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Legal 500 Rankings
Posted on 13/10/2017
Knights are delighted to announce their rankings in The Legal 500 United Kingdom for 2017. Knights has been recommended in the following practice area:
South East - Private client, Agriculture and Estates
Matthew Knight is listed in elite “Leading Lawyers” list, The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2017’s guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide.
Matthew Knight and Peter Burfoot are recommended in The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2017 editorial (listed below)
Knights has ‘a good following amongst landowners in the South East and nationwide’, and has ‘a strong and tenacious commitment to the interests of the client’. Recent work included representing two individuals in a dispute over a lapsed access to adjoining fields, and assisting several clients with planning, judicial review claims for listed buildings and development rights issues. Senior partner Matthew Knight ‘has achieved many successful outcomes thanks to his tough negotiating manner and willingness to go the extra mile’. Peter Burfoot ‘knows the subject area well’ and ‘offers realistic advice’.
Knights Attain Cyber Essentials Certification
Posted on 29/06/2017
We are delighted to announce our recent certification. Cyber Essentials helps prevent the vast majority of cyber-attacks. Having a Cyber Essentials certification helps to protect our firm against common cyber threats and it demonstrates to our clients that we take this issue seriously.
Matthew Knight Interviewed by BBC News
Posted on 21/06/2017
Matthew Knight has been interviewed for the BBC South East regarding Allied Care Limited and Payzequra of Wyoming. A video of the news section can be viewed here.
Knights client features in the Kent Live news for their charitable work
Posted on 19/06/2017
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 article can be read here.
Knights "arguably this year's winner" in Kent Legal Sector Review 2017
Posted on 02/02/2017
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.
The full article, which featured in The Times of Tunbridge Wells 1 February 2017, can be read here.
Christmas Opening Times
Posted on 05/12/2016
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at Knights Solicitors.
The firm will be closed for the Christmas Holiday from close of business on Friday 23rd December 2016 until 8.30am on 3rd January 2017. During this time, as always, our Legal Helplines will remain open. We are available to assist you in any urgent matters and will have staff on standby to open our offices to facilitate meetings if necessary.
Please contact us on 01892 537311.
Good Divorce Week 28 November 2016 to 2 December 2016
Posted on 28/11/16
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.
Vicky Gallier, Head of our Family Department, is proud to be a member of Resolution and to comply with he Code as it aims to reduce or manage any conflict or confrontation, support and encourage families to put the best interests of any children first and act with honesty, integrity and objectivity.
Please contact Vicky if you would like to discuss any issues you may have.
Matthew Knight Interviewed by BBC News
Posted on 22/11/16
Matthew Knight, Senior Partner of Knights Solicitors, has given an interview to the BBC regarding the treatment of Ponies on Dartmoor.
Knights Solicitors Sponsor NFU Kent Annual General Meeting
Posted on 02/11/2016
Knights Solicitors are pleased to announce that they will be sponsoring the NFU Kent Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 7 December 2016 at 8am.
Speakers will be Chris Mead; Kent's leading agronomist and Ian Morris of Chavereys.
The topics of discussion will be Brexit and Glyphosate and Pesticide developments.
Please contact your local NFU office for further details.
Knights Solicitors Secure Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme Membership
Posted on 10/08/2016
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 underwent rigorous assessment by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status, which marks the firm out as meeting high standards in the residential conveyancing process.
CQS is the well-established quality kite mark of the residential property services market and it enables clients to identify and recognise practices that provide high quality residential conveyancing services.
Graham Dorman, Head of Conveyancing and Non Contentious work at Knights Solicitors says: ”We are delighted to have secured CQS membership; we know that buying and selling property can be a stressful experience but clients can be confident that by choosing Knights Solicitors, they can be sure of a safe, efficient and personal service of the highest standards”.
The Law Society introduced CQS to help recognise high standards in the home buying process. It requires practices to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-reporting, random audits and annual reviews in order to maintain CQS status. It is open only to members of the Law Society who meet the demanding standards set by the scheme and has the support of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Building Societies Association, Legal Ombudsman and the Association of British Insurers.
Knights Practice Manager, Colette Chapman, commented: “securing CQS status, together with our Lexcel Practice Management accreditation, clearly demonstrates our commitment to our clients”.
For more information on the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme visit www.lawsociety.org.uk/cqs
Please contact Graham Dorman, Head of Conveyancing Department at graham.dorman@knights-solicitors.co.uk or call on 01892 537311 for your conveyancing requirements.
Knights Solicitors Secures Top Accolade from National Law Society
Posted on 25/02/2016
Knights Solicitors in Royal Tunbridge Wells has secured the National Law Society’s legal practice quality mark, Lexcel.
Lexcel is developed specifically for the legal profession. It is an optional, recognised accreditation scheme for law firms and in-house legal
departments which gives assurance that a practice meets high client care and business management standards.
To gain and retain Lexcel accreditation, practice must undergo a rigorous initial then annual application and assessment process. This includes conducting background checks and an on-site visit from an independent, experienced, trained Lexcel assessor.
Colette Chapman, Practice Manager said: “While we are proud to have secured Lexcel, it is our clients and staff who are the main beneficiaries. They
can be assured that the way we manage the practice has their interests and heart and runs efficiently. There is a lot of choice in the legal services
market, but being Lexcel accredited demonstrates our commitment to client care and best practice.”
