The History of Scott Richards
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Reflecting on Our Legacy: A Look Back at the History of Our Firm
As Pennie Lennon, a respected equity partner whose dedication and commitment have greatly benefited our firm over the years, marks her final day with us, we take this moment to reflect.
As we celebrate her remarkable career in Family Law, we also take this opportunity to look back at the history of our firm—from our founders, Mr Scott and Mr Richards, the milestones we’ve achieved, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the principles that have guided us from the very beginning.
From our humble beginnings, to becoming a respected name in the legal field, our firm has always been defined by a commitment to excellence, integrity, and advocacy. Join us as we explore our story, honouring the people and moments that have built the foundation of who we are today.
The History of Scott Richards Solicitors
The firm was founded in February 1922 by Mr Charles Martin Scott and originally operated from 23 Queen Street, Dawlish. During the 1960s, Mr Richards joined the practice, followed by Mr Patrick John Hunt, leading to the firm’s rebranding as Scott, Richards & Hunt.
To gain insight into the firm’s early years, we spoke with former employee and solicitor, Michael Cockram, who shared his recollections of that era.
“I joined Scott Richards in 1960 at the offices at 23 Queen Street, Dawlish, during the time when it was just Mr Charles Martin Scott. I worked alongside a lovely lady, called Miss Winifred Maud Gollop who was the Managing Clerk.”
I worked alongside Mr Hunt during his time as a partner at the firm. He was a very well-known solicitor in Dawlish, and he was very well regarded for his court work.
I left the firm in 1987 when I moved to Somerset.”
Michael fondly remembers Charles Scott as a true gentleman, noting his distinctive habit of wearing his coat draped over his shoulders rather than properly put on. This small but memorable quirk left a lasting impression on those who worked with him.
Recalling the early days of the firm with a smile, Michael joked that anyone hoping to see Mr Richards had to first get past his formidable assistant, Mrs Joyce Rodwell. Known for her efficiency and no-nonsense approach, she acted as the firm’s gatekeeper, ensuring that only the most pressing matters reached his desk.
Patrick Hunt, Jeanne Powell, unknown, unknown, unknown
Joyce Rodwell, unknown, Charles Scott, Mr Richards and Miss Gollop
As Michael recalled, in its early days, the firm operated solely from its original office in Dawlish. However, as the practice grew and demand for legal services increased, expansion became a necessity.
Shortly after the Second World War, Scott Richards took a significant step forward by opening a second office in Teignmouth. This new location was situated above Rutty & Hibberd, a well-known tobacconist on Wellington Street, serving as a convenient and accessible hub for clients in the area.
As the firm continued to thrive, a third office was later established in St Marychurch, further extending its reach and cementing its presence within the local legal community.
By the late 1960s, Scott Richards continued to evolve, welcoming two new partners, Mr John Cumbley and Mr John Coulson, following the retirement of Charles Scott. Their arrival marked a period of expansion and transition for the firm. John Cumbley took charge of the newly established office in St Marychurch, ensuring its successful integration into the firm’s growing network, while John Coulson joined Patrick Hunt in managing the Dawlish office.
Tragically, in 1977, Patrick Hunt passed away. Following this sad and untimely loss, the practice underwent a rebranding, adopting the name Scott Richards, under which it continues to operate today.
The mid-1980s saw another significant development with the arrival of Mr Michael Mulkerrins. His expertise and dedication quickly became apparent, leading to his promotion to Partner following the retirement of partner Mr Richards.
Shortly thereafter, in February 1988, the firm welcomed its future Senior Partner, Mr Paul Robert Dyson. He initially worked alongside John Coulson in managing the Dawlish office, bringing fresh perspective and energy to the firm’s operations. Demonstrating his leadership and commitment, Paul was promoted to Partner in October 1989, solidifying his role in shaping the firm’s future.
In 1992, Michael Mulkerrins, who had been overseeing the Teignmouth office, departed to take up a new role with the Crown Prosecution Service, before relocating to France and then Holland with his family.
At some point following his departure, though the exact date remains unclear, the firm relocated its Teignmouth office to the opposite side of Wellington Street, settling into Queens Chambers. This move to larger offices within the town, signified a new chapter in the firm’s presence within Teignmouth, further establishing its commitment to serving the local community.
The move was recorded in the Teignmouth News:
Legal Assistant, Emma, recalls;
“I began my journey at the Queen’s Chambers Building, where the entrance, which remains the same to this day, was nestled between a small shop and what was once a photography studio. The building exuded charm and character, with its beautiful architecture. A large entrance hallway led to a staircase that took you up to the first floor, where a substantial safe was positioned toward the back of the hall.
On the first floor, to the right, there was a kitchen and an archive room, while to the left of the stairs, the support staff’s room housed around four or five team members. This room was separated by a partition, behind which was a ‘sliding hatch’ connecting to the reception area. The reception itself was a lovely, welcoming space, with a little bell that chimed every time someone entered.
We had a post table where all outgoing mail was franked using a heavy metal franking machine. It had to be carried to the post office to top up the postage before it could continue to operate the franking system!
When I joined a couple of members of staff where still on the manual old typewriters! I had a word processor with a massive square back to it until technology progressed.
