About Us
Established in 1984 as Beresford and Long Solicitors and recently incorporated to become Accident Solicitors Direct Limited (ASD), we are a firm of qualified and experienced personal injury solicitors, based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
We are proud of our service and as a company we do not act for so-called claim handlers, who have tarnished the image of lawyers.
We take pride in our proven 25-year record in providing a 'No Win-No Fee' service for local people. In that time, our Solicitors have recovered millions of pounds in compensation for thousands of clients.
Our dedicated team have wide-ranging experience of relevant areas of the law and related sectors, including Health and Safety legislation, the insurance industry and barrister profession. We have a wide range of local, tried-and-tested experts at our disposal, to ensure our clients receive the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Our commitment to always providing a face-to-face 'No Win-No Fee' service to our clients - which includes an immediate home visit by one of our team solicitors - means we generally act for people who live in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Humberside.
Find out how we can help you by calling our freephone line 0800 163 622 or contact us via the enquiry form.
Meet the Team
Richard Long, Senior Partner
Joined Lincolns Inn in 1969
Year of call: 1973
Fields of Work: Personal Injury / Civil Litigation
Richard practiced as a Barrister at the Nottingham Bar between 1973 - 1980. Richard became a Solicitor in June 1980 and established Beresford and Long Solicitors in Sheffield in 1984. He has specialised in personal injury cases for the last 26 years. Richard is a long standing member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)
Richard Meggitt, Partner
Year of Call: 1999
Degree LLB (Hons) Hull University
Fields of Work: Personal Injury / Civil Litigation
Richard is a personal injury Solicitor, specialising in Civil Procedure and accidents at work. Having joined the firm in 1996, Richard qualified as a Solicitor in February 1999, becoming a Partner in June 2001.
Richard has been involved in over 5000 personal injury cases and has over 10 years experience in the personal injury field. Litigation has resulted in more than 100 successes at trials, while compensation of over 15 million pounds has been recovered on his clients' behalf. Having led the way in ensuring a free service for all personal injury clients, Richard is now heavily involved in providing free rehabilitation and interest free loans to those with severe injuries.
Richard is a long standing member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is proud that his firm has been accredited by APIL due to the high standard of client care.
Ralph Clark, Associate Solicitor
Year of Call: 2007
Degree BSC (Hons) PG DL PG Dip
Fields of Work: Personal Injury / Civil Litigation
Ralph joined the firm in September 2003. He has since completed a part-time Post Graduate Diploma in Law and has completed the Legal Practice Course, obtaining a distinction in the same.
Ralph's background is in health and safety. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Health in 1998, before qualifying as an Environmental Health Officer. He then specialised in the enforcement of health and safety and accident investigation within premises in Sheffield, before commencing an MSc in Occupational Health and Safety Management.
Ralph has an in-depth knowledge of Health and Safety legislation, specialising in traumatic accidents at work. Having experience of civil trials, site meetings, and engineering disputes, Ralph became a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) in 2004.
Christopher Chappell, Associate Solicitor
Year of call: 1999
Degree LLB (Hons) Bournemouth University
Fields of work: Personal Injury / Civil Litigation / Criminal Litigation
Chris completed his training contract at Banner Jones & Middleton solicitors in Chesterfield before moving on to specialise in Criminal Litigation at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield. He went on to gain extensive experience in all aspects of Criminal Defence work but specifically defending clients at police stations and at the Magistrates Court. Chris has also assisted Counsel with representing defendants at the Crown Court for more serious offences.
Chris moved to Favell Smith & Lawson in 2003 to continue Criminal Litigation where he specialised in trials and motoring cases before joining ASD in June 2008. Chris deals with all aspects of Personal Injury and Civil Litigation, while continuing to deal with privately funded Criminal Litigation.
Robert Hart,
Robert joined ASD in 2012 as a paralegal. After being awarded first class honours degree at the University of Sheffield, he completed the Legal Practice Course, obtaining a distinction in the same. Robert assists the Solicitors at ASD with the efficient handling of clients’ files and visits clients to take instructions. He seeks to progress and develop his skills in personal injury litigation with ASD.”
Lydia Topham, Practice Manager
Lydia joined ASD in 1988 as the Accounts Manager and is now the Practice Manager. She is a member of the Institute of Legal Cashiers (ILCA) and is responsible for the efficient management of the Company.
Linda Marsh, Legal Assistant
Linda joined ASD in 1985 as a Senior Secretary. She is now an invaluable member of the team, having well over 25 years experience in Personal Injury she works closely along side the Solicitors in order to assist with the efficient handling of every file. She is the primary contact for ASD and is able to deal with queries and enquiries from both Clients and Professionals alike.
Judy Pearson, IT / Marketing Manager
Judy started working for ASD in 1997 as a Secretary. She is now head of Reception and has taken on the roles of IT Manager and Marketing Manager.
Julie Watts, Costs Clerk
Julie joined ASD in 1999 as a Secretary in the Personal Injury Department. She now deals with recovering Costs with the assistance of Just Costs, Solicitors.
Joanne Casey, Secretary
Joanne has been a loyal member of staff since 1994. She now assists in dealing with all the ATE Insurance for our Clients.
Marie Cocker, Reception / Secretary
Marie is our longest standing member of staff having worked for the Practice since it first started over 25 years ago.
Kirsty Wild, Secretary
Kirsty started at ASD in 2005 as the Office Junior. Whilst working for ASD she has completed her NVQ 1, 2 & 3 in Business Administration and has now completed her NVQ 1 & 2 in ITQ. She has now been promoted to Secretary, and is an invaluable member of the Team.
Tracy Launt, Reception / Secretary
Tracy joined the Practice in 2001 as a Secretary in the Conveyancing Department.. She is now helps run the Reception in addition to her Secretarial duties.
Nicky Thompson, Reception / Secretary
Nicky joined us in February 2007 as a Secretary in the Conveyancing Department. She now deals with the Reception along with her Secretarial duties.
Ashleigh Eyre, Office Junior
Ashleigh joined ASD in June 2010 as the new Office Junior. She is now undertaking more secretarial roles with a view to progressing in the Company.
