
Maria Christine Richards Consultant Chartered Legal Executive
Maria is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and has over 20 years of experience practising in the largest firms in the Southwest. Before joining Setfords she was a partner, Head of the Later Living Conveyancing team and a member of The Equity Release Council and subsequently became Head of Department.
Maria also is also a senior examiner for the National Association of Licensed Paralegals, writes and moderates examinations and assignments and was the training manager for many years at her former firm. Maria’s teaching experience extends from legal secretary courses to graduate and postgraduate levels in all areas of law and she is proud to have assisted over 7000 students in gaining a legal qualification of various levels over the past 15 years.
Maria prides herself on communication with clients, referrers and agents and other professionals to ensure these close working relationships result in a smooth transaction for all involved.
In Maria’s spare time, she enjoys various hobbies including cake decorating, baking, walking and going in the sea. She loves exploring Cornwall and all its hidden gems.
Specialist Areas:
- Sale and purchase of freehold and leasehold properties
- Equity Release
- Re-mortgages
- Co-ownership transfers
- Rights of way
- Land Registry voluntary registrations
- Auctions - sales and purchases
- Council Care Homes Deferred Charge Schemes
- Right to Buy - council or social housing
- Creation of Easements
- Transfers of Part
Testimonials:
Please accept our thanks Maria for your very efficient handling of our sale and purchase. We’ll definitely be recommending your services to others.
- Mr & Mrs A -
Thank you for all you have done for me, during this hard time of losing my wife. It is most appreciated. Setford Solicitors are lucky to have you in their team, and I was lucky to find you.
- Mr F -
I will be sure to recommend your services to people I know who are looking for a good solicitor!
- Miss T -
Practice Areas
Locations
Accreditations & Awards

Maria and Petra have been absolutely outstanding throughout the very stressful sales process. It has been one of the most difficult property sales I have experienced due to inadequate legal...
Hi a big thanks to the setfords team many thanks to Petra and Clair they are excellent at their job Jo helped me with some paper work to thanks it is nice to pick up the phone and talk to...
Setfords were really efficient, professional and very timely with all communication. I cannot recommend them highly enough. If we ever move again, we will use them!
I was recommended to use Setfords for conveyancing by my local independent estate agent - Maria's team based in Newquay went above and beyond to help me through selling the property in a very...
We have had such a good experience with our recent sale and purchase, using Setfords for conveyancing. Their team was always quick to respond, made everything really clear, and nothing seemed too...
Maria Richards at Setfords is the best conveyancing solicitor that we have ever used and we thoroughly recommend her and her efficient team. Extremely competent; organised; prompt; knowledgeable;...
Maria Richards and her team were friendly, professional and highly efficient from first contact to completion. Whenever we phoned or emailed with a question, it was answered instantly, and we never...
Professional, quick, efficient and thorough service. We have instructed Maria Richards in every sale and purchase we have made. I would not use any other solicitor. Maria and her team , Petra to name...
The girls could not have done more for me, in what was a tricky, drawn out sale and purchase. I cannot praise them enough for the above and beyond service they gave me.
Maria Richards is amazing! All I had ever heard about buying a home and using solicitors is how awful and slow and stressful it is - my experience was the complete opposite. It’s easy it’s been...
Maria Richards and the team are excellent. Prompt, professional and empathetic service. Have used Maria before and will continue to do so as very impressed with every aspect of the service she...
Maria Richard’s helped us purchase our first home. She made the process very easy to understand and straightforward, and we were kept up to date with everything that was happening. We didn’t have...
Fantastic service from Maria and Petra over at Newquay! Professional and so efficient, we would highly recommend them!
This is the second time I have used Setfords, in particular Maria Richards and her team. Both experiences have been great. Communication has been quick and effective, they've supported me when I had...
used them for a house sale and purchase. we were very happy with comunication and attention to detail. excellent service from the team at Newquay.
Maria and Petra were super efficient. Clear communication and very approachable. Would highly recommend.
Maria Richards and her team did a thorough and professional job in the purchase of a quite complex house and land project. Highly recommended.
I’m so glad I went with a local solicitor, particularly Setfords. They guided me through the process of purchasing my property easily and were happy to answer any questions I had. It was great to...
Excellent professional service delivered in a timely manor throughout. Thank you
Amazing service! both Marie & Claire at the Newquay office are amazing. They made my recent house sale transaction easy & painless.
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Please note that we cannot offer legal aid.
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Location
74 North Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4AW
DX / 2401 Guildford
Business Hours
Monday to Thursday
9:00am – 5:30pm
Friday
9:00am – 5:00pm
Closed
Weekends & Bank Holidays
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Call our team on 0333 060 6183 or fill out the form beside and we will get back to you as soon as possible.