We're hiring! if you'd like to join one of our award winning teams, read more on our Careers page.
Knowledge Hub
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.
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...
Before renting a property in England, you must prove your right to rent. Similarly, before a landlord can rent a property to you, they need to establish that you have a right to rent it. The core requirement is to provide satisfactory documents on which to...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors is proud to announce that Making Miracles has been chosen as our Charity of the Year for 2025/26 . This announcement follows a firm-wide vote held during our recent all-firm meeting, in which Making Miracles received...
We are delighted to announce that, thanks to the dedication of our colleagues, the support of our followers, and the generosity of our partners, we have raised a remarkable £8,000 for The Retreat Animal Rescue , our Charity of the Year 2024/25. ...
We are all familiar with lasting Powers of Attorney, which allows individuals to appoint an attorney to manage their personal affairs if they cannot do so themselves. A business lasting power of attorney operates on the same basis. It is a document that...
According to the Law Commission , the current law does not “provide a cohesive framework in which parties to a divorce or dissolution can expect fair and sufficiently certain outcomes.” The reason for this is the wide-ranging discretion...
The latest issue of Business First magazine by LawNet is now available! This Spring/Summer 2025 edition is packed with insightful features, including coverage of Labour’s proposed employment law reforms, guidance on leasing commercial properties,...
Dilapidations is the term used to refer to the failure of a tenant to maintain, repair, or restore a property to the condition stipulated in the lease agreement during or at the end of the lease. Dilapidations can take various different forms and include: ...
We are delighted to announce that Gemma Nie will be joining the partnership at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, effective 1 April 2025. Gemma has been a dedicated and highly skilled member of our Gillingham-based Conveyancing team, playing a crucial role in...
Having recently attended a webinar, I was surprised about some of the statistics about the increase in the number of cohabiting couples. Not only that, a large percentage of unmarried British couples do not want to get married. Unfortunately,...
Love may conquer all, but sometimes life gets messy: especially when it comes to finances, children and, increasingly, our furry family members. For those going for the long haul, whether married or not, being proactive from the start can save a lot of...
This case highlights the importance of ensuring that a Will is validly executed. Due to a procedural error four Charities lost out on a £1m inheritance. Under Section 9 of the Wills Act 1937 there are certain formalities which have to be...
Are you a flat owner? Ever felt frustrated by the management of your building? Perhaps you have considered purchasing the freehold but found the process too costly or complicated. At Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, we are here to help. Join us for a free online...
Divorce rates are on the decline according to the latest official statistics, with just over 80,000 completed in 2023, down by almost 30% from 113,505 in 2022, but delays in the family courts mean couples are waiting longer than ever to finalise the parting...
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (“the Act”) received Royal Assent during the wash-up before the dissolution of the last Parliament in May 2024. This means it was enacted before all specific elements could be included. The Act seeks to...
In the first instalment of this series we looked at what the right of first refusal is, when it applies and the process a landlord must follow when disposing of their interest in a building by way of a private sale. But what happens if a landlord wishes...
They say buying a house is stressful. However, knowing the key steps in the legal process helps you understand where you are and what still must be done. This helps to take the pressure off. The entire process begins with your financing and the importance...
Here are 8 Law Firm lies that I suspect happen all over the country on a daily basis. Some people will say anything to get what they want or lull you into a false sense of security. Whilst being a law firm property partner I know some things are said,...
New year new you? I bet one of your new year resolutions was to improve your linked in posts this year. Like many of you I often receive emails, linked in messages or direct calls from marketing agencies suggesting I book a course they run on how to improve...
A will that was hand-written on the back of two cardboard food packages has been confirmed as legally binding by the High Court. In an unusual twist, Malcolm Chenery used a Young’s frozen fish box and a Mr Kipling mince pie box to set out his wishes,...
It might seem logical that the parents of a child should have parental responsibility, but that is not always the case. As you would expect, the child’s birth mother has parental responsibility. However, parental responsibility might be removed from...
When selling a property or granting a lease, replies to commercial property standard enquires, known as CPSE are usually required. Whilst these are often seen as a chore to do, the importance of these replies cannot be overstated. Legal...
The festive season, often portrayed as a time of joy and togetherness, can be fraught with stress for many couples. Financial pressures, heightened expectations, and the intensity of prolonged family interactions can place already fragile relationships under...
What is a trustee? A trustee is a person or a firm that holds and administers property or assets held in a trust for the benefit of a third party. A trust can be created for a variety of purposes, including in bankruptcy situations, in certain types of...
At Martin Tolhurst, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a commitment. As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental impact, we have taken significant steps to make our offices more energy-efficient and eco-friendly....
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a crucial part of the UK's strategy to improve energy efficiency in buildings. Introduced under the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, EPCs provide a rating for the energy...
We are over the moon to share some incredible news: Martin Tolhurst Solicitors has been named Conveyancing Firm of the Year - South East at the LEAP Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2024 ! 🏆 The awards ceremony took place last night at the stunning...
Search site
Contact Us
Make an enquiry
