Learn about Peace Legal and our experienced team

We have seven lawyers, one trainee lawyer and twelve support staff working from our offices in Wombwell, covering Barnsley, Rotherham and the Dearne Valley.

About Peace Legal

Peace Legal, now established for over 25 years initially consisted of four personnel: two lawyers and two support staff. Today, we have seven lawyers, one trainee lawyer and twelve support staff working from our offices in Wombwell, covering Barnsley, Rotherham and the Dearne Valley. We strive at all times to maintain the highest standards and the firm remains independent, committed and proud to represent the people of Wombwell and the surrounding area.

We hold the Law Society's Legal Practice Quality Mark: LEXCEL and are accredited and approved under the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme.

Our Services

Meet our dedicated team

Click on a member of staff to learn more about their professional legal specialities, hobbies and interests.

Christopher Peace

(Director) Solicitor

chris.peace@peacelegal.co.uk

Criminal Defence

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Julian Flewitt

(Director) Solicitor

julian.flewitt@peacelegal.co.uk

Family Law Children

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Rachael Revitt

Solicitor

rachael.revitt@peacelegal.co.uk

Family Law

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Ruth Brockett

Solicitor

ruth.brockett@peacelegal.co.uk

Wills and Probate

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Alexandra Speight

Solicitor

alexandra.speight@peacelegal.co.uk

Family Law Children

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Kathy Gale

Solicitor

kathy.gale@peacelegal.co.uk

Family Law

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Shelley Preece

Licensed Conveyancer

shelley.preece@peacelegal.co.uk

Conveyancing

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Susie Hutton

Trainee Licensed Conveyancer

susie.hutton@peacelegal.co.uk

Conveyancing

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Claire Wild

Legal Advisor

claire.wild@peacelegal.co.uk

Wills and Probate

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Steven Corry

Practice Manager

steve.corry@peacelegal.co.uk

Administration

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Alison Lyman

Compliance Manager

alison.lyman@peacelegal.co.uk

Administration

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Susan Windsor

P.A. to Christopher Peace

susan.windsor@peacelegal.co.uk

Criminal Defence

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Sheila Lynch

Senior Secretary

sheila.lynch@peacelegal.co.uk

Family Law Children

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Jayne Guest

Senior Secretary

jayne.guest@peacelegal.co.uk

Family Law

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Valerie Eyre

Conveyancing Secretary

val.eyre@peacelegal.co.uk

Conveyancing

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Kerry Ruston

Senior Secretary

kerry.ruston@peacelegal.co.uk

Conveyancing

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Stacey Speight

Junior Secretary

stacey.speight@peacelegal.co.uk

Family law

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Maria Beedham

Administrative Assistant

maria.beedham@peacelegal.co.uk

Conveyancing

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Fiona Oldfield

Legal Cashier and Archivist

fiona.oldfield@peacelegal.co.uk

Administration

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Leah Knight

Receptionist

leah.knight@peacelegal.co.uk

Reception

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About Christopher Peace

I have over 30 years' experience representing clients in the Magistrates courts on criminal and Motoring matters. Before that I spent 3 years as a prosecutor. Over the years I have covered other areas of law but I now spend most of time defending clients on matters ranging from murder to drunk and disorderly behaviour.

My experience covers drugs cases, assaults, cases of harassment, thefts, burglaries, robberies and benefit fraud.

On the motoring side I have cases involving dangerous driving, failure to provide driver details, drink driving, speeding etc. I am very much a “people” person and enjoy the challenge of sticking up for my clients, old and new, and getting them the best result I can.

When I'm not working I am into singing, running, cycling, fell walking, reading and scuba diving. My favourite places are the Isles of Scilly, Northwest Scotland and the Lake District.

About Julian Flewitt

I began at the firm by undertaking a number of roles before specialising in matters concerning children and representation of people suffering domestic abuse.

My work involves advising and representing individuals who are involved in care proceedings. This is a specialist field of work.

I manage the firm's contract with the Legal Aid Agency.

I am keen to ensure the family department offers a wide range of services and at no/low cost where possible. Where it is not, we offer fixed fees and fair pricing.

As a solicitor I want to dispel the myth that we are unapproachable, expensive and aloof. Our own client feedback would suggest they feel we don't fall into that category.

Professional History:

1995 LLB hons (Upper second)
1996 Dip LP (commended)
1996 Joined Peace & Co
1998 Qualified as a Solicitor
2000 Enrolment upon the criminal duty solicitor panel for Barnsley
2002 Became an equity partner at Peace Legal
2003 Accredited upon the Law Society Children Panel to assist adults
2009 Became head of Peace Legal's family team
2010 Accredited upon the Law Society Children Panel to assist children and adults

My outside interests include outdoor pursuits, running a smallholding, long distance walking and shooting (although not at the same time!)

