About Us
History
ACS Hards and Co was formed in 1965 by Albert C S Hards.
Shortly after qualifying as a solicitor in 1955, Albert Hards became a partner in the firm of A G Berry and Co a firm which could trace its roots back to the City of London in the early 1900s. Albert was the partner in charge of the Cheapside office. The New Malden Office, which had opened in the mid 1930's was run by his partner Philip Brown, son in law of the founder Albert G Berry. From shortly after the end of the 1939/45 war the firm practiced in New Malden from 25 Malden Road, later 17 High Street, New Malden.
In 1965, Philip Brown retired from practice and moved to
In 1974, after being awarded a B.A. degree with honours in Law, Albert's son David Hards joined the firm as a trainee and after two years training with ACS Hards & Co and a short internship with Ward Bowie Solicitors he qualified as a solicitor in 1976. He became a partner in 1979.
In 1978, Ian Lipscombe joined the firm as a trainee after being awarded an LLB with honours. He qualified in 1980 and became a partner in 1981, when he took over responsibility for the newly opened Surbiton branch.
In 1982, Albert Hards retired and David took over as senior partner.
The practice operated from 17 High Street New Malden until 1995 when the offices moved 50 metres across the High Street to the former management offices of the Barclays Bank branch at 2 High Street from where it continues to practice.