About OBEP

Who is OBEP?

OBEP is an English law firm with a sole principal, Olivia Whitcroft. It is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, registration number 563704.

More about Olivia can be found here.

How can I confirm OBEP is regulated by the SRA?

OBEP is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The SRA provides a digital badge which only regulated firms can display. The digital badge is provided by the SRA's development partner Yoshki.

Please click here to view the SRA Digital Badge confirming OBEP is regulated by the SRA.

Privacy notice: Note that opening this page using the link above will allow information about your visit to be collected by Yoshki and the SRA. Yoshki uses Google Analytics to power their reporting functionality and shares some information with the SRA. OBEP does not use or control the information collected by the SRA and Yoshki, nor the Google Analytics service or any cookies which they use.

For privacy information about the badge, see the Yoshki data and privacy policy which (as at January 2019) is available at (link to third party website): http://www.yoshki.com/data-security-policy/. As at January 2019, Yokshi indicates as follows:

  • through the reporting functionality, Yoshki and the SRA have access to information about how many times SRA Digital Badge has been clicked – this is to help manage system performance and to gain insight into usage;
  • Yoshki does not record or store any additional data such as IP addresses, page navigation behaviour, etc., and only tracks user interaction up to the point of click; and
  • of the information it does access, it is shared between the SRA and Yoshki, to facilitate the Digital Badge service.

In what areas of law does OBEP specialise?

OBEP provides legal advice on:

  • Data protection and information law
  • Intellectual property
  • Information technology
  • Commercial contracts

See also OBEP’s services page for details of OBEP’s services and how we can assist businesses of all sizes (and also individuals).

What are OBEP’s values?

OBEP has several key values in delivering legal advice:

  • Quality of work
  • Reliability and responsiveness
  • Understanding individual client needs

This means that OBEP will seek to understand individual client circumstances, so that legal requirements are not considered in isolation of the wider business picture.

How much does OBEP charge?

OBEP seeks to offer clients legal advice that is both affordable and of a high quality. Where appropriate, OBEP can advise on cost-effective ways of addressing your legal need and prioritisation of issues and actions. OBEP can also look to work within any specified legal budgets which you may have.

To discuss estimates for specific legal advice, please contact Olivia Whitcroft using the contact details below.

Olivia Whitcroft's standard hourly rate is £285 plus VAT.

Where is OBEP located?

OBEP is based in Surrey. As well as providing services to local businesses and individuals, OBEP can advise clients anywhere in the UK. OBEP can travel to your office to meet you, or discuss matters remotely over telephone, Teams and/or email.

How do you contact OBEP?

Please contact Olivia Whitcroft:

  • by telephone on: 07887 423429; or
  • by email to: olivia.whitcroft@obep.uk

How can you raise a complaint?

If you are not satisfied with a legal service you are receiving from OBEP or the fees for which you are billed, you are entitled to raise a complaint. At first instance, please contact Olivia Whitcroft (olivia.whitcroft@obep.uk), setting out the reason for and the nature of the complaint. Olivia will investigate the complaint (including reviewing relevant documents and communications), and respond to you.

If you are not satisfied with the handling of your complaint, you may be able to complain to the Legal Ombudsman. This service is generally only available to individuals, small charities and very small businesses.

You will generally only be able to complain to the Legal Ombudsman if OBEP has not been able to resolve your complaint within eight weeks of you making it. The complaint must usually be made within six months of a final response from OBEP, and within six years of the act or omission which gave rise to your complaint, or within three years of when you should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint. See further information at www.legalombudsman.org.uk.

You may also be able to object to a bill by application to the court under Part III of the Solicitors Act 1974.

If you have concerns about Olivia’s conduct as a solicitor (such as being dishonest, or treating someone unfairly), you may also be able to complain to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (see: www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/).

Additional information

Professional rules

OBEP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which sets rules and standards relating to the operation of OBEP’s business. Information about the SRA and a copy of its rules are available at www.sra.org.uk.

Indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity insurance is provided by Zurich Insurance plc. Zurich Insurance plc is a company incorporated in Ireland
UK Branch Head Office: The Zurich Centre, 3000 Parkway, Whiteley, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7JZ
Territorial coverage: Worldwide

VAT registration number

OBEP’s VAT number is: 118 4757 96

Equality and diversity

In its dealings with clients and other third parties, OBEP seeks to ensure non-discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age or disability. OBEP has a policy on equality and diversity within its business.

Data protection

OBEP has procedures to ensure that your personal data is handled in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation. Please see OBEP’s privacy notice.