ABOUT US
Founded in 1980, Mackrell Marsh & Co. has proudly served the Brighton & Hove area for decades, with a growing presence throughout Sussex and the Southeast. As a family-run firm, we’ve built our reputation on delivering top-quality legal services with a personalized touch, ensuring that our clients receive expert advice and the best possible outcomes.
Our areas of expertise
We specialize in Family and Matrimonial Law, Criminal Law, Motoring Law, and Wills and Probate. Whether you need assistance with a divorce, criminal defence, or preparing your will, our dedicated team is here to guide you through every step.
Client care at the heart of what we do
At Mackrell Marsh & Co., we pride ourselves on our commitment to client care. We go the extra mile to support you through challenging legal situations, offering a friendly, approachable service that’s tailored to your needs. Our family law team provides personalized advice on issues such as separation, cohabitation, children, and financial matters, always ensuring that your interests come first.
Expert legal support and strong partnerships
Our solicitors have excellent links with top-tier Barristers, expert accountants, IT specialists, and frequently work alongside Queen’s Counsel to ensure your case is presented in the strongest possible light. With our team’s collective experience and resources, you can be confident that you’ll receive first-rate legal support.
Emergency and 24-hour services
We understand that some legal matters require immediate attention. That’s why we offer an emergency service for domestic violence cases, and a 24-hour criminal defence service to support clients whenever they need us most.
Specialists in motoring law
Our firm is also renowned for our expertise in Motoring Law, handling cases from serious offenses like Causing Death by Dangerous Driving to minor speeding violations. We are here to protect your driving privileges, offering defence strategies that can help you avoid license disqualification.
Transparent and competitive fees
We specialize in privately funded cases and are committed to providing transparent, straightforward fee structures. Our rates are competitive, and we ensure that our clients receive excellent value for their investment. For criminal litigation matters, we are also able to offer legal aid where available.
Meet The Team
Oliver Mackrell
Oliver Mackrell, is the director of the firm and an experienced solicitor with an excellent reputation who is often recommended by former clients. He frequently advises on complex and serious cases that range from murder, sex offences, fraud to road traffic offences. He is an experienced trial advocate exhibiting a robust and persuasive style with a high success rate. He can also be found at the police station or custody centres where he regularly advises clients who are being interviewed by the police. He has provided both advice and comment to BBC South Radio in respect of the government’s changes to legal aid. In addition, Oliver works in the family and divorce department and has carved out a niche practice in Wills and Probate regularly advising in these areas.
Brian Mackrell
Brian Mackrell is a Solicitor with vast experience in representing privately-funded clients in Family law, Divorce, Wills and Probate and Criminal Defence. During the course of his career spanning over 40 years, he has built up an excellent reputation with Clients, the Courts and the legal profession within the south-east. He now heads up the Family Law Department, dealing with general work, but occasionally something slightly different arises and, currently, he has been asked to advise on an inter-jurisdictional case. As a specialist in Criminal law, he has dealt with all the most serious of offences, including murder and other types of homicide, serious sex offences, serious drug importation cases and fraud and other high-cost cases. He holds higher advocacy audience rights and so can appear in the Crown and Higher Courts and has been led as a junior advocate in a murder Trial. He has extensive experience of drafting Wills for Clients and dealing with probate matters.
Mike Whippy
Sussex born and bred, Mike commenced his legal career in 1992 specialising in Criminal Defence and has been an Accredited Police Station Adviser since 1996. He has vast experience of police interviews and advised suspects on very serious and complex allegations including murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, drugs importations, sexual offences and fraud, as well as less serious offences, throughout Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London. Mike has a reputation of being proactive in defending suspects rights and entitlements whilst in custody and has particular skill and empathy in dealing with young people.
Mike advised a suspect in one of the largest investigations Sussex Police has undertaken, and after more than four years of police enquiries costing £2 million the Crown failed to secure conviction. Phillipa McAtasney QC complimented on being one of the most competent, professional and dedicated police representatives that she has worked with “his advice in the (above case) was superb.”
Using his police station expertise and experience, Mike also plays a significant role in preparation at both the Magistrates and Crown Court, working closely with our solicitors and barristers to ensure cases are expertly analysed and prepared. He has also practiced in family law, advising and representing cases involving Children Act matters.
STEPHEN HARRIS
Stephen began his career in criminal defence as a paralegal in 1988, qualifying as a solicitor in 1992. In 1999, he co-founded Harris Paley & Schone where he served as senior partner until 2020 before transitioning to freelance advocacy to focus more directly on client work—the passion that drives his legal career. A highly experienced duty solicitor and skilled court advocate, Stephen regularly represents clients in complex criminal cases leveraging decades of expertise to ensure the best possible outcomes.
KATE EAVES
Kate is a Police Station Representative and caseworker, having undergone training with the firm over the last few years. She is frequently assisting clients across the county and has developed a strong and loyal client base. Kate’s calm, empathetic and direct approach consistently delivers excellent results, gaining trust and building a relationship with our clients. She frequently receives high praise for her outstanding service and professionalism, and many clients return to specifically request her expertise.
MARY EAVES
Mary has worked with the firm since 1983 in various roles and is now the Practice Manager and Costs Draftsman. She started her legal career in the late 1970s as a Legal Executive working in Conveyancing and Probate. Mary is likely to be the first person you speak with when you ring and her aim is to offer you the highest degree of attention and help.