About Steven Corry

I am part of the Management Team and specialise in Management and Legal Finance.

I began my legal career in 1973 as an Office Junior with Ronald England Solicitor in Sheffield. I progressed to the accounts department after 2 years and after a further 3 years became head of that dept and took on additional duties as Office Manager. I attained the Certificate in Office Studies in 1977 and went on to study with The Institute of Legal Cashiers (now named The Institute of Finance & Management), qualifying in June 1980. I qualified as a Fellow of the Institute in August 1985. In August 2001 my firm was taken over by Wake Smiths Solicitors who already had their Legal Accountant and Practice Manager in place. Although I was offered a position there, it seemed right for me to take the opportunity to seek pastures anew. I moved from Wake Smiths and joined Peace Legal on 3rd December 2001.

I am a Fellow Member of The Institute of Legal Finance and Management and I have 42 years experience in Legal Accounting and Legal Practice Management.

During my spare time I enjoy a weekly five a side football game, love walking far afield and fill the rest of my time keeping up to date with my family which includes my son, daughter and 2 grand children, one aged 10 and the other only 22 months! I regularly read (historical novels), mostly in the evenings and would love to find more time in order to take up fishing again!

About Rachael Revitt

I am an experienced solicitor who qualified in 1993 and since then I have practiced exclusively in the area of Family Law, joining Peace Legal Solicitors in 1999. Being a member of Resolution I adhere to their Code of Practice and try to resolve issues for my clients with the least amount of conflict possible. As a member I understand that the breakdown of a marriage or a relationship can be a particularly stressful time.

My experience covers divorce, the resolving of financial disputes following separation including those involving pension assets and children matters.

I believe in establishing a good rapport with my clients and as a consequence my client base is predominantly as a result of personal recommendation from previous and existing clients.

About Alison Lyman

Main skills/Business:

I am part of the Management Team and I specialise in Compliance and Lexcel Consultancy.

I started my journey with Hale & Peace in 1994 and have seen the firm evolve over the years into a family oriented firm. I recently qualified as a Lexcel Consultant and also passed my level 2 British sign language exam.

Outside of the office I love to spend time with my ever growing family and now have 8 grandchildren. When I can I like to go pond or lake fishing.

About me:

I have lived in Darfield, Barnsley with my husband for the past 10 years which makes it handy for work. I regularly walk my dog to and from work regardless of the weather.

About Ruth Brockett

Main skills/Business:

I have been specialising in Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Trusts and Inheritance Tax for over 15 years and my particular interest is in advising the more elderly client in relation to their general and financial affairs and also on the possibility of their needing Residential Care in later years.

About me:

I'm originally from West Sussex, I have lived in Yorkshire for the last 25 years and have worked in Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and York.

Away from the office, I enjoy walking – especially by the coast, reading and doing crosswords. I am also a very keen gardener and like to think that I have greener fingers than some!

About Shelley Preece

I specialise in all residential property matters including:

The sale and purchase of freehold properties
The sale and purchase of leasehold properties
Remortgage transactions
Transfer of equity transactions
Declaration of Trusts
Voluntary First Registrations
Registration of Restrictions and Matrimonial Legal Charges

I began my conveyancing career in 1998 as an office junior and over the past 15 years have worked as a secretary and assistant in a busy conveyancing department whilst I undertook my studies.

I qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2007 and pride myself in offering a high level of client service in every transaction. During my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and an ever expanding number of pets.

About Kathy Gale

I am originally from the North East but settled in the Yorkshire area when I was training to be a solicitor.

I qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and have worked predominately in the area of family law, dealing with divorces, issues arising from disputes over children, domestic violence and dealing with the financial issues that arise from the separation of the family and all aspects of relationship breakdowns.

I took a career break whilst my children were young, but have returned to the law ready for the challenge to help people with clear advice at a time when they need it the most.

About Jayne Guest

Main skills/Business:

Family Secretary

About me:

I began working at Peace Legal in July 1996 and work part-time as a legal secretary to Rachael Revitt and the matrimonial department.

Throughout my time I have worked predominately within matrimonial however did spend some of my time working within the wills and probate department.

About Kerry Ruston

Main skills/Business:

Residential Conveyancing

About me:

I have been part of the Conveyancing Team for over 15 years.

My other (non-legal) duties include social and community development, i.e. charity events, community contributions, etc.

About Susan Windsor

About me:

I have worked for the firm for over 19 years and my hobbies include : Football (watching not playing!), going to the gym and swimming.

