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More couples are choosing to live together without marrying or entering a civil partnership. However, the law in England and Wales does not generally treat cohabiting couples in the same way as married couples, regardless of how long they have lived...
Having completed my first year as a solicitor apprentice at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, I have been reflecting on the application process and what I wish I had known before starting. My biggest tips for applying for a solicitor apprenticeship? Stay...
When selling a business, a common question is whether the company itself can pay the legal fees. It can be tempting, particularly in an owner-managed business. The money may be sitting in the company and the transaction relates to it. But the first...
Sitting on our Marketing and Business Development sub-committee is one of the various hats I wear in my role as Managing Partner. It is an area I have been extremely interested in since my GCSE business studies(!) and I enjoy working closely with our...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors is delighted to welcome Joana Daraskeviciute as our new Head of Litigation , leading the firm’s growing Litigation team and supporting the continued development of our dispute resolution services for individuals and...
Many couples live together for years, or even decades, without getting married or entering into a civil partnership. They may share a home, finances, family life and long-term plans. However, when it comes to inheritance tax, Wills and estate planning,...
Living with your partner without getting married or entering into a civil partnership is increasingly common. Many couples buy homes together, have children, share finances and build their lives together without ever marrying. However, one of the most...
Artificial intelligence can explain legal terminology, answer general questions and produce draft wording within seconds. However, AI should not be treated as a replacement for tailored legal advice when writing a will or administering an estate. A will or...
Please find the latest case study from Liza Anderson in our Dispute Resolution department. Inheritance Act claim case study: securing fair provision for children left with limited inheritance A child who has been left out of a Will, or who has...
When people hear the term “personal brand”, they often think of someone posting regularly on LinkedIn, using eye-catching captions and making it look as though they have everything figured out. In reality, personal branding in law is much...
Artificial Intelligence, commonly referred to as AI, has become one of the most talked-about developments in the legal profession. For trainee solicitors and aspiring lawyers, it raises an understandable question: if AI can draft, summarise, proofread and...
The red line on a Land Registry title plan is usually a starting point, not proof of the exact legal boundary. In most registered titles, it shows the general boundary only. The exact boundary may depend on the register, old deeds, physical features,...
Probate Delays: Small Mistakes That Can Hold Up an Estate When someone dies, families usually want the estate administration process to move forward as smoothly and quickly as possible. Executors may need to access bank accounts, deal with property, pay...
MEES in Commercial Conveyancing: Why EPC Ratings Matter in Property Transactions Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, usually known as MEES , are now a key issue in commercial conveyancing. Whether you are buying, selling, refinancing or leasing commercial...
We are delighted to announce Dandelion Time as our chosen Charity of the Year for 2026/2027 . This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting meaningful local causes and giving back to the communities around us. Each year, we choose a...
If your employer has offered you a settlement agreement, you will need to seek advice from a legal advisor before signing it. This is a standard requirement, but it is also an important step in protecting your interests. In this article, we explain what a...
The UK commercial property market has entered a period of relative stabilisation following several years of volatility driven by rising interest rates, inflation and shifting occupier demand. While investment activity is showing signs of recovery, the...
Qualifying as a solicitor is often seen as the ultimate goal – the moment that years of legal training, studying and exams have led to. In reality, becoming a newly qualified (NQ) solicitor marks the beginning of a new chapter in your legal career. ...
Owning a leasehold house in England or Wales can feel restrictive. Your ownership is limited in time, and you may have to pay ground rent or comply with conditions set by a freeholder. The Leasehold Reform Act 1967 gives qualifying leaseholders the...
I am currently sitting in my final seat of my Training Contract and recently attended a networking event focused on burnout in the legal profession. The event highlighted something many junior lawyers experience but rarely discuss openly – how easy...
The Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill: What the Proposed Changes Mean for Property Owners The Government has published draft legislation that could fundamentally change how residential property is owned and managed in England and Wales. ...
When buying or selling shares in a UK company, one of the most important and frequently misunderstood decisions is how the purchase price will be calculated. In most share sales and purchases, this comes down to a choice between two pricing mechanisms: ...
When someone dies, it can be hard to think clearly and yet there are practical steps that often need dealing with quickly. This guide sets out what to do when someone dies in the UK, including registering the death, arranging the funeral, and what happens...
Adoption is a life-changing decision, one that can offer children a stable, permanent family and bring lasting rewards for adoptive parents. In the UK, the adoption process is carefully structured to make sure children are placed in safe, loving homes that...
Ever reached the end of a commercial lease only to be hit with a bill that makes your eyes water? If you haven’t… consider this your warning. Dilapidations, one of the least understood, most expensive surprises tenants face, can turn the end of...
