A FAMILIAR face in Salisbury’s business community has taken on a new role.

Solicitor Peter Stoddart, who has been in practice on his own for the last eight years, has joined Salisbury law firm Richard Griffiths & Co as a consultant.

He joked that during his time in Salisbury, despite having worked for a number of firms, he has moved only a few yards.

He was a partner in the former Elgar & Griffiths in New Street from 1978 to 2002, when it was taken over by Trethowans, which was at that time also in New Street.

He was a consultant with Trethowans for a year before setting up Stoddart & Co in New Street and running it until last month when he joined Richard Griffiths & Co a few yards away in Crane Street and High Street.

“I have been very much a general practitioner, doing commercial and residential conveyancing, civil litigation, matrimonial, wills and probate,” he said.

“I was deputy coroner for Wiltshire from 1985 to 1988 and a deputy district judge of the county court from 1991 to 1998.”

He said that ever increasing regulation made it difficult for sole practitioners to continue.

“My clients have been loyal to me and I want to be loyal to them,” he said.

“It’s important I continue to provide them with the bespoke personal service they have been used to, and I can only continue to provide that by being part of a larger, highly professional and dynamic practice.

“I have known Richard since 1978 when he was an assistant solicitor with Whitehead Vizard.

“Joining Richard Griffiths & Co means I have people to speak to if I have a problem and camaraderie.”

Mr Griffiths, who founded his firm in 1979 and now has 50 staff, said: “Since 2007, my practice has not only doubled in size, it now has more than 50 per cent non-legal aid work, so it’s a natural progression to take on board an experienced commercial and residential lawyer like Peter with his own clients.

“By far the best way to develop a practice is by taking on board people you know and like who have a proven track record in the areas in which you want to practise.

“Also, Peter and I still enjoy the work we are doing.”