Partner Michael Mulkerrins had a big room at the front of the building, and an amazing collection of reference books which looked impressive in a massive bookshelf, almost regal looking. I remember Paul Dyson coming in as junior partner as Michael left.”
In 1996, Partner John Cumbley sadly passed away. Stepping up to the challenge, Paul Dyson assumed responsibility for managing both the St Marychurch and Dawlish offices, ensuring continuity during a time of upheaval for the firm. That same year, the firm welcomed a new face—Penelope Lennon, known as Pennie—who would go on to play a pivotal role in its evolution.
Just a few years later, in 1999, another significant shift took place as John Coulson made the decision to retire. With John Coulson stepping down, Paul Dyson was appointed Senior Partner, taking the reins of Scott Richards. Well-established in the Teignmouth community, where he lived with his young family, Paul was instrumental in the decision to establish the firm’s flagship office in the town.
With this vision in mind, he and John Coulson began the search for a larger, more prominent office space in Teignmouth. It was during this time that Paul invited Pennie Lennon to join the Partnership. Pennie subsequently took over management of the Dawlish office, and the decision was made to close the office in St Marychurch.
By October 1999, Paul & John’s efforts had come to fruition. The Partners secured Newfoundland House on Regent Street, a property that would become Scott Richards’ new headquarters and a cornerstone of its identity. A defining moment in the firm’s history, the move signalled a new era of stability. The building, formerly owned by Lloyds Bank, featured a high-security strong room spanning three floors—ensuring personal client information had never been more secure!
The physical relocation from Wellington Street to the newly acquired office on Regent Street was no small feat. With the firm still working with paper-based client files, every document had to be carefully transported—carried up and down staircases and across the street in an effort to ensure nothing was misplaced. Fortunately, Paul Dyson wasn’t alone in this undertaking.
He enlisted the help of his teenage son—Jamie Robert Dyson, who would one day follow in his footsteps as Managing Partner. Alongside Jamie was his best friend, Spencer Cole, now of Four Stages Finance. The duo took on the heavy lifting in exchange for some well-earned pocket money, unknowingly playing a small but memorable role in Scott Richards’ history.
With the firm settled into its new headquarters, John Coulson retired, embarking on a new chapter in the picturesque Dordogne region of France. Alongside his wife, Diana—who had previously worked as a secretary at the firm—he ran a successful holiday property letting business, embracing a slower pace of life in the French countryside.
In 2013, John Coulson returned to Dawlish, where he remained an active member of the community. Never one to sit idle, he dedicated his time to local organisations, serving as Chairman of the Round Table, 41 Club, and Rotary in Dawlish.
John Coulson passed away in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of warmth and generosity. Paul Dyson fondly remembers him as a kind-hearted man with a sharp sense of fun—someone who always made time for those closest to him, particularly his family.
At some point in the 1990s, the Dawlish office moved from its original location in Queen Street, to Scala House, Dawlish. Teresa, a previous employee of the firm recalls that the Queen Street office was becoming overcrowded as the branch became busier. Teresa also shared that it was her idea to name the office, as it was located on the site of the old Scala Cinema!
The ninth equity partner to join the firm since its inception, was Sue McGregor, who became a valued member of Scott Richards when she joined the firm in June 2000. Her dedication and expertise led to her appointment as an equity partner in April 2003. Assistant, Linda recalls with fondness, Sue’s young son sitting beside her desk asleep in his car seat, during late evenings whilst Sue attended Partner’s meetings. In July 2017, Sue made the difficult decision to step away from the firm, relocating to Norfolk to be closer to her family.
Sue’s connection to Scott Richards remained strong. Following the pandemic, Sue returned in May 2022, resuming her work with the firm as a remote consultant. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to private client work, bringing years of experience and insight to the team.
Hauling countless client files up and down staircases all those years ago clearly sparked an early passion for law in Paul Dyson’s son, Jamie. After completing his law degree at the University of Glamorgan and his Legal Practice Course, Jamie officially joined Scott Richards as a Trainee Solicitor in December 2008.
His journey within the firm continued to progress, and he was invited to join the Partnership in April 2014. Soon after Sue’s relocation to Norfolk, Jamie took on the role of Managing Partner, marking a new era of leadership at Scott Richards.
Since the closure of the Dawlish office in 2008, Scott Richards had been located solely in Teignmouth. With Jamie at the helm, it was time to expand the firm once again, and in May 2021, Scott Richards Solicitors proudly opened a new office in Albany Street, Newton Abbot. The Albany Street location was chosen for its central position, offering clients easy access to the firm’s expertise. With this new office, Scott Richards Solicitors aimed to strengthen its relationships with both existing clients and new ones, continuing its tradition of offering personalised, professional legal advice across a wide range of practice areas.
It is quite the feat, that since its inception in 1922, over a century ago, the firm has remarkably been led by just 10 equity partners. Mr Charles Scott, Mr Richards, Mr Patrick Hunt, Mr John Cumbley, Mr John Coulson, Mr Michael Mulkerrins, Mr Paul Dyson, Miss Penelope Lennon, Miss Sue McGregor and Mr Jamie Dyson.
And, with the retirement of Pennie this month, the firm enters the next chapter – We wish Pennie a long, happy, and fulfilling retirement, filled with joy and new adventures!