Jonathan Smithers, President of the Law Society of England and Wales said: “Gaining and maintaining Lexcel is a considerable feat. There are many facets of being a Lexcel accredited law firm, including excellence in client care. A real commitment to customer service in today’s evermore competitive legal services market is vital.
“By undergoing the rigorous Lexcel application and assessment process, practices can show the positive steps which they are taking to help clients in the increasingly diverse and complicated legal services market."
“The scheme is a beacon of quality to clients and potential clients alike”.
Knights Solicitors joins more than 1700 other legal practices in England and Wales with Lexcel accreditation. The practice management accolade has also gone international, with firms in Scotland, the Middle East, Poland, and the Republic of Ireland having gained accreditation.
TFA Recommended Professional: Matthew Knight - Speaker
Posted on 08/02/2016
TFA Discussion Group – Kent - 25 Feb 2016
The TFA will be holding a discussion group for tenant farmers in Kent. Speaking at the discussion group will be TFA Recommended Professional Matthew Knight from Knights Solicitors who will be giving attendees an update on agricultural tenancy legislation and case law. Also at the meeting will be theTFA’s Chief Executive George Dunn who will be able to answer all your tenancy related queries.
‘Right to Rent’ Rules and Other Pre-Tenancy Agreement Requirements
Posted on 08/02/2016
Residential Tenancies - News Article
Graham Dorman, Author - Property Partner at Knights Solicitors
From 1 February 2016 onwards it is a criminal offence under the Immigration Act 2014 for a Landlord (‘L’) to let a property to a Tenant (‘T’) unless L has carried out prior checks that T has a right to be in the UK.
Failure to comply with the legislation may lead to a conviction with a maximum fine of £3,000. L must therefore be satisfied that T is entitled to be in the UK by T producing appropriate documents for this purpose. L will need to meet with T personally or alternatively L’s agent may do so on behalf of L and the required documents or combinations of documents must be presented and checked by L, copied and dated, and retained by L.
The documentation which is acceptable for the purposes of the Act is set out in detail in the Home Office Advice Leaflet: ‘Right to Rent Document Checks: A User Guide’ issued in February 2016. This is available to download online.
A reminder that in addition to the ‘Right to Rent’ rules any L granting a Tenancy must comply with the following further requirements:
If a rent or deposit is being paid by T to L, then L must provide to T the prescribed information required under the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. It is
necessary for L to have an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) provided in respect of the property and must provide a copy of the EPC to T.
Smoke alarms must be fitted to all living areas and carbon monoxide alarms in all areas/rooms containing solid fuel burning appliances.
T must be given the current version of ‘How to Rent – The Checklist for Renting in England’ which is again available to download online from www.gov.uk.
A further recent change to legislation provides that a Notice requiring T to give back possession of the property at the end of the term can only be given
after the expiry of the first four months of the term. Previously many Ls would hand to T the Notice requiring possession – known as a Section 21 Notice – at the same time as entering into the Tenancy Agreement.
This had the benefit of L knowing that the Notice had been given and therefore that T would have to vacate at the end of the term. Accordingly if L now wishes to ensure that the property is recovered at the end of the term then L must remember to serve a Section 21 Notice not earlier than four months after the commencement date of the term. The Section 21 Notice gives T two months Notice to hand back possession expiring at the earliest at the end of the contractual term.
Dated 2 February 2016
New Year Changes at Knights
Posted on 08/01/2016
“We are delighted to start 2016 with much good news to share.”
Vicky Gallier – Head of Family Department
January 2016 sees the introduction of Knights Family Law Department with the arrival of our new Associate Vicky Gallier, who will be heading up the department. Vicky is a very experienced family law and divorce and children litigation solicitor whom we are very pleased to welcome to our firm. She brings with her, extensive knowledge that will enhance our current range of expertise.
You can read more about Vicky and her experience in the ‘Our Team’ section of our website.
Joshua Quinn - Partner
In recognition of his contribution to the firm and his enormous talent and potential, we are proud to announce that Joshua has been appointed partner of the firm from 1 January 2016. Joshua continues in his role of successfully assisting clients in civil litigation matters. He will also take over the running and development of the Criminal and Regulatory practice assisted by Richard Atkins.
Richard Atkins – Associate
Richard has decided to reduce his role with the firm from 1 January 2016 but we are delighted that he continues with Knights as an associate and will carry on assisting Joshua Quinn with the very successful criminal and regulatory practice area of the firm.
Knights Legal Help Desk
We also launch and introduce Knights Legal Help Desk, which is designed to help you make the right decisions.
Legislation Has Profound Effect on Gypsy and Traveller Site Management
Posted on 30/07/2011
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. Now that new legislation has come into force, he urges council officers to be particularly aware of how this will change the way they carry out their duties.
Suitable Advice and Guidance
We determine whether your problem requires a legal approach and advise if it is possible to solve by taking another route as part of our highly recommended services. Consultations can also be conducted by telephone when that is your preference. Please call us on 01892 537311 to make an appointment.
Contact us today, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, for more information about the services provided by our law firm.