Coodes conveyancer celebrates ESTAS success

A lawyer from Coodes Solicitors’ Residential Property team is celebrating being named one of the best conveyancers in the country. Sophie Jones was presented with a People Award for exceptional customer service at the ESTAS, the biggest award scheme in the UK residential property industry.

Sophie was presented with her award at a prestigious ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London, hosted by TV property guru and ESTAS brand ambassador Phil Spencer.

Sophie was one of just five professionals from across the UK, and the only one in the South West, to receive the prestigious award. The People Awards are given to the conveyancers who have received the highest levels of feedback from clients.

The feedback from Sophie’s clients included: “Coodes are the best we have dealt with in 40 years”, “Absolutely pain-free conveyancing” and “We could not have asked for a better service. Coodes were quick and efficient, easy to deal with and took as much of the pain out of the process as was possible – the best conveyancing service we have experienced by far.” Many clients commented on Sophie’s professionalism, friendliness and approachability.

Sophie is originally from Australia and joined Coodes in 2010, having qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2002. Based in the firm’s Truro office, she specialises in the more complex property sales and purchases, including unusual transactions such as transfers of equity, sales of part and granting of rights and restrictions. Head of the firm’s Matrimonial Conveyancing team, which deals with the sale of properties after a couple separates, she is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Speaking of her success, Sophie said: “I was astonished to win a People’s Award and it was absolutely amazing to be at the awards ceremony. I still can’t quite believe it.

“The most positive thing about the whole experience is knowing that the award is based on feedback from my clients.

“When I have the opportunity to ring someone to tell them they have bought or sold their home, I get a real sense that I have helped somebody. After all, moving house is one of the most important things we do. As I specialise in the more complex sales, making that call can be especially rewarding as there has often been a long and difficult journey to get there.

“Here in Cornwall we have so many unusual properties, including a number of historic buildings, which bring a set of issues. This undoubtedly makes my job more challenging, but it also makes it more satisfying.

“I firmly believe that good communication is the most important part of the job. I know how frustrating it is to not know what is happening, so my priority has always been to keep clients updated and to respond quickly. Receiving this award is wonderful and I am so grateful to my clients for their feedback.”

Coodes was also named best in Cornwall for the third year in a row and was presented with the Gold award in the national and group category of Best Regional Group in the UK.

Sarah Cowley, Partner and Head of Residential Property at Coodes Solicitors, said: “Many congratulations to Sophie. It is an achievement to be shortlisted for a People Award, but to win is an amazing result.”