the feedback from the attendees was extremely positive; giving them a real look into what life as a solicitor entails."

We also received feedback from Matthew Woolley, Employer Engagement Manager, Careers and Employability Services at The Open University, following Edward's presentation. Matthew said, "Edward delivered his talk to our students this lunchtime, he was fantastic, and the session was very well attended with 77 students there. I have already expressed my thanks to Edward but wanted to thank you too for your part in putting this together, we really do appreciate it as these events offer so much to our students."

We are proud to have been a part of this enriching experience for The Open University's law students, and we continue to be committed to leaving a legacy and investing in the future of the legal profession. Thank you to The Open University for the opportunity, and to Matthew Woolley for his kind words of appreciation.

We have pledged to plant a tree for every completed instruction that we undertake for our clients. 

We are delighted to confirm that a tree will be planted for our past clients of 2022 in the Forest of Marston Vale on Sunday 26 February 2023.

Trees make life better, for people, for wildlife and for the planet. 

The Forest of Marston Vale’s ultimate goal is 30% tree cover across the Forest area, and that means planting 5 million trees. 

We are delighted to help Marston Vale to reach this target!

Moving house in time for Christmas

Are you hoping to enjoy Christmas in your new home?  What better place to spend the festive season, than in your new house.  Can we help make that a reality for you? 

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Our last day for completions this year is Thursday 22nd December, the day before we close for Christmas.  

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It can take anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks from the day your offer is accepted to getting all the paperwork completed and queries answered, even where there is no chain.  Have you allowed enough time? 

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The Banking System is unavailable on Bank Holidays for transfer of funds.  This year the Bank Holidays are 25th, 26th and 27th December.  We also close for the Christmas break, so are not able to deal with any further conveyancing actions until we re-open in the new year. 

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To give yourself the best chance of moving before Christmas, once you’ve instructed a conveyancer, let them know as early as possible if you need answers to specific questions, and request regular updates on how the sale is going. You can also tell them when you’d ideally like to exchange and complete, so all parties have a date to work towards.

One of our partners, Debbie Neiteler, is a member of a team taking part in the Ride High Cycle Challenge (cycling 25 miles) on Sunday 14th August, to raise funds to help transform the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

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The children that attend Ride High, each face overbearing challenges that make everyday life a struggle. Ride High use horses to connect with them to instil confidence, encourage positive mental health & wellbeing and help them onto a positive path.

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Please help us to raise as much as we can – every penny will make such a difference to local children in need.

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We'd really appreciate it if you could share or donate to this GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to help transform kids lives. 

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Please help our campaign reach its target!

Thank you.

The Queens Legacy - A Modern Monarchy

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The role of a monarch is one that lasts a lifetime—till death do the queen and crown part. On her 21st birthday, she broadcast a speech from South Africa to the Commonwealth pledging her steadfast devotion: “There is a motto which has been borne by many of my ancestors, a noble motto— ‘I serve’,” she said. “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.”

Queen Elizabeth’s life, as it turns out, is long. And to this day, she keeps the promise she made nearly 75 years ago.

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VOGUE said, "The Poignant Steadfastness of Queen Elizabeth” “Her sense of duty is ingrained into every fibre of her being.”

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The British public adore her. In September 2015, Elizabeth surpassed the record of 63 years and 216 days on the throne set by Queen Victoria to become the longest-reigning British monarch in history. In February 2022, Elizabeth celebrated her Platinum Jubilee—marking seven decades of her service to the Commonwealth.

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In 2016, the year she became Great Britain’s longest-reigning monarch at age 89, she undertook 341 engagements. In 2019, as a 93-year-old, she still attended 295. That averages between 5 and 6 a week. She has worked with 14 prime ministers during her reign.

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Elizabeth and Philip were staying at Treetops Lodge in Kenya on February 6, 1952, when King George VI died aged just 56, and his 25-year-old daughter became the sixth woman in history to ascend to the British throne. Her formal coronation as Queen Elizabeth II took place on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey.

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Queen Elizabeth II has since 1952 served as reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, and head of the Commonwealth. She has been extremely popular for nearly all her long reign, the queen is credited with modernising many aspects of the monarchy.

