Very good. Excellent communication and very prompt and professional
Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited
Civil Litigation • Company/Commercial • Criminal Law Firm
About Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited
Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited is a New Zealand law firm operating in Nelson. The firm has 2 lawyers registered with the New Zealand Law Society and practises in civil litigation, company/commercial, criminal 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
Stevens Orchard Lawyers receives mixed feedback reflecting significant inconsistencies in service delivery. Recent positive reviews praise communication, professionalism, and helpfulness from staff including Margot, while older reviews cite serious concerns including ghosting clients, missing agreed deadlines, failure to respond to queries over extended periods, and unfinished work on property and trust matters. One reviewer alleged the firm declined their initial instruction then later represented the opposing party in court. The firm's track record suggests strong interpersonal skills but substantial gaps in follow-through and client communication.
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 Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited?
Areas of Practice
Recent client reviews
Showing the 5 most-recent reviews for Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited sourced from Google. View all on Google Maps.
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.
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…
Margot was most helpful with suggestions. Very friendly atmosphere. Thank-you.
Great service. Friendly staff
Frequently asked questions
How much does a business lawyer cost at Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited? ▾
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 Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited specifically, request a written engagement letter — fees vary by lawyer seniority and matter complexity. Use the contact details above to ask for a quote.
How much does a criminal lawyer cost at Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited? ▾
A guilty plea on a minor matter is commonly $1,500 – $3,500. A defended District Court hearing runs $5,000 – $15,000. Category 3 jury trials start at $15,000 and can exceed $50,000. The duty lawyer scheme covers first appearances at no cost. For Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited specifically, request a written engagement letter — fees vary by lawyer seniority and matter complexity. Use the contact details above to ask for a quote.
How much does an employment lawyer cost at Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited? ▾
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 Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited specifically, request a written engagement letter — fees vary by lawyer seniority and matter complexity. Use the contact details above to ask for a quote.
How much does a family lawyer cost at Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited? ▾
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 Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited specifically, request a written engagement letter — fees vary by lawyer seniority and matter complexity. Use the contact details above to ask for a quote.
Our Legal Team
Margot Louise Harkness
6 SpecializationsNelson, Nelson
Practice Areas:
Tracy Michelle Sawtell
2 SpecializationsNelson, Nelson
Practice Areas:
Firm Information
📍 Office Locations
- • Nelson, New Zealand
👥 Legal Team
2 Qualified Lawyers
⚖️ Practice Areas
6 Areas of Legal Expertise
📞 Contact Information
Contact Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited
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Nelson is served by numerous qualified law firms providing comprehensive legal services to individuals and businesses. Stevens Orchard Lawyers Limited stands out with its 2 qualified lawyers and expertise in civil litigation, company/commercial, criminal.
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Data sourced from the New Zealand Law Society register . LawyerFinder NZ is a directory and lead-generation service; we do not provide legal advice.