Leathes Prior are delighted to announce two new additions to the firm
We are delighted to announce Solicitors Tia McAleese and Joanne Henderson have joined the firm's Employment and Regulatory & Criminal Defence Teams respectively.


We are pleased to announce solicitor Tia McAleese has joined the firm’s Employment Team this month. Tia brings specialist expertise in advising both businesses and individuals on all areas of employment law. She joins the LP Employment Team led by Head of Team Dan Chapman and is made up of Partners Sarah Appleton, Gareth Stevens, and Harriet Howes and Associate James Conley. Together with her colleagues, Tia is committed to delivering a responsive and exceptional service to our clients and will collaborate with teams across the firm to provide comprehensive and expert legal advice and assistance.
Dan Chapman commented: “I am delighted for Tia to be joining the LP Employment Team. She had impressed us with her work on the other side of matters and I am sure that her work ethic and responsiveness to clients mirrors the service level experience we strive for here at LP, making her a very good fit for the team.”
For more details on the Employment Team and the services it offers, see here.

Additionally, we’re thrilled to welcome Jo Henderson to the firm as part of the expansion of our Regulatory & Criminal Defence Team. Jo joining LP is the first of several exciting announcements for the team, with more news to share with you on this very soon.
Jo will be working closely with Head of Team & Partner Howard Catherall, to provide expert advice and representation to regulatory & criminal defence clients in Norfolk and further afield into Suffolk & North Essex. Bringing with her a wealth of experience in regulatory and criminal defence work, Jo is meticulous in her approach, with a sensitivity to the varying needs of each individual client.
Howard Catherall commented: “Jo is a genuine specialist in the field of private regulatory and criminal defence and, having worked with her previously, I am delighted that she has joined us at such an exciting time for our team”.
For more details on our Regulatory & Criminal Defence services, see our website page here.

Please join us in welcoming Tia and Jo to Team LP!

Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.



The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
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Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.































