Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson)

Commercial • Employment • Family Law Firm

Canterbury, New Zealand
3 Qualified Legal Professionals
3.9
Based on 23 Google reviews. View on Google Maps

About Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson)

Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson) is a New Zealand law firm operating in Canterbury. The firm has 3 lawyers registered with the New Zealand Law Society and practises in commercial, employment, family and other areas.

Each lawyer's NZ Law Society registration can be verified via the lawyer's profile below. LawyerFinder NZ is a directory; we do not provide legal advice. Contact the firm directly to discuss your matter.

Review summary

Purnell Creighton has received mixed feedback across its recent reviews. Multiple recent reviewers reported significant dissatisfaction, citing delays in completing work, difficulty following client instructions, and concerns about how staff engaged with clients—notably in family law matters. One reviewer reported that a staff member named Sally dismissed a client's prospects early in a custody case without adequate fact-gathering, which the reviewer felt was unprofessional and judgmental. Overall, the firm's responsiveness and client communication approach appear to be recurring concerns among those who have given low ratings.

Generated from 5 Google reviews and NZ Law Society register data. Synthesised by Claude Haiku — not legal advice or our editorial judgement. View source reviews on Google Maps.

Why consider Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson)?

Rated 3.9 on Google
Based on 23 reviews via Google
Full-Service Firm
Covers 5 areas including commercial, employment, family
Based in Canterbury
Canterbury

Areas of Practice

Commercial
Employment
Family
Immigration
Property

Recent client reviews

Showing the 5 most-recent reviews for Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson) sourced from Google. View all on Google Maps.

✨Lexy Twomey
★★★★★
in the last week · via Google

Tania Thornicroft
★★★★
2 weeks ago · via Google

Jamie Chinnery
★★★★
a month ago · via Google

Pretty much the same experience as the last few reviews. Thanks forever to do anything ad cant follow clients instructions

Jason hoper
★★★★
a year ago · via Google

Adele Millane
★★★★
a year ago · via Google

Woooooow, my brother is currently in a custody battle and has found a great lawyer after being completely dismissed by these lawyers. Sally from this law firm rung my brother to let him know he doesn’t stand a chance which I find unprofessional because they hardly got to know him, he made his own incentive to start parenting courses and start the removal of his face tattoos to prove in the face of JUDGEMENTAL people like Sally that he can be a good father as he’s already been that’s why he gets his child for the entire holidays! Absolutely atrocious behaviour. The person my brother is fighting…

Frequently asked questions

How much does a business lawyer cost at Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson)?

Hourly rates run $300 – $700, with senior commercial partners higher. Standard company formation is $800 – $1,500. Small-business sale and purchase transactions typically run $3,000 – $10,000 in legal fees per side. For Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson) specifically, request a written engagement letter — fees vary by lawyer seniority and matter complexity. Use the contact details above to ask for a quote.

Full business law cost guide →

How much does an employment lawyer cost at Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson)?

Hourly rates run $250 – $500. Raising a personal grievance is commonly a $600 – $1,500 fixed fee. Mediation representation is $1,500 – $4,000. An ERA hearing typically runs $5,000 – $15,000 depending on complexity. For Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson) specifically, request a written engagement letter — fees vary by lawyer seniority and matter complexity. Use the contact details above to ask for a quote.

Full employment law cost guide →

How much does a family lawyer cost at Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson)?

Hourly rates typically run $250 – $500. Uncontested dissolution is commonly handled on a fixed fee of $1,500 – $3,000. Contested parenting or relationship-property matters move to hourly billing and can exceed $10,000 over the life of the matter. For Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson) specifically, request a written engagement letter — fees vary by lawyer seniority and matter complexity. Use the contact details above to ask for a quote.

Full family law cost guide →

How much does an immigration lawyer cost at Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson)?

Hourly rates run $250 – $500. Work visa applications are commonly $2,000 – $4,500. Skilled Migrant residency $3,500 – $7,500. Deportation appeals to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal can exceed $20,000 in complex cases. For Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson) specifically, request a written engagement letter — fees vary by lawyer seniority and matter complexity. Use the contact details above to ask for a quote.

Full immigration law cost guide →

Our Legal Team

Timothy John Twomey

1 Specialization

Canterbury, Christchurch

Practice Areas:

Property

Roger Shaw Simes

1 Specialization

Canterbury, Christchurch

Practice Areas:

Family

Sally Ruth Buckenham

4 Specializations

Canterbury, Christchurch

Practice Areas:

Employment Family Commercial Immigration

Firm Information

📍 Office Locations

  • • Canterbury, New Zealand

👥 Legal Team

3 Qualified Lawyers

⚖️ Practice Areas

5 Areas of Legal Expertise

📞 Contact Information

All Lawyers Law Society Verified

Contact Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson)

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Legal Services in Canterbury

Canterbury is served by numerous qualified law firms providing comprehensive legal services to individuals and businesses. Purnell Creighton (incorporating Ralph Thompson Shaw & Thompson) stands out with its 3 qualified lawyers and expertise in commercial, employment, family.

When choosing a law firm, consider factors such as the size of their legal team, areas of specialization, office locations, and track record. All law firms listed on LawyerFinder NZ employ lawyers who are verified members of the New Zealand Law Society, ensuring professional standards and ethical practice.

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Source & machine-readable surface

Data sourced from the New Zealand Law Society register . LawyerFinder NZ is a directory and lead-generation service; we do not provide legal advice.