THIS week marks the 20th anniversary of Harris Fowler solicitors, who are based in Taunton.

Occupying two of the beautiful Georgian buildings in Hammet Street, it was very different in January 1994 when the doors opened at the offices in Powlett House in the High Street.

With just two people, the firm entered the competitive world of Personal Injury law with high hopes and an ethos of providing good quality legal representation to those who had been injured through the negligence of someone else.

As the business grew steadily, they outgrew their premises and, by 2002, the firm moved into Numbers 6 and 7 Hammet Street, in Taunton, which has been a traditional location for law firms over the years.

Staff numbers increased to a modest 20 and the firm continued to develop their expertise in this field of law.

By 2012, staff numbers had grown to around 100 and, through hard work and steady success, they have become one of the leading specialist personal injury firms in the country.

Getting involved in the local community has always been a high priority at Harris Fowler and, over the years, they have enjoyed a close association with Headway and raised money in various and often daring ways for charities such as the Southern Spinal Injuries Trust, CLIC Sargent, Children in Need, the Army Benevolent Fund in addition to sponsoring local events such as the Taunton Flower Show to raise money for Headway.

In 2013, the Government brought in reforms to civil litigation funding, which were inspired by a review carried out by Lord Justice Jackson, and these measures implemented the biggest shake-up in civil litigation for decades.

The Consumer Justice Alliance, in which Harris Fowler played a fundamental role, saw the proposals as denying access to justice and fought hard on behalf of injured people. The changes that were eventually brought in were severe and, as a result, many Personal Injury firms have closed their doors and ceased trading.

Grant Fowler, the Chief Executive Officer at Harris Fowler, recognises that fundamental to survival is having the right strategy and the right staff to provide a high quality service to clients.

He said: “There is no doubt that the recent changes in the law have forced personal injury law firms to take a fresh approach in how they deliver first-class legal advice and representation to those who have been injured.

“We have implemented a carefully planned review and have in place the best lawyers and support staff to serve our clients.”

In such a competitive industry, how does Grant and his fellow Directors see the future for Harris Fowler?

He said: “This is no time to be complacent and we are working harder than ever to offer specialist legal advice for the thousands of injured people we represent.

“Despite the enormous changes forced upon us last April, we have adopted a positive approach and are confident about the future.

“The key to success is the ability to adapt and to have on board a team of highly skilled and dedicated staff. We believe we have achieved this and look forward with confidence to the next 20 years.”

Harris Fowler has a team of specialist personal injury solicitors who can offer advice to anyone who suffers a personal injury.

Free and confidential legal advice is available on 0800 213 214 or visit their website www.harrisfowler.co.uk