Cornish litigation firm wins free office for a year

Obiter has loved a freebie ever since we first hooked a plastic duck on Clacton Pier and took home a giant stuffed mongoose.

But as wins go, not much can top the prize claimed by start-up boutique firm Stutt Associates, which has secured a year’s free office space courtesy of Cornwall Innovation.

The firm, which had previously operated remotely, moved into its new space this month at Tremough Innovation Centre in Penryn.

Solicitor Lisa Heywood, who founded the litigation firm in 2024, said she entered the Win An Office competition to ease the challenges of working from home with five children, as well as to avoid having to increase prices to pay for commercial rent.

The entry required an up to date business plan with costs projections and detailed plans for future growth and innovation, along with answers to questions about the business and future goals. There was then a panel interview with representatives from Cornwall business organisations.

Heywood said: ‘I didn’t expect to win, but I am delighted that we now have a dedicated home for the firm. I am really looking forward to laying down our growth foundations, with and immersing ourselves in the wonderful community that exists at the Innovation Centre.

‘As we don’t have to pay rent, we can invest instead in AI and other innovations to further streamline and increase cost efficiency, then pass those savings on to our clients. I’m also quite excited about decorating with as many branded merch items as I can squeeze in.’

The firm was founded with the aim of making litigation services as accessible as possible and serving the Cornish market that might otherwise struggle to obtain legal advice.

‘We want to put Cornwall on the map as the missing legal hub that exists two hours from the last recognised hub in Exeter and to nurture and train the next generation of home grown talent so that they are trained and retained in the county, rather than leaving for city jobs because that’s thought to be the only option,’ added Heywood.

‘Anecdotally, we are hearing that it is becoming increasingly difficult for clients seeking dispute resolution services to find that help in Cornwall. We are filling that gap and having an office space where we can see clients on their terms, whenever suits them, is invaluable.’