History of the firm
As well as being one of Bristol's most respected and modern commercial law firms, recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers for its strengths, Meade King lays claim to being one of the longest established firms of Solicitors in Bristol and the South West region.
The first known record of the firm dates back to 1790, when a sole practitioner called Robert Bigg practiced on his own account in Bristol.
In 1814 Robert was joined by his son, Lionel Bigg, who continued to practice on his own account for an impressive 49 years after his father retired in 1818.
In 1867 Lionel entered into partnership with the 30 year old Herbert Henry Meade-King, his former articled clerk. The family of H H Meade-King had practiced law in Taunton from the late 18th century.
The partnership was renamed Bigg & Meade-King and then Bigg, Meade-King & Bigg in the following year when Lionel's son, Edward Arthur Bigg became a partner. Just two years later Lionel died and the firm reverted to the name Meade-King & Bigg. In 1891 Edward died and H H Meade-King continued to practice on his own account for a further five years.
In 1896 H H Meade-King took into partnership his elder son Herbert Edward Meade-King and the name of the firm changed to Meade-King & Son.
In 1901 Meade-King & Son took over a practice called Wansey & Co, the history of which can be traced back to 1794. The practice expanded when George Cyril Meade-King (son of H H and brother of H E) joined in 1902.
In 1904 the firm took over the practice of John Miller & Son (which dated back to 1850) and in 1910 there was another merger with Isaac Cooke & Sons (a practice dating back to 1791). The name of the firm changed to Meade-King, Cooke Wansey & John Miller.
In 1920 Cooke Wansey & John Miller were dropped from the name and the firm has been known as Meade-King (later Meade King) ever since.
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