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Welcome to Our Blog

Are you looking for high quality legal advice? You have come to the right place.

We regularly write about different legal topics and welcome your comments on our posts. If you would like more information on our services, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Latest Posts

Meet Liza, our newly qualified solicitor!

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We are delighted to announce that Liza Anderson has officially qualified as a solicitor, joining our Gillingham branch in the Litigation Department. Liza has been a valuable member of the Martin Tolhurst team since 2018, and her journey from trainee to...

Martin Tolhurst Charity Walk: Supporting The Retreat Animal Rescue

Ilaria Giurini
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This year, we are excited to continue our tradition of giving back by participating in a 13-mile charity walk along the stunning Hythe and Royal Military Canal. 17 dedicated members of the #TeamTolhurst will be taking on this challenge in support of The...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors launches fixed price Franchise Advice service

Andrew Ashley-Edwards
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The Corporate department at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors is pleased to introduce a new fixed price service for new and existing business that are entering into (or have previously entered into) a franchise agreement. We appreciate when starting a new business...

A Tribute to Anthony Redfern

Richard Carter
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I received some sad news this week- the senior partner of the Firm I trained with had died. Anthony Redfern was probably in his 50s by the time I started my 2 years training at their Gillingham office. Silver haired, tanned and distinguished looking he was...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors Team Makes the Shortlist at The British Wills & Probate Awards 2024

Ilaria Giurini
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We are delighted to announce that two of our talented Private Clients team members at the Longfield office have been shortlisted for the prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards 2024. Tari Gonyora , a rising star in the field of wills and probate, has...

Financial Remedy Order - Do you need one?

Payal Patel
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With divorce applications now being completed online, the quick and easy process has led some to forget about a fundamental aspect of separation; division of the assets of the marriage. Legal steps needs to be taken even if you have reached an agreement on...

Pitfalls for a person acting as a Guarantor to a commercial lease

Khalid Mughal
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If you are asked to be a guarantor for a commercial lease – perhaps in your capacity as director of a company or to support a family member, there can be significant financial and legal implications. Here are some potential pitfalls to consider: ...

A Legal 'To Do' list for marriage or partnership

Nameeta Gujral
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When most people think about a marriage or civil partnership it’s to make a commitment to spend a lifetime together and celebrate the joyous occasion with friends and family. However, there are legal elements of a marriage or partnership you will need...

Tech Recycle: A New Green Initiative for Martin Tolhurst Solicitors

Ilaria Giurini
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Here at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, we are committed to doing our part for the environment. That's why we are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Tech Recycle, a leading provider of responsible tech appliance recycling ...

Jargon busting - Wills

Tarisai Gonyora
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You have decided to make your will. You’ve met with your solicitor, discussed your needs and received advice. You then receive your will to review, but find it contains words you may not fully understand. Let’s look at some of those terms and...

A history of Martin Tolhurst - The first 100 years 1886-1986

Barbara Stewart
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Martin Tolhurst is an amalgamation of several firms, which, in 1986, nearly 40 years ago, celebrated its centenary. The Founder Frederick William Martin was admitted as a solicitor in 1881.  He was the son of Thomas Martin, a local pilot and a...

Right to Manage and why it could work for you

Surinder Ruprai
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Right to Manage (RTM) is a process that enables leaseholders of flats/apartments to take over the management of their building. The right applies to leaseholders of a building or part of a building containing at least two flats. At least two-thirds of the...

The law and taking children out of school for holidays in term time

Richard Salvidge
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Every child in the UK must get an education. This starts from the school term after their fifth birthday and lasts until the last Friday in June of the school year in which they reach the age of sixteen. Education is compulsory in the UK and children can...

Open your mind and secure the future

Nathan Hidson
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There are few certainties in life, but as American statesman Benjamin Franklin famously wrote, two things we can be sure about are “death and taxes”. Yet planning for our ultimate demise, or our decline along the way, is something that we...

Holding Over - What happens when a commercial tenant remains in occupation after the expiry of a lease?

Roger Matharoo
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When a tenant, under a commercial lease, which has been contracted outside of the security of tenure provisions of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954, remains in occupation beyond the fixed term of their lease agreement, the situation is commonly known as...

