A FIRM of lawyers has accepted into a national body of experts.

Chester solicitors Storrar Cowdry has obtained accreditation to the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP).

As well as solicitors, ALEP is made up of a variety of professionals including barristers and expert valuers.

Jane Meakin, a partner at the White Friars-based firm and head of residential property, says members of ALEP have specific expertise in litigating contested freehold enfranchisement and lease extension claims.

They can also advise more generally on leasehold property law and issues such as ground rents, service charges etc.

ALEP is also a badge of assurance for lessees and landlords alike that they are appointing professionals who are experts in this area of law.

Jane Meakin said: “Although a lot of the work in this field is London based and is carried out by a member of our team in London, with the increase in the construction of apartments in and around the Chester area Storrar Cowdry’s expertise is being called upon increasingly at a local level, hence the reason to obtain the accreditation.”

Storrar Cowdry was opened some 35 years ago by husband and wife team Chris and Darlene Storrar and David Cowdry.

Darlene Storrar said: "Jane Meakin leads a very accomplished team here in the Chester office and works with our expert leasehold property solicitor in London."