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The queen embraced steps to modernise her own image and that of the monarchy, including televising her annual Christmas broadcast for the first time in 1957. She started a new tradition of walking through the crowds to say hello.  She also agreed to open the state rooms at Buckingham Palace to the public when she was not in residence. In 2005, the queen enjoyed public support when she gave her assent to Prince Charles’ once-unthinkable marriage to his long-time love Camilla Parker Bowles. More recently, she signed a law that gave girls the same right as boys to inherit the throne.  In May 2018, Prince Harry married the American actress Meghan Markle, a biracial divorcée whose embrace by the royal family indicated just how modern it had become during Elizabeth’s long reign.

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Many royal experts doubt she will ever abdicate, and she remains a consistent, stable presence at the head of Britain’s reigning family.  What a legacy. 

At Austin and Carnley, we love talking about legacy. 

If you'd like to leave a legacy, come in and talk to us.  Arrange an appointment by calling reception on 01525 851554 or email us at reception@austinandcarnley.co.uk

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#thequeen #platinumjubilee #platinumjubilee2022 #legacy #thequeenslegacy 

In the Storm Eunice aftermath, we had the privilege of gathering on the hill tops near the historical ruins of Houghton House. 

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The mission was to plant as many trees as we could before being too battered by the weather. We are proud to be partnering with the Forest of Marston Vale charity and collaborate with the community and local businesses. 

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Over the next 3 years the project will plant around 50,000 trees next to the ancient woodland Kings Wood.

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True legacy is said to mean:

"to plant trees under whose shade we will never sit."

It was an honour to witness grandchildren planting trees with their grandparents and families working together. You can see some pictures from the day here

During the course of December, the Austin & Carnley team collected food for the Leighton Linslade Helpers, a charity dedicated to helping people in hardship and providing support to the local community. We were delighted to be able to donate over 4 boxes of food.

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Wonderful turn out in the town today for Remembrance Sunday.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them..

Austin & Carnley honours all our armed forces and fallen veterans

Partner David Backhouse and his guests Mark Wesley, David Schofield and Jonathan Bond took part in a charity golf day in aid of the Milton Keynes Hospital Charity Cancer Centre yesterday. Golf was played on the picturesque Marquess Course at Woburn Golf Club.

The total raised was £50,000 for the charity.

David would like to thank his guests for their golf and company on what was a tricky day to play golf (blustery wind and occasional rain). We will be back next year to move up the leader board!

David would like to thank the Milton Keynes Hospital Charity for organising the day. 

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We attended our first wedding fair!

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On the 3rd October our partners and trainees had a lovely day at Luton Hoo Conservatory wedding fair, hosted by www.wedding-exhibitions-uk.co.uk

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We spoke to lots of excited brides and grooms about planning for the future, including how they hold their property, making provisions for children, re-drafting their Wills and writing contracts to protect them when booking wedding vendors.

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If you are getting married and have any concerns, contact us today to book a free wedding appointment consultation at office@austinandcarnley.co.uk

Another birthday last week, this deed turned 188 years old!🎂

Found in the depths of our archive, this deed is entirely hand drawn and written, and still has its original seal attached (very rare!)

Beautifully preserved by Picture Corner in Ampthill, it now takes pride of place in our reception.

It’s been a big week here at Austin and Carnley!
The whole A&C team would like to wish the happiest 40th birthday to Debbie and 50th birthday to David, our lovely equity partners!

Some of the beautiful history of our firm has now made it to our new office walls!

Thanks to the skill of Peter from Picture Corner in Ampthill, one of our original hand painted signs, the Law Journals found in our archive, a hand drawn picture of old Leighton Buzzard and a carving of old Aylesbury are now carefully framed and presented in our offices.

We are so proud to be able to honour and share the long history of our firm with our clients and growing team.

The big move!

Following the sad closure of two local firms, our team expanded beyond the capacity of Albion Chambers. However, we were presented with a fantastic opportunity to take over Bridge House!

We are thrilled to say that all of our departments have now moved in, and our new office address is:

Bridge House,

Bridge Street,

Leighton Buzzard,

LU7 1AH

Find us here

While exploring the cellar at Albion Chambers on the 27th February, we discovered some more of the fascinating history of our beautiful offices. 

We found the huge furnace that was used to heat the building when it was a hotel,  a coal cellar and some (slightly rusty!) old oil lamps. 

Head to our facebook page to see more photos.