Knights have been instructed to act in the petition brought by Mr. Kevin Painter to challenge the decision of the Returning Officer in the May 2019 Cotswold District Council election to allow the counting of a doubtful ballot in the favour of the Conservative candidate, Stephen Hirst, in the Tetbury Town Ward.  The Returning Officer's adjudication on the doubtful ballot had the effect of breaking a tie between Mr. Painter and Mr. Hirst. Simon Bell (Partner and Counsel) is acting for Mr. Painter in proceedings before the High Court, due to be heard later in the summer.

Knights are proud to be one of the sponsors of this year’s Heathfield Agricultural Show (https://heathfieldshow.org/) which takes place this year on 25th May 2019. The show is a fun opportunity to get a snap shot of the diversity of the landscape, crafts, food stuff and expertise that has been passed down the generations of families living and working in the High Weald. We’ll be attending on the day, so come over and say hello.

Jonathan Manser and Matthew Knight have been instructed to act on behalf of a local restaurant in an investigation as to whether or not their energy meter has been providing accurate readings to their energy supplier. Matthew Knight was interviewed by the BBC South East about this matter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-4758642... for both their news website and the evening news broadcast on BBC on Monday 18th March 2019.

If you think you may be experiencing similar issues with your energy supplier, please don’t hesitate to contact Jonathan Manser for advice and assistance

Knights are instructed to act for iSmile Dental Practice in the Inquiry into the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (Calverley Square) Compulsory Purchase Order 2018 (the “CPO”) which is currently ongoing at the Mercure Hotel, 8 Tonbridge Road, Pembury, Kent, TN2 4QL. The Inquiry is anticipated to run until Friday 1st March 2019 and the Planning Inspector is currently hearing evidence from the Council and objectors to the CPO. 

As a result of the Inquiry, the CPO will either be confirmed (with or without modifications) or rejected by the Planning Inspector. If the CPO is confirmed, then substantive construction work on the Council’s scheme to develop a new civic centre, public square and theatre at the western entrance of Calverley Grounds will follow. This development includes the demolition of the Great Hall car park and the Lodge, in which iSmile Dental Practice is currently based.

On the basis the CPO is confirmed, work is currently scheduled to start in October 2019 and is predicted by the Council to end in January 2022. Councillors current forecasts are that the scheme will cost a total of £90 million and have described it to the Planning Inspector as “…the most significant scheme from a financial perspective to be undertaken by the Council since £100million development of Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre in the 1980’s and will have a lasting impact on the Council’s finances”

Given the considerable scope for disruption the construction has for local businesses and residents in the area and the costs associated with it, the scheme is being hotly resisted by a number of objectors who are affected. The Planning Inspector’s decision on this CPO could undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the face of Royal Tunbridge Wells, it’s businesses and residents. iSmile Dental Practice faces the prospect of closure should it not be able to relocate to alternative premises, leaving Tunbridge Wells with one less dentist for the local community as well as the closure of another local small business.

Details of the Inquiry can be found here: http://persona-pi.com/ and is open for the public to attend between 10am-5pm. If you think you may be affected by this CPO or the wider development, please contact Simon Bell or Busola Oyenekan who are acting for iSmile Dental Practice.

Simon Bell, Partner at Knights Solicitors, has featured in the Times of Tunbridge Wells Newspaper regarding the CPO relating to the development of Calverly Square, Tunbridge Wells, in which Knights acts for a key Objector.

During the Christmas period Knights Solicitors will be closed on 25,26,27 and 28 December 2018. 

Knights will also be closed on 1 January 2019.

The 24/7 legal helpline will be available throughout for emergencies. 

Knights have featured in the Chambers Directory 2018 for Agriculture & Rural Affairs:

Knights are delighted to announce their rankings in The Legal 500 United Kingdom for 2017. Knights has been recommended in the following practice area:

We are delighted to announce our recent certification

Matthew Knight has been interviewed for the BBC South East

A long-standing client of Knights has featured in the Kent Life news for their charitable work done for the Manchester One Love concert. 

The team at Knights are proud to be listed as Kent’s best Niche Law Firm. We are delighted that our expertise and excellent client care have been recognised.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at Knights Solicitors.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at Knights Solicitors!

Monday 28 November 2016 sees the start of Good Divorce Week organised by the family law organisation Resolution

to raise awareness of its new Code of Practice which can be found here.

Matthew Knight, Senior Partner of Knights Solicitors, has given an interview to the BBC regarding the treatment of Ponies on Dartmoor.

Knights Solicitors are pleased to announce that they will be sponsoring the NFU Kent Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 7 December 2016 at 8am.

Knights Solicitors in Tunbridge Wells have secured membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme – the mark of excellence for the home buying process.

Knights Solicitors in Royal Tunbridge Wells has secured the National Law Society’s legal practice quality mark, Lexcel.

Residential Tenancies - News Article

TFA Discussion Group – Kent - 25 Feb 2016

“We are delighted to start 2016 with much good news to share.” 

  Vicky Gallier – Head of Family Department

Matthew Knight, Senior Partner at Knights Solicitors who specialises in gypsy and traveller issues, has warned that changes in the law are having a profound effect on the way local authorities manage residential sites under their control.