About Claire Wild

Main skills/Business:

Legal Secretary – Probate/Wills Department

About me:

I started working for Peace Legal in 1998 as a Secretary, I worked my way up within the business and spent several years working in other areas of the practice and eventually stuck with Probate/Wills. I am now a legal adviser in that department.

I have a wide range of skills and knowledge which I use on a daily basis. I am a team player and always try to offer my help for any other person/department whenever I can. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and enjoy watching my two boys playing cricket.

About Valerie Eyre

About me:

I came from a science background previously, working for British Coal Scientific Services in their laboratory. Like many, following the demise of the mining industry, I retrained and took a change of direction.

I started at Peace Legal in 1997 initially as a receptionist and then as a PI secretary.

Away from work I enjoy spending time in my garden.

About Sheila Lynch

Main skills/Business:

After re-training and leaving college in 1997, I worked as an administrator at Ison Harrison & Co Solicitors, quickly progressing to Matrimonial Secretary. I worked there for 4 years, and when the office closed I joined Peace Legal in 2001, known then as Peace & Co. I have always been secretary to Julian Flewitt. Julian was made a Partner in 2002 and since then I have continued to work alongside him. Over the last few years, as well as working with General Family matters I have assisted Julian in his more specialised Children/Parent care work.

In my spare time, I like to bake and often bring in buns for my work colleagues, I am renowned for my carrot cake!! I love to holiday abroad and find nothing better than relaxing on a beach with a good book.

I am married and have one daughter and son in law and enjoy socialising and visiting cities in this country such as Manchester, York and Liverpool.

About Maria Beedham

Main skills/Business:

Administrative Assistant – Conveyancing Department

About me:

I have worked at Peace Legal Solicitors for over fifteen years in a variety of different roles first in Conveyancing and then moving into accounts along side Alison. I now working in the Conveyancing department assisting with all admin duties as well as providing clients old and new with estimates.

I am a full time working mum who has lived in the Dearne Valley all my life. I have a keen interest in British superbikes and Moto GP.

About Susie Hutton

I joined Peace Legal in 2013 as apprentice receptionist.

I found I was rather interested in property law and assisted with typing in the Conveyancing department.

I eventually moved into the Conveyancing department full time as an assistant and I am currently training to be a Licensed Conveyancer.

When I’m not at the office I enjoy spending time with my family.

About Alexandra Speight

My name is Alexandra Speight and I have recently qualified as a solicitor. I trained with Peace Legal solicitors and I will mainly focus on what is known as Care Proceedings but will also do more general family work. I studied at Sheffield Hallam for my Undergraduate Degree and then BPP Law School for my Legal Practise Course. Before I came to work for Peace Legal I worked for a large Sheffield Based firm on a legal helpline dealing with all types of legal queries. This experience showed me that I wanted to work for a smaller firm, dealing with clients for longer periods so we were able to develop a working relationship. That's why I have chosen to practice in family law and specialise in care proceedings.

In all family matters the welfare of the child/ children is always paramount. The responsibility for the children always first lies with the parents. However, social services departments are also under an obligation to intervene if they believe the child/children within their area might be at risk. This can result in investigations, public law outline meetings and care proceedings through the courts. This is very traumatic for everyone involved. There are a number of complexities and it is very important that you seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.

About Leah Knight

I began my legal career in 2016 as an apprentice receptionist and have since progressed to Head Receptionist gaining a wealth of experience and knowledge.

I enjoy being front of house and meeting and greeting clients and visitors to Peace Legal.

Recently I studied and passed level 2 British Sign Language and have now moved onto study for Level 3.

Out of work I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the gym and have a strong passion for travelling.

About Fiona Oldfield

I joined the firm over 4 years ago initially on a temporary basis to alleviate the pressure in the account's office.

I now enjoy being part of a great team and have expanded my knowledge within the firm.

Being the legal cashier and archivist has proved challenging bearing in mind I had not worked in this type of environment before.

Out of work hours I enjoy spending time with my family and travelling.

About Stacey Speight

I joined Peace Legal in 2015 as an apprentice receptionist via Barnsley college. After 2 years of studying I passed the exams and became the main receptionist for the firm.

I am now a junior secretary for the family department and am working on another 12 month course as a legal secretary.

When I’m not at Peace Legal, I enjoy spending time with my husband and young son and we enjoy times abroad visiting family.

Want to talk to a member of our team today?

Call: 01226 341 111

Our clients love what we do

"I've moved properties 7 times in my lifetime and Shelley and her team are outstanding You guys are always on the ball unlike many other conveyancers"

"Always professional and informative. Many thanks. Shelley and her colleagues have made everything so much easier"