Richard Carter

Last year I went on holiday to Peru and I have become a bit of a Peru bore, so taken was I with the country and its people. So for the last time ever I will mention Peru again but this time -What Peru can teach UK law firms- it’s time we all channelled...

Sometimes the smallest of decisions can spark the fiercest debates in law firms. It’s a year since we changed how we address our formal letters. I had a small group of sensible people in to discuss alternatives. It got a bit heated. “Dear...

It’s National Conveyancing Week. I am sure you haven’t missed it. It was squeezed between “National pork pie Day” and “International Check your Feet for Verrucas Week”. There’s a problem about the scheduling for 2025...

This blog has been quiet for many months sadly. The marketing department monsters said I could not write something every week and the blighters have been proved right. That’s another lunch I owe them. My last edition was September. Is it because...

In 2022, equity release loans in UK totalled around £6 billion. In 2023, due to higher rates of interest, this is likely to fall to around £2.5 - £3 billion of loans being taken up. The managing partner of Martin Tolhurst,...

Recently I visited another local law firm to chew something over. It’s nice to have other Firms in your area you get on well with despite competing for the same clients. The chap I was speaking to took me into their kitchen to make a cup of tea. Their...

Last month the SRA issued a stern warnings about training by solicitors. We are not doing enough apparently and this needs to change. In our firm aim pleased to say, somewhat smugly, that this does not apply as we train everyone regularly through a variety...

Ian Quayle the Managing Editor of Property Law UK takes the opportunity to ask an experienced residential conveyancer a series of questions concerning the state of modern residential conveyancing and to share knowledge and experience with readers of Property...

Why does it always rain in Manchester? I confess to having some regional prejudices. I’ve worked my whole life in sunny Kent, the garden of England, with its picturesque Castles, Cathedrals and poly tunnels producing all those lovely strawberries for...

Two weeks ago we looked like we had a network problem and no-one could log in as well as the phone system being down. It was not the dreaded cyberattack but it might be a while before everything was back up so I set about a rare but satisfying task –...

One of the trickiest issues as a lawyer is when there appears to be an issue about a client’s mental capacity. Are they capable of understanding what you’re doing for them and its legal effect? The client may have said or done something that has...

Magna Carter is late this time round and I have a good reason. The dog eat my homework is not an excuse I can use with the marketing department monsters as they know I do not have a dog. At the risk of alienating anyone still read this weekly blog/guff I am...

In the year to 31 March 2022, fraud became the most committed crime in the United Kingdom, with more than 4.5 million offences in a year. However, there is no evidence that the risk of fraud is being translated into police resources – fraud accounts...

This week – “I’m a solicitor, not a bleeding tax collector” and a bizarre interview. To qualify as a solicitor takes a minimum of 7 years. When setting out on that path many dream of the life saving tasks they envisage they will...

An important client is running a golf day. As managing partner I know it’s important we go, press the flesh, smile a lot, do not win and behave impeccably. I press gang 3 really reliable colleagues who are not golf bandits. It’s a great day, the...

The vague mention of me writing a work blog regularly perked up the ladies in our marketing department no end. These professionals are lovely, calm, creative women who I recruited as Managing Partner to boost our marketing especially our website and social...

If you're looking to sell property in the UK, you may have considered selling at a traditional auction. But is selling property at auction right for you? In this article, we'll explore the legal implications, rules and regulations, and important...

Buying property at a traditional auction can be a thrilling and potentially rewarding experience. However, it is important to be aware of the legal implications, rules and regulations, and possible risks involved in such a purchase. In this article, we...

Why homemovers need to tighten their trainers! Property continues to catch headlines, whether prices are up or down; city dwellers are moving to the country or back again; or how long it may take to get the keys to a new home. Following the dramatic 30%...

Martin Tolhurst have been re-accredited with the prestigious ISO9001 management standard following a detailed 4 day assessment by an external ISO accredited assessor. ISO 9001 is the world’s most recognised quality management system standard,...

It's a week since the firm attended the annual Law Net Conference and Awards 2022 on Friday 1st July at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. The annual conference is the flagship event in the LawNet solicitors calendar each year,...

In June, the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) launched a new “Protect your Digital Memories” campaign . The campaign aims to increase awareness and encourage people to protect their digital memories. STEP is calling for both the...

With summer in full swing, many people are planning to make changes to their gardens. Some changes might be extensive, including decking, a garden office, fences or a total landscaping overhaul. While you generally won’t need permission to plant your...

