Jonny Baynes

Trainee Solicitor

I joined Crane & Staples as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2024, and I am currently in the second seat of my training contract, with the Family Department.

I graduated from the University of Nottingham in July 2024 with 1^st Class Honours in Law LLB, winning both the Harold Wyatt Scholarship Prize, and the JC Smith and Punch Coomaraswamy Prize in the Law of Evidence.

In the first year of my training contract with Crane & Staples LLP, I was extremely pleased (and relieved) to pass the SQE1 exam. I am now studying for the SQE2 exam.

Memberships

Hertfordshire Law Society
Hertfordshire Junior Lawyers Division - I am proud to be the Treasurer of the Hertfordshire Junior Lawyers Division. We organise networking events for junior people involved in the legal system, from university students through to solicitors with up to 5 years' post-qualification experience. Details of our upcoming events will be posted on our LinkedIn page, please feel free to come along!
HJLD Christmas Ball
Crane & Staples FC - I have recently set up the Crane & Staples Football team. We play small-sided matches, primarily on a Tuesday night, against other local law firms and businesses. Please email me if you fancy a game against us!
Crane & Staples FC

Outside of work

I am a lifelong sufferer of Norwich City Football Club, and spend most of my spare time watching, playing, or talking about football. I have given up learning how to play golf, and am instead focusing on going to the gym, where my success is similarly limited. I am also trying to visit as many countries as my annual leave can facilitate – I can strongly recommend trips to Albania, and Malta!

University of Hertfordshire Careers in Law Fair

Thanks for your help Jonny. Good luck for the future. You will make a great Solicitor !
Jonny, you have been next level amazing this week! Thank you so much for all your help and support. You have been hero level amazing! Sending a million thanks!

