Our History

When Matthew Brettenham Kingsbury established the firm back in 1790, he could not have envisaged that the partnership would become the modern, sophisticated and successful one that it is today.

In 1908 Percy Jeans Sprake, grandfather of David Sprake, joined the practice, taking it over in 1912. Percy’s brother, Geoffrey Guy Sprake, joined him in 1920 and later their sons, John Humphrey Sprake and Austin Sprake, entered the firm.

In 1974, Richard Hughes joined the practice with John Sprake, David Sprake's father, and the firm became known as Sprake & Hughes.

David Sprake started working in the firm in 1981. Following the retirement of Richard Hughes, Nicolas Kingsley joined the business in 1992 and soon after the firm became known as Sprake & Kingsley.  Karen Phillips and Frances Davy joined the firm in the 1990's, later becoming Partners.

In 2019 the firm adopted the modern structure of a Limited Liability Partnership becoming Sprake & Kingsley LLP.

In October 2022 David Sprake and Nick Kingsley retired from the partnership and became Consultants.  At the same time John Hay and John Williams became Partners.  At the end of 2023 Nick Kingsley retired from the firm.  David Sprake continues as a Consultant.  In June 2025 Clare Gissing became a salaried Partner

“Sprake & Kingsley” & “Sprake & Kingsley Solicitors” are trading names of Sprake & Kingsley LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (LLP Number OC422486) whose registered office is 16 Broad Street, Bungay, NR35 1EN. 

The firm’s Partners are:
Karen Phillips (Managing), Frances Davy,
John Hay, John Williams, Clare Gissing (Salaried)

The firm’s Consultant is David Sprake
We use the term “partner” to refer to a member,  employee or consultant who is a lawyer of equivalent standing and qualification
The firm, its solicitors and all fee earners are only qualified to advise on English Law within the jurisdiction of England & Wales
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