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Stevens Orchard Lawyers

Stevens Orchard Lawyers

4.1(26 reviews)Excellent (85%)
7 team members2 Law Society verified1 accredited specialist6 practice areas
+64 3 547 6991
459 Main Road Stoke, Stoke, Nelson 7011, New Zealand
See hours below

Review Summary

Clients frequently praise the firm's friendly and professional service, with specific lawyers like Margot, Magot, and Margot Harkness receiving multiple mentions for their helpfulness in family law and property matters. However, several reviews report poor communication, being ghosted after payment, missed deadlines, and unprofessional behavior including refusing new clients only to represent opposing parties. While many long-term clients recommend the firm for property transactions, wills, and family court matters, others warn about inflated rates, incorrect advice, and deteriorating service quality in recent years.

Generated from 26 Google reviews and NZ Law Society data

Why Choose Stevens Orchard Lawyers?

NZ Law Society Verified

2 lawyers with current practising certificates verified through the New Zealand Law Society register.

Accredited Specialists

Accredited Property specialist.

Highly Rated

4.1 out of 5 stars based on 26 Google reviews.

Full-Service Firm

Covers 6 practice areas including Rural Law, Property Law, Commercial Law and more.

Published Hours

Open hours listed — check below for daily schedule.

Practice Areas

Rural Law
Property Law
Commercial Law
Asset Protection and Planning
Civil Dispute
Family Law

Our Team

7 team members — 2 verified with the NZ Law Society

Jacqueline Margaret Stephenson

Barrister & Solicitor

Practising certificate: Current (expires 30/06/2026)
Admitted: Rotorua High Court, 06/11/2009
EmploymentFamily

Jane Duncan

Co-Director

Lee James

Co-Director

Louise

Lawyer/Solicitor

property lawfamily trusts

Margot Harkness

Co-Director

family lawparenting disputes

Margot Louise Harkness

Barrister & Solicitor | Accredited Property specialist

Accredited Property specialist
Practising certificate: Current (expires 30/06/2026)
Admitted: Dunedin High Court, 19/05/1989
Bank/FinanceCompany/CommercialFamilyPropertySelling Real EstateTrusts and Estates

Tracy Sawtell

Client Reviews

4.1
26 total reviewsExcellent (85%)
5 star
16
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
1
1 star
6

Showing 23 of 26 reviews with text

P
Pam HoweLocal Guide4 years ago

Friendly and gave clear advise and instructions

P
Peter OgilvieLocal Guide6 years ago

The legal team at Stevens Orchard Law have assisted me with many personal and business matters and come highly recommended. Whether with partnership agreements or conveyancing for property acquisitions i highly recommend their attention to detail and profession legal service.

S
Sean ThurlowLocal Guide6 years ago

Margot and the team at Stevens Orchard Lawyers in Stoke, Nelson were able to help me with purchasing my new residential investment property. They conducted a title search and advised me on what to look out for and what conditions to put in …

C
Colin CorbettLocal Guidea month ago

Very good. Excellent communication and very prompt and professional

M
Margaret HartLocal Guide4 years ago

Very friendly people,Margo was lovely to deal with as a first time client.

B
Brad BillingsLocal Guide4 years ago

Great place

C
Chris GrowcottLocal Guide4 years ago

Very professional happy to recommend

C
Colin CorbettLocal Guide2 weeks ago

Very good. Excellent communication and very prompt and professional

P
Peter RossLocal Guidea year ago

Margot was most helpful with suggestions. Very friendly atmosphere. Thank-you.

W
Wendy ThomasLocal Guide2 years ago

Great service. Friendly staff

M
Margaret HartLocal Guide3 years ago

Very friendly people,Margo was lovely to deal with as a first time client.

D
Darran LeighLocal Guide5 years ago

Magot has been my Family Court Lawyer for over 10 years. I could NOT have asked for better, very highly recommended. Thank you for everything

D
Dave SuttonLocal Guide5 years ago

Lovely people, very professional and great service.

S
Slightly DifferentLocal Guide5 years ago

Stevens Orchard have helped us with property sales and purchases over the years, plus making a Will and general advice. Great service, lovely people. Would recommend.

D
Devina JacksonLocal Guide5 years ago

Highly recommend Margot and the team at Stevens Orchard Lawyers.

M
Matt D'ArcyLocal Guide6 years ago

Hellena and Margot were professional, efficient, and informative. The service fee was far less than I anticipated given the high quality of their work. Would highly recommend this firm. Thank you

A
Anthony LaycockLocal Guide6 years ago

Not very helpful

K
Karl WeberLocal Guidea year ago

Incredibly disappointing and unprofessional. Took our money and then wasted our time and ghosted us. We engaged Stevens Orchard to assist with the sale of a property and creation of a trust. The initial consultation seemed positive but communication quickly went downhill. It took over a month for them to provide a draft of only one of the two requested documents, which missed a promised deadline. They never reached out or asked any questions beyond the initial 40min consultation and the draft they provided doesn't match the terms we discussed (plus, no sign of the other document). When we finally did receive the draft we responded with some questions which they did not respond to. We sent several follow ups over the next 2 months which they ignored completely. Still have not received a reply.

D
Dean McNichollLocal GuideEdited 6 years ago

Agreed, not very helpful. Manager was quite rude..

T
Teena KeenanLocal Guide8 months ago

Inquired to be a client was told not taking anymore on so i took my case to court myself only to have this firm take on the other party after i filed in court. Extremely unprofessional. Would not recommend unless you want the other party to be represented and not yourself. I felt unfairly discriminated against for no reason.

M
Mandy BladesLocal Guide4 years ago

They're not interested in new clients.

T
Teena KeenanLocal Guide9 months ago

Inquired to be a client was told not taking anymore on so i took my case to court myself only to have this firm take on the other party after i filed in court. Extremely unprofessional. Would not recommend unless you want the other party to be represented and not yourself. I felt unfairly discriminated against for no reason.

A
Aaron FallenLocal GuideEdited 6 years ago

Very poor service, I have been with this firm for 20 years but in the last 5 years it has taken a very bad turn and I no longer do bussnius with them, there rates are extremely inflated for the service you get which comes with very bad emails and advise which is not correct. If you are looking for a firm for day to day bussnius, wills, POA, house and trust matters I would look else were there are far better services out there. I would not recommend this firm to any body at all.

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