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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

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors Partners with Positive Planet on Sustainability Journey

Ilaria Giurini
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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...

Leaping for a Cause: 8 Colleagues to Skydive in Support of Making Miracles

Clio Browne
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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;...

A 'To Do' list for making your will

Sarah Begley
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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...

Til Prenup Do Us Part?

Payal Patel
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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...

The Hidden Threat of Predatory Marriage

Sarah Begley
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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...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors Launches First Firm-Wide Environmental Policy

Ilaria Giurini
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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...

Can you make your will on WhatsApp?

Charlotte  Hatcher
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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...

Hidden Costs in Leasehold transactions

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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...

Important Clarification - Martin Tolhurst Solicitors unconnected to recent AML sanction

Andrew Ashley-Edwards
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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...

Contentious Probate: What It Is and How We Can Help

Liza Anderson
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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...

Landlord & Tenant - what is Right to Rent?

Giles Dobson
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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 Announces Making Miracles as Charity of the Year 2025/26

Ilaria Giurini
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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 Have Raised £8,000 for The Retreat Animal Rescue!

Ilaria Giurini
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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. ...

Preparation of a business Lasting Power of Attorney

Paul Rothwell
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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...

Financial considerations in divorce - who gets what?

Nameeta Gujral
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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...

Business First Magazine Spring/Summer 2025

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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,...

Commercial Lease Dilapidations - Tenants Beware!

Roger Matharoo
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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: ...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors Welcomes Gemma Nie as a Partner

Ilaria Giurini
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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...

Have you made a Will?

Sarah Begley
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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,...

That's my doggie - the pet-nups protecting fur-ever friends

Richard Salvidge
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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...

Charities lose out on £1million estate due to witnessing error

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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...

"Right to Manage": A Free Online Workshop for Leaseholders

Ilaria Giurini
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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...

Delays and knowledge gap hit hard for splitting couples

Hannah Stanford
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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 - Important update on the implementation of reform

Surinder Ruprai
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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...

The Right of First Refusal: Part 2 - Auction Sale and Section 5B Notices

Paige Banks
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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...

National Apprenticeship Week - Owen Goodhand

Ilaria Giurini
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I am a second year Solicitor Apprentice at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, currently sat within the Litigation team at the firm’s Gillingham office. From an early age I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in law and was fortunate enough to...

A legal 'To Do' list for buying a house

Gemma Nie
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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...

8 Big Law Firm Lies

Richard Carter
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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,...

Want to improve your LinkedIn engagement? Have a heart attack....

Richard Carter
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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...

How to avoid making mincemeat of estate planning

Nathan Hidson
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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,...

Parental Responsibility - a definition

Nameeta Gujral
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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...

The importance of accurate replies to Commercial Property Enquiries

Khalid Mughal
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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...

Avoiding the festive strains that drown out Rudolph

Richard Salvidge
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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...

Trustees - what responsibilities do they have?

Charlotte  Hatcher
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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...

Shining Bright: The Impact of Solar Panels on Our Sustainability Journey

Ilaria Giurini
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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... What's next?

Denise Serifoglu
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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...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors Wins Conveyancing Firm of the Year - South East!

Ilaria Giurini
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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...

We Won! New Business Team Takes Home Top Award at LawNet 2024

Ilaria Giurini
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We are so excited to share some fantastic news—Martin Tolhurst Solicitors’ New Business Team has been named Business Support Team of the Year at the LawNet Awards 2024 ! This award means so much to us. It recognises the hard work, dedication,...

Will I get the money I/my family put into the property at the point of purchase back?

Hannah Stanford
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When I was asked to write an article, I thought of the questions that I commonly get asked. This was one of them: Will I get the money I/my family put in at the point of purchase back? For the purposes of this article, I will be focusing on the law...

Poppy Appeal 2024

Ilaria Giurini
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Every year, the Poppy Appeal reminds us of the sacrifices made by our armed forces. This year, with the ongoing economic uncertainty, charities like the Royal British Legion need our support more than ever. At Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, we're committed...

The Right of First Refusal: Part 1 - Private Sale and Section 5A Notices

Paige Banks
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Are you a landlord looking to sell your interest in a block of flats or are you a leaseholder looking to purchase that interest? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of the above then you need to be aware of the right of first refusal and the...

Glass-shattering £40bn budget debut from chancellor

Paul Rothwell
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Rachel Reeves made history today, delivering the first budget from a female chancellor, in a debut that also marked the first Labour budget in 14 years. Starting her speech with a call for girls and young women to break through any ceiling in achieving...

Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Stamp Duty

Nathan Hidson
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As we approach the UK government’s upcoming budget, there is a heightened focus on potential tax changes that could impact estate planning, property transactions, and probate. In particular, Inheritance Tax (IHT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), and Stamp...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors announces new Managing Partner

Ilaria Giurini
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We are pleased to announce the firm has appointed a new Managing Partner. Reflecting on his time leading the firm, Richard Carter shared: "After over 20 years as Managing Partner of Martin Tolhurst Solicitors I advised the Partners last month of my...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors have been re-accredited with Lexcel

Richard Carter
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Martin Tolhurst Solicitors have been re-accredited with Lexcel – the Practice Management Standard of the Law Society following a recent 2 day on site assessment by an external assessor. The assessment highlighted a record 26 areas of best practice...

Martin Tolhurst Solicitors Celebrates Multiple Award Nominations!

Ilaria Giurini
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At Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, we are delighted to share some fantastic news with our clients and colleagues! In the past few weeks, our firm has achieved significant recognition, being shortlisted for prestigious awards across the legal sector. These...

Navigating the Rise of I Am Sold Auction Properties: What Buyers Need to Know

Abdul Mutallib
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With the surge in popularity of I Am Sold auction properties, it is crucial for potential buyers to tread carefully and be aware of key considerations. While these auctions offer enticing opportunities, there are important factors to keep in mind to avoid...

Renters Rights Bill - the End of "No Fault Evictions" - Bad news for landlords and tenants?

Adam Waters
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There has been a lot in the news recently that “No Fault Evictions” are coming to an end, but what is this likely to mean in practice for both landlords and tenants? It is such a highly political subject because a person’s home is so...

Meet Nathan, our newly qualified CLC Lawyer

Ilaria Giurini
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We are delighted to announce that Nathan Hidson has officially qualified as a CLC Lawyer specialising in Wills & Probate at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors. Nathan has been practising in Private Client Law for over 6 years and has a cumulative 9 years’...

The problem facing single director companies

Mignonette Ellis
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Recent Court judgments have called into question the ability of a sole director of a limited company to make decisions where the company has unamended model articles of association. The validity of previous decisions made by a sole director have also been...