Equity release activity climbs 24% year-on-year to £4.8bn as market returns to growth. Summary • Record amounts of property wealth were accessed via equity release products in Q4 and across 2021 by more than 76,000 new and...

A recent survey has given some insight as to reasons why a buyer withdraws from a transaction. The survey was carried out by a “quick buy” company that specialises in buying houses where transactions have recently fallen through. Almost...

As part of our drive to reduce risk to clients we have recently obtained 2 further accreditations. The first is the award of Cyber essentials Plus to recognise our work in having processes to prevent cyber-crime and fraud. We are very aware of this daily...

Over the past 12 months, I have dealt with more equity release lifetime mortgage cases than in the previous 5 years put together. There is no doubt that equity release is becoming a more popular product and this is likely to increase as house prices rise...

Having staff working remotely has presented significant challenges for many businesses, but one of the most difficult to address is the increased cybersecurity risk. As many companies did not have sufficient opportunity to prepare for the transition to...

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the UK’s economic agenda dominated the Chancellor’s 2021 Budget Statement, with support for business and jobs receiving top-line billing. Coronavirus lockdown keeps chancellor’s attention on...

Leasehold property owners are set for important changes in the coming months, with the Government’s plans to grant new rights on lease extensions and the ending of ground rent. It is may be the beginning of the end for this...

Non UK residents to pay Stamp Duty surcharge from 1 st April 2021 With all the press focus on the Stamp Duty holiday that is shortly to come to an end it is a good time to also focus on an another potential increase in Stamp Duty due to...

Court Service Issues a List of Priority Work during the Coronavirus Lockdown. The Courts and Tribunal Service split all Civil court Listings into 2 groups – work that “must” be done and work that “could” be done. This...

Legal & General published a report in 2019 indicating that the "Bank of Mum and Dad" had lent around £6.3 billion to fund house purchases for their children. If the Bank of Mum and Dad was a real bank, it would be the 11th most...

Residential Property Buy To let - Update for Landlords on the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and Electrical Checks for rented properties coming this year. For landlords renting out private properties a Tenant Fees Act 2019 was the latest in a long line of...

Thinking of buying a property for the first time in the next 10 years? Take action this month! If you are someone who might buy a property for the first time in the next 10 years then you may need to take some action over the next month! The Help...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors recently completed a two stage assessment of the entire firm in May and June this year which lasted a period of 13 days. Every single part of the business was reviewed and the assessors report and recommendation have now been...

It’s that time of year where we get a few instructions that usually begin with the conversation “We’ve been going on holiday to Devon/Cornwall/Dorset/Norfolk for some years now, we love it there and this time we decided on the spur of the...

Warmer weather draws our attention to the outdoors and a visit to the garden centre will be top of the to-do list for many as their thoughts turn to gardens after the slow start to spring. But being sure of the ground rules is a good idea before...

If you’re attempting to obtain planning permission to develop your property, you need to ensure that you understand exactly what is expected of you, and what requirements you need to meet in order for your application to be granted. These will differ...

The Government has announced plans to tackle unfair leaseholder arrangements on new-build properties, but in the meantime, as the spring housing market gets into full swing, it’s worth understanding the difference between freehold and leasehold...

Richard Carter, a Partner specialising in Property matters at the Firm, has reacted to the news of proposed new laws designed to prevent property fraud. “Two years of consultation the Law Commission has proposed some new...

New Build Housing Shortfall in Kent - Government threatens to act. We are hearing more and more about a “housing crisis”, “generation rent” and “new build shortfalls”. This week in...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors welcomed the cut to SDLT for First Time Buyers announced by the Chancellor in his budget On Thursday. Residential Property Partner Richard Carter commented: “The payment of a large upfront payment for SDLT has...

Some figures released this week give the first definite indications that landlords in England and Wales are re-evaluating their portfolios and properties, and beginning to sell properties. Richard Carter, the Managing Partner of Martin Tolhurst and...

Government increases in Stamp Duty have cooled the Buy-to-Let market, but First Time Buyers take up the slack! An industry leading report from the Council of Mortgage Lenders was today analysed by Richard Carter, a Property Partner at Martin Tolhurst...

So at long last it is official, and confirms everything that lawyers acting for first time buyers over the past year have known – the UK’s biggest mortgage lender is the Bank of Mum and Dad! According to data and a survey from Legal &...