The commercial lease landscape in England and Wales is entering a period of significant change. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, which has governed business security of tenure for over 70 years, is undergoing a major review by the Law Commission. For...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors Achieves Positive Planet Bronze Accreditation Martin Tolhurst Solicitors is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Positive Planet Certified Bronze Accreditation for 2025, marking our first year of partnership with...
Major Pension and Inheritance Tax Changes Coming in 2027 From 6 April 2027, the UK government will introduce major reforms to pensions and Inheritance Tax (IHT). These changes could significantly affect how much of your pension passes to your loved ones...
Behind the scenes of an Administrative Office Assistant at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors Louise Sinden As an administrative office assistant, I play a vital role in guiding and supporting clients during the initial stages of their conveyancing journey....
Why Resolving Christmas Contact Early Is Crucial for Children in Estranged Families As the festive season approaches, many families begin planning gatherings, traditions, and moments of joy. But for separated or estranged families, Christmas can be a time...
Someone passing away without a valid will is more common than you might expect. When this happens in England, the person is said to have died intestate , and it means the law steps in to decide what happens to their estate. Rather than the deceased's...
We are proud to share that Martin Tolhurst Solicitors has been named a finalist for the 2025 ESG Award , recognising our firm’s dedication to embedding sustainability into every part of our business. This shortlisting is a testament to the hard work...
If you own a leasehold flat, you and the other flat owners in your building may be able to buy the freehold of your homes under a process called Collective Enfranchisement. What is Collective Enfranchisement? Collective enfranchisement is the legal right...
When selling a business, it may be tempting to avoid disclosing information which may not be so appealing to your buyer. Although it may feel counter intuitive but disclosing information can actually limit your liability and protect your interest as opposed...
We are thrilled to share some fantastic news with our colleagues and clients: Payal Patel has officially qualified as a solicitor this week and will be joining our Family Team in Sittingbourne. Payal’s journey to qualification has been one of...
At Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, we understand that buying or selling a property is one of the most significant transactions you'll undertake. As the South East's largest residential conveyancing firm, according to Land Registry figures over the past...
On 2 July 2025, the UK Supreme Court handed down its long-awaited judgment in Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26 , a case that has significantly clarified the law surrounding the division of non-matrimonial property on divorce. While much of the...
In July, following a comprehensive three-day on-site assessment by an independent ISO assessor, we are proud to announce that we have once again been reaccredited with the ISO 9001 certification. This internationally recognised standard demands a...
Over the past year, we have been proud to run a series of training sessions for the dedicated teams at Citizens Advice Canterbury and Herne Bay , focusing on Family Law and Wills and Probate . These sessions were designed to give advisors a stronger...
With cohabiting couples now the fastest-growing family type in the UK, many believe they have similar legal protections to married couples – especially after long relationships or where there are children involved. But the reality can come as a shock...
We are pleased to share that Martin Tolhurst Solicitors has partnered with Positive Planet , a leading UK sustainability consultancy. This collaboration marks an important step in our firm’s commitment to reducing our environmental impact and...
On Sunday 7 September , eight brave members of our team will be taking to the skies - and jumping out of a plane - all to raise vital funds for our Charity of the Year: Making Miracles . This skydiving challenge is not just about facing fears;...
Deciding to make your will might be one of the best things you ever do. But where do you start? This short guide to making your will provides you with a ‘To Do’ list to help you prepare for drawing up your will. List Your Assets Before creating...
If you have ever watched a British courtroom drama and thought, “Wow, divorce settlements seem like a civilised cup of tea,” you would be very wrong, unless your tea is served with a shot of unpredictability and a biscuit of legal chaos. In...
Marriage is meant to be a union built on love and trust, but in some cases, it becomes a tool for manipulation and exploitation. A predatory marriage is where vulnerable individuals, who may be elderly or cognitively impaired, are manipulated into marriage...
At Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, we’re proud to announce the launch of our first firm-wide Environmental Policy - a strategic and forward-thinking step in embedding sustainability into every aspect of how we work. This policy isn’t the...
Making a will is one of the most important things anyone can do. The Wills Act 1837 details the requirements of a valid will. WhatsApp wasn’t even a digital dream in its designer's eye when the Wills Act came into force! This article will answer...
Whether you are buying or selling leasehold property, there will very often be hidden costs that you were not anticipating at the start of the transaction. A solicitor will not be able to anticipate these costs either, until they are informed of them by the...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors wishes to make it unequivocally clear that we are in no way connected to the recent article published by Legal Futures concerning a law firm fined for serious anti-money laundering (AML) compliance failures. The original version...
Disputes over a loved one’s estate can be emotionally and financially draining, especially during a time of grief. At Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, we understand how sensitive these situations can be, and how important it is to protect your rights and...
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