• Brachers is proud to have served the
    people of Kent for more than 125 years

  • But our responsibilities don’t stop there – as the firm continues to grow and adapt to the changing landscape, we are committed to ensuring we are around for many years to come.

    • 1895

      Henry James Bracher starts the firm on Earl Street, a premises where he already worked as Guardians of the Hollingbourne workhouse.

    • 1912

      Frank Miskin joins the firm when he marries George’s daughter, Marjorie. His son and grandson will go on to join the firm.

    • Guy Bracher - 1912
      1912

      Henry’s son, Guy Bracher joins the firm which is renamed Bracher, Son and Miskin. He was killed in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

    • 1923

      Henry’s son, Philip Bracher, joins the firm. He will later become President of the Kent Law Society.

    • 1985

      Works carried out on premises corner of Pudding Lane and Earl Street.

    • 1987

      Somerfield House purchased and extension work begins.

    • 1990

      Opening of Somerfield House, with the Maidstone Mayor and Lord Lieutenant attending.

    • Geoffrey Dearing
      1996

      Geoff Dearing named Brachers Managing Partner.

    • 1998

      George Bracher at his retirement.

    • Brachers Staff Photo
      2003

      The number of staff reaches 130.

    • Brachers Healthcare & Medical Defence Partner John Sheath
      2004

      John Sheath named Brachers Managing Partner.

    • Brachers Managing Partner Joanna Worby
      2013

      Joanna Worby named Brachers Managing Partner.

    • Brachers Leeds Castle Classical Concert 2019
      2018

      Brachers sponsors Leeds Castle Classical concert.

    • Brachers and Mote Colts Cricket Team 2019
      2019

      Brachers sponsors Maidstone’s Mote Colts cricket team.

    • Brachers East Kent Ploughing Match 2019
      2019

      Brachers supports its agricultural heritage at East Kent Ploughing Match.

    • Brachers Joanna Worby and Elmer the Elephant
      2020

      Brachers commits to supporting Elmer elephant trail through Maidstone to raise money for Heart of Kent Hospice.

    • Brachers 125 Celebration 2020
      2020

      Brachers launches its 125 anniversary year.

    • Partners Lee May, James Bullock and Alexandra Gordon in the reception of Brachers' Canterbury office
      2020

      Brachers officially opens its Canterbury office.

    • Close up of coronavirus
      2020-21

      Brachers supported clients and the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

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  • Supporting businesses and the community

    We have been providing legal services to people and businesses since 1895, continuing through major challenges such as World Wars and international pandemics.

    We have offices in Maidstone and Canterbury, meaning we are perfectly placed to serve clients in Kent, London, Sussex and across the south east.

    Find out more about what Brachers can do for you and how to connect with us. Or read more about how we support our local community.

    Our promise

    From the very start we have put clients at the heart of our business, which has always sat alongside our promise to the local community and ability to offer excellence. In the beginning, the highest standard of work quickly became the expectation of all who instructed us.

    Today, we remain a law firm renowned for building lasting relationships with clients and delivering high quality advice. The firm is run by an executive board which makes all major decisions with these objectives in mind. The firm has changed a lot over the years but its core values and culture are still recognisable.

    As a firm we are proud of our continuing role in the south east’s most significant developments and our commitment to the key sectors represented in the region.

    Our history

    Brachers’ was founded in 1895 by Henry James Bracher who moved to Maidstone when he was appointed Clerk to the Guardian of the Hollingbourne Union, a workhouse based in the area. In 1912 he was joined by his son, Guy, who was later killed in the First World War, and Frank Miskin.

    Brachers took its name from these first three partners, Bracher, Son & Miskin and for the first 75 years the partners were drawn solely from the Bracher, Miskin and Brown families.

    By 1970 it became necessary to recruit other partners to support clients and in 1988 the name was changed to Brachers.

    George Bracher retired in 1998 and Chris Brown in 2003, who were the last of the family members.

    While the world has changed to be almost unrecognisable to what Henry Bracher would have known in 1895, what hasn’t changed for the business is our focus on our clients and the quality of advice.

    More than 125 years later, we continue our commitment to our clients and supporting the local community by consistently seeking the best possible outcome for businesses and individuals.

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