since 1867
A brief history of Houldsworth Solicitors – from the desk of John Houldsworth
With a rich legacy and a reputation for legal excellence in the Ribble Valley, Houldsworth Solicitors combines historic values with modern legal expertise.
Picture this for a moment. The year is 1817. The first bicycle is road tested in Germany, the New York Stock Exchange opens its doors for the first time, and Jane Austen passes away in Winchester at the age of 41.
Meanwhile, on the cobbled Duck Street in Clitheroe, Houldsworth’s was founded by Henry Hall, from Preston.
131 years later, my father, a young man named John Houldsworth, joined the firm in 1948 after serving in the Royal Navy.
Fast forward to 1974, and I followed my father into the family business and became a partner at the firm.
In 1978, I changed its name to Houldsworth Solicitors to reflect the long service of my family.
Quite a few things have changed over the centuries, but the commitment to providing a personalised and professional service to individuals and businesses across the Ribble Valley and beyond is here to stay.
A forward-thinking firm
Back in the 1800s, our firm was made up entirely of male solicitors. And although Janet Wood became the first woman to complete a law degree in 1878, women couldn’t actually practice law until 1919 – over 100 years after we opened our doors. Nowadays, things look different and myself, Ricky, and Craig are outnumbered. 90% of the staff are female – even the office dog and head of meet and greet Martha.
A family business
In 2025 after 58 years at Duck Street I decided the time was right to retire and I handed over the reins to my step-daughter Amanda Hall so she could progress the firm.
In an exciting new chapter for the firm, in September 2026, Houldsworth Solicitors became part of Farleys Solicitors, bringing together two respected North West law firms with a shared commitment to outstanding client service. While embracing new opportunities and enhanced resources, we remain proud of our heritage and the trusted relationships built with generations of clients. Together, we look forward to building on our strong foundations and supporting individuals, families and businesses for many years to come.
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