Crane & Staples are a local firm with outstanding and considerate solicitors and a great set of experienced support teams. They are able to cover all aspects of both commercial and family related law matters, and this is delivered with openness and ultimately leads to trust. We partnered with them on multiple matters and have always been both impressed, supported, delighted and very comfortable with their approaches and practices.
Legal 500, 2026
Our firm has used Crane & Staples for several years. What sets them apart is their focus on providing excellent client service, and their exceptional legal expertise. We have always been very impressed with their responsiveness and the quality of their work, irrespective of the size of the project.
Legal 500, 2026
The team are very knowledgeable and capable with a quality of service that really shines through from the first contact to the completion of the work. They have a wealth of experience in their team covering all aspects of legal work.
Legal 500, 2026
Their professionalism, clarity, and dedication to client care truly made a difference. I couldn’t have asked for a better legal team to guide me through such an important milestone!
Legal 500, 2026
The team at Crane & Staples LLP made my first home purchase a smooth and stress-free experience. Their conveyancing experts were incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and thorough, ensuring every detail was handled efficiently.
Legal 500, 2026
We couldn't have chosen better. The staff were incredibly welcoming, professional and friendly. Their interpersonal skills and legal knowledge immediately reassured us and put us at ease.
Legal 500, 2026
The team are all well regarded and they have won so many awards. The firm seems well managed and established, and everyone seems intelligent and switched-on.
Legal 500, 2026
Crane & Staples have an excellent local reputation. They were our first choice. They have a real warm, friendly atmosphere and are very active in the community. We see from the events they do and their excellent social media that they are human and people you would want to work with and trust.
Legal 500, 2026
The firm offers prompt, efficient service, with advice, written and oral, expressed confidently in sufficient but not excessive detail. Their charges are very clearly set out and are reasonable. The administrative staff are also welcoming and efficient.
Legal 500, 2026
Clients can be assured that the team will always act in their best interests and have the experience to be able to do so.
Legal 500, 2026
First-rate firm which goes the extra mile for clients.
Legal 500, 2026
Very knowledgeable on all aspects of family law, with the ability to apply to the individual circumstances.
Legal 500, 2026
Extremely good at dealing with disabled clients and ensuring that the points and issue surrounding the case were well explained and understood. Solid and honest advice given. Billing was very efficient, always 100% accurate and timely.
Legal 500, 2026
To have such a varied team able to help with so many tasks under the same roof is so positive and time saving, especially when dealing with several tasks at the same time.
Legal 500, 2026
Crane & Staples has a highly competent team, capable of dealing with complex matters in a professional manner. It is knowledgeable but also approachable and friendly to deal with.
Chambers HNW, 2025
The experience within the Crane & Staples team enables it to deal with complex matters.
Chambers HNW, 2025
Crane & Staples' lawyers are genuinely engaged. They listen to clients' points of view and respond helpfully and courteously with succinct advice.
Chambers HNW, 2025
I found them to be exceptionally quick, efficient and reasonably priced. The best solicitors I have ever used.
Legal 500, 2025
I have found the team here hugely responsive, very transparent about costs and have implemented a really helpful app so that you can see how things are progressing and what is expected of you. Also extremely warm to deal with.
Legal 500, 2025
What sets this practice apart from others are how the team all go the extra mile. They always keep you informed on progress and appear to be more diligent than other parties involved in a transaction.
Legal 500, 2025
The practice always seems to deliver excellent levels of customer service, I have recommended them to many friends and family, they too have all been delighted with the level of support.
Legal 500, 2025
All of the team at Crane and Staples are highly professional and yet down to earth and approachable. Very often lawyers can use language that the ordinary person doesn’t understand, but at this firm, that has never been an issue.
Legal 500, 2025
Everyone I work with at Crane & Staples takes the time to listen to the issue I'm aiming to address and understand my feelings about possible outcomes. They are diligent, patient with my tardiness and their advice has always stood the test of any challenges.
Legal 500, 2025
This practice is exceptional throughout. They are all very friendly from the start, willing to go through everything thoroughly in each of the procedures.
Legal 500, 2025
The team are friendly, professional and will go the extra mile for their clients. Simply put, nothing is too much trouble. The chemistry of the team pulling together is unique and is a joy to behold.
Legal 500 2024
They are very attentive and have looked after my legal affairs with compassion, support and understanding. Their ability to communicate with clarity is excellent. Their staff are always courteous and always get back to me.
Legal 500 2024
Unsurpassed depth of knowledge. A real attention to detail and all round professional, dedicated approach that makes them a joy to work with. Very personable and easy to deal with.
Legal 500 2024
I wouldn’t use any other law firm. Their knowledge, advice, service and support has been second to none.
Legal 500 2024
Their advice and guidance is clearly explained, with alternative solutions provided for consideration.
Chambers HNW 2023
Crane & Staples have all aspects of the law covered and are able to proceed with complex matters.
Chambers HNW 2023
They are honest and transparent with the process, including costs and work together with the client. They are friendly and care about getting you a good outcome.
Legal 500 2023
Great professional and technical knowledge but also the experience to know how and when to apply this knowledge in the right context and situation which was essential in the advice that I needed.
Legal 500 2023
An outstanding team who always go the extra mile in supporting clients. Such high quality work and attention to detail within end to end support approaches.