Martin Tolhurst unplugged - the pandemic, law firms, Dr. Who and Bob Dylan....

Simon Franklin
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It was all going along nicely………… I recall the exact moment it happened, I was reading the paper. It was mid-February 2020, about 1:20 pm, I was escaping the office in a café being comforted by a latte and cheese panini,...

New Charity of the Year 2024/25

Ilaria Giurini
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We are delighted to announce The Retreat Animal Rescue as our chosen charity partner for 2024. This decision reflects our commitment to supporting valuable local organisations and aligns with our company values of compassion and community engagement. The...

The importance of being an Officer of the Court

Khalid Mughal
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Looking for a career in the Law? The importance of being an Officer of the Court – Partner Khalid Mughal writes about one of the fundamental principles of being a solicitor. Solicitors are first and foremost Officers of the Court. The Solicitors...

Estate Planning for Blended Families: Navigating Wills and Inheritance

Paul Rothwell
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Blended families have become increasingly common in today's society. As relationships evolve and individuals remarry or enter into new partnerships, estate planning becomes a crucial consideration to ensure the fair and smooth transfer of assets to loved...

The highs and lows of blame-free digital divorce

Nameeta Gujral
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Divorce applications rose by 20 per cent in the year following the introduction of no-fault divorce, according to figures from the Ministry for Justice. But while the headline process may be easier, couples going through the legal stage of break-up are...

Martin Tolhurst Surpasses Fundraising Goal for Great Ormond Street Hospital!

Ilaria Giurini
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Martin Tolhurst Solicitors is thrilled to announce the successful completion of a year-long fundraising campaign in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Thanks to the incredible generosity of our team members, partners, and wider community, we are...

Buying a Business - Key Considerations

Mignonette Ellis
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Whether it is to fulfil a lifelong dream, be your own boss or maximise income, there are important considerations when buying a business in order to avoid entering a bad deal. Share purchase or asset purchase are two ways in which you can buy an existing...

Tell me it ain't so Taylor -The Tortured Conveyancing Department

Richard Carter
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The world has gone mad for the new Taylor Swift album, The Tortured Poets Department, which became the most streamed album ever last week when released. Most of the speculation on the lyrics is about scores Tay Tay is trying to settle with former loves such...

Lifetime ISAs considerations for First time buyers

Tom Bexhell
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Are you a First time buyer looking to maximise your savings potential? A Lifetime ISA (LISA) might just be the financial tool you need. With its unique benefits tailored towards long-term savings goals, a LISA offers a compelling option for those aiming to...

Martin Tolhurst obtains Conveyancing Quality Scheme Reaccreditation

Clio Browne
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Martin Tolhurst is proud to announce that we have recently been re-accredited with the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) quality mark. This quality mark is a recognised standard for residential conveyancing practices in the UK, awarded by the Law Society. ...

Hats, pan pipes and cash - why law firms need to be more Peruvian. Oh and expect me to be the next SRA chair...

Richard Carter
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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...

Three key clauses for Commercial Property Tenants to keep an eye on during the term of their lease

Connor Martin
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Entering into a new lease as a commercial property tenant can be a daunting experience and it may be difficult to understand which parts of your Lease are key to understand throughout your occupation. You may feel that once your lease has completed and you...

When discussions become heated and a local law firm closes...

Richard Carter
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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...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors Partners with Kent Wildlife Trust

Ilaria Giurini
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We're thrilled to announce a new partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, a respected wildlife charity dedicated to protecting Kent's amazing natural spaces. This exciting collaboration, starting April 1st 2024, builds on our ongoing commitment to...

Martin Tolhurst Welcomes Two New Partners!

Ilaria Giurini
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Martin Tolhurst is delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of Tom Bexhell and Hannah Stanford to partner. Both Tom and Hannah have distinguished themselves through their dedication and exceptional skills, solidifying their positions as valuable...

Keeping legacies in the family and out of court

Charlotte  Hatcher
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Inheritance challenges and disputed wills are soaring, but it’s not just the high profile, wealthy that are fuelling the action. Figures from the Ministry of Justice come against a backdrop of headline-catching disputes such as the case of Russian...

It's National Conveyancing Week!

Richard Carter
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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...

