Larne-born solicitor Sara Edge launches new legal service

We speak to Sara Edge, who specialises in matrimonial and divorce cases at all levels, and is also highly experienced in children and family law.
Larne-born Sara Edge outside the newly refurbished Sara Edge Solicitors, 13 Agnew StreetLarne-born Sara Edge outside the newly refurbished Sara Edge Solicitors, 13 Agnew Street
Larne-born Sara Edge outside the newly refurbished Sara Edge Solicitors, 13 Agnew Street

Larne-born Solicitor Sara Edge is providing an efficient and comprehensive legal service in the town and wider East Antrim area, having taken over the Agnew Street practice of Neal McAllister following his recent retirement after more than 20 years in the town.

Sara Edge Solicitors offers a broad range of professional legal services to meet the needs of their clients, including criminal law, personal injury and accident claims, as well as matrimonial and family law.

Sara specialises in matrimonial and divorce cases at all levels, from the straightforward to complex High Court matters, and is also highly experienced in children and family law and is a member of the Children’s Order Panel of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

Sara Edge with her teamSara Edge with her team
Sara Edge with her team

Sara revealed: “I wanted to open my practice in Larne because I felt there is a very real need for a female matrimonial solicitor serving Larne and the surrounding East Antrim area.’’

Sara, who took over the firm from the beginning of July, has refurbished the office at 13 Agnew Street to ‘‘reflect a modern approach to dealing with legal cases, whilst not compromising on the highest level of personal and professional service that people expect and deserve.’’

Meanwhile, Sara explains that due to her speciality in matrimonial and divorce cases, the recent refurbishment as part of the takeover is also intended to make clients feel more at ease and comfortable due to the friendly environment and intentionally hospitable, down-to-earth atmosphere.

‘‘I wanted to get across that I am a young female professional, I am a mother, I am approachable and friendly,’’ Sara explains.

‘‘I also wanted it to come across in the signage that we are open and available to anybody and to get the message across we are accessible to all.’’

Sara, who is an experienced advocate in the Magistrates and Family Courts and in the higher tiers of the Northern Ireland Court system is a former pupil of both Larne and Inver Primary School and Larne Grammar, and is also on the Board of Governors of both schools. Sara is also the designated Child Protection Governor at Larne and Inver.

Having commenced her legal journey in Londonderry while attending the University of Ulster, Magee, Sara carried out her solicitor training at Queen’s University, Belfast and has been practising law for the past seven years, almost five of which were with a well-established firm in Ballymena.

During Sara’s career she has also worked at a number of legal practices throughout the province - based in Belfast, Newtownards and Carrickfergus, and spent a short time also with the Public Prosecution Service. She is delighted to now have opened her own practice in her native Larne.

‘‘I am so pleased to be back and to be providing a legal service in my home town,’’ she said.

Success as team continues to expand

‘‘I am also delighted to have Neal stay on with the practice as a Consultant Solicitor until the end of October and to be able to draw from his wealth of experience, as well as retaining the existing staff to provide continuity for all of our many existing clients.’’

Having kickstarted the new business to great success amid the recent refurbishment, Sara’s close-knit team of expert support staff is also already growing with Legal Secretary, Ann McMaster; trainee Solicitor Cliona Martin and a paralegal in just three months, which Sara explains: ‘‘Allows me to invest in the future of the profession in specialist areas.’’

Meanwhile, Sara’s predecessor Neal McAllister, who will be remaining in a consulting capacity until the end of October, has revealed he is delighted to be handing over to Sara.

‘‘Sara is an experienced, friendly and approachable solicitor,’’ he said. ‘‘I am happy to be leaving my clients in her very capable hands. I wish her every success in the future.’’

Sara Edge Solicitors is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. The practice also offers an out-of-hours service for clients who may require legal advice when the office is closed, for example, when requiring solicitor representation at the police station. Sara Edge Solicitors can be contacted by calling into their offices at 13 Agnew Street, Larne, or by phoning 028 2827 7550.