Legal 500 2023
Crane & Staples has a highly skilled team of individuals who are knowledgeable, dedicated, approachable and who liaise with their colleagues to ensure the optimum level of service is delivered.
Legal 500 2023
They are truly excellent at what they do. At no point during any of our dealings with them did we have to chase for an update or wait for them to contact us.
Legal 500 2023
Excellent people who work together seamlessly to achieve results. I think their team is second to none in terms of quality and skill.
Legal 500 2023
We have used C&S for a number of legal needs over the past 10 years. They have always acted in a highly professional manner, seeking to fully understand our requirements before providing advice.
Legal 500 2023
Crane and Staples have an excellent service and team. It was a pleasure working with them and I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Everything was dealt with speedily, professionally and efficiently. I would highly recommend Crane and Staples LLP to anyone.
Impeccable. Warm and friendly. I'm most grateful for a very efficient service at a difficult time.
We have used this firm for conveyancing, wills and POA for many years and have always been very happy with the quality of their work and their responsiveness.
My entire experience with Crane and Staples was first class. Totally professional in every respect, really cannot recommend highly enough.
All members of the team are approachable, well mannered and seem to be very well informed.
Chambers HNW 2024
Their communication is fantastic. They are bringing in great junior lawyers, training good lawyers to create the next generation. I fully endorse what they are doing.
Chambers HNW 2024
You were always refreshingly straightforward, responsive, personable and keen to find a way through difficulties.
You were a lifeline through my divorce, turning a daunting process into something manageable. You were always there, ready to explain things in a way that made sense, without overwhelming me. Your dedication shone through in regular updates and your push for the best outcome. I’m deeply grateful for your support and professionalism and I would highly recommend you for anyone facing a legal challenge.
I felt an enormous weight had been lifted from me and a clear course of action established. I would never even think of using any firm of solicitors other than Crane & Staples.
I could not have navigated this part of my life without your guidance and understanding of what was truly going on. I feel like I have a future now in some peaceful and positive way, so thank you.
The whole process felt so painless and stress free, something we’ve never experienced before with a house purchase. I’ll be recommending Crane and Staples to everyone!
I am truly appreciative of the effort in ensuring a positive outcome. The outcome is certainly welcomed relief and closure of this journey, which wouldn’t have been possible without your guidance and support. Once again, thank you for your exceptional legal support and professionalism.
They called me the same day and within a single consultancy had put my mind at ease and gave me a legal and definite path to follow which will save me a lot of money and resolve the issue.
Your expertise has truly been instrumental in putting matters into perspective and alleviating my concerns. Once again, thank you for your swift assistance and valuable advice.
Your expertise and knowledge relieved the stress and gave us the confidence the matter would run through to a smooth conclusion.
You have been very attentive and made sure that I have been kept informed at every stage. This is very reassuring for me as a lay person in what can be a challenging process when buying and selling properties.
It’s taken a huge weight off my shoulders and life is looking a lot brighter.
They really help you to see things as they are and are so good at helping take the stress out of what can be awful situations and putting you at ease.
We are very happy that this case is finally over and really pleased with the outcome. Thank you for your and your team's hard work on this case. We will be recommending Crane & Staples to whoever will be in need of solicitors.
Life feels more settled now thanks to you and all your hard work!
They were a reassuring presence to me which gave me confidence as we progressed through the process. I highly recommend.
I have come away with the feeling of contentment and peace of mind. I cannot explain the relief I feel now, which is down to you.
I just wanted to thank you for your kindness to me. It made me feel much better and not so alone! I really do appreciate it. Thank you once again so much.
Exceptional and Simply The Best Solicitors in the Business. We have used this firm of solicitors on quite a few occasions and every time the service and professionalism exceeds expectations. They always go above and beyond to ensure all matters are dealt with professionally and quickly and efficiently, making all the legal transactions easy and straight forward to deal with. Also what stands out is the communication, they respond very quickly to questions and matters without delay, which ensures there are no delays.
Everyone at Crane and Staples was so helpful to me and kind. They always returned calls or responded to emails quickly and kept a professional high standard at all times. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me.
You made what could have been a highly stressful time very calm and smooth. I will highly recommend you to my family and friends.
We've had a really good experience using Crane & Staples and will definitely be recommending you in the future!
Your company have always been so thoughtful and helpful towards us both and there is not a word I can say that describes how grateful we are
I must honestly state that Crane Staples have been the best solicitors we have dealt with in these past 30 years.

Latest News

There’s no place like Crane & Staples at Christmas

Posted December 17, 2025

We have been reflecting on everything our team has achieved during the festive season at Crane & Staples. From supporting local charities and community events to celebrating hard work and...

“Gifts Gone Wrong”: Inheritance Tax and Lifetime Gifts

Posted December 3, 2025

Many families are increasingly worried about “Gifts Gone Wrong”, where lifetime gifts intended to reduce future Inheritance Tax (IHT) liabilities end up creating unexpected tax bills. Recent HMRC data, released...

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