National Conveyancing Week: Meet Tom

Clio Browne
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To celebrate National Conveyancing Week we look at our own conveancying team within the firm. In this blog post, we are delighted to feature Tom Bexhell, one of the conveyancers at our Ashford office. In his interview, we will learn about...

National Conveyancing Week: Meet Gemma

Ilaria Giurini
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National Conveyancing Week is an annual event that celebrates the dedicated and skilled professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that property transactions run smoothly. In this blog post, we are delighted to feature Gemma Nie, one of the conveyancers at...

National Conveyancing Week: Meet Charlotte

Ilaria Giurini
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In celebration of National Conveyancing Week, we sat down with Charlotte, a valued member of our property team, to learn about her path to becoming a Chartered Legal Executive and what sets her apart in the field. What led you to pursue property law as a...

ESG without the greenwashing - A guide to being an authentic ESG business

Andrew Ashley-Edwards
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Any responsible business will have recognised and accepted the need for businesses and individuals alike to take positive action to improve sustainability and cut carbon emissions. With a commitment by the UK Government to reaching net zero by 2050 there is...

Can you make a Power of Attorney online?

Sarah Begley
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It is possible to make a Power of Attorney online, but whether you should is an entirely different matter. The process of making a Power of Attorney seems straightforward, but for those who are unfamiliar with the process, there are many potential pitfalls...

The return of tongue in cheek legal blog

Richard Carter
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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...

Why do you need a cohabitation agreement?

Hannah Stanford
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If you live with your partner, or considering moving in together, you may have thought about a cohabitation agreement. But do you actually need one? There is, of course, no legal requirement to have a cohabitation agreement to live with a partner, but it can...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors members of Kent Invicta Chambers

Clio Browne
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We are thrilled to announce our continued membership with Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce for 2024! As a proud member, we value their dedication to supporting local businesses like ours. Their network, resources, and advocacy have been...

Myths about Inheritance Tax

Tarisai Gonyora
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Common Myths about Inheritance Tax Planning: Busting the Misconceptions Inheritance tax planning is a crucial aspect of financial management, yet it is often shrouded in misconceptions and myths. As the New Year begins, it's an opportune time to...

Team Tolhurst raise £17,500 for GOSH

Clio Browne
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We are excited to share that so far that Team Tolhust has raised an incredible amount of £17,500 for our current Charity of the Year, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital! It's a tremendous achievement and so far the largest...

A Landlord's Guide to Dealing with Commercial Tenants

Denise Serifoglu
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As a landlord in the UK, dealing with commercial tenants can be a complex and challenging task. There are many different aspects that need to be considered. Landlords need to understand the legal framework, review the rights and obligations that should be...

Supporting rocky relationships through the hard times

Payal Patel
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The family-focus of Christmas is often followed in January with news of unhappy couples calling it a day, leading to so-called Divorce Day , as family lawyers receive a surge of enquiries when they re-open after the break.   Generally, divorce...

Getting the language clear in will drafting

Nathan Hidson
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Three children have won a share of their father’s £700,000 estate after a hard-fought case that reached the High Court in London. The siblings took action when their father Kenneth Grizzle died and they found they were excluded from his...

8 things to remember if you're thinking of selling

Sherrie  Tregunno
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Conveyancing can be a long and stressful process, but the work of conveyancers helps to reduce this significantly by taking on many of the more complex tasks. Selling a house can be daunting, and many legal considerations need to be taken into account to...

Child contact arrangements at Christmas

Nameeta Gujral
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Agreeing shared contact for children can be difficult for divorced or separated parents. Here we break down your options to help this Christmas. When any relationship breaks down, it can be difficult for parties to agree on the best way forward to separate,...

Residential Possession Proceedings

Adam Waters
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More often than not, if a tenant does not leave a property voluntarily, then, to evict them lawfully the landlord will usually have to follow the following key stages to obtain possession lawfully: Serve the relevant notice(s) and await expiry of the...

Equity Release cases halve as interest rates increase

Richard Carter
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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,...

Emergency Power of Attorney: When and How to Obtain It

Sarah Begley
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Unfortunately accidents can happen to anyone at any time. These accidents can result in individuals losing the ability to make their own decisions. If this should happen, the Court of Protection in the UK steps in to protect the interests of vulnerable...